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2023.10.04 PRC Packet AGENDA October 4, 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: November 1, 2023 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW October 4, 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 – September 6, 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 Traci Kamish: 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 September 6, 2023 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Commission Chair Tony Sumnicht. Commission members in attendance: Tony Sumnicht (Chair), Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Jennifer Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper and Lynn Haney. Also present were Traci Kamish, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Shaz Ahmadi. There was no public comment. Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the August Neighborhood minutes; Ms. Zielinski seconded the motion. The Neighborhood minutes for August were approved as written. Ms. Zielinski made a motion to approve the August Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for August were approved as written. Mr. Sumnicht gave the chairperson’s report; he will be gone during the November meeting, so Mr. McCaffrey will chair the meeting. Ms. Ahmadi is moving out of Crystal, so she will be resigning from the commission. There will then be four vacancies. Spread the word if you know anyone who may want to apply. Mr. Elholm shared an update on the 2023 park projects. The improvements at Crystal Highlands and Broadway Parks are nearly complete. Shelters, paved trails, and other amenities have been added at both parks. The play area at Broadway Park is also now complete. Both parks have been seeded and are waiting for rain to help the grass grow. Hennepin County is working with city staff on a potential increase to the existing Broadway Park grant. One amenity that will be replaced is the backstop; which creates an opportunity for a future loop trail that goes behind the new backstop. The Bassett Creek dog park is nearly ready to go, with the fence being recently installed. Mr. Fortin is working with volunteers to clean up the area before the dog park opens on September 13. Staff is also working on signs for the disc golf course, including one with the rules and other signs to help people find their way around. The Grogan Park south parking lot is nearing completion, with the concrete work already poured around the area. It should be mostly finished in time for the annual Vehicle Fair event, Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 September 6, 2023 scheduled for September 16. At Welcome Park, concrete is being poured in preparation for installing a new play area and fitness pod. Mr. Elholm provided an overview of the projects slated for 2024. The building fund contains improvements at Grogan Park; including enhancements to the pool, pool building, and the front desk area within the Crystal Community Center. Additionally, there are plans to construct new parking lots at North Lions and Valley Place Park. The parks fund contains improvements to the tennis and basketball courts at Valley Place Park. Mr. Elholm provided additional information on the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. The budget for the project includes $2.35 million through a legislative appropriation. The original city commitment of $3 million has been reduced to $2.75 million in state grant documents; to create a $5.1 million budget. The estimated costs are approximately $4 million for construction and a little over $1 million for construction contingency and professional services (design). The construction estimate includes replacing the main pool container, possibly including upcoming maintenance items, and potentially adding items from the public engagement process (climbing walls, ziplines, and shade structures). Information was also provided on improvements to the lobby and front desk area of the pool building. The design primarily addresses improvements to the staff work area; including adding a lockable door to the work space, bumping the counter out so staff can see down the hallways, and adding windows in the front so staff can see people approaching the building. The design also improves pedestrian flow into the building. The commission gave some general feedback on the first draft, including thoughts on the front façade. Improvements are also proposed to the front desk area at the Crystal Community Center. Initial concepts for these improvements were shared with the commission. The goal is to create a better space for customers, as the current design lacks ADA accessibility. These enhancements will also result in a more efficient workspace for staff. Mr. Elholm also talked about some initial plans for improving the west parking lot at North Lions Park and west parking lot at Valley Place Park. He also discussed improvements to the tennis and basketball courts at Valley Place Park. In addition, concept plans for the north parking lot at the Crystal Community Center have been prepared, which largely looked at making it easier for people to walk to amenities in the area. This is a master planning concept at this point. Staff is working to include this project in the long-term plan – several years out. Mr. Berggren informed the commission about the Bark in the Park event on September 13 from 5-7 p.m. The event will be the official opening of the new Bassett Creek Dog Park. There will be music, vendors, and food on-site. There will be a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. There was no open forum discussion. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 September 6, 2023 Ms. Kamish provided the Council report, which largely revolved around budget discussions. She mentioned plans to increase the city’s fund balance in the future. The preliminary levy has also been approved. Additionally, a moratorium has been enacted regarding high-potency THC products. Licensing has been approved for selling low-potency items, like liquor sales. The Council also passed contingencies stipulating that THC must not be within 500 feet of schools, parks, and public buildings. Mr. Fortin gave reports on park maintenance and Mr. Berggren on recreation programming. Mr. Elholm referenced a great and busy summer for the Director Report. Staff will attend the Minnesota Park and Recreation Conference in Plymouth at the end of the month. Mr. Sumnicht gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics wrap-up meeting will be on September 18. The Frolics is looking for a treasurer and a secretary. Ms. Haney gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They will begin meeting again on September 7. One of the main topics will be discussing the Cheers to Crystal event. Commission members shared citizen contacts. World Clean-up Day is September 16. Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. John Elholm, Recorder Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report September, 2023 Vandalism: • Graffiti at Iron horse Park Projects: • Backfill, grading and seeding at Broadway and Crystal Highlands Parks • Prep for grand opening at Bassett Creek dog park • Install new basketball standards at Broadway and Crystal Highlands Parks • Playground surround and sidewalk construction ant Welcome Park • Striping of soccer and ballfields fields • Pool winterization maintenance • Apply for DNR forestry grant • EDA house clean-ups and restoration projects • City wide tree inspections • Irrigation repairs • Turf maintenance • Athletic field maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs (order parts) Add EWF to various playgrounds • Trash removal • Water trees and planters • Attend MRPA annual state conference Future: • Improve basketball court drainage at Crystal Highlands • Tree planting on public and private properties • Trash removal • City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications • Installation of a new backstop at Broadway Park • Stripe athletic fields • Seasonal removal of various fabric sunshades • EDA house and property clean-ups • Begin building and irrigation winterization • Building maintenance (Learn new maintenance scheduling software) • Turf maintenance • Install and upgrade signage in parks • Install bike racks and site furnishings at various parks and CCC • Backfill, Grading and seeding at Welcome Park • Fall seeding and fertilization 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y O C T O B E R 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. New Backstop Broadway Park is undergoing an exciting upgrade thanks to the generous support of additional grant funding. As part of this renovation project, a brand-new backstop is currently in the process of being installed. Tree Donation Your generosity can help us enhance our parks. A tree was recently donated to Broadway Park to remember someone special. You can also memorialize loved ones by donating a bench. Community Center Parking Lot Planting materials, including shrubs and trees, have been delivered to the Crystal Community Center as the new parking lot undergoes its final transformation, signifying an exciting development in the project. Welcome Park The space where the new play area and fitness pod are being installed at Welcome Park has completed construction, and equipment will be arriving soon. A fresh concrete sidewalk also connects the play area to the main building. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y O C T O B E R 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. Preschool Playtime Preschool playtime is back on October 4th at the Crystal Community Center from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. We'll have lots of toys, blocks, cars, and more for the little ones to enjoy. We can't wait to see you there! Trick or Trot Learn about how inmates help train dogs during the "Can Do Canines: Prison Puppies" presentation on October 18th, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Can Do canines work with seven prisons in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mark your calendars for October 7th! Join us at New Hope's Civic Center Park for the Trick or Trot. Kids aged 2-12 can enjoy trick or treating, games, pumpkin painting, and contests. Halloween fun awaits! Indoor pickleball returns to the Crystal Community Center with playtime on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 AM to 1 PM, as well as Friday evenings and Sunday mornings. Drop in for just $5, or buy a punch pass. Can Do Canines Indoor Pickleball