20-09 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
September 2, 2020
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Commission Chair Lynn Haney.
Commission members in attendance were: Lynn Haney, Chair, Jesse McCaffrey, Vice Chair, Shaz
Ahmadi, Secretary, Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lori Merriam, Tony Sumnicht and Meredith
Torres-Walsh. Also present were John Budziszewski, Council Liaison, and city staff members
John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren.
Commission members not in attendance were: Erin Kolb, Andy Leipold
Community members in attendance: none
There was no public comment.
Ms. Torres-Walsh made a motion to approve the August Park and Recreation Commission
minutes; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
August were approved as written.
There was no Chairperson’s report.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. The Fair School playground has been
installed, and the rubber surfacing will be poured in the next week. The City Council approved
the concrete contractor for the North Lions hockey rink. The concrete work is expected to begin
in late September. The extension of the MAC Wildlife boardwalk is on track and expected to
begin this winter if the weather allows. Three Rivers Park District is seeking bids for the project.
Park and Recreation Commission members gave an update on their visits to their designated
neighborhood parks. Written reports on each park were in the packet, with verbal discussion
taking place at the meeting. Many great observations were brought up and discussed amongst
those in attendance. Mr. Berggren will assign Natural Areas for Commission members to visit
and report on for next month’s meeting.
Mr. Elholm updated the commission on proposed park projects – through 2030. The projects
are recommendations from the park system master plan that was completed in 2017. A focus
over the next 10 years will be upgrading play areas and adding or improving neighborhood
picnic shelters. The 10-year plan also calls for rentable park buildings at a few Community
Parks, moving the Bassett Creek dog park to a new location, and making changes to our sports
fields. There was some discussion on the disc golf course at Bassett Creek Park. The thought
on improvements is that a solid plan is needed before we can move forward with any changes.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 September 2, 2020
Mr. Budziszewski provided a city council update. The City Council is working on the 2021-2022
budget. A City ordinance has been approved that moves the legal age to buy tobacco in the
City from age 18 to 21. He also provided an update on economic development projects.
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. This fall Bassett Creek park will be the host site for many
High School Cross Country races. Staff is working with the organizers to help meet their COVID
related needs. Mr. Elholm also shared a video that recapped the Neighbors Recognizing
Neighbors award.
There was no Crystal Frolics report.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund update. There will be no Cheers to Crystal event in 2020.
Other updates included a mention by Mr. McCaffrey that goats are being brought in to
Theodore Wirth Park to control buckthorn. Ms. Cooper mentioned she is also looking for
opportunities to give away masks she has made, particularly to children, and is planning to give
some out at Becker Park on Labor Day.
Ms. Merriam made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
John Elholm, Recorder