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2025.08.06 PRC Packet AGENDA August 6, 2025 Woodland Park – 4510 35th Avenue N., Crystal MN 55422 In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be held at the Crystal Community Center 6:30 p.m. Neighborhood Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Introduction of Commission and City Staff 3. Neighborhood Discussion a. Citywide Project Updates b. Public Safety Information c. Parks and Recreation Updates 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate 7:15 p.m. Commission Business Meeting Agenda 1. Call the Meeting to Order 2. Public Comments 3. Approval of Minutes 4. Chairperson’s Report 5. Commission Business / Discussion (20 minutes) a. Project Updates b. Planning Updates 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 (5 minutes) a. Community Activity/Event Reports • Crystal Frolics Report • Friends of Crystal Parks Report b. Citizen Contacts c. Other Community News Items 9. Adjournment END OF COMMUNITY MEETING (Community meetings have a one hour time limit). There will be a short break between the two meetings. Residents are welcome to stay for the Business Meeting. MEETING OVERVIEW Contact John Elholm – john.elholm@crystalmn.gov or 763-531-1150 if you cannot attend Woodland Park – 4510 35th Avenue N., Crystal MN 55422 August 6, 2025 NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING – 6:30 PM Item 1. Call meeting to order Jesse McCaffrey will provide information on the purpose of the meeting. Item 2. Introductions of Commission and City Staff Item 3. Neighborhood Business John Sutter will provide information on current and upcoming development projects. Jesse Struve will provide information on current and upcoming public works projects. Deputy Chief Underthun will provide information on public safety. John Budziszewski will provide information from the city council. John Elholm will provide information on park improvement and planning efforts. Brad Fortin will provide highlights of recent and upcoming park projects. Michelle Margo will provide information on recreation programs & events. Residents will have an opportunity to ask questions/make comments during the meeting. Item 4. Drawing for Recreation Activity Gift Certificate REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING – 7:15 PM Item 1. Call the Meeting to Order Jesse McCaffrey will call the meeting to order Item 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. Item 3. Approval of Minutes – July 2, 2025 a. Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Item 4. Chairperson’s Report Jesse McCaffrey: Chairperson’s Report Item 5. Commission Business / Discussion John Elholm: Introduce Business Items a. Project Updates b. Planning Updates Item 6. Commission Open Forum (10 minutes) Item 7. Commission Reports John Budziszewski: City Council Report Brad Fortin: Project/Maintenance Report Michelle Margo: Program Report John Elholm: Director Report Item 8. Community Reports John Elholm: Crystal Frolics Report Lynn Haney: Friends of Crystal Parks Report Commission members: Other community activities and events Item 9. Adjournment Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission – Neighborhood Meeting Minutes July 2, 2025 Forest School Park The Parks and Recreation Commission Neighborhood Meeting was called to order at 6:32 pm by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Terri Schultz (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Deb Schaber, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were John Budziszewski (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Brad Fortin, Michelle Margo, and Justin Tourville from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper, J.D. Moore and Alex Popp. John Budziszewski gave an update on city council which includes the upcoming budget process. He also mentioned the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center is now open! In addition, he answered questions from residents. Lt. Tourville shared that Brian Hubbard is the new Chief of Police. Other staff will move into new positions too. He also provided updates on a new license plate reader tool called FLOCK. He also answered questions from residents. John Elholm provided information on current and upcoming community development projects. This included information on the new wraps to promote the city, a new Wing Stop, improvements at Arby’s and other projects in town. John Elholm presented information on recent and upcoming park projects, including grand opening of the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center, new facilities at Twin Oaks Park and a new basketball court in Welcome Park. Improvements in 2026 include new play areas at Forest School Park and Woodland Park. Woodland Park will also receive a new picnic shelter and basketball court. The baseball field at North Lions Park will be converted into a soccer field. Brad Fortin highlighted park maintenance and tree projects. Michelle Margo gave an update on recreation programs and events, including the upcoming Crystal Frolics. A resident received a Crystal Recreation gift certificate in a drawing. The meeting was adjourned at 6:56 pm. Terri Schultz, Secretary Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes July 2, 2025 Forest School Park The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Commission Chair Jesse McCaffrey. Commission members in attendance: Jesse McCaffrey (Chair), Lynn Haney (Vice-Chair), Terri Schultz (Secretary), Dave Anderson, Deb Schaber, Angela Spores and Kassidy Swanson. Also present were John Budziszewski (Council Liaison), John Elholm, Brad Fortin and Michelle Margo from the City Staff. Commission members absent: Joyce Cooper, J.D. Moore and Alex Popp. Haney made a motion to approve the July Neighborhood minutes; Schultz seconded the motion. The Neighborhood minutes for July were approved as written. Haney made a motion to append the July minutes to remove the statement “a resident received a gift certificate”. Haney made a motion to approve the July Park and Recreation Commission minute as amended; Spores seconded the motion. The amended Park and Recreation Commission minutes for July were approved. Chair McCaffrey gave the chairperson's report. He facilitated a conversation about inclusion and how our residents may be impacted. The commissioners were put into groups to discuss barriers to access, activities, and information. There was a discussion and sharing of information. Elholm solicited input about the park tour. The meal selection this year was appreciated, and thoughts were provided on locations for 2026. He also gave project and planning updates. A discussion was held about air quality standards related to holding outdoor meetings. Information was presented to the commission that recommended holding commission meetings indoors if the air quality index is over 100. Schultz made a motion to approve the recommended air quality standards; Swanson seconded the motion. The air quality recommendations were approved as written. Commission Open Forum discussed lights at Bassett Creek Park. The topics included safety, wayfinding and the parking lot. Fortin and Elholm will research options for lighting structures and placement. There was also a discussion on reviewing the commission bylaws. They have not been reviewed since 2016. Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes – Page 2 July 2, 2025 Participation in Crystal Frolics was discussed with many commission members agreeing to participate in the commission’s booth at Family Festival. An activity was suggested with a link provided to Margo for purchase. Budziszewski gave a council update on Council work including the town center moratorium and items covered at the neighborhood meeting. Fortin gave a report on park maintenance and highlighted the monthly maintenance and project reports. There is a great group of seasonal staff this year. Margo gave a report on recreation programming and highlighted the July program report. Elholm gave a director’s report. Margo gave the Crystal Frolics report. The family festival will be 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Haney provided a Friends of Crystal Parks update. She is brainstorming an activity for participants to play at their Crystal Frolics booth. Haney made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Spores seconded the motion. The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm Terri Schultz, Secretary Michelle Margo, Recreation Services Manager Woodland Park Initial Concepts (2026 Project) Concept #1 Concept #3 Concept #2 Initial Play Area Designs (2026 Project) Park and Recreation Advisory Commission Monthly Maintenance Report July, 2025 Vandalism: • Damaged trees at Becker Park • Garbage dumped at Bassett Creek Cul-de-sac off of 29th(ongoing) Projects: • Ash tree removal, city wide tree inspections (special assessment removals) • Tree planting in various parks • Twin Oaks and Welcome park over-seeding • Ballfield and soccer field maintenance • Storm damage clean-ups • Pool grounds maintenance • Fertilization, seeding and broadleaf control at various sites • FROLICS • Water planters and trees • Turf maintenance • Irrigation maintenance and repairs • Building maintenance • EDA house and property clean-ups • Playground inspections and repairs • Trash removal Upcoming: • City wide diseased tree inspections, removals and notifications • Building maintenance • Tree planting, watering and tree inventory operations • Ballfield and soccer field maintenance • City wide diseased tree inspections and notifications • Demo fencing and infield at North Lion’s Park • Turf maintenance (mowing, fertilizing, weed control, irrigation and seeding) • Disc golf course maintenance • Playground inspections and repairs • Pool grounds maintenance • Trash removal • Playground inspections and repairs (Sunnyview) 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 A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 This is an overview of the upcoming projects in the City of Crystal, which will take place at various parks and buildings across the city. Twin Oaks Park The play area, picnic shelter and basketball court in Twin Oaks Park are complete! The new amenities replaced outdated facilities. New flag poles have also been installed at the Veteran’s memorial, with a new plaque coming this fall. Woodland Park Planning has also begun to replace the play area, shelter and basketball court in this park in 2026. New sidewalks will also be added. Play area and park layout designs will be discussed at a meeting in the park on August 6. Forest School Park Planning has begun to replace the play area and remove the old park building on 48 Avenue in 2026. Play area designs were discussed at a meeting in the park on July 2, where great comments were received! th North Lions Park The baseball field in this park will be replaced with a rectangle field in 2026. The new rectangle field will help meet demand for soccer, lacrosse, ultimate, flag football and other sports that utilize this type of field. P R O G R A M S U M M A R Y A U G U S T 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. Pool Celebration - Reopening Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday, July 1 to celebrate the reopening of the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. New pool features include: Flume Sides, Climbing Wall, Rope Swing, Floating Features, 2-Meter Platform, 3-Meter Platform, Shade Structures and Shallower Water. Playground Program Kids ages 4-12 had a blast with exciting themed weeks filled with games, challenges, ar ts and crafts, songs and ar t projects. It was the per fect way to spend summer by being active and creative. Crystal Frolics at Becker Park! A huge THANK YOU to ever yone who made Cr ystal Frolics at Becker Park possible. There were 28 Market /Business vendors, 7 per formances, 6 food trucks, 29 volunteers/staff (includes, recreation, parks, police, and Cooper H.S. per forming ar ts) and hundreds of people throughout the day! Lifeguard Challenge Lifeguards from the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center competed in the MRPA Annual Lifeguard Challenge. There were multiple stations challenging their physical and mental strength. Great Job!