19-01 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 9, 2019
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:07 pm by
Commission Vice Chair Erin Kolb.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Erin Kolb, Lori Merriam, Andy Leipold,
Meredith Torres-Walsh, Patrick Rosenquist, Terencio Safford and Dave Anderson. Also present
were Nancy LaRoche, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the City
Staff.
Commission Members not in attendance were: David Pascoe
Mr. McCaffery was also present as a guest to observe the meeting.
The commission welcomed new Commission Members Dave Anderson and Terencio Safford
The gavel was passed to Commission Chair Lori Merriam.
The election of officers for 2019 took place.
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Ms. Merriam as the commission chair. Ms. Torres-
Walsh seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Merriam was elected as the 2019 Park and Recreation Commission Chair
Ms. Kolb made a motion to nominate Ms. Haney as the commission vice chair. Ms. Torres-
Walsh seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Haney was elected as the 2019 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Mr. Leipold as the commission secretary. Ms. Torres-
Walsh seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Leipold was elected as the 2019 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the December Park and Recreation Commission minutes
with the following amendments: Change 2018 to 2019 in regards to the commission meeting
dates for next year. Also, the Crystal Ball will take place in February, not January; Mr.
Rosenquist seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for December
were approved with amendments.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 9, 2019
There was no chairperson’s report.
Mr. Elholm provided the commission with a brief presentation on the role of the Parks &
Recreation Advisory Commission. He gave examples on how the process has worked the past
year when the commission made recommendations and provided input to the City Council. Mr.
Elholm briefly reviewed Open Meeting Law (OML) materials.
Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2018 Work Plan. Many great things were accomplished in 2018;
including a groundbreaking for Welcome Park improvements, the grand opening of the MAC
Park boardwalk, final design of Becker Park, tour of parks in neighboring cities, and
participation in community meetings and events.
Mr. Elholm presented a 2019 Work Plan draft.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to approve the 2019 work plan; Mr. Leipold seconded the
motion. The Park and Recreation Commission work plan for 2019 was approved as presented.
The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2019 meeting calendar, which
includes five outdoor meetings between May and September.
May 1 Welcome Park
June 5 Fair School Park
July 10 Iron Horse Park
August 7 Sunnyview Park
September 4 Bass Lake Park
The commission also discussed a summer tour, which will be held on June 19.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. He discussed the pre-bid meeting for Becker
Park that had recently been held and mentioned that bids will be opened on January 23. He
encouraged commission members to promote www.beckerpark.com, which the commission
viewed at the meeting. A grand opening for the softball field at Welcome Park has not been
planned yet, but will likely take place the Thursday of the 2019 Crystal Frolics.
Ms. LaRoche presented the council report. The new commission liaisons were appointed at the
first council meeting of the year. New council members were also sworn in during the same
meeting. The mayor and council members will be hosting a legislative breakfast on February 9.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. Crystal Fund members are working towards finding
more breweries to participate at the Cheers to Crystal Event on March 15. They have secured
music entertainment for the event. They will follow this event up with the Plant Sale in May.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 January 9, 2019
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both made reference to information presented in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. He conveyed that the recreation department is
coordinating the Crystal Ball for 2019. Food and music have already been set-up for the
February 22 event. Tickets are available to be purchased online through the recreation
department’s website.
The Crystal Frolics committee will resume meeting in January, which will include planning for
Frolics in 2019 at Welcome Park.
Upcoming community events include; the Light of Crystal Halfway Happy Hour
Mr. Leipold made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Rosenquist seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder