18-07 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission - Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2018
Crystal City Hall (for Crystal Highlands Neighborhood)
The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at
7:14 pm by Commission Vice Chair Erin Kolb.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, David Pascoe, Meredith Torres-Walsh, Tiffany
Kovaleski, and Erin Kolb. Also present were Anne Norris, John Sutter, John Elholm, Brad Fortin,
Lieutenant Derek Hacker, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Introductions were made of the Commission members and City Staff.
Lieutenant Hacker gave information on the Crystal Highlands neighborhood. There is not a lot of police
calls to the neighborhood. The Police Department is continuing to do outreach to members of the
community through activities & events.
Mr. Sutter provided information on current and upcoming city projects. Including the progress on the
Bass Lake Road streetscape project, as well as U-Haul moving into the old Thrift-Way building.
Mr. Brad Fortin highlighted recent and upcoming park projects.
Mr. John Elholm presented on the MAC Wildlife Area, Welcome and Becker park projects.
Mr. Berggren gave an update on what the Recreation Department is working on. He highlighted current
programs and encouraged residents to visit the Edible Courtyard at the Crystal Community Center.
Resident questions were answered. There was a resident comment on the Bassett Creek Dog Park.
Discussion of this topic was moved to the business portion of the commission meeting.
A resident received a Crystal Community Center activity gift certificate in a drawing.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
July 11, 2018
Crystal City Hall (for Crystal Highlands Neighborhood)
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm by
Commission Vice-Chair Erin Kolb.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, David Pascoe, Meredith Torres-Walsh,
Tiffany Kovaleski, and Erin Kolb. Also present were Olga Parsons with the City Council and Anne
Norris, John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Lori Merriam, Andy Leipold & Patrick Rosenquist
There was public comment surrounding the Bassett Creek Dog Park. The conversation of this
topic was moved to Item 5a of the agenda.
Mr. Pascoe made a motion to approve the June Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Ms.
Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for June were
approved as written.
There was no Chairperson’s Report
Ms. Kolb led a discussion on the Bassett Creek Dog Park. Several thoughts and ideas on ways to
improve the dog park were exchanged amongst the group. Ms. Norris and Mr. Elholm will
compile the suggestions and present them in a memo to the Park and Recreation Commission
before the August 1 meeting.
Mr. Elholm led a recap of the park tour that was taken on June 20. The Park and Recreation
Commission enjoyed the tour, including the bus and the parks that were chosen. They believed
it was a valuable experience, and would like to see it offered again next year.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on the progress of three different park projects. Three Rivers is
done with their portion of the MAC Wildlife Area boardwalk. The Park and Recreation
Commission will be taking a tour of the boardwalk on August 1 – prior to the next commission
meeting. Rachel Contracting has done a lot of work on the softball field in Welcome Park in a
few short days. There will be an open house at Becker Park on August 15 to touch base with the
public and give them an opportunity to see the latest plan information.
Ms. Parsons gave the City Council Report. The City Council is focusing on the bi-annual budget.
The budget will cover 2019 & 2020. They also took a field trip to Andover Community Center, to
see their partnership between the City of Andover and the YMCA.
Mr. Pascoe gave the Crystal Fund Report. He reported that they have 1-2 committed breweries
for the “Cheers to Crystal” event scheduled for January 18, 2019.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 July 11, 2018
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director Report. He mentioned that we are in the heart of summer, with
the pool open and summer programs and park construction projects in full swing.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. The 2018 Crystal Frolics will take place July 26-29.
In other community activities, the Light of Crystal will be holding their Half Way Happy Hour on
July 15 with Pizza in the Park. They will also be hosting Pizza in the Park events throughout the
summer.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the July Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Ms.
Torres-Walsh seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder