08.a PRC Minutes 10.02.2023 DRAFT
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, October 2, 2023
A meeting of the Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center and Zoom.
Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), and Tom Hinz. Zoom attendance: Kimberly Johnson
and Karen Schik. Absent: Dustin Hegland. Also Present: 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 moved to reorder the agenda to place item 7.a Liten Park Plan to follow approval of the minutes,
seconded by Zauner. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gorham called for any additions or corrections to September 7, 2023 minutes. No additions or corrections were
submitted. The minutes stand approved as documented.
NEW BUSINESS
Liten Park Plan
Karen Schik, from Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails, presented the proposed plan as provided in the meeting
packet. Schik emphasized this is a 3–5-year process and the importance of keeping the neighbors informed as
the area would potentially appear dead during the initial site preparation phase. Schik reported receiving one
quote and working to schedule a second. FSPT will apply for grants for this project with the support of the PRC
and City Council. They intend to contribute in kind matching funds by eradicating the invasive woody plants at
Liten Park. Schik anticipates Scandia would be required to provide up to $2,000 in matching funds. Staff stated
these funds would be available within current budget line items with Council approval.
Fischer confirmed staff will install the required park improvement sign and bench when the sign is delivered and
will mow the walking path. Schik stated the path may be anywhere at Public Work’s discretion as they did not
locate sensitive plants which should be avoided. Fischer confirmed the bench would be staked, but removed
temporarily for prescribed burning. Zauner requested staff keep Washington County informed of the intended
plans to ensure all requirements for acquiring this park through the tax forfeited land process are being met.
Stignani reported retaining the addresses submitted from the survey which named Liten Park for all who
indicated they wished to be notified when Liten Park is on the PRC agenda. All were notified of this meeting and
sent the agenda, FSPT proposal, and informed of the intention to consider a recommendation to present to
Council at the November PRC meeting. Gorham requested another notice be sent prior to the November 6th
meeting to encourage input from the community.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham provided a written report. Benson questioned if the reduced fees for Taco Daze pickleball tournament
should be continued. As expenses have decreased from the Scandia Marine Lions Club providing the t -shirts,
the reduced fee is reasonable and the brackets of the tournament filled quickly. Historically, the play brackets
are not set until the very last minute and that is stressful to the organizers.
Public Works Report
Fischer provided a written report. Fischer added that there are some replacement parts being ordered for the
new rink board system and that damaged dasher board panels can be temporarily replaced with plywood when
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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time does not allow for proper board replacement. Fisher also explained the added document “Tennis Pickle
Layout Option 1.” The yellow line represents a permanent fence between the two tennis courts. The painted
lines would allow two pickleball courts on each tennis court. The tennis doubles line would be a bit closer to the
fences, but still within acceptable distances.
OLD BUSINESS
MSA Park Plan Proposal Update
Morell reported the public hearing is planned at the October Planning Commission meeting on October 3rd.
Three of the 19 required Adjacent and Affected Jurisdiction responses have been received and all stated “No
Comment.” Staff received notice from the Met Council that the remaining 16 are now officially considered “No
Comment.” After the Planning Commission Public Hearing, the recommended plan will be presented to Council
on October 17th. If Council approves, the updated plan will be submitted to the Met Council where they will
have 60-120 days to respond after they determine the proposal is complete.
Star Gazing Party
Zauner reported the weather for Saturday, October 7th may be difficult again. Discussion concluded to defer the
final decision to host the Star Gazing Party or reschedule for later in the month to Mike Lynch again. Staff will
keep all committee members informed and will use social media announcements as needed.
Vinterfest Planning
Johnson reported contacting the Peer Gynt Dancers, but is still waiting for their response. Zauner reported
contacting the Raptor Center, but is still waiting for their response. Johnson will follow up on a contact to
consider adding dog sled rides in Lilleskogen Park. Zauner will contact Tom Helke regarding donation of wood
for the firepits and will request two volunteers to maintain the firepits. Zauner outlined a plan to sell 2nd and 3rd
place Vinterfest buttons at one location each, while all of the other sites will offer only 1st place buttons in an
effort to create incentive for both the students to participate in the contest and to the public to find and collect
more than one button. Discussion over prizes concluded to change the winning entry to $50, and $25 to each
of the 2nd place and 3rd place winners in addition to a button with their winning entry.
2024 Park Dedication Fee Rate Discussion
Morell recapped details of surrounding communities’ Park Dedication Fee rates, the option to consider
recommending adding commercial properties to Scandia’s 2024 Fee Schedule, and the current way this fee is
applied when new parcels are created in Scandia. Discussion concluded to not recommended any changes to
Council to the 2024 Fee Schedule in relation to Park Dedication Fees.
Barton Johnson Update
Gorham and Zauner met with representatives of Elim Church, Barton Johnson Park Board, and city staff today.
Reportedly, Elim Church has no interest in transferring ownership of park property but would like to consider a
maintenance agreement to assist with capital investment only. Staff will investigate if any agreement can be
negotiated to invest in a publicly available amenity that is privately owned and if an agreement would be
immediate or delayed until the funds are available for this project.
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to recommend directing city staff to purse a draft agreement to help
reconstruct the tennis courts at Barton Johnson Memorial Park with Elim Church and the Barton Johnson Park
Council. Motion carried unanimously.
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PRC Operational Calendar
Gorham confirmed no changes needed 2023. Corrections for 2024: add preliminary summer programing to
February, approve summer programing in March, remove summer programing from April, add Recap Earth Day
Activity to May, remove Taco Daze & Pickleball from June, and correct Park Planning dates.
NEW BUSINESS
Tree Donation Proposal
Gorham conveyed Tom Furey’s offer to donate remaining trees from the gravel bed project and requirements if
he were to raise trees specifically for the city in 2024. Discussion concluded for Gorham to consult with Karen
Schik for advice on incorporating any of the existing trees into Liten Park, and while generous, Public Works
would need larger and different hardwood varieties of trees to accomplish park enhancements that cannot be
provided through this project.
Tomte Story Voting
Gorham announced the winner after all present voted. Mckinley Hegland earned first prize with her story, The
Mysterious Little Creature. Gorham will coordinate prize winnings presentations with Scandia Elementary School
in connection with the awards for the Internet Story from the August 23rd event.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for Monday, November 6, 2023:
1. MSA Park Plan Proposal Update
2. Star Gazing Recap
3. Vinterfest Planning
4. Barton Johnson Update
5. Liten Park Plan
6. Tree Donation Proposal
7. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Zauner, seconded by Hinz. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator