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2022.04.06 PRC Commission Packet rev. Crystal Community Center AGENDA April 6, 2022 6:45 pm Tree Board Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Crystal Forestry Annual Report 3. Tree City, USA 4. Arbor Day Event Planning • Date: Wednesday, May 4, 2022 • Location: Bass Lake Park • Tentative Schedule: • 6:00pm - Park Clean-up • 6:30pm – Program and mayor’s proclamation reading • 6:40pm – Overview of the health of Crystal’s urban forest • 6:50pm - Tree Planting (Northern Red Oak) • 7:00pm - Tree Distribution • Refreshments?? • Donations • Promotion 5. Adjournment Next meeting date: April 5, 2023 @ 6:45pm At the Crystal Community Center 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov April 6, 2022 Crystal Forestry Report Forestry Department Annual Report: -Forestry operations are the responsibility of the Parks department. Those duties include: • Tree inspections • Manage contractual forestry operations • Tree removal • Tree trimming • Annual Arbor Day celebration • Maintain certified tree inspector licensing -Long grass complaints are being handled by the Public Works department. -EDA lot management and the cutting of long grass complaints are being coordinated Through Public Works and work will be contracted out. -City staff and contractors removed 225 trees in 2021/22 (78 of these trees were hazardous). -Removed boulevard trees are not being replaced, homeowners are given the option to have a tree planted on their private property. -Trees removed on city and private properties are being replaced with a wider diversity of specimens. A wider variety of trees lead to a healthier urban forest and provides disease resistance. -Staff is undergoing continuous training as it pertains to Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm disease And Oak Wilt. -Staff is exploring available grants to help offset the costs associated with EAB 2022 Arbor Day Plans: -Arbor Day will be celebrated 5/4/2022 at Bass Lake Park. -Bass Lake Park was selected as the host site due to extensive renovations that include a new shelter, trails and multi-use hard surfaced sports court -Park cleanup begins at 6:00. -Arbor Day event begins with a reading of the proclamation by the mayor (6:30). -Parks department will talk about the state of the urban forest. -Emerald Ash Borer update. -There will be a tree giveaway to the first 40 guests. (First come first serve basis) -Parks department will talk about and demonstrate proper tree planting techniques. -A new tree will be planted in recognition of Arbor Day. (Northern Red Oak) AGENDA April 6, 2022 Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal MN, 55429 7:00 pm Regular Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order / Introductions 2. Public Comments 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion (60 minutes) a. 2022 Bus Tour Discussion b. Current Project Updates c. Future Project Updates 6. Commission Reports (15 minutes) a. City Council Report b. Project/Maintenance Report c. Program Report d. Director Report 7. Community Reports (10 minutes) a. Community Activity/Event Reports • Crystal Frolics Report • Crystal Fund Report b. Citizen Contacts c. Other Community News Items 8. Adjournment Next meeting date: May 4, 2022 – Bass Lake Park • 6:00 p.m. - Arbor Day • 7:00 p.m. – Neighborhood Meeting • 7:45 p.m. – Commission Meeting MEETING OVERVIEW April 6, 2022 Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive North, Crystal MN, 55429 Contact John Elholm – john.elholm@crystalmn.gov or 763-531-1150 if you cannot attend REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:00 PM 1. Call the Meeting to Order and Introductions Jesse McCaffrey will call the meeting to order 2. Public Comments Citizens may bring items of concern related to parks and recreation to the attention of the commission. Speaking time may be limited and no action will be taken. 3. Approval of Minutes – March 2, 2022 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. 2022 Bus Tour Discussion b. Current Project Updates c. Future Project Updates 6. City Reports David Cummings: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Scott Berggren: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report 7. Community Reports Lynn Haney / John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report John Elholm: Crystal Fund Report Commission Members: Other community activities and events 8. Adjournment Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes March 2, 2022 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:0 0 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, and Lynn Haney. Also present were David Cummings, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Erin Kolb Guests in attendance: Taji Onesirosan– Applicant for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Comm. There was no public comment. Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to approve the February Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for February were approved as written. There was no chairperson’s report. The Commission Members reviewed and voted on the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Award nominations. Ten neighbors were nominated for the award – names and addresses were redacted during the selection process, so names are not included in the motion. Award winners will be recognized at an upcoming Crystal City Council Meeting. Mr. McCaffrey 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. Eidbo gave the commission a presentation on trails in Crystal. He discussed the benefits of trails, identified types of trail infrastructure available and showed current trail plans from various agencies. Mr. Eidbo also showed where the plans identified the same future trail alignments; as well as traffic volumes near these trails. A discussion on trails followed. Commission members expressed interest in receiving a copy of this presentation, which will be sent prior to the next commission meeting. Mr. McCaffrey led a roundtable discussion where everyone shared their passion for parks and recreation. They also stated a few topics they would like to discuss in 2022. Common themes included equitable park access, engaging youth, connecting with nature, health and fitness, and senior programming. Interest was expressed in fitness equipment, nature play opportunities, and trails. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 2, 2022 Mr. Elholm provided an update on park projects for 2022. The contractor has started installing the helical piles in the MAC Wildlife Area for the new boardwalk section. This year we will be working with Great River Greening to do prairie restoration at Bassett Creek Park. Bid packets are being prepared for a project bundle that includes the construction of a Bassett Creek dog park, two parking lots at Bassett Creek, and the south parking lot at the Crystal Community Center. Updates for all park projects are documented on the City of Crystal website. Mr. Cummings gave the Council report. There is a newly proposed apartment building that will contain over 50 units. The location of the apartment will be along West Broadway. The council was able to view two different proposals regarding the Blue Line light rail project. The proposals addressed designs that would move traffic and pedestrians near Bottineau Boulevard and Bass Lake Road. The Council also received a memo with the park and recreation commission’s recommendation regarding the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. No other discussion has been had on this topic amongst the Council. 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. He gave a brief update on 2023 park projects. The projects will begin in the coming months to allow public engagement this summer. A survey is being developed to determine public support for making repairs at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. Registration for swim lessons began last week; with 153 lesson spots already taken and 11 swim lesson classes already full. Ms. Haney gave a Crystal Frolics report. Welcome Park will remain open until 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday night of the event. The Frolics Committee is seeking a new beverage distributor for Welcome Park. WMFRD Firefighters Relief Association is working on this. Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Fund report. March 3 will be the next date for the Crystal fund meeting. Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. McCaffrey seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:11 pm. John Elholm, Recorder Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report March, 2022 Vandalism: • Discarded furniture at MAC ballfields Projects: • Snow removal • Bridge removal at Bassett Creek Park • Removal of Emerald Ash Borer infected trees • Twin Oaks building demolition • Attend playground safety inspector training • Re-certify 5 state tree inspectors • MAC boardwalk construction project • Solicit quotes for 2022 park improvement projects • Paint Police Department outreach offices • Playground inspections and repairs • EDA house clean-ups • HVAC maintenance at city buildings • Stormwater pond maintenance Future: • Ash tree removals • MAC boardwalk construction • Construction of a new organic dumpster surround at the CCC north lot • Hagemeister boardwalk maintenance • Athletic field maintenance • Municipal pool building and grounds maintenance • Streetscape clean-ups • Begin Becker Park pickle ball conversion project • Playground inspections • Trash removal • EDA house and property clean-ups • Forestry work at proposed dog park sites • Solicit quotes for 2022 park improvement projects • Miscellaneous building maintenance projects • Hiring of seasonal employees • Prepare to open park buildings and shelters for the season 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-0052 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y A P R I L 2 0 2 2 Below is a highlight of the projects that will be happening in the City of Crystal. These projects will be taking place at numerous parks and buildings throughout Crystal. MAC Wildlife Boardwalk Progress Phase two of the MAC Wildlife Boardwalk project moves forward, even as temperatures rise. The contractor has driven the helical piles into the ground. The next step will be securing the boardwalk sections. Twin Oak Park Building Remved City staff removed the Twin Oak Park building in mid- March and will next extract the adjacent parking lot. The vacated areas will become green spaces with park improvements coming in the next five years or so. Windows Replaced A contractor recently replaced a handful of windows at the Crystal Community Center. The new windows improve the visibility of the rooms. The previous windows had broken seals which caused condensation between glass panes. Valley Place Bathroom Previously, if you visited Valley Place Park, you would not have access to the indoor bathrooms unless the building was open. With the addition of a new door, visitors can access the restroom from outside. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y A P R I L 2 0 2 2 Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some key special events we offer. Pickleball Lessons A PPR-certified coach will teach indoor pickleball lessons to beginner and intermediate players this spring. Instruction topics include basic court strategy, etiquette, blocking, drop shots, and volleys. Edible Courtyard Planting We recently had thirteen volunteers at the edible courtyard to assist with our inaugural seed planting for the 2022 growing season. A mixture of adults and youth planted spinach, carrots, and snap peas. Volunteers from AARP have been doing free tax preparation for seniors and low-income individuals at the Crystal Community Center over the last two months. The last day volunteers will offer tax services is April 15. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness month (May), Crystal Recreation will offer Mindfulness walks in various parks. The self-guided walks are designed for all ages and help reduce stress while connecting with nature. AARP Taxes Mindfulness Walk