2023.06.20 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: June 16, 2023
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers/Zoom
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at ______ p.m. in
the Council Chambers at City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. If the agenda
items are not completed in time for the Economic Development Authority meeting at 6:40 p.m.,
the work session will be continued and resumed immediately following the City Council meeting.
The public may attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods
identified on the City Council Meeting Schedule for Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Kiser ____ Bell
____ Onesirosan ____ Gilchrist
____ Adams ____ Therres
____ Budziszewski ____ Elholm
____ Cummings ____ Larson
____ Eidbo ____ Ray
____ Kamish ____ Revering
____ Sutter
____ Serres
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
2. City Council liaison reports.*
3. City manager monthly check-in.
4. Constituent issues.*
5. New business.*
6. Announcements.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no supporting information included in the packet.
Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the city clerk at
(763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Memorandum
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
June 15, 2023
Mayor and City Council
Adam R. Bell, City Manager
John Elholm, Recreation Director
Jason Minnick, Facilities Manager
Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Update
The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center was built in 1968 with most of the pool structure(s) and all of
the mechanical systems being replaced in 2005. The lap lanes and deep end are the only
remaining part of the original structure. The pool has been losing water in recent years, so a
several steps have been taken to determine the future of the facility.
•Early 2021 - A leak was detected, so a study was conducted by USAquatics to review
the pool’s condition. This study reported that the original pool structure was at the end
of its useful life, but the facilities built in 2005 were in good condition
•Early 2022 - A telephone survey of 400 residents was conducted by the Morris
Leatherman Company. The survey showed that 89% of residents consider it important
for children to learn to swim early, and 85% of residents support replacing the old pool
structure.
•Summer 2022 - WSB was hired to solicit additional input by leading a public
engagement process. The public engagement work took place from late-August
through mid-December, 2022. Nearly 95% of the 365 respondents supported
investment of funds into the pool so it can remain open.
•Early 2023 - WSB and a team including HCM Architects and Stantec were hired to
review the public engagement findings to determine the feasibility of public
recommendations. They also suggested some additional items for the pool on page 3,
several of which are in our long-term plan and could be added to this project.
The budget for this project is $3.5 million from the city ($3 million pool / $500,000 building
entry) and $2.35 million from state bonds. The consultants have prepared first level concept
plans for potential improvements for both the pool and building entry. This information, along
with next steps, will be discussed at the work session.
K:\022324-000\Admin\Docs 701 XENIA AVENUE S | SUITE 300 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | 55416 | 763.541.4800 | WSBENG.COM Memorandum
To: John Elholm
From: Bob Slipka
Date: June 15, 2023
Re: Crystal Grogan Park – Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
WSB Project No. 022324
Following a robust public engagement process, the City of Crystal retained WSB to develop
concept plans and improvement recommendations based on public engagement feedback. As part
of the concept plan efforts, WSB consulted with Stantec to evaluate and prepare recommendations
on improvements to the aquatic center including both repairs to known leaks within the deep well
pool and feedback from the public engagement process. The following is a summary provided by
Stantec for consideration.
Grogan Park/Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Concept Planning
Public Pool Engagement Discussion
For the community engagement portion of this project, efforts were made to identify the public
desire for keeping and improving the pool vs. replacing the facility for a different purpose. The
overwhelming preference expressed was the pool as an important City asset and should be
maintained and improved. Among the ideas shared as potential amenities for an improved pool
were:
• Climbing Wall
• Lazy River
• Higher Diving Boards
• More Shade/Umbrellas
• Features for Middle Height Kids
The City would like to maintain flume slides and provide lap lanes, open play area and a deep well.
It is not practical to provide those amenities and also to provide a lazy river without greatly
increasing the project budget. To provide a lazy river in addition to the mentioned amenities, would
require expansion (most likely into the parking lot) and other facility reconfigurations. A lazy river
addition also increases the facility bather load which triggers a need for more plumbing fixtures
(sinks, toilets, urinals, showers) to comply with regulatory codes and space to house those
additional fixtures.
The other public preferred amenities are all potentially possible in a renovated facility although
provision of higher diving board(s) would increase construction costs as deeper pool depth would
be required in the area of the board(s).
More information regarding elements is provided later in this memo.
Description of Proposed Pool Improvements
Demolition of existing main pool and replacement with new concrete pool. The size of the
replacement pool would be similar in total surface area to the existing pool but would likely have a
Crystal Grogan Park – Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
June 15, 2023
Page 2
K:\022324-000\Admin\Docs
slightly different configuration, depths and specifics compared with the existing pool. The final
configuration of the pool, the pool amenities, etc. would be determined in the early phases of a final
design process.
The pool would be built to work with the existing water slide complex and its current location.
Potential changes for a new main pool relative the existing pool include:
1) Change of water depths. The existing pool has a 3’-6” water depth at the slides exit,
increasing quickly to 4’-0” to accommodate the water walk. The lap lane and open play
area of the pool ranges from 4’-0” to 5’-0” deep and then drops to approximately 11’ in the
deep well. Staff and the public indicate a preference for shallower water for much of the
main pool as it is too deep for many in between age users. A 3’-6” depth as needed for the
water slides but the pool depth from that point to the area of the swim lanes in the new pool
could be maintained somewhere between 3’-6” and 4’-0” to reduce pool depth compared
with the existing pool. At the swim lanes the depth could remain in the 4’-0” range, again
shallowing up the depth of the new pool compared to the existing pool.
2) Lap Lanes. While it is proposed to keep 6 lanes and lane lengths at 75’-0” in length,
potentially they could be oriented to run in an east- west direction rather than north-south
as they currently do in the existing pool, to better allow other desired amenities within the
pool.
3) Different size/shape/orientation for the deep well. The exact orientation, size, depths,
transitions of a deep well are somewhat flexible dependent on the City’s final selection of
amenities and can be adjusted to best work with those selected amenities and the area
available on the site.
Amenities and specifics of the pool would be identified during the final design process but
improvements to potentially be considered include:
• Climbing Wall
• Water Zipline and Rope Climbing Features such as Aqua ZipN and AquaNinja
manufactured by Poolside Adventures.
• Water Basketball/Volleyball
• Water Walk
• Salvage/Replacement of Drop Slide
• 1M and/or 3M diving boards
• Deck Level Diving
A new Drop Slide would have the highest potential single cost ($100,000 plus) and could limit other
items. In addition, there is limited deep (10’-13’) water area available for elements requiring deep
water, i.e., drop slide, diving boards, climbing walls and deck level diving). Further discussion with
the Owner and evaluation of space available would be made in final design to identify size, depth,
and arrangement of deep well area and potential amenities/activities to provide in this area.
Other improvements:
1) Replacement of concrete deck, deck drains, storm sewer, etc. as necessary to build the
new pool and other improvements.
2) Provision of new buried piping for the replacement pool.
3) Potentially minor replacement of some items of the pool recirculation system, to be finalized
in the design process after more discussion with City staff. Note, a full replacement of the
recirculation system is not proposed at this time in an effort to keep costs down and given
the understanding that the existing systems are currently generally working well. While not
Crystal Grogan Park – Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
June 15, 2023
Page 3
K:\022324-000\Admin\Docs
expected to be an issue, during final design the existing pool system will need to be
confirmed that it is sufficiently sized for the new pool specifics.
4) Provisions for new shade elements, to be determined but potentially could include shade
umbrellas, shade structures, cabanas, etc.
5) Bathhouse Front Entry Reconfiguration.
Impact to Bather Load and Plumbing Fixtures Required
The Minnesota Swimming Code identifies the minimum number of plumbing fixtures required at
pool facilities. This code has not changed since the time of the 2006 pool upgrade. As long as the
new pool is not substantially larger in size, additional fixtures beyond what the facility currently has
should not be necessary. The amount of increased pool surface area that would trigger a change
will vary somewhat dependent on specifics of the potential improvements but equates to
approximately an additional 1,900 +/- square feet of pool water surface area above the current
area. The existing main pool surface area is approximately 8,800 square feet.
Other Discussion Items
Potential improvements in the event funds become available to consider:
1) Replacement of water features in the existing zero-edge pool.
2) Replace pool aggregate finish in the zero-edge pool.
3) Gelcoat the water slides.
4) Replacement of water slide complex. The slides have been renovated and we understand
that they are in good condition. The exact life expectancy of slides will vary depending on
original quality, maintenance, usage, environmental condition, etc. but potentially on the
order of 30 plus years.
5) Evaluation of the Bath House/Concession/Pool Mechanical Building for potential
renovation work. The original portion of the building dates back to the late 1960’s.
6) Replacement of pumps, treatment, and chemical systems for both pools. Much of the
current equipment was installed with the 2006 pool upgrade and should be replaced as
deemed necessary.
Upon a determination to proceed, potential project schedules can be discussed such as completing
a project between pool seasons, potentially shortening a pool season, or if necessary close for an
entire season to allow the construction work to be completed, etc.
SCALE IN FEET0H:Early Concept #1 - Similar Pool Layout
SCALE IN FEET0H:Early Concept #2 - Rotate Swim Lanes
CRYSTAL COVE AQUATIC CENTER
CONTACTS:CONTACTS:
• Aff ordable swim lessons.
- Scholarships available.
- About 450 students per year.
• Hosts NHCP Swim Club.
• Summer Adventure Club locaƟ on.
• Birthday party packages off ered.
• Cooling place on hot days.
• Employs 60 staff members.
SERVICES:SERVICES:
The oldest part of the Crystal Cove AquaƟ c Center’s
pool is leaking and needs to be replaced.
Because of the cost, the Crystal City Council spent a year
determining whether the pool should be repaired or demolished.
The city conducted a community-wide phone survey and public
outreach (focus groups, table at events, online survey and more).
WHY IS FUNDING THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT?
• Drowning is the leading cause of death in kids ages 1 - 4.
• Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death in kids ages 5 -14.
• The pool is a welcoming place to learn about water safety:
- Aff ordable swimming lessons.
- Zero depth (wading) pool.
• The pool is an important resource for the region.
- Approximately 65% of lessons are for non-Crystal residents.
The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center in Crystal, Minn., has been
a fi xture of the Crystal community for more than 50 years.
• Pool built in 1968.
• Two-thirds of pool rebuilt in 2005.
• Main pool container has not been
rebuilt and is more than 50 years old.
• The main pool container has a
signifi cant leak.
• In 2021, a consultant reviewed the
pool and found most of it to be in
“great” condiƟ on, including its fi lters.
HISTORY:HISTORY:
• The main pool stucture is at the
end of its life, according to the 2021
consultant review.
• If the main pool structure is not
replaced, the enƟ re aquaƟ c center
would close and important water
safety services (above) would end.
CONCLUSION:CONCLUSION:
SURVEY RESULTS (2022):
85% of residents support repairing the pool,
according to a phone survey of 400 residents.
95% of the general public supports repairing the
pool, according to 365 online and in-person surveys.
CRYSTAL DEMOGRAPHICS
• First-Ɵ er suburb of Minneapolis.
• Total populaƟ on: 23,300 residents.
• 63% of students in Crystal general public schools qualify for
free or reduced lunch.
• 30% of residents are non-white.
PROJECT COST
Replacment of the main pool, add features, shade, etc.
John Elholm
RecreaƟ on Director
john.elholm@crystalmn.gov
763-531-1150
Adam R. Bell
City Manager
adam.bell@crystalmn.gov
763-531-1140
City of Crystal.............$3 million.
State Bonding.............$2.35 million.
Total Project...............$5.35 million.
CITY MANAGER
MONTHLY CHECK-IN – JUNE 2023
Objective 1 - Strategic planning for continued implementation of Council priorities:
• Thriving Business Community
o Multiple business ribbon-cutting events held and scheduled
o Community Development staff continuing to work with developers regarding redevelopment opportunities
o Continuing to work through and advocate for city and community's interest with Blue
Line Extension and anti-displacement efforts
• community open house about the Bass Lake Road Station Area Plan
update
o Continuing to work with the New Hope Business Association (CBA 2.0)
• Strong Neighborhoods
o Continued implementation of Master Parks System Plan improvements
o Neighborhood meeting held at Becker Park with pickleball court ribbon-cutting event
o Summer Park and Recreation Commission neighborhood meetings continue
• Next meeting is July 5 at Kentucky Park
o Secured $2.35 million in state funds for pool repairs
o Increased traffic enforcement
o Cannabis regulation work session scheduled for July 13
• Sound fiscal policies and practices
o 2022 Final Audit opinion was an unqualified (clean) audit
o Received additional grant funding for park improvements
o Preparing the 2024 budget and updating the long-term plan
o Researching allowed and best uses of additional funding post-legislative session
• Welcoming and inclusive community
o Inclusion & Diversity Commission – The Commission held its June meeting at
Becker Park in conjunction with the Park and Recreation neighborhood meeting
and pickleball court ribbon-cutting event.
o Staff working on community events – Airport Open House and Frolics
Objective 2 - Work-Life Balance/Professional Development
• Supporting staff with family, health, and personal issues
• Support staff’s continuing professional growth and development
• Connecting with neighboring city managers on various local issues
• Participate in metro and state professional organizations
• Continuing participation in city manager leadership group
• Pursuing ICMA City Manager Credentialing
Page 1 of 1
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov