2025.03.04 Work Session Packet
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: Feb. 28, 2025
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Conference Room A/Zoom
Pursuant to due call and notice given in the manner prescribed by Section 3.01 of the City Charter,
the work session of the Crystal City Council was held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at ______ p.m. in
conference room A at city hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN and via Zoom. If the agenda items
are not completed in time for the city council meeting at 7 p.m., the work session will be
continued and resumed immediately following the city council meeting. The public may attend the
meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified on the City Council
Meeting Schedule for Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
____ Onesirosan ____ Bell
____ Budziszewski ____ Tierney
____ Cummings ____ Therres
____ Deshler ____ Elholm
____ Eidbo ____ Larson
____ Kamish ____ Revering
____ Kiser ____ Hubbard
____ Struve
____ Sutter
____ Yang
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Recreation Department quarterly update.
2. Park system master plan overview.
3. Boulevard trees overview.
4. Constituent issues update.*
5. New business.*
6. Announcements.*
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
* Denotes no documentation included in the packet.
Auxiliary aids are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling the city clerk at
(763) 531-1145 at least 96 hours in advance. TTY users may call Minnesota Relay at 711 or 1-800-627-3529.
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Memorandum
DATE: February 26, 2025
TO: Mayor and City Council
Adam R. Bell, City Manager
FROM: John Elholm, Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Recreation Department Quarterly Update
Recreation Department staff will provide an update on the department. This will include:
• Review of the city’s park and recreation system plan
• Planned park projects – next 3 years
• Recreation program overview; including Crystal Frolics
The slide show presented to city council members and park and recreation commission on the
bus tour last summer is attached here. It is a shortened version of what was presented during
the approval process for the park system master plan in 2017.
A drawing from the park system master plan that shows distance from developed parks is also
attached here. The darker pink areas are within ‘walking’ distance (1/2 mile). The lighter areas
are either main roads/railroads or are outside ‘walking’ distance of a developed park.
1
Park & Recreation System
Master Planning
2025
Park & Recreation System
Master Planning
2025
Originally presented in 2017
Active living needs of the community are changing
Planning improves understanding of current needs
Planning assists in evaluation of priorities
Provides a framework and vision for the next 20+ years
Allows city resources to be used more efficiently
Provides support to seek funds from outside sources
Why a park system plan is important
2
Principles guiding this planning process
Design to minimize ongoing maintenance costs
Recognize we can’t offer every amenity in every park
Group higher maintenance items into larger parks
Remove high maintenance amenities from smaller parks
Reduce quantity of lesser used facilities
Modify / add amenities to better meet current needs
Promote both active and passive use of the parks
Planning Process
1.Inventory of Existing Amenities
2.Comparison to National Standards
3.Meetings with Focus Groups / Commission
4.Place Parks into Categories
5.Develop Early Concept Maps of Larger Parks
6.Refine Concept Maps of Larger Parks
7.Create the Park System Master Plan Document
Public Input Throughout the Planning Process
3
Planning Process
Natural Area
(8)
Neighborhood
(13)
Community
(4)
Destination
(2)
Little to no development
Small park within a 10‐minute walk
Large Recreation Facilities
Unique / Signature Community Facilities
Assigning Parks to Categories
Review the function of each park in the overall park system
4
Natural Areas
Areas with little to no development
Focus is on Open Space
Trails / Boardwalks
Benches
Interpretive Signage
Community Gardens
Nature Play Areas
Dakota County – Whitetail Woods Regional Park
Crystal Parks and
Recreation
Natural Areas
Natural Areas
(8)
Neighborhood
(13)
Community
(4)
Destination
(2)
Crystal
Parks
Brownwood
Florida
Hagemeister
MAC Park
Memory Lane
Soo Line
Schutz
Twin Lake Shores
5
Neighborhood Parks
Small Park within a 10‐minute walk
Focus is on neighborhoods
Easy to walk to
Play area in each park
Open grass area
Paved court for various games
Picnic tables and benches
Small picnic shelter in some
Trust for Public Land
Crystal Parks and
Recreation
Neighborhood
Natural Areas
(8)
Neighborhood
(13)
Community
(4)
Destination
(2)
Crystal
Parks
Skyway
Broadway
North Bass Lake
Twin Oak
Iron Horse
Cavanagh
Forest
Kentucky
Fair
Crystal Highlands
Lee
Yunkers
Sunnyview
6
Focus is on sports and community‐level amenities
Full‐sized fields
Full‐sized court sports
Lights on ball fields and courts
Hockey rinks / sliding hills
Restroom building / rental space
Picnic shelters / sand volleyball / disc golf / dog park
Community Parks
Large Recreation Facilities with Parking Lots
Valley Place Park –City of Crystal
Crystal Parks and
Recreation
Community
Natural Areas
(8)
Neighborhood
(13)
Community
(4)
Destination
(2)
Crystal
Parks
North Lions
Welcome
Lions Valley Place
Bassett Creek
7
Focus is on year‐round community activities
Inclusive Play Area
Water Feature / Fountain
Ice Surface / Plaza Space
Flexible Performance Area
Community Center
Aquatic Center
Destination Parks
Unique or Signature Gathering Spaces
Madison’s Place in Woodbury –Landscape Structures Design
Crystal Parks and
Recreation
Destination
Natural Areas
(8)
Neighborhood
(13)
Community
(4)
Destination
(2)
Crystal
Parks
Becker Park Grogan Park
8
Recommended Changes to the System
Improve Existing
•Expand / Improve Disc Golf Area
•Expand / Improve Dog Park
Increase Quantity
•Full‐Sized Rectangle Fields (+4)
•Pickleball Courts (+6)
•Various Sized Picnic Shelters
•Lighting on Large Fields
Recommended Changes to the System
New Additions
•Rentable Community Building with Restrooms (+5)
•Destination / Inclusive Play Area
•Outdoor Fitness Equipment
•Water Feature / Fountain (for Play and Aesthetics)
•Gathering Area for Food Truck / Farmer’s Market Events
•Outdoor Performance Area / Great Lawn
•Community Ice Skating Rink with Refrigeration
9
Recommended Changes to the System
Reductions
•Baseball Fields (‐1)
•Softball Fields (‐4)
•Tennis Courts (‐1)
•Hockey Rinks (‐2)
•Warming House (‐8)
•Large Performance Building (‐1)
Neighborhood Park Amenities
Small Park within a 10‐minute walk
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2017 Future
Recommendation for reduction –Hockey Rinks
•Broadway
•Iron Horse
•Twin Oaks
10
Recommendation for addition –Hockey Rink
Community Park Amenities
Large Recreation Facilities with Parking Lots
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2017 Future
Add rink at North Lions
•Welcome
•Valley Place (2)
Recommendation for reduction –Park Buildings
Neighborhood Park Amenities
Small Park within a 10‐minute walk
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2017 Future
•Broadway
•Crystal Highlands
•Twin Oaks
•Forest
•Winnetka Hills (2016)
11
Recommendation for improvement –Park Buildings
Community Park Amenities
Large Recreation Facilities with Parking Lots
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2017 Future
City of Roseville building
•North Lions
•Welcome
•Valley Place
•Bassett Creek
Bassett Creek
Park
Location of Community Park Amenities
Sports Fields and
Amenities
Bassett
Creek
North
Lions
Valley
Place
Welcome
Baseball w/ Fence 1
Basketball 1 1 1 1
Hockey Rink 1 2 1
Pickleball 6
Rectangle ‐full 2 1 1
Restroom /Rental Bldg. 1 1 1 1
Softball w/ Fence 1 1
Sliding Hill 1 1
Tennis 6
12
Location of Destination Park Amenities
Community
Gathering Spaces
Becker
Park
Grogan
Park
Aquatic Center 1
Community Center 1
Community Events 1 1
Food Truck / Farmer’s Market 1
Ice Skating 1
Inclusive Play Area 1
Restroom / Rental Bldg. 1 1
Little League Complex 1
Outdoor Performance / Great Lawn 1
Water Feature / Fountain 1
Additional Notes
Final priorities set during budget process
Final costs are determined during final design / bidding
Memorandum
DATE: February 25, 2025
TO: Adam Bell
FROM: Jesse Struve
SUBJECT: Trees in Boulevard Discussion
Background
Recently, the City Council has discussed Crystal’s policies regarding the planting of trees in the
boulevard. This discussion was motivated by a desire to address the urban forestry needs and
city-wide beautification. The current city code that pertains to planting in the right-of-way is
800.07 and it states:
Subd. 1. Required. It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following within a
right-of-way without first obtaining a right-of-way permit from the director:
(a) Obstruct, excavate, or place any facilities;
(b) Lay, construct, move, or modify any sidewalk, driveway approach, curb, or
curb and gutter; or
(c) Plant or place any new trees, shrubs, or bushes.
The placement of trees, shrubs, or bushes in the right-of-way will not be allowed,
except under unique circumstances where the plantings are part of a development
approved by the city. No plantings may occur unless the director determines they will
not interfere with safety or the maintenance of the right-of-way.
Subd. 2. Exceptions. A right-of-way permit is not required for any of the following:
(a) Work performed by the city or by a city contractor; and
(b) For a property owner to plant or maintain boulevard plantings, other than
trees, shrubs, or bushes, in the area of the right-of-way between their property
and the street curb, provided such plantings comply with Crystal city code,
subsection 800.49, subdivision 5.
It has also been Crystal Public Works policy not to plant additional trees within the right-of-way
to limit our future costs. While staff strongly believes the city needs to be careful about where
trees are placed in the Blvd., staff also believes there is benefit to the community, including:
1. Mature trees can increase property values;
2. Trees provide shade, which helps reduce heat islands and reduce lawn watering needs;
and
3. Trees can prevent water from reaching the ground, thereby helping to reduce the
amount of runoff.
Staff consulted several other communities to find out how they manage the issue, and is
summarized here:
City Allow in
ROW
(Y/N)
Ownership
of Tree
Full time
Forester
Comment
Brooklyn Park Y City Yes By permit
Brooklyn Center Y City Yes By permit
Plymouth N City Yes Not in code and looking to
develop a blvd planting plan
New Hope Y City Yes
Edina Y Resident Yes
Minnetonka N Resident Yes
With the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation, there has been a significant reduction of tree
canopy in Crystal. Residents are hesitant to plant additional trees in their yard due to the
potential cost of future removal. Residents are also not always willing or able to provide the
necessary maintenance and care to ensure the trees’ survival. Therefore, staff believes the City
should take the lead in planting trees within the right-of-way, but proceed with caution in
opening it up to residents to plant trees in the Blvd. without any oversight. The recommendation
is to allow PW staff and residents, who obtain a permit, to plant in the right-of-way with the
following conditions:
1. Plant a minimum of 5’ away from curbs, sidewalks, and trails.
2. Plant a minimum of 10’ away from water service, sanitary sewer services, or overhead
utilities.
3. Plant from the approved tree list (see attached)
a. No conifers allowed.
Crystal owns and is responsible for the maintenance and removal of trees in the right-of-way.
This recommendation will require the council to approve additional funds to the ongoing
maintenance budget, and the City should look at employing a full-time forester to further assist
with these efforts, or work with surrounding communities to see if they can assist or partner with
Crystal for these services. Staff strongly believes the planting of trees in the Blvd. will contribute
to the beautification of Crystal, help reduce heat islands, and help promote a better environment
in the community.
Recommended Actions
If the Council agrees to allow tree planting within the right-of-way as conceptually proposed, staff
will further review the existing City Code provisions and bring back any necessary ordinance
amendments to implement the policy change.
Attachments:
• Approved Tree List
Approved Tree List
At its discretion the city may approve cultivars similar to the trees on this list. The most
road salt tolerant trees are marked with an *
Common Name Botanical Name Common Name Botanical Name
Accolade Elm Ulmus ‘Accolade’ Japanese Tree Lilac* Syringa reticulata
American Hophornbeam (aka
Ironwood)
Ostrya virginiana Katsura Tree Cerdidiphyllum japonicum
American Larch Larix laricina Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus
American Linden Tilia Americana Large-leaved Linden Tilia platphyllos
American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis Liberty Elm Ulmus Americana ‘Liberty’
Amur Chokeberry Prunus maackia Littleleaf Linden Tilia cordata
Mugo Pine Pinus mugo
Amur Maackia Maackia amurensis Northern Catalpa Catalpa speciosa
Asian White Birch Betula playphylla Norway Spruce Picea abies
Austrian Pine* Pinus nigra Ohio Buckeye Aesculus glabra
Autumn Splendor Buckeye* Aesculus ‘Autumn
Splendor’
Prairie Dream Paper Birch Betula papyrifera ‘Varen’
Balsam Fir Abies balsamea Prairie Expedition Elm Ulmus Americana ‘Lewis &
Clark’
Black Hills Spruce* Picea glauca Princeton Elm* Ulmus Americana
‘Princeton’
Black Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica Quaking Aspen Populus tremuloides
Blue Beech
(aka Musclewood)
Carpinus caroliniana Red Buckeye* Aesculus pavia
Bottlebrush Buckeye Aesculus parviflora Red Oak* Quercus rubra
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa Red Pine Pinus resinosa
Cathedral Elm* Ulmus ‘cathedral’ River Birch Betula nigra
Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis St. Croix Elm Ulmus Americana ‘St Croix’
Common Horsechestnut* Aesculus
hippocastanatum
Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris
Crabapple Malus spp.
(disease-resistant spp.) Shagbark Hickory Carya Ovata
Cucumber Tree Magnolia acuminata Silver Linden Tilia tomentosa
Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziensii Speckled Alder Alnus rugosa
Downy Serviceberry (tree form) Amelanchier arborea
(tree form)
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor
Dwarf Korean Lilac (tree form) Syringa Meyeri Palibin Sweet Birch Betula lenta
Eastern Hemlock Tsuga Canadensis Thornless Honeylocust* Gleditsia triacanthus
inermis
Eastern Redbud (northern strain) Cercis Canadensis Triumph Elm Ulmus ‘Morton Glossy’
European Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Turkish Hazel Corylus colurna
Gingko*
(aka Maidenhair Tree)
Ginkgo biloba
(male tree only)
Valley Forge Elm Ulmus Americana ‘Valley
Forge’
Harvest Gold Mongolian Linden Tilia mongolica ‘Harvest
Gold’
White Oak* Quercus alba
Hawthorn Crataegus monogynaser White Pine Pinus strobus
Hybrid Serviceberry (tree form) A. arborea x grandiflora
(tree form)
Yellow Birch Betula alleghaniensis
Jack Pine* Pinus banksiana Yellow Buckeye* Aesculus flava
Yellowhorn Xanthoceras sorbifolium
Yellowwood Cladrastus kentukea