23-01 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal 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