2024.09.04 PRC Packet AGENDA
September 4, 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 Park Projects
b. 2025 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
• Friends of Crystal Parks Report
b. Citizen Contacts
c. Other Community News Items
9. Adjournment
Next meeting date: October 2, 2024 – Crystal Community Center
MEETING OVERVIEW
September 4, 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 – August 7, 2024
4. Chairperson’s Report
5. Commission Business / Discussion
John Elholm: Introduce Business Items
a. 2024 Park Projects
b. 2025 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
Forest Eidbo: City Council Report
Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report
Jason Minnick: Program Report
John Elholm: Director Report
8. Community Reports
John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report
Lynn Haney: Friends of Crystal Parks Report
Commission Members: Other community news and contacts
9. Adjournment
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission - Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2024
Twin Oaks Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 7:00
pm by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen
Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, J.D. Moore II, Angela Spores and Kassidy
Swanson. Also present were Forest Eidbo (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Justin Tourville, John
Sutter, Brad Fortin and Lei-Lani Fischer from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Alex Popp and Terri Schultz.
Jesse McCaffrey asked for public input on the Soo Line Natural Area. Attendees commented
on the garden area and possible signage at the site.
John Sutter provided information on current and upcoming city projects. He also provided
information on the Blue Line and informed residents about the public Open House on
August 20.
Justin Tourville gave a public safety update. He referenced Community Police Academy and
encouraged interested residents to get signed up. He also answered questions from
residents and encouraged them to call 911 if there is vandalism or notice activity in the city
parks after hours.
John Elholm presented information on current park improvement projects; including the
Crystal Cove Aquatic Center pool, Valley Place Park tennis and basketball courts, North Lions
Park west parking lot and the Welcome Park basketball court. Twin Oaks park will be
redeveloped in 2025. Options for Twin Oaks Park were discussed and residents were asked
to put a sticker by the play area design and park layout design that they preferred. Several
neighbors also indicated a desire to improve the road crossing / park access where Scott Ave.
intersects with Wilshire Blvd.
Brad Fortin highlighted park maintenance and tree projects.
Lei-Lani Fischer gave an update on recreation programs and events. The Fall Recreation
Brochure will be mailed out to residents and registration will open on August 12. She noted
the Free and reduced fee programs in the brochure thanks to grants received.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Neighborhood Minutes – Page 2 August 7, 2024
A resident received a Crystal Recreation gift certificate in a drawing.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes
August 7, 2024
Twin Oaks Park
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 8:00 pm by
Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey.
Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen
Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, J.D. Moore II, Angela Spores and Kassidy
Swanson. Also present were Forest Eidbo (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Lei-Lani
Fischer from the City Staff.
Haney made a motion to approve the July Neighborhood minutes; Zielinski seconded the
motion. The Neighborhood minutes for July were approved as written.
Haney made a motion to approve the July Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Spores
seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for July were approved
as written.
Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He thanked those who helped with the
Crystal Frolics booth at the Family Festival. He also highlighted the recent park improvements
completed at Bassett Creek Park last year. He noted that these park improvements received an
MPRA Award of Excellence.
Commission Business/Discussion. A recommendation was made that the Neighborhood
Meeting start time be changed to 6:30 pm in 2025. This will be discussed further when the 2025
calendar is established. It was also pointed out that the Open Forum item has been accidentally
left off recent commission agendas. Commission members asked that this item be included
again on future PRC meeting agendas.
Elholm gave project and planning updates for Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, Valley Place Park,
and North Lions Park. He reviewed the Twin Oaks Park design preferences provided at the
neighborhood meeting; including play area preference, park layout preference and
additional comments received.
Council Member Eidbo gave the city council report. He discussed the city budget process
and proposed staffing increases. He also discussed the Blue Line review process.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 August 7, 2024
Fortin gave reports on park maintenance, including Crystal Frolics support, turf and playground
maintenance and park signage.
Fischer gave a recreation report that included the Water Day event with support from West
Metro Fire, the fall brochure and the Crystal Rock Garden.
Elholm gave the directors report. He discussed the hiring process for the open Recreation
Services Manager position and shared information on how Crystal is working with other cities to
help manage teen disrupter groups that have been present in north metro area parks.
Elholm provided the Crystal Frolics Report. The event went well this year, and planning for next
year will begin later this fall.
Haney provided the Friends of Crystal Parks Report. The friends group booth at the family
festival went well. The disc golf tournament was canceled due to lack of registrants. An effort
will be made to get more teams involved in the disc golf tournament next year.
McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm
John Elholm, Recorder
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
August, 2024
Vandalism:
• Graffiti at Becker Playground
Projects:
• Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals)
• Tree planting
• Graffiti removal (playgrounds)
• Building maintenance
• Park signage installation
• Park improvement construction projects at Valley Place and North Lion’s Parks
• Pool construction project
• Building maintenance(HVAC)
• Athletic field set up and maintenance for programs (fall soccer and football)
• EDA house and property clean-ups
• Turf maintenance, fertilization, lots of mowing
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Trash removal
• Modernize playground inspection operations and software upgrades
Future:
• Tree planting (Tree Trust 50 free trees planting) Bassett Creek, boulevard trees for residents
• City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications
• Park improvement projects at Valley Place and North Lion’s Park
• Building maintenance
• Street lighting repairs and replacements
• Stump grinding and backfill
• Turf maintenance(fertilization, aeration, mowing)
• Irrigation maintenance
• Athletic field maintenance and striping
• Playground inspections and repairs
• Irrigation system maintenance
• Pool construction
• Attend fall state MRPA conference
• Elevator modernization at City Hall
• South Fire Station driveway and apron replacement
• Cement Footings for Barway statue, pour Bench and trash can pad
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
S E P T E M B E R 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.
Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
The pool floor is in at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center
and preparations are being made to install the walls. The
project will continue through the summer, with
anticipated opening in 2025.
Park Signage
Several new park entrance signs have been installed
recently. This has been a several year project, with the
focus this year being signs for the natural areas.
Valley Place Park Courts
The courts in Valley Place Park have been paved. A color
coat with court lines, new fencing and court lighting will be
installed in the next month or so.
North Lions Park
The parking lot curbs have been installed around the parking
lot. Pavement will be installed in the coming weeks. Grass is
beginning to grow where the old tennis courts used to be.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
SEPTEMBER 2024
Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal
Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some
key special events we offer.
Vehicle Fair
Come and see the vehicles that go through your neighborhood.
A variety of trucks & cars will be on display to explore Saturday,
September 21 at the Crystal Community Center. Sponsored by
the cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope and Robbinsdale.
Badges & Bobbers
This free family fishing event is Saturday, Sept. 7 at the
Crystal Lake Fishing Pier in Robbsindale. Personnel from
Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope and Robbinsdale police
departments will be on hand.
Oktoberfest
This annual German celebration will be held on Thursday,
October, 3. Sponsored by the cities of Crystal, Brooklyn Center,
Brooklyn Park, New Hope and Robbinsdale. Event includes a
lunch buffet, root beer and entertainment.
Tripsters Travel Talks
Seniors will gather Sept. 9 to learn more about upcoming trip
destinations; including trip itineraries, destination details and
answers to questions. Trips include: Myrtle Beach Christmas,
Disney Adventure in Florida and Hawaiian Islands Sojourn.