2022.08.16 Work Session Packet4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
Posted: Aug. 12, 2022
City Council Work Session Agenda
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022
Immediately following the special City Council meeting
Community Center - Forest Room/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, Aug. 16, 2022 at
p.m. at the Crystal Community Center, located at 4800 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, MN
55429, in the Forest Room and via Zoom. If the agenda items are not completed in time for the
regular City Council meeting at 7 p.m., the work session will be continued and resumed
immediately following the regular 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, Aug. 16, 2022.
I. Attendance
Council members Staff
Banks ____ Norris ____ Sutter
Budziszewski ____ Therres ____ Serres
Cummings ____ Gilchrist
Kiser ____ Elholm
LaRoche ____ Larson
Parsons ____ Ray
Adams ____ Revering
II. Agenda
The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items:
1. Continued discussion of Bassett Creek Park improvements.
2. City manager monthly check-in.
3. Constituent issues update.
4. New business. *
5. Announcements. *
III. Adjournment
The work session adjourned at ______ p.m.
Denotes no supporting information 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.
Bassett Creek Park
Project Updates
August 16, 2022
Review -2017 Park System Master Plan
Active living needs of the community are changing
Current amenities were reviewed and lesser used features reduced
Current needs were reviewed and desired amenities increased or improved
Provides a framework and vision for the next 20+ years
Design to minimize ongoing maintenance costs (i.e. grouping amenities)
Recognize we can’t offer all amenities in every park
Focus high maintenance activities in larger parks
Review -2017 Park System Master Plan
Public Input
Nov. -Mar.Inventory of facilities, compare to standards, focus groups
Apr. -Aug.Community meetings, online engagement, public open houses
Parks and Recreation Commission
Jan. –Nov.Monthly Review of Master Planning Efforts
December 6 Recommended Approval of Master Plan Document
City Council
Apr. –Nov.Quarterly review of master planning efforts
December 19 City Council Meeting –Plan Approved
Bassett Creek Park Master Plan –Proposed Construction Years
Dog Park
2022
Woodland
2022
Prairie
2022
Disc Golf
2023
Bridge
2022
Disc Golf
2023
Building
2026
Parking
2027
Soccer
2027
Shelter
2028
Shelter
2028
Volleyball
2028
Parking
Lot
Projects are
grouped
together by
year
Bassett Creek Park Projects (2022-2028)
Park System Master Plan Projects
New -receive additional review during design
2022 Prairie Restoration (multiple year)
Dog Park (may go into 2023)
2023 Improved Disc Golf Course
2026 4-Season Community Building
Basketball Court
2027 Parking Lot for Building
Lighted Soccer Field
2028 Volleyball Courts
Two Picnic Shelters
Picnic Shelter Parking*
Upcoming Park Maintenance Projects
Repair existing facility
2022 Replace Pedestrian Bridge
may go into 2023)
2023 Repair Picnic Shelter Parking*
very poor condition)
Designing a new picnic shelter parking lot would
typically be done when picnic shelters are rebuilt in
2028 (design whole area), but pavement is in such
poor condition now, replacing what is there is
recommended in 2023.
Prairie Restoration -2022
Background
Project recommended in the 2017 Park
System Master Plan.
PRC discussion of habitat restoration
opportunities in 2019.
Letter of support for a Great River Greening
application to state submitted in April, 2020.
Grant awarded –ranked high since prairie
will help improve quality of Bassett Creek.
Project reviewed by PRC and EQC and posted
online winter of 2021/2022.
Great River Greening agreement in place,
with GRG providing $85,000 and City of
Crystal providing $11,000.
Current Status
Project began in spring of 2022.
Project put on hold in spring of 2022.
PRC recommended moving forward with the
prairie project in July, 2022.
EQC recommended moving forward with the
prairie project in July, 2022.
Next Steps
Council weigh-in on whether to move forward
with the prairie restoration project.
Dog Park -2022
Background
Project recommended in the 2017 Park
System Master Plan.
Dog Park issues raised since then, but PRC
pointed to new dog park coming soon.
PRC reviewed other dog parks in preparation
for design in 2021.
Design consultant hired in summer of 2021.
Designs reviewed / amended by PRC and
shared online fall of 2021.
Project bid in spring –bids rejected.
Current Status
WCA Decision –Approved.
BCWMC Permit –Approved.
City Building Permit –Approved.
Next Steps
Tree and brush removal begins August 17.
Additional work this fall as feasible.
Remaining items re-bid this winter.
Pedestrian Bridge -2022
Background
Maintenance Project –replace aging bridge in
existing location.
Maintenance equipment unable to maintain
the bridge during the winter (complaints).
Old bridge was removed February 2022.
Design consultant hired in the spring of 2022.
Soil borings conducted in spring of 2022.
Consultant and watershed district have met
and reached agreement on the hydraulic
modeling approach to be used.
Bridge and abutment design is advancing.
Current Status
Watershed permit application is being
prepared for an August 26 submission date.
Consultant inquiring if a DNR MPARS permit
will be required for placing riprap in waterway.
Next Steps
Submit watershed permit application by
August 26 for a September 15 meeting.
Complete design and hire contractor to build
the bridge abutments in the fall of 2022.
Order bridge –place on new abutments in
winter of 2022/2023.
Parking Lot -2023
Background
Project recommended in the 2017 Park System
Master Plan –likely in conjunction with picnic
shelter construction in the future (2028).
However, pavement is in very poor condition
now (complaints), so staff recommends
replacing pavement (same footprint) in 2023.
Design consultant hired in summer of 2021.
Designs reviewed by PRC and shared online fall
of 2021.
Project bid in spring –bids rejected.
Current Status
Waiting to rebid project early in 2023.
Next Steps
Determine if parking lot should be replaced in
same location now; or wait and design a new
one with picnic shelters in the future (2028).
Disc Golf Course -2023
Background
Project recommended in the 2017 Park
System Master Plan.
Disc golf course would include fairways
through the restored prairie.
PRC has been reviewing other disc golf
courses in preparation for design.
Current Status
Reviewing consultant proposals.
PRC gathering information and ideas from
other disc golf courses.
Next Steps
Hire consultant.
Provide consultant with input gathered by PRC.
Design course with input from public and PRC
online and in person.
Construction in 2023.
Other Upcoming Projects
2022
Becker Park Pickleball Courts:Project nearly complete.
Fair School Soccer Field:Construction scheduled to begin on August 15.
Planning for 2023:
Welcome Park:Online survey currently available.
New Play Area Banner with link to survey posted prior to Frolics.
New Adult Fitness Area
Broadway Park:Online survey currently available.
New Play Area Input on concepts received at 8/3 meeting.
New Picnic Shelter
Crystal Highlands Park:Online survey currently available.
New Picnic Shelter Input on concepts received at 7/6 meeting.
https://parksandrec.crystalmn.gov/recreation/park_system_projects
Questions?
4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696
Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov
CITY MANAGER WORK PLAN
MONTHLY CHECK IN – AUGUST 2022
Objective 1 – Strategic planning for continued implementation of Council
priorities:
o Thriving Business Community
Open To Business assistance available
Community Development staff a resource for local business
community
Community Development staff continuing to meet with
developers regarding redevelopment opportunities for vacant or
underutilized buildings
o Strong Neighborhoods
Code enforcement – on-going
Continued implementation of Master Parks System Plan
improvements – court improvements at Becker Park complete
and soccer field at FAIR starting soon
Home improvement loans/rebates available through CEE- on-
going
o Sound fiscal policies and practices
Preliminary 2023-2024 budget reviewed 8/4/22 and coming
back 8/18/22
Updated long term plan (2023 – 2032) reviewed 8/4/22
o Welcoming and inclusive community
Inclusion and Diversity Commission established 6/21/22 –
recruiting for commission candidates
Objective 2 – Work-life balance
o Connecting with neighboring city managers – on-going
o Participate in metro and state professional organization to stay current
with trends
o Continue participation in peer group
o Council selected consultant to coordinate city manager search
process; assisting with position profile information for late August draft
Objective 3 – Monitor difficult conversations regarding Council effectiveness
o Inclusion and diversity commission final version unanimously approved