2023.02.01 PRC Packet AGENDA
February 1, 2023
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 (45 minutes)
a. 2023 Park Projects
b. 2024 Park Planning
6. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes)
7. Commission Reports (15 minutes)
a. City Council Report
b. Project/Maintenance Report
c. Program Report
d. Director Report
8. Community Reports (10 minutes)
a. Community Activity/Event Reports
• Crystal Frolics Report
• Crystal Fund Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
9. Adjournment
Next meeting date: March 1, 2023 – Crystal Community Center
MEETING OVERVIEW
February 1, 2023
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
Tony Sumnicht 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 – January 4, 2023
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. 2023 Park Projects
b. 2024 Park Planning
6. Commission Open Forum
A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and
recreation in Crystal.
7. City Reports
John Budziszewski: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Scott Berggren: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
8. Community Reports
Tony Sumnicht / John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney / John Elholm: Crystal Fund Report
Commission Members: Other community activities and events
9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
January 4, 2023
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Tony Sumnicht (Vice-Chair), Dave
Anderson and Taji Onesirosan. Also present were John Budziszewski, Council Liaison; John
Elholm, Aaron Morgan, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Shaz Ahmadi (Secretary), Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney and Jennifer
Zielinski
Mr. Sumnicht made a motion to delay election of officers until after ‘open forum’ on the agenda
to allow additional time for commission members to arrive. Mr. Onesirosan seconded the
motion. The motion was approved.
There was no public comment.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the December Park and Recreation Commission
minutes; Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for
December were approved as written.
Mr. McCaffrey gave the chairperson’s report. He thanked the commission members for all their
work and is proud of what they accomplished over his two years as the commission chair.
The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2023 meeting calendar, including
four outdoor meetings between May and August. No changes were proposed.
May 3 Winnetka Hills (Arbor Day Event)
June 7 Becker
July 5 Kentucky
August 2 Bassett Creek
Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2022 Work Plan. The Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission
accomplished many great things in 2022. Commission members participated in a bus tour
featuring recent park projects. In addition, they did self-guided tours of disc golf courses and
picked the winners for the Crystal Frolics button contest and the Neighbors Recognizing
Neighbors award.
Mr. Elholm presented a 2023 Work Plan draft. The work plan includes some projects held over
from 2022, including the Bassett Creek pedestrian bridge and dog park, as well as the Grogan
Park south parking lot. New projects include play areas at Broadway and Welcome Parks, picnic
shelters at Broadway and Crystal Highlands Parks and upgrades to the disc golf course.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 4, 2023
Mr. Anderson made a motion to approve the 2023 work plan; Mr. Sumnicht seconded the
motion. The Park and Recreation Commission work plan for 2023 was approved as presented.
Mr. Elholm presented the commission with an updated list of future projects. Mr. Elholm also
briefly described the difference between the park improvement fund and the building fund.
They are both used for capital projects. In addition to these funds, staff also seeks grant
funding to subsidize the cost of projects. For instance, the City received an $80,000 grant to
complete the Fair School soccer field and a $100,000 grant to help with the Becker Park
pickleball courts. There are many projects on tap for 2023, including a new dog park and
updated disc golf course at Bassett Creek Park, a new play area at Broadway and Welcome
Parks and updates to Crystal Highlands Park.
Mr. Elholm gave an overview of the Parks and Recreation Departments and explained each
department’s services they provide and maintain for the community.
Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions,
and commenting. One suggestion was to provide a tour of the Crystal Community Center at a
future commission meeting. It was also suggested that a future meeting be held at the Public
Works Department building.
The election of officers for 2023 took place.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to nominate Mr. Sumnicht as the commission chair. Mr.
Sumnicht accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Sumnicht was elected as the 2023 Park and Recreation Commission Chair.
Mr. Sumnicht took over leading the meeting.
Mr. Onesirosan made a motion to nominate Mr. McCaffrey as the commission vice-chair. Mr.
McCaffrey accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. McCaffrey was elected as the 2023 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair.
Ms. Sumnicht made a motion to nominate Mr. Onesirosan as the commission secretary. Mr.
Onesirosan accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Mr. Onesirosan was elected as the 2023 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary.
Mr. Budziszewski presented the council report. Three new council members were sworn in. In
addition, council members were assigned as liaisons for different city commissions. The council
elected the Sun Post as the paper of record for the City. The request for bids, brought forth by
the Recreation department, was approved.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 January 4, 2023
Mr. Morgan gave reports for park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren for recreation programming.
Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. Ms. Haney will receive the Park and Recreation
Board/Commission Award from MRPA at a luncheon on January 13. This award is given to one
member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation field.
Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are planning the Cheers to Crystal
beer-tasting event on March 10, 2023, and have secured a few breweries.
Mr. Sumnicht gave a Crystal Frolics report. During the 2023 Crystal Frolics, the event will
double as a community-wide food drive. The Frolics will use a different platform to host the
Crystal Frolics website. The site will also have an option for online fundraising.
Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Onesirosan seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:16 pm.
John Elholm, Recorder
PLANNING / DEVELOPMENT approved: 01/04/2023
Item Process: Status
Becker Park Courts Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration
Bassett Creek Dog Park Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
2023 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration
Welcome Park Improvements · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
2023 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration
Broadway Park Improvements · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
Crystal Highlands Park Improvements · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
Bassett Creek Disc Golf Course Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
Community Center Parking Lot Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff
2023 Construction · Provide Input on Project
Other Capital Improvement Projects · Receive Project Updates from Staff
Pool and Community Center · Provide Input on Capital Improvement Items
Park Tour · Visit sites for project and program ideas
Locations TBD · Discuss ideas and provide input
2023 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN
PROMOTION / COMMUNITY OUTREACH approved: 01/04/2023
Item Process: Status
Community Events and Programs.· PRC Representation at Major P&R Events
· Assist with Crystal Frolics Activities
· Promote P&R at Non-City Activities
Recognition · Select Neighbors Rec. Neighbors Awards
· Select Crystal Frolics Button Design Awards
Recreation · Provide Input on Programs Being Offered
· Provide Feedback on Programs Attended
Summer Meetings · Encourage Citizen Participation at Meetings
4 Neighborhood Meetings May 3: Winnetka Hills Park (Arbor Day)
June 7: Becker Park
July 5: Kentucky Park
August 2: Bassett Creek Park
Partnerships · Support other Community Groups & Events
Friends of Crystal Parks
Crystal Frolics Committee, Inc.
· Encourage Collaborative Fundraising
Marketing · Promote P&R through Social Networks
· Take Photos in Parks and at Events
· Monitor Web Site, etc. for Corrections
· Encourage Links to P&R Web Site
2023 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN
Date Time Place Notes
January 4 7pm Community Center
February 1 7pm Community Center
March 1 7pm Public Works New Location
April 5 6:45pm Community Center Tree Board @ 6:45; PRC @ 7
May 3 7pm Winnetka Hills Park Arbor Day Event @ 6pm
June 7 7pm Becker Park
June 21 TBD Start at Community Center PRC Tour of Various Parks
July 5 7pm Kentucky Park
August 2 7pm Bassett Creek Park
September 6 7pm Community Center PRC park clean-up before mtg.
October 4 7pm Community Center
November 1 7pm Community Center
December 6 7pm Community Center
All Meetings are on Wednesday Nights
Park and Recreation Commission
2023 Meeting Dates
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
January, 2023
Vandalism:
• Disposal of furniture at Bassett Creel Park cul-de-sac off of 29th Ave.
Projects:
• Removal of Emerald Ash Borer infected trees
• City wide inspection of diseased trees
• Submitted trash haulers report to MPCA for 2022
-42,22 tons of garbage collected (84,400 lbs.)
-$3,428.00 tipping fee
• Ice rink maintenance
• EDA house clean-ups
• Snow removal
• Playground inspections and repairs
• HVAC maintenance at city buildings
• Pesticide applicator recertification
• Garbage pick-ups
• Coordinate 2023 park, building and forestry projects
• Solicit HVAC contract for New police building
• Facilitate re-keying operations at City Hall (CCC nest year)
Future:
• Ash tree removals and tree trimming
• Ice rink maintenance
• Snow removal
• Playground inspections
• Interior building painting at Public Works/City Hall
• Trash removal
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Warming house maintenance
• Building maintenance
• Purchase 2023 equipment and supplies
• Prep for 2023 parks and facility improvement projects
• HVAC upgrades at Valley Place warming house
• HVAC upgrades at Public Works
• Replace soffit and fascia at Welcome warming house building
• Order replacement park trees through Hennepin County tree sale
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
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3
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 the city.
Updated Flooring
The Valley Room was the home base for City Staff during
the new PD construction and the City Hall remodel. With
the room empty, new flooring will be installed, and the
room will be available for programs and rentals again.
Welcome Park Building Improvements
The aging building at Welcome will have new fascia and
soffits installed this spring. The soffits will help regulate the
building temperature, while the fascia will add a finishing
touch to the exterior.
HVAC at Valley Place Building
The Valley Place Park building will get an upgraded HVAC
unit to accommodate year-round use. The new unit will
provide both heating and cooling. The building is a warming
house in the winter and hosts day camps in the summer.
Spring Tree Sale
Hennepin County is selling trees to restore and improve
woodland areas and increase wildlife habitat. Crystal will
purchase trees that will be planted throughout the City and
also stored in our gravel-bed nursery.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
Picnic and Field Rentals
Individuals and groups can begin reserving athletic
fields and picnic shelters in the City of Crystal on
February 1. We have ten rentable picnic areas and
eleven rentable athletic fields throughout Crystal.
Winterlude
We look forward to hosting Winterlude for the second
year at Valley Place Park on February 4. The event will
allow participants to pause from life and enjoy some
great outdoor activities and entertainment.
AARP will offer free tax help to seniors and low-
income families starting February 10. This service will
be available every Friday until the tax deadline. This
program is by appointment only.
We partner with the City of New Hope on several
programs and events throughout the year. In February,
there are two events at their golf course: winter golf
and a Valentine's luncheon.
AARP Taxes
Programs at the New Hope Golf Course