20-01 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 8, 2020
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Commission Chair Lori Merriam.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Lori Merriam, Meredith Torres-Walsh,
Jesse McCaffrey, Joyce Cooper, Shaz Ahmadi, Tony Sumnicht and Dave Anderson. Also present
were John Budziszewski, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the
City Staff.
Commission Members not in attendance were: Erin Kolb & Andy Leipold
The commission welcomed new Commission Members Joyce Cooper, Shaz Ahmadi and Tony
Sumnicht and new Council Liaison John Budziszewski.
The election of officers for 2020 took place.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to nominate Ms. Haney as the commission chair. Ms.
Merriam seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Haney was elected as the 2020 Park and Recreation Commission Chair
The gavel was passed to new Commission Chair Lynn Haney.
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Mr. McCaffrey as the commission vice chair. Ms.
Merriam seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Mr. McCaffrey was elected as the 2020 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Ms. Ahmadi as the commission secretary. Ms. Torres-
Walsh seconded the motion. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Ahmadi was elected as the 2020 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
There was no public comment
Ms. Merriam made a motion to approve the December Park and Recreation Commission
minutes; Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
December were approved as written.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 8, 2020
Ms. Haney gave the chairperson’s report. She thanked Ms. Merriam for her time as the
Commission Chair. She also encouraged commission members to think about what they would
like to discuss at meetings in the future.
Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2019 Work Plan. Many great things were accomplished in 2019;
including a grand opening event for the Welcome Park softball field, the ground breaking for
Becker Park improvements, choosing final playground colors and additional amenities at Becker
Park, tour of parks in neighboring cities, and participation in community meetings and events.
Mr. Elholm presented a 2020 Work Plan draft.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to approve the 2020 work plan; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the
motion. The Park and Recreation Commission work plan for 2020 was approved with the
addition of one ribbon cutting ceremony.
The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2020 meeting calendar, which
includes four outdoor meetings between May and August.
May 6 Broadway Park
June 3 Lee Park
July 1 Cavanagh Park
August 5 North Lions Park
Mr. Anderson made a motion to approve the 2020 meeting calendar; Mr. McCaffrey seconded
the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting calendar for 2020 was approved as
presented.
The commission discussed adopting Grogan Park as part of the Park Pride Program. A clean-up
prior to the September meeting will be added to the commission calendar.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. Upcoming projects include funding from a
variety of sources; including recent sale of land adjacent to parks, matching funds from project
partners (Robbinsdale Area Schools), and a grant from Hennepin County. Projects for 2020 will
take place at Fair School, North Lions, Iron Horse and Bass Lake Parks. A grand opening for
Becker Park will take place on Saturday, May 16.
Mr. Budziszewski 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 main item on the first Council agenda of 2020 was the approval of major
equipment purchases, such as a large area mower, a pick-up truck and a roller.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 January 8, 2020
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 mentioned that Mr. Berggren has been elected to
MRPA Board of Directors for 2020 and 2021; representing the West Metro area.
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 20. They have secured
music entertainment for the event. They will follow this event up with the Plant Sale 0n May 16.
Mr. Elholm and Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Mr. Elholm discussed the partnership
that has been created with Omni Brewing and the West Metro Fire and Relief Association
(WMFRA) for serving beer during the Crystal Frolics. Omni will be the exclusive provider at
Becker Park and WMFRA will be the exclusive provider at Welcome Park. Ms. Haney has booked
the petting zoo for the Crystal Frolics Family Festival. The Recreation Department will book
Kidsdance for the Family Festival from 11 am – 2 pm. Ms. Haney also mentioned that
Armstrong Cross Country will no longer be operating the Frolics 5K in 2020. Other groups
would be considered for operating the 5K. The next Frolics meeting is January 27 at the Crystal
Community Center.
Ms. Ahmadi made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder