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2024.11.06 PRC PacketAGENDA November 6, 2024 Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive, 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.Capture Crystal Photo Contest b.2024 Park Projects c.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: December 4, 2024 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW November 6, 2024 Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive, 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 – October 2, 2024 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Capture Crystal Photo Contest b. 2024 Park Projects c. 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 Michelle Margo: 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 October 2, 2024 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Jen Zielinski (Secretary), Dave Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Alex Popp, Terri Schultz, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were Forest Eidbo (council liaison), John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Carol Oyaas from the city staff. Commission member absent: Joyce Cooper. Haney made a motion to approve the September Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Spores seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for September were approved as written. The posted agenda was modified to move the city council report earlier. Forest Eidbo gave the City Council report. One of the discussions being held recently was about the Blue Line. The major concerns expressed were pedestrian routes along West Broadway into Robbinsdale and snow removal near the station. The council approved municipal consent. The council also approved construction contracts for the lobby at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center and the service counter at the Crystal Community Center. The improvements include making the entrance of the pool more inviting and both areas more accessible. Much of the proposed levy increase this year is to replenish the City of Crystal’s reserve funds, rather than adding projects. However, there will be some increase to fleet funding, a few new positions and increased forestry funding. Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He led a discussion on the value parks and recreation have in our community. He encouraged commission members to learn more about the subject and to share their thoughts with others. 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. Contractors will soon be working on getting the footings and pool deck poured. Any work not completed this fall will be done in the spring. All Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 October 2, 2024 the pool amenities like shade, pump pit roof, slides, platforms, etc. have been ordered. Improvements to the pool lobby / service counter and the community center service counter were recently approved by the council. Pavement and court coloring have been installed on the Valley Place Park courts, and the North Lions Park parking lot is also finishing up. 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. The play area colors will be presented at Winterfest so children can vote for their favorite. VFW leadership is in favor of the new monument location proposed in the plan. The monument area will be connected to an adjacent parking area and a walking path in the park. During Commission Open Forum, there was a discussion on bike paths in the city and the need for improvement. Elholm mentioned that Three Rivers Park District is working on plans for the CP Regional Trail from Becker Park to the south. Commission members also mentioned a particularly difficult stretch for cyclists along West Broadway from Douglas into Robbinsdale. The Barway Collins memorial statue will have a dedication on October 5th. Fortin gave an update on projects/maintenance. Irrigation systems are being repaired and blown out for the winter. Playground repairs & maintenance are also being done. The tree removal grant from Hennepin County had a website for residents to apply for funds to help with Ash tree removal. The site didn’t work, so residents have been given an extension on tree removal to help them get funds - once the site is back up. Trees were planted at Bassett Creek Park (49) with the help of Tree Trust and volunteers. The total for the year includes 109 trees removed and 199 planted. Trees that are cut down are NOT going to landfills. Smaller brush/branches go up to Maple Grove site for mulching & used in gardening. Larger branches, trunks, etc. go to places like Pigs Eye. There they are used to make fuel pellets for the Sioux community. Pigs Eye is expensive, so we try to utilize other options. Fortin also discussed and showed a photo of the gravel bed tree nursery. A new nursery area is being set up with even better irrigation. This allows the city to buy trees that are bare root, grow out a root ball, and then plant. It increases the survival rates of newly planted trees. Oyaas gave a recreation report that included the upcoming Trick or Trot, Dance lessons, Preschool Open Gym and pickleball returning to the Community Center. Elholm mentioned that Winterfest may be without a Santa this year, since the one we have used in the past has died. We are still looking for a replacement, but have not found one yet. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 3 October 2, 2024 Elholm gave the directors report. He mentioned that two staff, Stacy and John, each gave a presentation at the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association annual conference in Mankato. He also mentioned that we hired a new recreation services manager, Michelle Margo, who also gave a presentation at the conference. Michelle has an extensive background in event planning, and will be an exceptional addition to our department. She starts work on October 21. Corey Behl was hired as our FT daytime custodian. He had been working with us as a recreation associate. He is going through the physical exam process and will start later this month. Elholm also discussed the recent practice of posting temporary signs in the parks for things like storybook trails and mindfulness walks. He received a comment from a community member discouraging temporary signs for programs when possible. Commission members discussed the practice and expressed interest in continuing this type of program. Elholm provided the Crystal Frolics Report. There was a brainstorming session at the last meeting, but there is nothing firm to report on. Their next meeting is 10/21/24. Friends of Crystal Parks meets again in January to plan the Plant Sale. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Zielinski seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 pm John Elholm, Recorder hello@reallygreatsite.com PEOPLE Memory Lane Memory Lane Welcome Park PLACES Bassett Creek Dog Park Bassett Creek Park hello@reallygreatsite.com Hagemeister Pond YOUTH MAC Park CCC Parking Lot Hagemeister Pond Forest Elementary hello@reallygreatsite.com Home Garden Bassett Creek Park WILDLIFE & NATURE Home Garden Welcome Park hello@reallygreatsite.com WILDLIFE & NATURE Glen Haven CemeteryMAC Park Target Parking Lot Twin Lake Shore hello@reallygreatsite.com WILDLIFE & NATURE Welcome ParkHome on Kyle Ave Bassett Creek ParkBassett Creek Park hello@reallygreatsite.com WILDLIFE & NATURE Hagemeister PondCrystal Community Center Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report October, 2024 Vandalism: • Graffiti at Valley Place building doors Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Resident boulevard tree planting (Tree Trust at Bassett Creek Park) • Water and prune young trees • Finish grade and seeding at Valley Place tennis court • Dock removal at Twin Lake Shores • Building maintenance • Replace concrete apron at South fire Station • Complete 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 • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal • Irrigation blowouts and building winterization Future: • City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications • Building maintenance • Assist with voting set up and delivery • Storm water pond maintenance • Gravel bed nursery construction at old Public Works shop • Street lighting repairs and replacements • Stump grinding and backfill • Turf maintenance(leaf mulching) • Playground inspections and repairs • Irrigation system blow-outs • Pool construction • Elevator modernization at City Hall • Prepare equipment for snow season 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov Below is a highlight of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department. Occasionally we will recap some key special events we offer. JFAP Discover Winter! Get ready for the upcoming release of the Crystal Recreation winter brochure! Registration kicked off on November 1. and brochures are in mailboxes. Packed with a plethora of frosty fun activities, there's something for all ages to enjoy! Wine & Paint Party Indulge in creativity at this 21+ painting class with Merry Time Arts! Guided step-by-step, participants create a beautiful masterpiece on a 16" x 20" canvas. It's a relaxed, artistic evening perfect for unwinding and socializing. Edible Courtyard The Edible Courtyard at the Crystal Community Center is getting winter -ready! During the productive growing season, it yielded over 120 pounds of vegetables, which were distributed to the community. Black Friday Essentially Good Gifts Using essential oils, participants craft thoughtful, handmade lotions, perfumes, bath treats, ornaments, or jewelry designed for both people and pets. Workshop includes materials to create two unique gifts, with additional items available for just $6 each. 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 Pool The pool structure is in, and most of the footings for pool features are too. The focus now turns to getting the decks poured before winter. Some work will be finished in the spring with anticipated pool opening in June. Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Building The lobby of the pool building will be remodeled in the early spring. The lobby and service counter area will be expanded, with windows being installed in the front. Work will be completed for the pool opening in June. Valley Place Park Courts The basketball and tennis courts in Valley Place Park are complete. The color coating has been installed, so the courts are now ready to go. Some additional lighting work will occur in the coming weeks. Winter Preparation In anticipation of winter weather, staff has begun preparing for the season. This includes winterizing irrigation lines and unheated park buildings; and preparing equipment for winter maintenance.