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24-03 Approved Commission MinutesCrystal 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.