21-04 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
April 7, 2021
Virtual Zoom Meeting
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance were: Jesse McCaffrey - Chair, Tony Sumnicht – Vice Chair,
Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper 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: Lynn Haney & Shaz Ahmadi
Others: Forest Eidbo – he has applied to be an at-large member of the Parks & Recreation
Advisory Commission.
There was no public comment
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to approve the March Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Ms. Kolb seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for March were
approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the Chairperson’s report. He enjoyed the conversation at the last meeting
regarding nature play and adult fitness equipment. The commission typically does a tour of
parks in the metro area during the summer, but were not able to do that last year due to
COVID-19 protocols. The commission did self-guided tours of designated Crystal Parks instead.
Mr. McCaffrey suggested doing something similar this year, possibly doing self-guided visits to
different parks in the metro area, if we are not able to do a bus tour again.
The Commission Members reviewed and voted on the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Award
nominations. Award winners will be recognized at an upcoming Crystal City Council Meeting.
Four neighbors were recommended for the award – names and addresses were redacted
during the selection process, so names are not included in the motion.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve four neighbors as winners of the Neighbors Recognizing
Neighbors Award; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors
Award winners were approved as voted on.
Mr. Elholm gave an update on park signage. New rules signs have been designed, which reflect
recent changes to the park and recreation chapter of the city code. New signs were also
designed for the Becker Park amphitheater and oval. Additionally, portable signs identifying
park improvement sites and signs reminding visitors to pick-up trash and animal waste were
also ordered. These signs are equipped with a QR code, that will lead visitors to additional
information after scanning the code with their mobile device.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 April 7, 2021
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects. Much of the equipment needed for current
projects have been ordered. This includes a play area for Valley Place, a park shelter and
basketball court improvements for Bass Lake Park and a play area and basketball court
improvements for Yunkers Park. Park maintenance staff continue to do significant work on the
Valley Place Park building to make it more ADA compliant and appealing for rentals. The trail
design for Valley Place Park is being reconfigured to better account for park topography.
Mr. Elholm informed the commission that we have applied for a grant from the Minnesota
DNR. The grant would be used for resurfacing the courts at Becker Park. The project includes
converting most or all of the existing tennis courts to pickleball courts; along with updating the
basketball court. More public input will be needed to determine the number of pickleball
courts vs. tennis courts to build.
Mr. Elholm lead a brief discussion on the future of the disc golf course at Bassett Creek Park.
While there is no timeline for when the course will be redesigned, staff is working on improving
land on the edge of the current course for expansion purposes. This additional space will allow
for more flexibility when it is time to redesign the course.
Mr. Cummings presented the City Council report. The City Council approved application for the
DNR Grant mentioned above. He also had a resident contact him about the disc golf course,
advocating for future improvements. In addition, the City Council approved the rebidding
process for the police station.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both referred to information presented in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. The Becker Park celebration will happen on May 22,
2021. The Recreation Department was notified it will receive three MRPA awards of excellence
for the Becker Park Project, the Storybook Trail and the Virtual Bike Rodeo.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. There next event will be the plant sale on May 22 at
Becker Park. The Crystal Fund is looking for volunteers to donate plants for the event.
Mr. McCaffrey and Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Frolics report. Planning continues for the event.
There is a focus on pushing out information on social media.
Mr. McCaffrey received a citizen contact regarding allergen concerns in playgrounds. Mr.
Elholm had a conversation with the play area manufacturer. They noted that it’s possible for
latex to be in the base surfacing material, but is unlikely to be in ‘color’ coat that makes up the
surface.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 April 7, 2021
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder