08.a 11.06.2023 PRC Minutes DRAFT
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, November 6, 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), Dustin Hegland, and Tom Hinz. Zoom attendance:
Kimberly Johnson. Also Present: Heather Benson (Council Representative,) Charles Fischer (Director of Public
Works), Kyle Morell (City Administrator), Karen Schik (Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails) 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
Zauner moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gorham called for any additions or corrections to October 2, 2023 minutes. No additions or corrections were
submitted. The minutes stand approved as documented.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham reported he did not have any item to comment on that is not already on the agenda. Zauner
commented on the award presentation arranged for next week at Scandia Elementary School for the classroom
winner of the Internet Story sponsored by Midco in August and the first place and classroom winner for the
Tomte Story Contest in September.
Public Works Report
Fischer reported the rink board replacement project is behind schedule due to the installer waiting to order
material until receiving the boards from Colorado. The order is in and installation is expected to be completed
as expected prior to the ice rink season. Other Public Works activity is slowing down in parks as the season
changes. Liten Park and Hay Lake Park signs arrived today and are being scheduled to be installed by staff. A
trail will be mown by staff at Liten Park as required. Morell confirmed he has reached out to Washington County
to take proactive steps to inform them of progress to fulfill the requirements of tax forfeited property for parks.
OLD BUSINESS
Liten Park Plan Proposal
Gorham outlined the steps taken to collect a proposal for improvements at Liten Park by the Friends of Scandia
Parks and Trails and encourage input from area residents. Staff confirmed that all survey respondents who had
requested to be notified when Liten Park was on the PRC agenda were again notified this month. One person
followed up to ask for meeting minutes from the October PRC meeting but was able to find the Boxcast recording
instead. Karen Schik reported receiving a second bid on this project that was higher and responded that
mobilizing equipment was most likely the largest contributing factor to the significantly higher bid over Prairie
Restorations. Schik confirmed the FSPT will contribute to this project by removing the invasive woody plants .
With Council’s approval, FSPT would prepare a state grant application that would require 10% matching funds
by the City, and their efforts would qualify as In-Kind Donation towards this amount. A maximum of $2,000
would be required from the City in their proposed plan.
Motion by Hegland to recommend to Council to approve the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails to apply for a
state grant on behalf of Scandia to implement their proposed plan, with the expectation that the City will
provide up to $2,000 by Hegland, seconded by Zauner. Motion carried unanimously.
MSA Park Plan Proposal Update
November 6, 2023
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 3
Morell reported Council approved the proposal at the October regular meeting and it has been submitted to
Met Council on October 24th. The proposal is in the 15-day review period by Met Council to determine if the
application is complete. The next step is the 60-day process for adoption, plus possible extensions as needed.
Morell confirmed that all activities with MSA have been wrapped up and will request a final copy of the Park
Plan in an editable version per Gorham’s request.
Star Gazing Party
Hinz, Stignani, and Zauner contributed to reporting on the event as attendees. It was cold and some arrived late
and some left early but the clear skies were beautiful. Lynch experienced some technical difficulties due to the
mature trees at Hay Lake Park and equipment issues. Lynch also expressed surprise at the number of attendees;
it was dark and no attendance was taken, but at least 50 attended. The viewing Saturn’s rings, the laser pointer
outlines of constellations, and the telescope which took photos and “built” a clear image on a tablet were
highlights. Lynch requested a future location to be away from a main road and perhaps in a field without tall
trees. Discussion concluded this event was successful and, in a year, or two would be appropriate to consider
hosting again.
Vinterfest Planning
Zauner reported that the Lions will continue to print the Vinterfest on the back side of their advertisement in
the Country Messenger, but request the City cover the $45 additional fee for this service. The cloggers will
perform on Friday night in connection with the Lions Bingo event due to a scheduling conflict on Saturday. The
Peer Gynt Dancers have declined the invitation to preform due to a lack of interest by spectators in 2023. Zauner
is communicating with representatives of Gammelgarden and the Scandia Heritage Alliance and working to fill
the empty space in the schedule left by the cloggers. Considering something with the Lions’ Medallion Hunt.
The 6th Grade students at Scandia Elementary School have the Button Contest information, to be collect ed at
the end of the month. Zauner requested one fire pit instead of two with a “fire watcher” volunteer unless the
weather dictates otherwise in an effort to slow down the use of the donated firewood. Zauner reported from
past experience that The Minnesotan cup will be two days if the weather is warm to save on the ice, or one day
if the weather is cold enough. There will be no fireworks, and Corey Roberts is exploring other options with a
larger tent and live music.
Barton Johnson Update
Gorham reported Council approved the recommendation to approach Elim Church and discuss options to meet
the needs in the tennis courts with the city’s involvement. Morell reported no new progress has occurred yet.
PRC Operational Calendar
No changes.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Changes to the Operations Calendar
Gorham outlined a brief comparison of 2023 to 2024 Operational Calendar as changed by staff as requested. No
additional corrections were noted.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for Monday, December 4, 2023:
1. MSA Park Plan Proposal Update
2. Vinterfest Planning & Button Judging
3. Barton Johnson Update
November 6, 2023
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 3 of 3
4. Liten Park Update
5. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Hinz, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator