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2023.05.03 PRC Packet AGENDA May 3, 2023 Winnetka Hills Park – 8617 31st Ave N, Crystal, MN 55427 In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at the Crystal Community Center 7:00 pm Neighborhood Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Introduction of Commission and City Staff 3. Neighborhood Discussion a. Citywide Project Updates b. Public Safety Information c. Parks and Recreation Updates 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate 7:45 pm Commission Business Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Election of PRC Secretary 3. Public Comments 4. Approval of Minutes a. April 5 - Tree Board b. April 5 - Park and Recreation Commission 5. Chairperson’s Report 6. Commission Business / Discussion (25 minutes) a. Button Contest b. Commission Tour c. Planning & Project Updates 7. Commission Reports (15 minutes) a. City Council Report b. Project/Maintenance Report c. Program Report d. Director Report 8. Community Reports (5 minutes) a. Community Activity/Event Reports • Crystal Frolics Report • Friends of Crystal Parks Report b. Citizen Contacts c. Other Community News Items 9. Adjournment END OF COMMUNITY MEETING (Community meetings have a one hour time limit). There will be a short break between the two meetings. Residents are welcome to stay for the Business Meeting. MEETING OVERVIEW Contact John Elholm – john.elholm@crystalmn.gov or 763-531-1150 if you cannot attend Winnetka Hills Park – 8617 31st Ave N, Crystal, MN 55427 May 3, 2022 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING – 7:00 PM Item 1. Call meeting to order. Tony Sumnicht will provide information on the purpose of the meeting. Item 2. Introductions of Commission and City Staff Item 3. Neighborhood Business John Sutter will provide information on current and upcoming development projects. Police Chief Revering will provide information on public safety. John Elholm will provide information on park improvement and planning efforts. Brad Fortin will provide highlights of recent and upcoming park projects. Stacy Chouinard will provide information on recreation programs & events. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions/make comments during the meeting. Item 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:45 PM Item 1. Call the Meeting to Order. Tony Sumnicht will call the meeting to order Item 2. Election of PRC Secretary Item 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. Item 3. Approval of Minutes – April 5, 2023 a. Tree Board Meeting b. Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Item 4. Chairperson’s Report Tony Sumnicht: Chairperson’s Report Item 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Button Contest b. Commission Tour c. Planning & Project Updates Item 6. Commission Reports Traci Kamish: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Stacy Chouinard: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report Item 7. Community Reports Tony Sumnicht/John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report Lynn Haney/John Elholm: Friends of Crystal Parks Report Commission members: Other community activities and events Item 8. Adjournment Crystal Tree Board Minutes April 5, 2023 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Commission Tree Board meeting was called to order at 6:47 pm by Crystal Tree Board member Taji Onesirosan. Tree Board members in attendance: Dave Anderson, Lynn Haney, Taji Onesirosan, and Jennifer Zielinski. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council Liaison: John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Tony Sumnicht (Chair), Jesse McCaffrey, Shaz Ahmadi and Joyce Cooper Guest: Alex Popp, Crystal resident. Mr. Fortin reviewed the Forestry Annual Report, highlighting work done in the past year. Crystal currently has five certified tree inspectors. Their primary focus is tree inspections, maintenance, and replacement throughout the year. City staff and contractors removed 225 trees in the past year. The existence of the emerald ash borer (EAB) is a concern and the motivation for increased tree removals. The city recently received a grant for $50,000 to help with tree removal and replacements. The goal is a one-for-one replacement. The replacement trees being planted come from a wide species variety. The goal is to have no more than 5% of any species within Crystal. A tree nursery was created on the old public works site to create an accessible and more cost-effective source for trees. Tree Board members discussed the May 3 Arbor Day event. The event will be held at Winnetka Hills Park, with a park clean-up at 6 pm and other activities beginning at 6:30 pm. The city will give away 40 trees to residents (pollinator-friendly). Trees will be handed out at the event. If any trees remain, they will be planted in the city’s tree nursery. Ms. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 7:01 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for April 3, 2024, at 6:45 pm – at the Crystal Community Center. John Elholm Recorder Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes April 5, 2023 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Commission Secretary Taji Onesirosan. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair) (arrived late), Taji Onesirosan (Secretary), Shaz Ahmadi, Dave Anderson, Lynn Haney, and Jennifer Zielinski. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Tony Sumnicht (Chair) and Joyce Cooper Member of the public present: Alex Popp, Crystal resident. Mr. Popp talked about his interest in food forests. Ms. Haney made a motion to approve the March Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Ms. Zielinski seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for March were approved as written. There was no Chairperson’s report. Mr. Elholm led the commission in a discussion regarding a bus tour for June 21, 2023. They expressed interest in visiting newer park buildings in neighboring cities to gather information and ideas for future park buildings in Crystal. Mr. Elholm provided an update on park fund projects scheduled for 2023. The Becker Park pickleball court lighting will be fully complete in the coming weeks. Reconstruction of the south parking lot at the Crystal Community Center will begin on May 1. The drop box for utility bills will be removed until the project is complete. The Bassett Creek pedestrian bridge and dog park projects will also begin soon. The city council approved agreements last month for the purchase and installation of a play area and fitness pod for Welcome Park. The city recently submitted a playground grant through Hennepin County Youth Sports, requesting $50,000 for the Welcome Park playground. Quotes have been received for paving and bituminous work at Broadway, Crystal Highlands and Welcome Parks. The costs are within budget, however, the proposed additional trail to make a loop at Broadway Park will not be paved. Eliminating the loop trail allows the backstop to remain and offers park users more green space – in addition to reducing cost. Approval of these agreement will be reviewed by the city council for approval in the coming weeks. Staff is currently working on final agreements for installation of the disc golf course in Bassett Creek Park. In addition to park projects, building fund projects have been completed at the Crystal Community Center (flooring), North Lions Park building (skylights) and Valley Place Park building (HVAC). Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 April 5, 2023 Mr. Elholm gave an update on the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. Funds for improvements to Crystal Cove are being reviewed for possible inclusion in a state bonding bill. The request is for an additional $2.35 million to improve the facility. The city is also seeking additional financial support through a grant from the Minnesota DNR. Ms. Haney made a motion to support the city’s request for state bonding; to make improvements at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. Mr. Onesirosan seconded the motion. The motion passed. Mr. Onesirosan passed the gavel to Mr. McCaffrey (Vice-Chair) at 7:40 pm to run the remainder of the meeting. Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions, and commenting. Ms. Haney asked if the city could store Christmas lights purchased by the Light of Crystal, a defunct social fundraising group. Mr. Fortin will work with the volunteers to find storage for the lights. Mr. McCaffrey expressed interest in presenting on multi-generational recreation at an upcoming meeting. Ms. Kamish presented the council report. The city completed interviews for Ms. Laroche’s opening on the city council. Mr. Fortin gave a report for park maintenance. Mr. Berggren gave a report for recreation programming, including information on email campaigns and data from spring/summer registrations and history of the preschool open gym program. Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. The recreation department is working to hire seasonal staff. Mr. Elholm will present with Michelle Margo (affiliated with Minnesota State Mankato) at the Robbinsdale School District parent and student university on April 15. They will talk to students about parks and recreation as a profession. Mr. Sumnicht gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics Committee is working on event advertising, and has new information on the website. They are also looking for additional volunteers. Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are planning for their annual plant sale on May 20. Ms. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:32 pm. John Elholm, Recorder Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report April, 2023 Vandalism: • Tree debris dumped at Bassett Creek Park • Vandalized dock at Twin Lake Shores Projects: • Removal of Emerald Ash Borer infected trees • City wide inspection of diseased trees • Drive pilings for replacement bridge at Bassett Creek park • Remove parking near Brunswick Ave. (prep for replacement dog park lot) • Completed installation of LED lighting and updated control system for Becker park courts • EDA house clean-ups • Sunshade installation • Clean courts and install nets at all courts • Pick up 67 trees to plant on municipal grounds • Layout and stripe sport fields for May 1 reservations • Prep ballfields for seasonal use • Install dock at Twin Lake shores • Municipal building maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs • HVAC maintenance at city buildings • Recertify playground inspector • Replaced skylights at North Lion’s Park • Garbage pick-ups • Prep for Arbor day event at Winnetka hills Park • Facilitate re-keying operations at City Hall (CCC in 2024) Future: • Ash tree removals and tree trimming • Playground inspections • Trash removal • Turf maintenance and spring clean-ups • Plant seasonal planters and pots • Tree planting • Arbor day celebration • Pool maintenance • Plow damage repairs • Dog park construction at Bassett Creek • EDA house and property clean-ups 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-0052 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov • Building maintenance • Replace soffit and fascia at Welcome Park warming house • HVAC upgrades at Public Works • Install water service and electrical to Bassett Creek dog park • Playground removal at Broadway Park • Re-construct electrical service in Becker parking lot. P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y M A 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. North Lions Skylights The building at North Lions had new skylights installed. The translucent panels are the same product installed in the CCC Gyms last fall. Natural light through the skylights helps brighten the inside of the building. Pickleball Sun Shelter Recently, two sun shelters were installed at the pickleball courts in Becker Park, offering shade to participants waiting for a court to play on. Additionally, the light switch button has been activated. Lights are available until 10 p.m. Pedestrian Bridge The installation of a new pedestrian bridge at Bassett Creek Park is underway. Piles are being driven into the ground on each side of the creek, which will support the bridge abutments. Tree Planting Hennepin County granted Crystal 67 trees for planting, which includes 12 different species. To maintain diversity, the city aims to limit each species to no more than 5% of the total trees found throughout Crystal. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y M A 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. Bike Rodeo The annual Bike Rodeo rotates to New Hope in 2023 at New Hope City Hall. The May 4 event is led by the police and fire departments of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, and Robbinsdale. Mindfulness Walks May is Mental Health Awareness Month. You can take advantage of self-guided Mindfulness Walks in four different Crystal Parks. The walks help reduce stress and improve mental health outdoors. The signs are bi-lingual. A bus, filled to capacity, will be going to the Pella Tulip Festival for an extended trip with Jeanie's Journeys. This is our inaugural extended trip offering. The cost of the trip includes transport, lodging, tours & meals. The Step To It Challenge kicked off on May 1 to get Crystal residents active. The program, put on by Hennepin County, allows 26 cities to compete to be the most active. Go Crystal! Extended Trips Step To It Challenge