21-01 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 6, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 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, Erin Kolb, Tony Sumnicht, and Meredith
Torres-Walsh. Also present were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin
and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
The commission welcomed new Council Liaison David Cummings.
The election of officers for 2021 took place.
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Mr. McCaffrey as the commission chair. Mr. McCaffrey
accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. McCaffrey was elected as the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Chair.
The gavel was passed to new Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Mr. Sumnicht as the commission vice chair. Mr.
Sumnicht accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Sumnicht was elected as the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair.
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to nominate Ms. Ahmadi as the commission secretary. Ms.
Ahmadi accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Ms. Ahmadi was elected as the 2021 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
There was no public comment
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to approve the December Park and Recreation Commission
minutes; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
December were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the chairperson’s report. He thanked commission members and staff for
their role in making 2020 successful in the face of a pandemic. He also encouraged commission
members to speak up when they have an opinion, and continue to have a positive role in the
city.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 6, 2021
Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2020 Work Plan. Many great things were accomplished in 2020; even
though the planned grand opening events had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Even with the
pandemic, commission members were able to do self-guided tours of Crystal parks and pick the
winners for the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors award.
The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2021 meeting calendar, which
includes four outdoor meetings between May and August.
May 5 Iron Horse
June 2 Lee Park
July 7 Cavanagh Park
August 4 North Lions Park
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the 2021 meeting calendar; Ms. Torres-Walsh seconded
the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting calendar for 2021 was approved as
presented.
Mr. Elholm presented a 2021 Work Plan draft.
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the 2021 work plan with the deletion of an inactive
community partner; Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission
work plan for 2021 was approved as amended.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. Larger projects for 2021 will take place at
Bass Lake, Valley Place, and Yunkers Parks. A Hennepin Youth Sports grant for Valley Place Park
will allow additional accessibility improvements to be made. A celebration for Becker Park will
be held on Saturday, May 22 – provided COVID-19 precautions can be met.
Mr. Elholm reviewed proposed code changes that will better allow recreation staff to provide
clear and accurate information to the public. The code changes reviewed at the meeting
related to Becker Park closing time, portable grill rules, glass containers, inflatable devices,
temporary shade structures, food trucks, generators, liter and sound amplification. Mr.
McCaffrey made a motion to recommend the code changes, however, Mr. Anderson stated that
those accessing the meeting via telephone were unable to see the slides or hear the discussion
clearly. A short discussion on the difficulty of hearing via phone followed, with no second to
the motion being made. No vote was taken, but those participating in the code discussion were
in general agreement of the code changes being proposed.
Mr. Elholm also updated the commission on an information flier that was prepared to better
communicate dog park rules, which has also been posted to the city’s website.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 January 6, 2021
Mr. Cummings 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 council also congratulated the winners of the Crystal Sparkles contest.
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 wished everyone a Happy New Year, and also
mentioned that the City was awarded a Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant in the amount of
$100,000 for the Valley Place Park project.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. The next Crystal Fund meeting will be held virtually on
January 19.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. The next Frolics meeting will be held virtually on
January 25.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Ahmadi seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder