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2025.01.08 PRC Packet AGENDA January 8, 2025 Crystal Community Center – 4800 Douglas Drive, Crystal, MN 55429 7:00 pm Regular Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order / Introductions 2. Election of Officers 3. Public Comments 4. Approval of Minutes 5. Chairperson’s Report 6. Commission Business / Discussion (45 minutes) a. 2025 Meeting Dates and Locations b. 2024 and 2025 Work Plans c. 2025 Planning and Project Discussion 7. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes) 8. Commission Reports (15 minutes) a. City Council Report b. Project/Maintenance Report c. Program Report d. Director Report 9. 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 10. Adjournment Next meeting date: February 5, 2025 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW January 8, 2025 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. Election of Officers 3. 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. 4. Approval of Minutes – December 4, 2024 5. Chairperson’s Report 6. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. 2025 Meeting Dates and Locations b. 2024 and 2025 Work Plans c. 2025 Planning and Project Discussion 7. Commission Open Forum A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and recreation in Crystal. 8. City Reports John Budziszewski: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Michelle Margo: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report 9. Community Reports John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report Lynn Haney: Friends of Crystal Parks Report Commission Members: Other community news and contacts 10. Adjournment Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes December 4, 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), Dave Anderson, Joyce Cooper, Alex Popp, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the city staff. Commission member absent: Jen Zielinski (Secretary), J.D. Moore II, and Terri Schultz. Haney made a motion to approve the November Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Popp seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for November were approved as written. There was no public comment. There was no city council report. The meeting began with Chair McCaffrey, facilitating an activity called Think, Pair, Share. Members shared with a partner, then shared out to the group. Some things the members were thankful for included investment in parks, Becker Park, Crystal Cove Aquatic Center improvements, Twin Oaks Park upgrades and the commission’s summer meetings in the parks. Elholm reviewed the Twin Oaks Park project and the council’s approval of WSB to prepare construction documents. Work will begin in summer of 2025. Three playground color concepts will be presented at the Winterfest event for the community to vote on. The commission reviewed the 2025 Park & Facility Timeline for projects. Elholm also shared that the city council will be receiving an overview of the city’s 2017 park system master plan in the coming months; to see how it relates to the current long-term capital plan. Elholm shared the next meeting date of January 1, 2025, and made a recommendation to move the meeting to Wednesday, January 8, 2025. McCaffrey made a motion to change the January meeting date to January 8; Spores seconded. Motion approved. Elholm led a discussion on summer meeting dates and locations for 2025. Recommended summer meeting locations include Sunnyview Park, Fair School Park, Forest School Park and Woodland Park. The commission also discussed starting the summer neighborhood mee tings Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 December 4, 2024 at 6:30 p.m., with the commission meeting afterward. The 2025 Arbor Day Celebration would then be moved to 5:30 p.m. Final approval of the schedule will occur at the January meeting. During the Commission Open Forum, McCaffrey invited commissioner members to volunteer at Winterfest. He and Haney shared their excitement for the event and returning as volunteers. During the city council report, Elholm presented information about the proposed tax levy. If approved, the recreation department will be posting a new full-time recreation facility supervisor position to support aquatic center and community center operations. Fortin gave an update on park projects and maintenance. He reported on vandalism that had recently occurred at the Sunnyview playground. Police worked with maintenance staff to catch the people responsible. Fortin also presented information on playground safety standards and the certification process for staff. In addition, he updated the commission on the number of outdoor rinks being prepped for winter break, the impact of EAB, and efforts taken for maintenance crew to plant 160 new trees. Margo presented information on the upcoming Winterfest event and other holiday programs. She shared that warming house staff are hired, trained, and ready to go when the time comes. Margo presented hiring opportunities and the need for summer pool staff/lifeguards. Elholm gave the director’s report. He shared that the award Crystal received from the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) for Bassett Creek Park was highlighted in the recent MRPA magazine. He also shared information about the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation. Elholm is on the board of trustees, and Margo received the MRPF Ed Brandeen Cornerstone Award this past year. The award is named for Ed Brandeen, a long time Parks and Recreation Director in Crystal. The upcoming Crystal Frolics meeting will be held December 16, and will feature volunteer recruitment and sharing holiday treats! Friends of Crystal Parks will be meeting on January 9 to discuss the annual Plant Sale, and how the proceeds benefit the city’s parks. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting, McCaffrey seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. John Elholm, Recorder Approved: Date Time Place Notes January 8*7 p.m.Community Center 1st Wednesday Holiday February 5 7 p.m.Community Center March 5 7 p.m.Community Center April 2 6:45pm Community Center Tree Board @ 6:45; PRC @ 7 May 7 6:30 p.m.Sunnyview Park Arbor Day @ 5:30 June 4 6:30 p.m.Fair School Park TPL Project June 18 TBD Start at Community Center PRC Tour of Various Parks July 2 6:30 p.m.Forest School Park 2026 Play Area August 6 6:30 p.m.Woodland Park 2026 Improvements September 3 7 p.m.Community Center October 1 7 p.m.Community Center November 5 7 p.m.Community Center December 3 7 p.m.Community Center All Meetings are on Wednesday Nights * Note: Moved from regular date due to holiday. Park and Recreation Commission 2025 Meeting Dates PLANNING / DEVELOPMENT Approved 1/3/2024 Item Process: Status Welcome Park Play Area / Fitness Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project 2025 Grand Opening Vally Place Tennis and Basketball Court Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project North Lions Parking Lot Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024 Construction · Provide Input on Project Other Capital Improvement Projects · Receive Project Updates from Staff · Provide Input on Capital Improvement Items Park Tour · Visit sites for project and program ideas Locations TBD · Discuss ideas and provide input 2024 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete PROMOTION / COMMUNITY OUTREACH Approved 1/3/2024 Item Process: Status Community Events and Programs.· PRC Representation at Major P&R Events · Assist with Crystal Frolics Activities · Promote P&R at Non-City Activities Recognition · Select Neighbors Rec. Neighbors Awards · Select Crystal Frolics Button Design Awards · Select Capture Crystal Photo Contest Recreation · Provide Input on Programs Being Offered · Provide Feedback on Programs Attended Summer Meetings · Encourage Citizen Participation at Meetings 4 Neighborhood Meetings May: Skyway Park (Arbor Day) June: Welcome Park July: Valley Place Park August: Twin Oaks Park Partnerships · Support other Community Groups & Events Friends of Crystal Parks Crystal Frolics Committee, Inc. · Encourage Collaborative Fundraising Marketing · Promote P&R through Social Networks · Take Photos in Parks and at Events · Monitor Web Site, etc. for Corrections · Encourage Links to P&R Web Site Complete Complete Complete Complete Complete 2024 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN Complete PLANNING / DEVELOPMENT Item Process: Status Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2024/25 Construction · Provide Input on Project Summer 2025 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration Twin Oaks Park Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2025 Construction · Provide Input on Project Fall 2024 Grand Opening · Participate in Grand Opening Celebration North Lions Park Soccer Field Project · Receive Progress Updates from Staff 2025 Construction · Provide Input on Project Other Capital Improvement Projects · Receive Project Updates from Staff 2025 Construction · Provide Input on Projects Planning for Woodland Park Project · Receive Planning Updates from Staff 2026 Construction · Provide Input as Plans are Developed Planning for Forest School Play Area · Receive Planning Updates from Staff 2026 Construction · Provide Input as Plans are Developed Park Tour · Visit sites for project and program ideas Locations TBD · Discuss ideas and provide input 2025 DRAFT PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN PROMOTION / COMMUNITY OUTREACH Item Process: Status Community Events and Programs.· PRC Representation at Major P&R Events · Assist with Crystal Frolics Activities · Promote P&R at Non-City Activities Recognition · Select Neighbors Rec. Neighbors Awards · Select Crystal Frolics Button Design Awards · Select Capture Crystal Photo Contest Recreation · Provide Input on Programs Being Offered · Provide Feedback on Programs Attended Summer Meetings · Encourage Citizen Participation at Meetings 4 Neighborhood Meetings May: Sunnyview Park (Arbor Day) June: Fair School Park July: Forest School Park August: Woodland Park Partnerships · Support other Community Groups & Events Friends of Crystal Parks Crystal Frolics Committee, Inc. · Encourage Collaborative Fundraising Marketing · Promote P&R through Social Networks · Take Photos in Parks and at Events · Monitor Web Site, etc. for Corrections · Encourage Links to P&R Web Site 2025 DRAFT PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK PLAN Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report December, 2024 Vandalism: • Building graffiti at Valley Place Park building (installed decoy cameras) Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Storm pond vegetation control • Snow removal • Ice rink maintenance • Building maintenance • Elevator modernization project at City Hall (wrap up and final inspection) • Generator maintenance • Pool construction project • EDA house and property clean-ups • Park and Pool Building winterization • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal • Leaf mulching • Street light repairs Future: • City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications • Building maintenance • Snow removal operations • Ice rink maintenance (weather pending) • Order equipment and supplies for 2025 season • Storm water pond maintenance (remove invasive vegetation) • Building maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs • Pool construction project • Coordinate parks, building, fleet and forestry capital projects • Twin Oaks Park site removals and demolition 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov Here is an overview of the upcoming projects in the City of Crystal, which will take place at various parks and buildings across the city. L� PUSH TO OPEN Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Although outdoor construction has slowed for the winter, equipment deliveries are ongoing. The pieces of the flume slide arrived in late December, so they are ready for installation in the spring. Community Center Improvements The Crystal Community Center will see improvements this year, including additional push-button access to restrooms, service counter upgrade and HVAC enhancements. Ice Skating Rinks & Warming Houses The warming houses at North Lions, Welcome, and Valley Place Park opened on December 21, but were temporarily closed due to warm weather. With cooler temperatures staff are working to rebuild ice and reopen. Twin Oaks Park Families at Winterfest had the opportunity to review color options for the new Twin Oaks Park play area and select their favorite color. A big thank you to the more than 270 people who provided input on the colors! Below is an overview of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department, along with occasional recaps of key special events we host. d" `_ _' Ill CRYSTAL • ROBENNSCIALE Youth Basketball League The Crystal Community Center is the proud home of youth basketball! This cooperative program with Robbinsdale, New Hope, Golden Valley, and St. Louis Park, kicks off practices on January 9. It's a slam dunk program for young hoopers! Travel Talk - Extended Trips January 6 registrants discovered more about Jeanie's Journeys 2025 trip destinations through this travel presentation. A few trips include Fort Meyers & MN Twins, Blooming Tulips in Holland, and America's 250th in D.C. Community Connections On January 15, Hennepin County Emergency Management will guide us in emergency preparedness; helping participants create personalized plans and assemble survival and drive -away kits. We Are Hiring! The recreation department is hiring a full-time recreation facility supervisor to support aquatic and community center programs. We are also preparing for an exciting summer and have started the process of hiring seasonal staff for Summer 2025!