16-12 Approved Commission Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
December 7, 2016
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm.
Commission members in attendance were: Nancy LaRoche, Erin Kolb, Lynn Haney, Steve Hildre,
Lori Merriam and Guy Mueller. Also present were Scott Berggren, Brad Fortin and John Elholm
from the city staff; and Elizabeth Dahl from the City Council.
There was no public comment
Ms. Merriam made a motion to approve the November minutes; Ms. Haney seconded the
motion. The minutes for November were approved as written
Chair LaRoche gave the chairperson report. She reflected on her time as a Park and Recreation
Advisory Commission member. Along with Mr. Berggren she gave a recap of the December 3
Winterfest event. The commission members in attendance at the event made comments on
the event and provided suggestions for the future.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on the park system and Becker Park master plans. The Crystal City
Council approved the hiring of WSB and Associates (WSB) to do the master plan work. Mr.
Elholm, Mr. Fortin and WSB went out to each of the parks late November / early December to
take some notes as part of the planning process. Mr. Elholm will update the Commission at the
January meeting regarding the next steps, specifically as it pertains to outreach.
Mr. Elholm led a discussion about park signage at City of Crystal Parks. Currently the signage at
our parks is inconsistent and deteriorating. Mr. Elholm showed some examples of newer signs
that would promote a consistent look and also be more maintenan ce friendly. There is a lot to
consider when installing signage, and signs will likely be phased in over a number of years. Mr.
Elholm also showed examples of other signs in the park that could be removed, consolidated or
simplified.
Mr. Elholm recognized the outgoing commission members LaRoche and Hildre. Ms. LaRoche
had served for 5 years and Mr. Hildre had served for 3 years. They were thanked for their
service and presented with a certificate in recognition of their contributions.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 December 7, 2016
The election of officers for 2017 took place.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to nominate Mr. Mueller as the commission chair; Ms. Merriam
seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Mueller was elected as the 2017 Park and Recreation Commission Chair
Ms. LaRoche made a motion to nominate Ms. Haney as the commission vice chair; Ms. Kolb
seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Haney was elected as the 2017 Park and Recreation Commission Vice Chair
Ms. Kolb made a motion to nominate Ms. Merriam as the commission secretary; Ms. Haney
seconded the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Merriam was elected as the 2017 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
After the officer nominations were made and selected, Council Member Dahl mentioned that
the end of the year may not be the best time to elect officers. A short discussion followed on
pros and cons of other times of the year. The month of December is specifically called out in
the by-laws as the month to hold elections, so making changes would require a change to the
by-laws.
Mr. Elholm recommended that the 2017 outdoor meeting dates correspond with the five
community parks that will be focused on in the Park Systems Master Plan. The commission
agreed to the following schedule:
May 3 – Yunkers for Arbor Day
June 7 – Becker Park
July 12 – Bassett Creek Park (moved one week later than typical 1st Wednesday date)
August 2 – North Lions Park
September 7 – Welcome Park
Ms. Dahl gave the Council Report. There will be two new council members starting in January
2017. The Council is also excited about the Parks System Master Plan and is in the process of
interviewing potential commission members. In addition, Ms. Dahl gave details regarding the
Crystal Ball. The masquerade ball will take place on March 18 at the Crystal Community Center.
Food will be catered by Milton’s and Cooper High School will be providing the music.
Participants will be charged $30 for the entire event; or $10 if they just want to come and
dance.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 December 7, 2016
Mr. Mueller gave a Crystal Fund report which included the details for the spring plant sale. The
plant sale is planned for May 20 and will take place at the Crystal Community Center. The sale
and related activities will take place in the game room and the outside patio.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren fo r park
programming. They both made reference to information reported in the commission packet.
In other business, Ms. Haney discussed the Crystal Frolics which included the bands that would
be performing at the 2017 event.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Merriam seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 pm.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 4 at 7:00 pm – at the Crystal Community Center.
John Elholm
Recorder