Loading...
2026.04.09 Work Session Packet 4141 Douglas Drive North • Crystal, Minnesota 55422-1696 Tel: (763) 531-1000 • Fax: (763) 531-1188 • www.crystalmn.gov Posted: April 3, 2026 City Council Work Session Agenda Thursday, April 9, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. Upper Community 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 Thursday, April 9, 2026, at _____ p.m. electronically via Zoom and in the upper community room at city hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, Minnesota. The public may attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified in the Notice of April 9, 2026 Work Session. I. Attendance Council members ____ Cummings ____ Deshler ____ Eidbo ____ Kamish ____ Kiser ____ Onesirosan ____ Budziszewski Staff ____ Bell ____ Tierney ____ Therres ____ Elholm ____ Hubbard ____ Kunde ____ Struve ____ Sutter ____ Serres Inclusion and Diversity Commission ____ Haltson ____ Knox ____ Paul ____ Sminesvik II. Agenda The purpose of the work session is to discuss the following agenda items: 1) Commission candidate interviews: • Mary Serie (Ward 2) – Parks and Recreation Commission. • Jenna Wolf (Ward 3) – Sustainability Commission. 2) Joint work session with the Inclusion and Diversity Commission. 3) Utility rate overview. III. Adjournment The work session adjourned at ______ p.m. 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 Posted: April 3, 2026 CRYSTAL CITY COUNCIL NOTICE OF APRIL 9, 2026 WORK SESSION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Crystal City Council will hold a work session on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the upper community room at city hall, 4141 Douglas Dr. N., Crystal, Minnesota and via Zoom. Per the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 13D.02, council members may participate by interactive technology. The public may attend the meeting via Zoom by connecting to it through one of the methods identified below. Topic: Crystal City Council Work Session Time: April 9, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83642881067?pwd=A8CAYZ6aY8CwILDOwzdjPHYbyTdBz9.1 Meeting ID: 836 4288 1067 | Passcode: 4141 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kberwCNwPg 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. Page 2 of 3 COMMUNITY, CIVIC OR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE Please list your volunteer experience. _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ATTENDANCE AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST Are you aware of the meeting schedule for this board, commission or task force, and are you able to attend meetings regularly? Yes_______ No_______ For reappointments only: If you have not been able to attend meetings regularly, please explain: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ A conflict of interest may arise by your participation in an activity, action or decision from which you receive or could potentially receive direct or indirect personal financial gain. Do you have any legal or equitable interest in any business which, in the course of your participation on this board, commission or task force, could give rise to a conflict of interest? Yes_______ No_______ (If yes, please provide details on a separate sheet of paper.) As a board, commission or task force member, what issue(s) might cause conflict between your civic responsibility and personal or professional interests? How would you manage these conflicts? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ NEW APPLICANTS ONLY: Have you attended and observed a board, commission or task force meeting for which you’ve made application? Yes, on ____________________ Not yet, but I will attend a meeting on ___________________ (date of meeting) (date of meeting) EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Describe your education and/or professional experience.__________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ REAPPOINTMENTS ONLY: BOARD, COMMISSION OR TASK FORCE HIGHLIGHTS Describe a highlight(s) or accomplishment(s) of the board, commission or task force during your last term.________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Diversity Inclusion and Commission Reset Progress & Ideas City of Crystal Background In September 2025, the Crystal City Council tasked the Inclusion & Diversity Commission with leading a “commission reset” process, including: 1. Reviewing and proposing updates to the ordinance and bylaws; 2. Comparative research of peer cities’ inclusion and diversity commissions; and 3. Supporting the citywide visioning process by drafting potential survey questions and inclusive engagement ideas. Presentation Outline Current Ordinance Review Peer Research New Ordinance Recommendations Visioning Survey Questions 2026 Workplan 1 2 3 4 5 2.03 a-f (gaps) “...to promote and nurture a safe and welcoming community...” (2.02) “...shall advise and make recommendations to the City Council...” (2.03) Specifics: How? When? Each goal or intention needs concrete steps Recommend a regular interval for reviewing latest Council actions/ consult about any questions... ... PROPOSED UPDATESOPPORTUNITIES 1.ORDINANCE REVIEW Current 2.PEER RESEARCH Comparative Based on Council’s direction, the I&D Commission asked staff to conduct comparative research of similar commissions in peer communities. The report reviewed 12 commissions from similar communities including Golden Valley, Roseville, and New Brighton with populations ranging from 7-52k. 1.Public engagement is a core function in most commissions reviewed. 2.Community events and activities are a common feature 3.Research and data collection appear in nearly half of the examples. 4.A smaller subset of peer commissions are tied to formal long-term plans. Peer Research Key Takeaways 3.RECOMMENDATIONS Ordinance Staff put together a report highlighting each commissioner’s top activities and features, and the areas they share in common. After reviewing the peer benchmarking report, each commissioner identified the activities and features they valued most from the peer commissions. Activities & Events Data Collection & Research Three Primary Commission Functions 1 2 Long-term Action Plan 3 Mission and purpose to include public engagement Guiding values to include community partnerships Recommended focus areas for Crystal’s I&D Commission Commission to host or propose to staff / Council for example survey creation and review outlining target year or year-over-year goals Help promote & administer city grants to support Community relations Community ideas (Strategic Plan p. 11) Recommendations ACTIVITY Help promote and administer awards and contests like: “Pride of Crystal” award (Strategic Plan p. 11) “Neighbors Recognizing Neighbors” Award (Reassign to I&D or partner with P&R) Council directed activities like assisting with comprehensive walkability audit (Strategic Plan p. 10) Help/recommend cultural performances and events reflecting community diversity (Strategic Plan p. 9) Event series like on mental health, senior outreach, and/or Just Deeds, etc. Annual Medallion Hunt (uniquely Crystal, Strategic Plan p. 9) Help collect engagement data: Support city-wide Community Visioning (9/25 CC work session) Help conduct a more robust community survey (Strategic Plan p. 9) Help identify engagement gaps (Strategic Plan p. 9) Recommendations DATA COLLECTION Partner with Sustainability Commission on GreenStep Cities’ Social Vitality Metrics (social vulnerability, livability, and civic participation/ civic capital) Provide and collect feedback / input (Ad-hoc by Council direction & initiation), for example on: Branding campaign (Strategic Plan p. 10) Town Center Vision Plan & Zoning (Strategic Plan p. 13) Beautification efforts in Town Center (Strategic Plan p. 13) Placemaking & public art RFP, contests and/or review (Strategic Plan p. 11) Priority urban canopy areas (Strategic Plan p. 15) Long-term, comprehensive community vision (CCV) (Strategic Plan p. 6) Inspired by Climate Action Plans and other long-term plans and frameworks. The long-term I&D action plan would show target year goals (i.e 2035) and/or year-over- year improvements. Set further public engagement goals Partner with Sustainability Commission to set environmental justice goals Recommendations ACTION PLAN Set goals and track progress for: Increased rate of survey participation % of residents who report feeling safe in the community (Strategic Plan p. 9) Placeholder Placeholder Placeholder Placeholder Placeholder 4.SURVEY QUESTION Visioning 1 2 3 4 5 These survey questions could be incorporated into the broader community visioning process and/or distributed as a stand-alone survey at community events and key gathering locations, including: Crystal Community Center Crystal Library Almsted’s Fresh Market Hy-Vee Crystal Frolics Local business community boards CCX City Website Social Media Phase one Peer Benchmarking Report Initial Review Preliminar y ordinance feature list Phase five Finalize new ordinance and bylaws Work on Long-term Action Plan Other events & activitiesPhase three - Now Draft sur vey questions Draft 2026 workplan Commission scope of work & identify specific activities for 2026 Phase two Phase four Use Council feedback to update workplan Use Council feedback to update ordinance 5.RESET WORKPLAN 2026 Presentation to Council Visioning survey questions 2026 workplan Formal recommendation of ordinance features Phase six End-of-year report Draft 2027 priorities 1 3 2 4 5 6 Conclusion In conclusion, since September 2025 the I&D Commission has: 1.(a) Reviewed the current I&D ordinance and (b) proposed updates 2.Conducted comparative research of peer cities’ commissions 3.Supported the citywide visioning process by drafting potential survey questions 4.Created a 2026 Workplan Questions For Council: Does Council support the proposed I&D Ordinance and scope of work? What feedback does Council have on the draft visioning survey direction and outreach approach? Questions for the Commission? 🙂 COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: April 9, 2026 TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: City Manager Adam R. Bell RE: Overview of Utility Rates Background and Overview The city has received various inquiries and complaints about the city’s utility rates. They are commonly perceived as high. The purpose of this memo is to provide an overview of how the City of Crystal establishes utility rates for water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and street lighting services. These utilities are operated as enterprise funds, meaning they are designed to be fully self-supporting through user fees rather than relying on general tax revenues. Utility Rate Studies The city’s current practice is to conduct comprehensive utility rate studies approximately every 3–5 years to ensure rates remain aligned with the cost of providing service. The most recent study was completed in 2022, and the city plans to conduct an updated study later in 2026. These studies evaluate both current and projected financial conditions of each utility fund and provide a structured, data-driven basis for setting rates. Financial Framework and Pro Forma Development Utility rates are established using a financial planning model (pro forma) that incorporates: • Projected operating expenses (e.g., staffing, maintenance, utilities, and administrative costs) • Anticipated capital expenditures (e.g., infrastructure replacement and system improvements) • Debt service obligations, where applicable • Reserve fund balance requirements to maintain financial stability and respond to emergencies This pro forma determines the total revenue required for each utility enterprise fund to remain financially sustainable over a multi-year period. Capital Planning Considerations Capital investments account for a significant share of utility costs and are the primary driver of rate adjustments. There is limited discretion in these costs, as infrastructure improvements are largely dictated by system conditions, regulatory requirements, and long-term asset management needs. While the City has some flexibility in the timing of capital projects, decisions are made carefully to balance multiple factors, including: • The age, condition, and performance of existing infrastructure • Coordination with other public improvements • Cost efficiency and minimizing disruptions to residents For example, the city may choose to replace a segment of water or sewer pipe concurrently with a planned street reconstruction project. This coordinated approach reduces overall costs and limits repeated disturbances to the same area. Rate Setting Process Once the total revenue requirement is determined through the pro forma, utility rates are structured to generate the necessary funds. Rates are designed to be equitable and proportionate to usage or benefit, depending on the utility type. Because rates are directly tied to the cost of service, there is limited discretion in rate setting. Adjustments are primarily driven by changes in operating costs, infrastructure needs, and long- term financial sustainability goals. Rates are scheduled to increase regularly based on estimates determined during the planning process. Each year, these rates are approved during the budget process, but the planned changes have mostly already been calculated, so there is little discussion of the proposed rate changes, as they involve little discretion. Additionally, because Crystal is part of the JWC, the cost of the water purchased by the JWC from Minneapolis and then resold to Crystal customers is calculated using a preset formula. The city has considered several alternatives, such as providing and treating its own water, but the projected cost is not feasible. The water quality is very high, and the source is less problematic than many others. Comparative water rates will be provided at the meeting. Enterprise Fund Structure Each utility operates as an enterprise fund with the goal of being completely self-sustaining. This means: • Revenues generated from utility rates must fully cover all operating and capital expenses • No subsidy is provided from the City’s general fund • Each utility maintains its own financial integrity and accountability This structure ensures that the users of each utility service are responsible for the costs associated with that service. Conclusion Utility rates in the City of Crystal are established through a disciplined and transparent process grounded in long-term financial planning. Regular rate studies, combined with careful evaluation of infrastructure needs and operating costs, ensure that utility systems remain reliable, financially stable, and capable of meeting current and future service demands. An updated rate study in 2026 will provide the City Council with the information needed to evaluate future rate adjustments and continue to maintain high-quality utility services for the community. Requested City Council Action Other than providing feedback and direction to staff, no formal action is requested.