22-01 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 5, 2022
Crystal Community Center
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: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice-Chair), Shaz
Ahmadi (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Forest Eidbo, Lynn Haney, and Erin
Kolb. Also present were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott
Berggren from the City Staff.
The election of officers for 2022 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 2022 Park and Recreation Commission Chair.
Mr. McCaffrey 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 2022 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair.
Ms. Haney 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 2022 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
There was no public comment.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to approve the December Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
December were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the chairperson’s report. He is looking forward to the joint work session
with the City Council on January 19 to discuss the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. Mr. McCaffrey
also encouraged the Commission members to reflect on what they would like to accomplish
personally and as a group in 2022.
Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2021 Work Plan. The Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission
accomplished many great things in 2021, even though all the planned grand opening events still
had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Commission members did self-guided tours of area dog
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parks and picked the winners for the Crystal Frolics button contest and the Neighbors
Recognizing Neighbors award.
The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2022 meeting calendar, including
four outdoor meetings between May and August. The commission would like to add a park
clean-up of Grogan Park (their adopted park) before their meeting in September.
May 4 Bass Lake (Arbor Day Event)
June 1 Forest
July 6 Crystal Highlands
August 3 Broadway
September 7 Park Clean-up: Grogan Park
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the 2022 meeting calendar; Mr. Eidbo seconded the
motion. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting calendar for 2022 was approved as
presented, including a clean-up event.
Mr. Elholm presented a 2022 Work Plan draft.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the 2022 work plan; Ms. Kolb seconded the motion.
The Park and Recreation Commission work plan for 2022 was approved as presented.
Mr. Elholm presented information on the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center and the upcoming
maintenance needs. The estimated cost is $3.5 million. The presentation covered the benefits
of having a pool, including employment of young people and access to water safety instruction
for the community. He also showed the pool revenue and expenses over the last six years.
Members of the Commission had a discussion as they prepared to meet with the City Council
on January 19.
Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects for 2022. Regarding the MAC Wildlife project,
the parks maintenance staff is removing the old boardwalk sections. Mr. Elholm presented new
designs for the pickleball courts at Becker Park and the south parking lot at the Crystal
Community Center.
Mr. Cummings presented the council report. The City Council heard public comment on and
approved the annual levy. On January 7, the Blue Line will be seeking input on two possible
designs for the light rail stop in Crystal. The Council approved the purchase of a pedestrian
bridge for the trail within Bassett Creek Park.
Mr. Fortin gave reports for park maintenance and Mr. Berggren for recreation
programming. They both referred to the information presented in the commission packet.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. Three Rivers Park District seeks additional input on the
French Park Master Plan. Three Rivers Park District is also working on the CP Rail Regional Trail
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segment that would run from Becker Park to the edge of Golden Valley. Mr. Elholm also shared
the timeline for the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors awards.
Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. At the last meeting, the committee discussed
sponsorship levels.
Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. January 7 will be the next date for the Crystal fund
meeting. They will be discussing rebranding and the plant sale.
Ms. Kolb made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:02 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder