20-10 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
October 7, 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, Erin Kolb, Tony Sumnicht and
Andy Leipold. Also present were Council Liaison John Budziszewski and city staff members John
Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren.
Commission members not in attendance were: Meredith Torres-Walsh
Community members in attendance: none
There was no public comment.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve the September Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Ms. Ahmadi seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
September were approved as written.
Ms. Haney gave her chair report. She thanked Mr. Sumnicht for creating the park project
graphic. She also passed along the many good comments she received about the Storybook
Trail program in our parks.
Mr. Elholm led a discussion on recent activity at the Bassett Creek Dog Park. The commission
discussed two recent dog biting dog attacks and what can be done to reduce them in the
future. Some ideas the commission had on the topic a couple years ago were revisited. Mr.
Elholm mentioned the old dog park is scheduled to be replaced with a new one in 2022; which
will include separate areas for small and large dogs. There was some discussion on whether
anything could be done in the short term, but with a new dog park coming soon some thought
it may be best to wait. Staff will continue to explore other options.
Park and Recreation Commission members gave an update on their visits to their designated
nature areas. 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. Elholm updated the commission on current and proposed park projects. The playground at
Fair School Park is nearly complete. The contractors are finishing up the rink at North Lions
Park. They will be working on installing the new light poles, as well as caulking the concrete.
Lastly Mr. Elholm briefly showed updates we’ve made to the park project website, which
includes information on the 2021 paly area replacements at Valley Place and Yunkers Parks.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 7, 2020
Mr. Budziszewski provided a city council update. The City Council is working on the 2021-2022
budget. The Police Department is going through the process to add another K-9 to the
department. The City is gearing up for elections on November 3.
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 winter we will have warming houses and ice skating
at 4 park locations. Mr. Elholm also shared some positive comments he recently received from
park users.
There was no Crystal Frolics or Crystal Fund report.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
John Elholm, Recorder