8.a 07.06.2023 PRC Minutes DRAFT
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Thursday, July 6, 2023
A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center
and Zoom. Attended by Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), and Tom Hinz. Absent: Kimberly
Johnson and Dustin Hegland. Also in attendance: Heather Benson (Council Representative,) Charles Fischer
(Director of Public Works,) Kyle Morell (City Administrator), and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant.)
Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., a quorum was present.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Gorham requested a change to the agenda. Add item 5c, Barton Johnson Tennis Courts & CIP Update. Motion
to approve the agenda as amended by Zauner, seconded by Hinz. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gorham called for any additions or corrections to June 5, 2023 minutes. No additions or corrections were
submitted. The minutes stand approved as documented.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham reported updating City Council on the final draft of the MSA Parks and Open Space Plan recommended
for approval by PRC and generally outlined the next steps. The entire process, including the Planning Commission
Public Hearing, and the involvement of the Met Council and City Council to amend the current Comprehensive
Plan, may conclude as early as December 2023. Morell added that PRC could use this draft as a guiding document
in the parks planning process as the priorities have been set, even though it is not yet formally approved
document in the current Comprehensive Plan. Gorham further reported representing Parks’ project goals in
two CIP meetings over the last few months, with the two highest projects being the rink and pickleball courts.
Public Works Report
Fischer provided a written report. Benson questioned if there is any indication of how long the playground
installation will be once it begins. Fischer emphasized that one step cannot be completed prior to the completion
of the previous step, but the beginning installation is 3 days, sometimes 4. The project has sod for the turf
restoration in the plan. If there are unexpected charges during the installation, sod is the line item that will be
replaced with less expensive options to keep the project within budget. Fischer detailed the rolling and watering
efforts to answer Zauner’s inquiry to the state of field maintenance at the Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Field.
Barton Johnson Tennis Courts & CIP Update
Nick and Wendy Wojtowicz reported the state of the Barton Johnson Memorial Park’s tennis court asphalt
surface is in poor condition. The funding source for this park does not have the means to repair or replace these
courts and is considering removing the tennis court entirely. The Wojtowiczs are exploring options, including
seeing if the City is interested to discuss any level of cooperation or agreement with Elim Church, property
owners, in the future of Barton Johnson Memorial Park property. Extensive discussion concluded with PRC
members support recommending to Council considering some level of action by Scandia.
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to recommend to City Council to consider the future of the tennis
court and ballfield at Barton Johnson Memorial Park and to initiate formal discussions with the Wojtowicz
family and Elim Church regarding the future of these amenities. Motion carried unanimously.
Morell reported presenting to Council a preliminary park budget, including providing future consistent tax levy
support for each CIP funds. The recommended annual levy amount for parks is $60,000 in addition to a
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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proposed one-time transfer of $200,000 unassigned fund balance to the park fund to fully fund the proposed
2024 park projects. These projects are a complete replacement of the hockey rink boards and repair and
reconfiguration of the tennis courts for both tennis and pickleball use. Collaboration with the Barton Johnson
Memorial Park is included in the planning, but perhaps not enough given the discussion with the Wojtowiczs.
Gorham commented that park dedication fees were discussed at the recent CIP meeting. An increase of fees is
another source of potential park revenue. Scandia’s fees are lower than adjacent communities, thus an
increase in this fee is reasonable to consider. Morell responded the fee schedule is set by ordinance typically in
December for effective dates of January 1st in the new year.
Morell provided additional explanation for where the numbers came from in the budget proposal and reasons
to fund these projects, but emphasized the budget planning discussions have just started with City Council and
changes are possible.
OLD BUSINESS
New Playground Dedication Ceremony
Discussion concluded the event will be on August 30th, 6-7:30 pm with the ribbon cutting at 6:30. Menu will be
hot dogs, simple condiments, single serve chips, and small bottles of water for 150. Benson will contact potential
face painting volunteers and bring the Earth Day activity leftovers to make the pinecone birdfeeders. Staff to
reserve the Heritage Room and Community Center Hall as back-up indoor space and prepare social media
postings. Gorham to invite the Lions and Playground Sub-Committee members. Fischer will take care of all
aspects of the donor plaque. Benson will arrange all other planning details (supplies, press release, etc.)
Fundraising for Parks
Gorham stated there are no updates at this point. Morell stated that the city is not allowed to fundraise, and
any activity for raising funds would need to be run through a separate organization who would make a donation
to the city. If the parks need funds, the avenue is the tax levy.
Park Ambassadors’ Reports
No new ideas or concerns.
PRC Operational Calendar
No Changes.
NEW BUSINESS
Water Tower Barn Little Library Update
Zauner confirmed the installation of the Water Tower Barn Little Library in Lilleskogen Park and stocked by
Marine Library. Staff to send a press release after a small repair is made to a decoration, will include social
media postings. Thank you letters were stent to the volunteers involved.
Midco Day
Gorham confirmed details are coming together for the August 23rd event. 300 meals are being prepared,
including some meat free options. Staff and Hinz confirmed that no Internet Stories have been received yet.
Staff to make social media postings as a reminder to students.
Taco Daze: Pickleball
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Gorham reported plans to host the annual pickleball tournament at the next Taco Daze. Discussion concluded
with low expenses and the need to avoid fundraising, to reduce the registration fee. Gorham requests an
additional PRC volunteer to assist in record keeping during the second half of the tournament.
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hinz, to request City Council approval to set the Event Fee at $20 per team in
the Pickleball Tournament at Taco Daze. Motion carried unanimously.
Star Gazing Party
Gorham reported that the Lions will include the Star Gazing Party in all of Taco Daze promotions.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for Monday, August 7, 2023:
1. Capital Planning Updates
2. New Playground Dedication Ceremony
3. Midco Day Planning
4. Vinterfest Planning
5. Ambassador Reports
6. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Zauner, seconded by Hinz. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator