2024.10.02 PRC Packet AGENDA
October 2, 2024
Crystal Public Works – 5001 W Broadway, 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: November 6, 2024 – Crystal Community Center
MEETING OVERVIEW
October 2, 2024
Crystal Public Works – 5001 W Broadway, 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 – September 4, 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
TBD: 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 Minutes
September 4, 2024
Crystal Community Center
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 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), Dave
Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Alex Popp, Terri Schultz and Angela Spores. Also present were John
Elholm, Brad Fortin and Jason Minnick from the City Staff.
Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper, Kassidy Swanson, Jen Zielinski (Secretary).
Haney made a motion to approve the August Neighborhood minutes; Spores seconded the
motion. The Neighborhood minutes for July were approved as written.
Moore made a motion to approve the August Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Popp
seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for July were approved
as written.
Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He presented several slides and led a
discussion on Robert’s Rules of Order. The procedures allow decisions to be made by a simple
majority, while allowing individual opinions to be heard. The chair recognizes one speaker at a
time. A quorum needs to be present for action to be taken. For the park and recreation
commission, a quorum is 50% of commission members.
Elholm gave project updates for Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, Valley Place Park, and North
Lions Park. The pool floor and some of the pool walls have been poured. All the pool amenities like
shade, pump pit roof, slides, platforms, etc. have been ordered. Quotes are currently being sought for
improvements to the pool lobby / service counter and the community center service counter. Pavement
has been installed on the Valley Place Park courts and will be installed soon on the North Lions
Park parking lot. Several parks have also received new name signage.
Elholm also provided an update on planning for the 2025 Twin Oaks Park project. Graphics
of the park layout and play area design were updated based on comments received at the
neighborhood meeting last month. They included a curb cut to cross Wilshire Blvd. and a
slight play area adjustment. Commission members liked the latest layouts that were
presented.
Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 September 4, 2024
During Commission Open Forum, Fortin gave reports on park maintenance. The maintenance
team is working on striping soccer fields, playground repairs, blowing out irrigation, etc. There
will be a tree planting (50 trees) at Bassett Creek Park later in September. They are also working
on an Ash tree removal grant.
Minnick gave a recreation report that included the upcoming Vehicle Fair, Badges and Bobbers
event, Octoberfest and Tripsters Travel Talks.
Elholm gave the directors report. He mentioned that two staff, Stacy and John, are each giving a
presentation at the upcoming Minnesota Recreation and Park Association annual conference.
We had very good applicants for the recreation services manager position (Scott’s former
position). The search has been narrowed, and a selection will be made soon. In addition, our
daytime custodian retired. An existing staff member will be promoted into the position. Both
positions should begin work sometime in October.
Elholm provided the Crystal Frolics Report. There was no meeting in August.
Haney provided the Friends of Crystal Parks Report. The friends group will be meeting
tomorrow night.
McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm
John Elholm, Recorder
Twin Oaks Park Update – 2025 Project
Twin Oaks Park Play Area Update – 2025 Project
Park and Recreation Advisory Commission
Monthly Maintenance Report
September, 2024
Vandalism:
• Graffiti at Iron Horse Playground
Projects:
• Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals)
• Tree planting
• Graffiti removal (playgrounds)
• Building maintenance
• Replace concrete apron at South fire Station
• 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
• Plant 50 trees with Tree Trust at Bassett Creek Park
• Install trash can pads Barway statue footing and memorial bench pads
• Attend MRPA fall conference
Future:
• Tree planting (Tree Trust 50 free trees planting at Becker Park), 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 blow-outs
• Pool construction
• Elevator modernization at City Hall
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
O C T O 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 floor and walls for the Crystal Cove pool are in, and
the columns for the Crystal Cove water walk were
recently poured. The project will continue through the
fall, with anticipated opening in 2025.
Gravel Bed Nursery
The parks division has a gravel bed nursery where small
trees are put in the spring. A robust root system
develops over the summer, increasing survival when
they are planted in the fall.
Valley Place Park Courts
The courts in Valley Place Park are nearing completion.
Basketball and Tennis systems have been installed, and
color coating will occur in the coming weeks.
North Lions Park
Paving of the west parking lot in North Lions Park is
complete. The area around the parking lot is being graded
and will be seeded in the coming weeks.
P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y
O C T O B E R 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.
Mark your calendars for October 5th! Join us at New Hope’s
Civic Center Park for the Trick or Trot. Kids aged 2-12 can enjoy
trick or treating, DJ music, games, pumpkin decorating &
contests. Halloween fun awaits!
Celebrate the beauty of our community with the People,
Places, and Wildlife & Nature photo contest. Submissions
due by October 24. Special awards for youth and “People’s
Choice.” Help showcase what makes Crystal great!
Capture Crystal
Dance classes began October 26. Dancers work weekly with
experienced instructors to learn choreographed routines for the
grand recital in April. Instructors focus classes on; building skills,
refining technique, and fostering teamwork.
Adult Open Pickleball begins October 1. The cost is $5 per
session or $60 for a punch card, which includes 20 passes.
Preschool Playtime starts October 2. The cost is $3 per
child or $20 for a punch card, which includes 10 passes.
Crystal Recreation Dance
Adult Open Pickleball & Preschool Playtime
Trick or Trot
CAPTURECrysta l