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2024.02.07 PRC Packet AGENDA February 7, 2024 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. Roundtable Discussion on Commission Interests b. IDC Discussion c. 2024 Project Updates 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: March 6, 2024 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW February 7, 2024 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 Jesse McCaffrey 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 – January 3, 2023 4.Chairperson’s Report 5.Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a.Roundtable Discussion on Commission Interests •What are you most passionate about related to Parks and Recreation? •What would you like to learn more about related to Parks and Recreation? b.IDC Discussion c.2024 Project Updates 6.Commission Open Forum A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and recreation in Crystal. 7.City Reports Forest Eidbo: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Scott Berggren: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report 8.Community Reports 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 January 3, 2024 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Commission Vice-Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Vice-Chair), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Lynn Haney, Alex Popp, Terri Schultz, and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were John Elholm, Aaron Morgan, and Scott Berggren from the City Staff. Commission members attending virtually: Jennifer Zielinski (Secretary) Guests: Traci Kamish and Alexa Kamish The election of officers for 2024 took place. Ms. Haney made a motion to nominate Mr. McCaffrey as the commission chair. Mr. McCaffrey accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made. Mr. McCaffrey was elected as the 2024 Park and Recreation Commission Chair. Mr. McCaffrey took over leading the meeting as chair. Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to nominate Ms. Haney as the commission vice-chair. Ms. Haney accepted the nomination. Ms. Zielinski made a motion to nominate herself as the commission vice-chair. No other nominations were made. A vote of commission members was held. Mr. Berggren tallied the votes. Ms. Haney was elected as the 2024 Park and Recreation Commission Vice-Chair. Mr. Anderson made a motion to nominate Ms. Zielinski as the commission secretary. Ms. Zielinski accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made. Ms. Zielinski was elected as the 2024 Park and Recreation Commission Secretary. There was no public comment. Ms. Haney 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 the opportunity to be commission chair. At the February meeting, he would like each commission member to answer questions about their passions around parks and recreation. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 January 3, 2024 The Park & Recreation Advisory Commission reviewed the 2024 meeting calendar, including four outdoor meetings between May and August. The proposed changes include rescheduling the bus tour to June 26 to avoid the Juneteenth holiday and shifting the July 3 meeting to July 10 to avoid conflicting with the Fourth of July holiday. May 1 Skyway Park (Arbor Day Event) June 5 Welcome Park June 26 Bus Tour July 10 Valley Place Park August 7 Twin Oaks Park Mr. Haney made a motion to approve the 2024 meeting schedule with the amended dates; Mr. Anderson seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission meeting date schedule for 2024 was approved with the amended dates. Mr. Elholm reviewed the 2023 Work Plan. The Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission accomplished many great things in 2023. Commission members participated in a bus tour featuring visits to neighboring communities. In addition, they picked the winners for the Crystal Frolics button contest and the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors award. Mr. Elholm presented a draft of the 2024 Work Plan. The work plan includes a grand opening for the Welcome Park Play Area and Fitness project. Projects include construction at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, tennis courts at Valley Place Park, and a renovated parking lot at North Lions Park. The commission will also keep voting on initiatives like "neighbors recognizing neighbors" and "frolics buttons". Commission members also suggested adding the capture crystal photo contest to the work plan. Mr. McCaffrey made a motion to approve the 2024 work plan with the addition of the capture crystal photography contest; Ms. Haney seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission work plan for 2024 was approved. Mr. Elholm provided the commission with an update on future projects. Staff is gathering information from Kraus-Anderson to potentially use their firm to oversee construction of the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. Mr. Elholm presented the commission with five potential slide designs to replace the current water slides, recognizing new slides may not currently fit within the budget. The commission identified two preferred concepts among the slides. Additionally, HCM Architects has submitted plans for the Crystal Cove building to the city for review. Mr. Elholm discussed other projects scheduled for 2024 as well. Redevelopment plans for North Lions Park focus on revamping the parking lot and improving trail connections. The preferred design at Valley Place Park consolidates basketball and tennis facilities within a shared fenced area. Both projects involve incorporating best management practices for stormwater. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 January 3, 2024 Mr. Elholm gave an overview of the parks system master plan adopted in 2017 and how it drives park projects and improvements today. Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions, and commenting. Ms. Kamish presented the council report. Much of the recent meeting was focused on organic recycling, sparking extensive discussion. Mr. Morgan gave reports for park maintenance, and Mr. Berggren for recreation programming. Mr. Elholm gave the Director’s report. He updated the commission on recent grants we have received for 2024. He also recently met with a disc golf organizer who wants to bring a national tournament to the Bassett Creek Disc Golf Course in 2025. Mr. Elholm gave the Crystal Frolics report. They had a final meeting in December of 2023. It was a productive meeting where new ideas were discussed. The Recreation Department is also looking for a new option to provide beer at Becker Park. Mr. Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They are planning the Cheers to Crystal beer-tasting event on March 15, 2024. Ms. Schultz made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Ms. Cooper seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:51 p.m. John Elholm, Recorder Approved 1/3/2024 Date Time Place Notes January 3 7pm Community Center February 7 7pm Community Center March 6 7pm Community Center April 3 6:45pm Community Center Tree Board @ 6:45; PRC @ 7 May 1 7pm Skyway Park Arbor Day Event @ 6pm June 5 7pm Welcome Park New Play Area June 26 TBD Start at Community Center PRC Tour of Various Parks July 10*7pm Valley Place Park Tennis/BB Courts August 7 7pm Twin Oaks Park 2025 Improvement Planning September 4 7pm Community Center PRC park clean-up before mtg. October 2 7pm Public Works November 6 7pm Community Center December 4 7pm Community Center All Meetings are on Wednesday Nights * Note: Moved from regular July 3 date due to July 4 holiday. Park and Recreation Commission 2024 Meeting Dates PLANNING / DEVELOPMENT Approved 1/3/2024 Item Process: Status Welcome Park Play Area / Fitness Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project 2025 Grand Opening Vally Place Tennis and Basketball Court Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project North Lions Parking Lot Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project Other Capital Improvement Projects · Receive Project Updates from Staff · Provide Input on Capital Improvement Items Park Tour · Visit sites for project and program ideas Locations TBD · Discuss ideas and provide input 2024 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN PROMOTION / COMMUNITY OUTREACH Approved 1/3/2024 Item Process: Status Community Events and Programs.· PRC Representation at Major P&R Events · Assist with Crystal Frolics Activities · Promote P&R at Non-City Activities Recognition · Select Neighbors Rec. Neighbors Awards · Select Crystal Frolics Button Design Awards · Select Capture Crystal Photo Contest Recreation · Provide Input on Programs Being Offered · Provide Feedback on Programs Attended Summer Meetings · Encourage Citizen Participation at Meetings 4 Neighborhood Meetings May: Skyway Park (Arbor Day) June: Welcome Park July: Valley Place Park August: Twin Oaks Park Partnerships · Support other Community Groups & Events Friends of Crystal Parks Crystal Frolics Committee, Inc. · Encourage Collaborative Fundraising Marketing · Promote P&R through Social Networks · Take Photos in Parks and at Events · Monitor Web Site, etc. for Corrections · Encourage Links to P&R Web Site 2024 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report January, 2024 Vandalism: • None to report Projects: • Ice rink flooding • Warming house maintenance • Ash tree removal • Snow removal • Order equipment for 2024 (Pickup Truck with plow, Toolcat, Scissors lift) • Order annual flowers for city planters • Work on Capitol improvement projects for 2024 • Building maintenance • Clean air ducts at city hall (Dirty from PD building construction) • EDA house and property clean-ups • Coordinate LED lighting upgrades at City Hall • Research HVAC upgrades at Public Works • Street lighting maintenance • City wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal Future: • Trash removal • City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications • Ice rink maintenance?? • Snow removal • Building maintenance • Order trees from Hennepin county tree sale for spring planting • Tree trimming and removals • Ash tree removal (special assessment enforcement) • Warming house maintenance • Work on capital improvement projects for 2024 season • LED lighting upgrades at City hall • Shoreline vegetation management on ponds and Twin Lake • Construction of park signage for 2024 season • Equipment maintenance for spring operations 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 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 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. Ice Rink Update The ice rinks in the city are closed for the season due to the weather. Warm temperatures made it challenging for staff to create proper skating conditions this season. This closure is consistent with neighboring communities. Disc Golf Hole Signs City staff are improving the signage at the Bassett Creek Disc Golf Course. Each hole marker will include a dedicated sign displaying the hole layout and distance, installed on a customized wooden post. Tree Trimming City staff is using the mild winter to remove ash trees from parks. However, the thawing ground complicates the process. Despite this, tree removal remains a priority for the city. Spring Ahead The warm weather is ahead of schedule, so it is time to start thinking about spring. Flowers have been ordered for planting at City buildings and in streetscapes. Trees are also being ordered for the annual Arbor Day celebration. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some key special events we offer. Winter Canceled Due to the lack of winter conditions, scheduled offerings had to be canceled. Warming houses and ice rinks were closed on January 25, and the Winterlude event scheduled for February 3 had to be called off. AARP Taxes Experience Blacklight Dodgeball on February 23 at the Davis Community Center. Enjoy the excitement with blacklights, a DJ, and glow-in-the-dark dodgeballs. This event is for youth ages 7-10. Beginning February 9, AARP will provide free tax assistance to seniors and low-income families. This service will be accessible every Friday leading up to the tax deadline. Appointments are required for this service. Celebrate Valentine's Day with friends and loved ones at the New Hope Golf Course on February 9. The Sweet Taste of Italy will provide the meal for this event. The luncheon is for adults aged 55+. Blacklight Dodgeball Valentine Luncheon