21-08 Approved Commission Minutes
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission ‐ Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
August 4, 2021
North Lions Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm
by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice Chair), Shaz
Ahmadi (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Forest Eidbo, Lynn Haney and Erin Kolb. Also present were
David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Lieutenant Pete Underthun, Brad Fortin, and
Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper.
Introductions were made by Park and Recreation Commission members and City staff.
Lieutenant Underthun informed residents about the Police Department building construction.
He also encouraged residents to lock their vehicles to prevent auto theft.
Mr. John Elholm provided information on current and upcoming city projects. Including new
restaurants and apartments that will be coming soon to the City of Crystal.
Mr. Elholm also presented information on upcoming park projects.
Mr. Brad Fortin highlighted recent and upcoming park maintenance activities.
Mr. Scott Berggren gave an update on programs and events in the Recreation Department.
Residents provided information to staff on how they see the park being used. They would like
to have additional rules signs installed.
A resident received a Crystal Community Center activity gift certificate in a drawing.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
August 4, 2021
North Lions Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:50 pm by Commission
Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice Chair), Shaz
Ahmadi (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Forest Eidbo, Lynn Haney and Erin Kolb. Also present were
David Cummings, Council Liaison; Anne Norris, John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Lei-Lani Fischer
from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper
Member of the public present: Rachel Braaten
There was no public comment.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve the July Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Mr.
Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for July were
approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the Chairperson’s report. He expressed his gratitude to those who made
the Crystal Frolics happen in 2021.
The commission discussed their dog park visits and went over survey submissions received
since the July Commission meeting. Staff will compile survey results for future dog park
planning. City staff will be meeting with consultants in the coming weeks to determine next
steps for planning.
Ms. Kolb led a brief discussion about the proposed memorial statue at Becker Park. Due to her
organizational efforts, she wanted to make sure the Commission was okay with her providing
input on the statue location when the time came. The Parks and Recreation Commission did not
think her involvement was a conflict of interest.
Mr. Elholm shared two different layouts for the pickleball/tennis courts that are proposed for
Becker Park. Some limited input was sought at Crystal Frolics, and more public input will be
solicited this fall. Additional discussion with the commission will occur in September.
Mr. Elholm also discussed the park name sign for Yunkers Park. The sign needs to be replaced,
which generated a staff discussion on the name of the park. All neighborhoods in Crystal have a
neighborhood name and park name that match – except for this one. A table showing this was
provided. The Yunkers name can be confusing, and changing the park name to Winnetka Hills
would bring the neighborhood in-line with other neighborhoods in the city.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 August 4, 2021
Ms. Haney made a motion to recommend changing the name of Yunkers Park to Winnetka Hills
Park; Mr. Eidbo seconded the motion. The motion was approved.
Mr. Cummings presented the City Council Report. The City Council has been attending meetings
about proposed changes to the Blue Line extension.
Reports were given by Mr. Fortin for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming.
Mr. Elholm reported the Recreation Department was presented two awards of excellence by
MRPA. One award was for Becker Park, and the other was for our Storybook Trail program.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics Committee will be conducting their
wrap-up meeting on September 20. Some of the highlights of the Crystal Frolics included the
record 5K registration and the llamas at the family festival.
Crystal Fund Report: Mr. Elholm said that the Crystal Fund will meet in September.
Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm.
John Elholm
Recorder