2024.04.03 PRC Packet
Crystal Community Center
AGENDA
April 3, 2024
6:45 pm Tree Board Meeting Agenda
1. Call the Meeting to Order
2. Crystal Forestry Annual Report
3. Tree City, USA
4. Arbor Day Event Planning
• Date: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
• Location: Skyway Park
• Tentative Schedule:
• 6:00 pm – Park clean-up & tree distribution begins
• 6:30 pm – Mayor’s proclamation reading
• 6:35 pm – Overview of the health of Crystal’s urban forest
• 6:40 pm - Tree Planting
• Trees donated by Friends of Crystal Parks
• (10) Thornless Hawthorn
• (10) Princeton Sentry Gingko
• (10) Kentucky Coffee Tree
• (10) Skyline Honey locust
• (1) Northern Red Oak - for planting in the park
• Refreshments
5. Adjournment
Next meeting date: April 2, 2025 @ 6:45pm
Crystal Community Center
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
April 3, 2024
Annual Forestry Report
-Forestry operations are the responsibility of parks division staff
Those duties include:
• Tree inspections
• Manage contractual forestry operations
• Tree removal
• Tree trimming
• Annual Arbor Day celebration
• Maintain certified tree inspector licensing
-Long grass complaints are being handled by the public works department.
-EDA lot management and the cutting of long grass complaints are being coordinated
through Public Works and work is contracted out.
-City staff and contractors removed 225 trees in 2023 (66 of these trees were hazardous).
-Removed boulevard trees are not being replaced. Homeowners are given the option to have a tree
planted on their private property.
-Trees removed on city and private properties are being replaced with a wider diversity of
specimens. A wider variety of tree species leads to a healthier and more diverse urban forest. A
more diverse urban forest increases its overall health.
-Staff is undergoing continuous training as it pertains to Emerald Ash Borer, Dutch Elm disease
and Oak Wilt.
-Staff is exploring available grants to help offset the costs associated with EAB
2024 Arbor Day Plans:
-Arbor Day will be celebrated 5/1/2024 at Skyway Park.
-Skyway Park was selected as the host site due to extensive Ash tree removals
-Park cleanup begins at 6:00.
-Arbor Day event begins with a reading of the proclamation by the mayor at 6:30.
-Parks division staff will talk about the state of the urban forest.
-Emerald Ash Borer update.
-There will be a tree giveaway to the first 40 guests. (First come first serve basis)
-Parks division staff will talk about and demonstrate proper tree planting techniques.
-A new tree will be planted in recognition of Arbor Day. (Northern Red Oak)
AGENDA
April 3, 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. 2024 Bus Tour
b. 2024 Project Updates
c. 2025 Project Preview
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
• Friends of Crystal Parks Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
9. Adjournment
Next meeting date: May 1, 2024 – Skyway Park
MEETING OVERVIEW
April 3, 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 – March 6, 2023
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. 2024 Bus Tour
b. 2024 Project Updates
c. 2025 Project Preview
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: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission Members: Other community activities and events
9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
March 6, 2024
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jennifer
Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Terri Schultz, Angela Spores and Kassidy
Swanson. Also present were Forest Eidbo, Council Liaison; John Elholm, Recreation Director;
Brad Fortin, Parks Superintendent and Scott Berggren, Guest Services Manager
Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper & Alex Popp.
Members of the public present: Jill Scholz
Scholz made a public comment advocating for Hagemeister Pond Preserve. She expressed
concern about the park's fragile ecosystem and wanted details on the plan to maintain the
park's ecological strength.
Zielinski made a motion to approve the February Park and Recreation Commission minutes;
Swanson seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for February were
approved as written.
Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He discussed an academic paper focusing on
equity and vandalism, explaining the five types of vandalism discussed in the paper. The paper
doesn't present solutions but offers valuable perspectives, highlighting that vandalism is a
meaningful act.
McCaffrey led a roundtable discussion where commission members who could not share in
February shared their passion for parks and recreation and what they would like to learn this
year. Common themes from the discussion included equity in parks, accessibility, and offering
programs that meet different needs. Learning objectives for the year focused on understanding
recreation programming and finding creative ways to use park spaces.
Commission members reviewed and voted on the Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Award
nominations. Award winners will be recognized at an upcoming Crystal City Council Meeting.
Three neighbors were recommended for the award, but their names were redacted during the
selection process, so they were not included in the motion.
Haney made a motion to approve three neighbors as winners of the Neighbors Recognizing
Neighbors Award; Zielinski seconded the motion. A unanimous vote approved the Neighbors
Recognizing Neighbors Award winners.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 March 6, 2024
Elholm gave a project update. The Crystal Cove Aquatic Center project is out for bid, which are
scheduled to be opened on March 26. U.S. Aquatics is handling the pool design with
consultation from Kraus-Anderson. Items not in the bid include site amenities like the climbing
wall and the rope swing. Those items will be purchased directly by the city. The state is
providing the aquatic center with a $2.35 million legislative appropriation. Staff is working
through grant documents for these funds, which includes recording a restrictive covenant on
the pool property. Quotes will be sought for improvements at the pool building and the
community center service counter.
The North Lions and Valley Place Park design plans are 90 % complete, and bid packets are
being prepared. Consultants are reviewing best management practices for accommodating
parking lot water runoff in North Lions Park. Postcards will be distributed to inform the
neighborhood about the upcoming changes. Bids are planned to be opened on April 16 with
proposed city council approval on May 7. Staff are seeking approval from the City Council on
March 19 to add security cameras to the south parking lot of the Crystal Community Center.
Commission members discussed items during the open forum, giving input, asking questions,
and commenting.
Council member Eidbo gave the council report. Crystal will join the violent defender's task
force, which will bring an additional officer to Crystal, with the BCA covering the costs. Some
local businesses are pushing for relaxed rules for cannabis. The legislative session has begun,
and one of Crystal's main focuses is forestry. A bill proposes funds for cities through the DNR to
provide relief.
Fortin gave reports on park maintenance, and Berggren gave reports on recreation
programming.
Elholm gave the Director’s report. He discussed some upcoming grant opportunities being
sought for Twin Oaks Park, which is scheduled for improvements in 2025.
Elholm gave the Crystal Frolics report. Some new activities are coming to Welcome Park, such
as a grass volleyball tournament and potentially a bags tournament. Meanwhile, numerous
activities at Becker Park have been scheduled.
Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. The group is planning their plant sale for May
18. They also bought the trees to be given away at the city's Arbor Day event on May 1. The
committee is actively exploring new ways to generate funds for other initiatives.
Upcoming community events include the Blue Line Extension meeting on March 7 and the Iftar
Dinner on March 14. Both events are being held at the Crystal Community Center.
Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Zielinski seconded the motion.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
March, 2024
Vandalism:
• Graffiti on Highway 81 bridge
Projects:
• Ash tree removal
• Shoreline and storm pond vegetation management
• Snow removal
• Installation of disc golf signage
• Order trees for Arbor Day celebration
• Order trees from Hennepin County tree sale
• Work on Capitol improvement projects for 2024
• Building maintenance
• Order athletic field and turf maintenance supplies
• Attend Tree inspector training
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• HVAC upgrades at Public Works
• Street lighting maintenance
• City wide tree inspections (special assessment removals)
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Boardwalk inspections and repairs
• Trash removal
Future:
• Trash removal
• City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications
• Snow removal
• Building maintenance
• Ash tree removals (special assessment enforcement)
• LED lighting upgrades at City hall
• Construction of park signage for 2024 season
• Equipment maintenance for spring operations
• Ballfield maintenance
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Tennis court removal at valley Place Park (pending bid acceptance)
• Parking lot and court removal at North Lion’s Park (pending bid acceptance)
• Installation of new park and disc golf signage
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
A P R I L 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.
Disc Golf Map
A disc golf map created by the city’s GIS coordinator has
been integrated into a sign. This sign includes hole
distances and etiquette for playing disc golf. Two of
these signs will be placed on the course.
Tree Purchasing
The City participated in Hennepin County's spring tree
sale, which provides bare root trees to local cities. We
acquired 75 trees through this program, financed by a
"Hennepin County Healthy Tree Canopy" grant.
Parking Lot Cameras
The south parking lot of the Crystal Community Center
underwent a redesign in 2023. Four cameras are set to be
installed in this lot, enhancing safety and security for
visitors and vehicles.
Stump Griding
After removing trees due to the emerald ash borer over the
past year, staff will grind the stumps left behind to ensure
the area is cleared and safe. This process will also help
prevent potential hazards and promote vegetation regrowth.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
A P R I L 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 Volleyball
As the adult volleyball season wraps up, we're thrilled
to see a continued increase in attendance. Court space
is consistently at maximum capacity, with demand
soaring for our leagues and open gym sessions.
Edible Courtyard
In February and March, we partnered with the City of
Robbinsdale and Minnesota Twin Stars, a local soccer club, to
host free clinics. These clinics were open to youth in grades
3-8 and offered skill development and sport engagement.
On March 8, enthusiastic helpers planted the first seeds
in the edible courtyard. Carrots, radishes, spinach, and
various herbs were among the varieties planted. The
next planting session is scheduled for April 5 at 10 am.
The end-of-year recital for the Crystal Dance Program
will be on April 7 at Brooklyn Center High School in front
of family and friends. Dancers have been perfecting their
routines since September 2023.
Free Soccer Clinic
Youth Dance