21-03 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
March 3, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance were: Jesse McCaffrey - Chair, Tony Sumnicht – Vice Chair,
Shaz Ahmadi - Secretary, Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney and Erin Kolb. Also present
were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Scott Berggren from the
City Staff.
Commission members not in attendance were: none
There was no public comment
Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the February Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for February
were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the Chairperson’s report. He discussed his experience participating in a
webinar put on by the Three Rivers Park District.
Mr. Elholm recognized Ms. Torres-Walsh for her 5 years on the Parks & Recreation Advisory
Commission. A certificate of appreciation had been presented to her prior to the virtual
meeting. Much was accomplished during her time on the commission.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on the Parks and Recreation chapter of the city code. The changes
have been approved by the City Council, and will go into effect at the end of March. The code
changes will be incorporated into new rule signs, with a QR code bringing people back to the
full Parks and Recreation code section. New picnic area permit information was also published
in volume 1 of our spring/summer brochure.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. The City Council approved the purchase and
installation of a picnic shelter for Bass Lake Park. Park maintenance staff is doing significant
work on the Valley Place Park building in an effort to make it more ADA compliant and
appealing for rentals. The purchase for the play areas at Valley Place and Yunkers Parks have
been approved, and orders have been placed.
Mr. Elholm discussed future park projects as they relate to the park system master plan. This
was a follow-up discussion from the February meeting. The plan calls for offering open spaces,
improving habitat and adding nature play features. Related to this, Mr. Elholm provided
background information on what guidelines and costs are associated with adding a designated
nature play area. Another discussion was held on adding adult exercise equipment adjacent to
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 3, 2021
play areas and/or along trails. Staff was asked to send links to resources presented for this part
of the meeting to commission members after the meeting.
Mr. Cummings presented the City Council report. The City Council approved the purchase of
two play areas, city code updates and a new picnic shelter.
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 the Recreation Department is going
through a transition with their online registration site, Webtrac. Webtrac has been modified for
easier navigation on mobile devices, however, the web version is now harder to use. More
modifications will be coming to improve the full user experience.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. The Crystal Fund will donate funds to buy trees that are
given away for the city’s Arbor Day event. They are also seeking volunteers for their annual
plant sale on May 22 – to be held at Becker Park.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Advertising will begin for the Crystal Frolics button
contest. Mr. Sumnicht has agreed to write the clues for the “Search for the Crystal Ball”.
Under community contacts, Mr. McCaffrey mentioned a social media conversation he
encountered regarding portable restrooms in the parks. Mr. Elholm communicated portable
restrooms are typically made available at parks with higher use, which includes community
parks and neighborhood parks that host regular organized activities.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Haney seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder