08.a 04.01.2024 PRC Minutes DRAFT
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, April 1, 2024
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, Kim Johnson, Tom Hinz and Dustin Hegland. Also Present: Patti
Ray, 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
Patti Ray brought forth some Tomteskogen Park concerns from Bone Lake area residents. Gorham suggested
she submit a Service Request to the Public Works department via the city website to directly address their
concerns. Ray agreed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Gorham requested altering the order of the agenda, to address item 7.a Community/Internet Day 2024 directly
following item 5.a to accommodate guest Ray who came to present on this agenda item. Zauner moved to
approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gorham called for any additions or corrections to March 4, 2023 minutes. No additions or corrections were
submitted. The minutes stand approved as documented.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham stated he had no additional activity over the past month to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Community / Internet Day 2024
Ray reported that the tentative date for this event is August 14th. Ray will notify staff when Midco confirms the
date. The Scandia Farmer’s Market organizers requested Midco representatives remain at the table until the
market closes at 6 p.m. or host the dinner on the Community Center grounds. However, that is not p ossible as
the intent is to encourage residents to walk the trail and vote on the children’s stories. Midco will give away 400
orange market tote bags and will remain at the Farmer’s Market until the bags run out. Ray requested the city
continue to work to have the tent, picnic benches, porta potty and extra trash/recycling receptacles at
Lilleskogen Park. Ray provided a refreshed contest story instruction sheet and has contacted Scandia Elementary
School’s principal Carufel who has agreed to assist getting the contest instructions to the 4th-6th grade students.
The contest deadline is before school is dismissed for summer vacation. Midco will provide release forms at the
event for direct interaction with parents as the winners are chosen. Gorham will organize volunteers to set up
the tent. Ray suggested reserving the Community Center as a back up location if the weather is poor. Midco
representatives will communicate directly with Meister’s staff to ensure burger meal boxes are available to serve
directly at 5:30. Zauner inquired if there is an official name of this event, or if “Midco Day” will be used. Ray
stated that the event came to be through the efforts of the Internet Action Committee, and she would like to
bring it them for consideration of an official name.
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Improvements – Community Center Courts
Morell reported this project is waiting for the completed engineering report before going out to bid. Scandia
Wetland ordinance setback requirements will need to be addressed prior to construction that is planned to begin
after Taco Daze in September and completed in spring 2025. The base bid is to improve the Community Center
courts only with two additional options. One option would be to expand the footprint of the Community Center
courts and a second option is to repair the Barton Johnson court.
April 1, 2024
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 2
Children’s Story Path
Hinz reported successfully connecting with Scandia Elementary School, and is expecting completed Earth Day
stories by the kindergarteners to be collected and displayed in the storyboard stands soon. Hinz also expects an
editable version of the internet story contest from Ray to make final changes and provide copies to the school.
Staff will provide Hinz with last year’s Tomte Story Contest as a starting point for this year’s contest on the Taco
Daze theme on “lions, tacos, and dalas oh my!” to be distributed at the school as the same time as the internet
story contest instructions.
Disc Golf Discussion
Gorham reported that there is nothing to bring forward again this month. At this time, this is a topic to remove
from future agendas until the school contacts someone from the city again.
Earth Day Event Planning
Zauner confirmed the Sun and Star Gazing event with the Minnesota Astronomical Society is planned, weather
permitting. Benson has the left-over bird feeder activity material, and Zauner will collect new pine cones.
Discussion concluded to offer cookies only as treats between 1-3 p.m. in connection with the time for the bird
feeder activity. The star gazing will end by 10 p.m.
PRC By-laws Amendment Consideration
Morell presented the option for consideration to amend the bylaws to change the time to 6 p.m. in Section 5.
Meetings, A. Regular Meetings. Discussion considered 6:30, but all present consented to 6 p.m.
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to change the by -laws to change the meeting starting time from 7
p.m. to 6 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
PRC Operational Calendar
Morell pointed out that the CIP discussion will be affected by the 1.3% decrease in valuation in 2024. Some CIP
projects may need to be re-evaluated or pushed back in the calendar.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for Monday, May 6, 2024:
1. Community / Internet Day 2024 Planning
2. Earth Day Wrap Up
3. Collaboration with Elim with outdoor activities
4. Capital Improvement – Courts
5. Children’s Story Path
6. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Zauner, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator