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2023.11.01 PRC Packet AGENDA November 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. Capture Crystal Photo Contest b. 2023 Park Projects c. 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: December 6, 2023 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW November 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 – October 4, 2023 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Capture Crystal Photo Contest b. 2023 Park Projects c. 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 October 4, 2023 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Commission Vice-Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Jennifer Zielinski (Secretary), and Dave Anderson. Lynn Haney attended via Zoom. Also present were John Elholm, Brad Fortin, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper & Tony Sumnicht. Shaz Ahmadi made a public comment. She is moving out of the city so can no longer serve on the commission. She shared some of her key moments and achievements during her time on the commission. Mr. Elholm recognized Shaz Ahmadi for her service on the Parks and Recreation Commission. She is leaving the commission after serving for 3.5 years. Ms. Zielinski made a motion to approve the September Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for September were approved as written. Mr. McCaffrey gave the chairperson’s report; he is excited about the projects completed in 2023. His family is particularly excited about the new play area at Welcome Park. Mr. Elholm provided an update on the 2023 park projects. The improvements at Crystal Highlands are almost done, with only the basketball court lines left to be completed. The Broadway Park improvements are complete. The project received partial funding from Hennepin County (CDBG) and the county may contribute additional grant funding for the project. The projects at Bassett Creek Park are also complete. A grand opening for the new dog park was recently held during a Bark in the Park event on September 13. At Grogan Park, trees and shrubs have been planted in the south parking lot area and the second layer of pavement will be applied soon. Parking lot lines will follow. Finally, work is in progress at Welcome Park to create a unique park space; that includes a new playground, fitness equipment and patio. Mr. Elholm discussed 2024 projects; including enhancing pool facilities, constructing tennis courts at Valley Place Park, and improving two surface parking lots; one at Valley Place Park and one at North Lions Park. The city hired US Aquatics to lead design of pool improvements. The project team began by developing goals for the project; which include replacing the main pool container, completing some needed maintenance items and including input from the public engagement process. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 4, 2023 Some of the maintenance items include repairing or possibly replacing a 33-year-old waterslide, refinishing the 18-year-old surface of the zero-depth pool, and replacing failing PVC grates in the zero-depth pool. There was also a focus on improving outdoor pumps for easier repairs and making them more accessible at ground level. All these maintenance needs will be evaluated to see if they fit within the project's budget. Mr. Elholm discussed adding features requested during the public engagement process. As a revenue generating facility, including things the public is interested in should increase use and revenue. New features shown were a climbing wall, a jumping platform, and an element that floats for multi-person play. Other improvements included relocating the drop slide, adding different shade structures, and upgrading lifeguard stands. It was noted that getting the water depth right would be important to attract young teenagers and to add make sure there is sufficient depth under some of the features for safety. The pool edge may also be modified slightly to accommodate fall zones for some of the features. The City hired HCM Architects to design aquatic center building improvements. Mr. Elholm shared plans with the commission. The plans would update the desk, lobby, and outside facade to improve staff safety, pool access, and create a welcoming atmosphere. The goal is to give the facility a more modern look. The commission supported these plans, believing we are moving in the right direction. Mr. Elholm mentioned that a similar presentation would be given to the Council on October 17th. Mr. Elholm also talked about the proposal to enhance the front desk area at the Crystal Community Center. These modifications would streamline staff operations and improve accessibility for visitors. The Commission supported this idea as it would create a more inviting environment at the center. 2024 park projects will occur at North Lions and Valley Place Parks. Both parks will have parking lots updated. At Valley Place Park, the tennis courts will be rebuilt. Mr. Elholm showed two design possibilities for the tennis courts. The commission liked the design that moved basketball into the same fencing outline as tennis. This would be a similar layout to Becker Park. There was a brief discussion on adding pickleball lines to the tennis courts at Valley Place Park. Several commission members thought it would be important to keep these courts just for tennis and not add pickleball – similar to how Becker Park is just for pickleball. Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions, and commenting. There was no City Council Report. Mr. Fortin gave reports on park maintenance and Mr. Berggren on recreation programming. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 October 4, 2023 Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s Report. He mentioned that the Environmental Quality Commission only has a few members. Since much of their work relates to habitat restoration in the parks, one idea that came up was potentially having the remaining members join the Parks and Recreation Commission. This is just an idea at this point, as additional discussion needs to take place before any changes are made. Additionally, it was mentioned that the City of Crystal was well represented at the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Conference held in Plymouth this year. Staff attended many great speakers and presentations. Mr. Elholm gave a Crystal Frolics report. The Crystal Frolics Committee had their wrap-up meeting in September. They will meet again on October 16. Crystal Frolics is looking for a treasurer and a secretary. Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are working on the Cheers to Crystal event scheduled for March 15. Their next meeting will be October 19. Ms. Zelinski made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m. John Elholm, Recorder Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report October, 2023 Vandalism: • Debris left in Bassett Creek dog park lot Projects: • Backfill, grading and seeding at Broadway and Crystal Highlands Parks • Improve basketball court drainage at Crystal Highlands • Tree planting on public and private properties • Installation of a new backstop at Broadway Park • Install bike racks and site furnishings at various parks and CCC • Stripe athletic fields • EDA house and property clean-ups • 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 • Turf maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs (order parts) Add EWF to various playgrounds • Trash removal • Water trees and planters • Attend MRPA annual state conference • Seasonal removal of various fabric sunshades Future: • Trash removal • City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications • Building and irrigation winterization • Building maintenance (Learn new maintenance scheduling software) • Turf maintenance • Install and upgrade signage in parks • Backfill, Grading and seeding at Welcome Park • Prep Equipment and vehicles for winter • Prep skating and Hockey rinks for the season • Tree plantings and removals • Dock removal at Twin Lake 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 N O V E M 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. Community Center South Lot The south parking lot at the Crystal Community Center is complete! This lot has a more pedestrian-friendly design and increased accessibility, with accessible parking spaces closer to the building entrance. Welcome Park Play Area The new play area and fitness pod at Welcome Park are complete. The play area and fitness pod provide a space for multigenerational play and exercise, fostering a sense of well-being and community engagement. Hagemeister Orchard A new orchard has been planted in the Hagemeister Natural Area. The orchard is similar to what was planted in Bassett Creek Park last year. The orchard was funded through a grant from Hennepin County. Winter Prep In anticipation of winter weather, staff has begun preparing for the season. This includes winterizing water lines for irrigation, buildings, and bubblers; and preparing hockey rinks and snow plows. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y N O V E M 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. Edible Courtyard The Edible Courtyard at the Crystal Community Center is now winter-ready! During the productive growing season, it yielded over 180 pounds of vegetables, which were distributed to the community. Winter Brochure Mark your calendar for November 30 for the annual holiday luncheon at a new location! Join us at the Brooklyn Center Community Center for a lunch, with entertainment by Sesay and the Armstrong Chamber Singers. Get ready for the upcoming release of the Crystal Recreation winter brochure, kicking off registration on November 6. Packed with a plethora of frosty fun activities, there's something for all ages to enjoy! Starting November, let the good times roll with our Youth Open Gym for grades 3-12! Score some hoops or do your own thing with equipment provided every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. Holiday Luncheon Youth Open Gym