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2025.03.05 PRC Packet AGENDA March 5, 2025 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. Recycling Presentation b. Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Awards c. 2025 Planning and Project Discussion 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: March 5, 2025 – Crystal Community Center MEETING OVERVIEW March 5, 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. 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 – February 5, 2025 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Recycling Presentation (Tim Pratt, Hennepin Recycling Group - HRG) b. Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors Awards c. 2025 Planning and Project Discussion 6. Commission Open Forum A time for commission members to share their thoughts and ideas about parks and recreation in Crystal. 7. City Reports John Budziszewski: 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 February 5, 2025 Crystal Community Center The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Terri Schultz (Secretary), Dave Anderson, J.D. Moore II, Alex Popp, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were John Budziszewski from the city council, John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the city staff. Commission member attending via Zoom (did not vote): Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair) Commission member absent: Joyce Cooper. Jen Zielinski attended the start of the meeting; to share she was resigning from the commission due to her moving out of Crystal. Jen was recognized and presented with a certificate for her 2 ½ years on the commission. There was no public comment. Spores made a motion to approve the January Park and Recreation Commission minutes; Moore II seconded the motion. The Park and Recreation Commission minutes for January were approved as written. There was no chair report. Alex Popp provided a presentation on permaculture. Alex is a permaculture entrepreneur who designs and installs foodscapes and hosts plant & dance community planting parties. Some of the topics he discussed include Permaculture, Food Forests, Foodscaping and their benefits. Examples with photos were also shared. A roundtable discussion for Park & Recreation Commission members to share their interests and areas they would like to learn more about, related to parks and recreation, were discussed. Some of the items brought up related to interests included the importance of having access to parks, inclusivity of parks, go-to spot for exercise, access to nature, places kids can play for free, bringing more seniors into programs, foster community through parks, belongingness, key to every part of life, connect people to the outdoors through parks & recreation and free and welcoming spaces. Discussion on what commission members would like to learn more about included how to improve inclusivity and accessibility, enhance amenities, increase bike trails, be more eco- friendly, expand adult exercise areas, find who is being left out, communicate the value of parks and learn about changing needs and how the city plans for changes. Crystal Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 February 5, 2025 Elholm provided the commission with an update on future projects. At the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, new footings were poured for the slide, and minor improvements are being done in the staff area. At Twin Oaks Park, the play area has been ordered and a request to order a 20’ x 20’ shelter will be presented to the city council on February 18. 50% construction plans are complete for Twin Oaks Park and the Welcome Park basketball court. Other projects discussed included HVAC upgrades and restroom accessibility improvements in the community center. Projects that will move to 2026 include a parking lot in Valley Place Park and a soccer field in North Lions Park. Grants are being sought to assist with the soccer field project. Commission members had an opportunity to discuss items during the open forum. Budziszewski presented the council report. Siding for the pool entryway and a play area for Twin Oaks Park were recently approved by the city council. Other discussion items included the need for improved pool signage, police and fire budgets, Emerald Ash Borer and the New Horizons Academy ribbon cutting. Fortin gave a park maintenance report, which included no vandalism, EAB tree issues, getting ready for spring and storm pond maintenance. Margo gave the recreation program report, which included a review of current programs and outreach. She also shared that there is a high interest in renting outdoor spaces. Elholm gave the Director’s report. A conditional offer has been made for our new facility supervisor. We are waiting for the background check to come back, but the tentative start date is March 10. We are working with Great River Greening (GRG) on prairie and woodland habitat projects in Bassett Creek Park. A group of staff members from GRG came out to the park recently to spread additional prairie seeds in the new prairie. Margo and Elholm gave the Crystal Frolics report. The next Crystal Frolics meeting will be on February 10, likely over Zoom. Haney and Elholm gave the Friends of Crystal Parks report. They provided information on the history of this group and what their purpose is today. Their next meeting will be on March 6. McCaffrey made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Swanson seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Terri Schultz, Secretary John Elholm, Recreation Director Nominee Names Neighbors Address Nomination Essay TG 46th Ave. N. TG is one of the friendliest faces in our neighborhood. He goes out of his way to make personal connections with each person he knows in the area. In his time, he serves as a mentor, offers his services to anyone who asks, and is always a friendly face. TG and his family make everyone feel welcome and include. From the day we closed on our house, we knew TG was an amazing person. We are so lucky to have him as our neighbor and friend. GL 41st Ave. N. GL has lived in her Crystal home since it was built in 1957. This may help to explain her old-fashioned, neighborly manner. GL is known to go out of her way to greet and speak with neighbors old and new. GL is well known for organizing neighborhood gatherings over the years including "Night to Unite.” She provides a wealth of information about the history of the area and has even created a scrap book reflecting past neighborhood events. GL has never been one to be shy about her willingness to help others. I have heard many stories of her aiding others throughout the years from lending a hand in projects to providing care and support when needed. GL's "neighborly manner" has fostered the building of relationships and a sense of community that is rare in this era. We are grateful to have GL as our neighbor. DM Idaho Ave. N. My neighbor is always there for everyone in our neighborhood with a great smile and kind word. DM volunteers at "Bibles for Missions", keeps our neighborhood clean by picking up trash, and keeping the little libraries full to bless all of our neighbors. DM is loved by everyone, and I can't imagine our neighborhood without her. J1 & J2 38th Ave. N. J1 organizes four neighborhood potlucks per summer/fall, and J2 is working it right along with her. It is a melting pot of the neighborhood and a great place to meet anyone new or people you never knew before. The JJs promote a sense of community and belonging. These are family friendly events and people join in the fun from blocks away. J2 and J1 are always ready to help others when something is needed. They are truly an asset to Crystal, and in particular to our Brownwood neighborhood. It is an honor to nominate them for this award. J & K Brunswick Ave. N. J and K have been a true blessing to us during one of the most difficult years of our lives. After the heartbreaking loss of our son in Indiana, my wife and I had to make multiple trips to honor his memory and settle his affairs. During this time, J and K went out of their way to support us, snowblowing our driveway every time it snowed, collecting our mail and deliveries, and ensuring our home remained safe and secure. Their kindness lifted a tremendous weight off our shoulders in a moment of deep grief. This wasn’t the first time they showed up for us. When we got married last year, they did the same, making sure our home was cared for while we celebrated our new chapter. J and K embody what it means to be wonderful neighbors. Their kindness, generosity, and selflessness extend beyond moments of crisis - they are genuinely good-hearted people who make our community better every day. We wholeheartedly believe they deserve to be recognized for the incredible neighbors they are. Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report February, 2025 Vandalism: • None to report Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Storm pond vegetation control • Snow removal • Fencing removal at pool campus • Ice rink maintenance (great ice season) • Building maintenance • Order equipment, vehicles and operating supplies for 2025 • Pool construction project • EDA house and property clean-ups • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal Future: • City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications • Building maintenance • Ash tree removals • Snow removal operations • Storm water pond maintenance (remove invasive vegetation) • Order Arbor Day trees and plan event • Prep gravel bed nursery for spring planting • Playground inspections and repairs • Pool construction project • Twin Oaks Park site removals and demolition • Service and prepare equipment for summer maintenance operations • Pool grounds maintenance • Boardwalk and dock maintenance • Hire seasonal employees • Tree inspector and pool operator re-certifications • Forestry grant applications 4800 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55429-3553 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-0949 • www.crystalmn.gov PROJECT SUMMARY MARCH 2025 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. Crystal Cove Aquatic Center Construction at the aquatic center will begin again in March. The climbing wall, rope swing, zero depth pool spray features and other equipment have arrived on site. They will be installed in the coming months. Aquatic Center Concession Stand A small change with a big impact! Ice for beverages has not been offered in the past because there was no drain nearby. A drain is being installed this winter so an ice machine can be added this spring! Ice Cold Drinks! Over time, stormwater ponds get overgrown with unwanted vegetation. This winter, crews have been working to clean out the vegetation at several ponds around the city. This photo is from Twin Oaks Park. Twin Oaks Park Construction documents for the Twin Oaks Park redevelopment project are nearing completion. The goal is to advertise for bids in early April, with construction scheduled for spring/summer of 2025. Stormwater Ponds P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y M A R C H 2 0 2 5 Below is an overview of the programs offered by the Crystal Recreation Department, along with occasional recaps of key special events we host. Our spring and summer programs are gearing up for an eventful season! We're offering Spring Break sports camps to keep kids active during their time off. Registration opens Monday, March 3rd, and our program brochure is now live on our website and in local households. Additionally, outdoor facility rentals are steady, indicating strong interest, and we're looking forward to a busy and engaging summer. Gearing Up! Warming house attendance varied, with North Lions Park open weekends only and Welcome and Valley Place Parks open daily. Weather closures impacted overall numbers, with 17 days lost due to Minnesota weather conditions. Warming House Attendance