04-21-09 Council
April 21, 2009
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. Mayor Seefeldt
called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The following council members were present: Council
members Connie Amos, Pete Crum, John Lindell, Dolores Peterson and Mayor Dennis Seefeldt.
Staff present: Administrator Anne Hurlburt, City Attorney Dave Hebert, City Planner Sherri
Buss, Building/Code Enforcement Official Steve Thorp and Treasurer Colleen Firkus.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
On behalf of the City Council and the City of Scandia, Mayor Seefeldt thanked long-time
volunteer firefighter Walter LaRoche for his 20 years of service with a framed Certificate of
Appreciation. The meeting was recessed for 15 minutes for a reception and cake in the
community center hall.
ACCEPT DONATION FROM SCANDIA MARINE LIONS FOR PURCHASE OF
SKATE PARK EQUIPMENT (RESOLUTION 04-21-09-03)
Mayor Seefeldt commented on the tremendous amount of work and financial contributions the
Lions make in Scandia and Marine. Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to accept a donation
of $7,500 from the Scandia-Marine Lions for skate park equipment. The motion passed
unanimously.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council member Peterson added a discussion of Scandia PTO’s Fun Run/Walk to the agenda.
Crum, seconded by Peterson, moved to approve the agenda as amended. The motion
passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The following consent agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) March 17, 2009 Regular Meeting
2) April 7, 2009 Meeting with Planning Commission
b) Treasurer’s Report
Beginning Balance 03/01/09 $1,239,628.76
Receipts + 29,233.45
Expenditures 116,636.07
Payroll 22,612.29 - 139,248.36
Ending Balance 03/31/09 $1,129,613.85
c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Program Agreement with Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys for
Summer 2009 Recreation Programs
e) Annual Operators Permits (AOP) for Mining Operations, Bracht Bros. Inc, (Resolution
04-21-08-01)
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Peterson, seconded by Crum, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The
motion passed unanimously.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Parks Committee Chair Alex Bildeaux reported that a cleanup for the Wind in the Pines Park is
scheduled for this Saturday, April 25, starting at 8:00 a.m. in conjunction with Heavy Metal Day.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Deputy Chris Majeski reported on the past month’s police activity commenting that it was a very
busy month.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Jim Finnegan reported that the 800 MHz radio switchover has been fully implemented
in the department. Finnegan also reported that he and Assistant Chief Yehle completed their ICS
400 training.
BUILDING/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
Building/Code Enforcement Official Steve Thorp reported that permit activity is picking up and
he has his first house permit of the year. Thorp also went over the mining inspection program he
has created for following up on requirements in the CUPs and AOPs of gravel mining operations
in the city.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
2009 Budget
City Administrator Hurlburt recommended setting a workshop date for the Council to consider
cuts to the 2009 budget to accommodate the expected loss of the city’s MVHC. A meeting was
scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, at 5:30 p.m.
SCOPING DECISION, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS), TILLER
CORPORATION’S ZAVORAL MINING AND RECLAMATION PROJECT
(RESOLUTION 04-21-09-02)
City Planner Sherri Buss reviewed the changes made to the Scoping document pointing out that
the deadline for adoption is April 22, 2009. The next step will be to develop a request for
proposals for professional services needed to prepare the EIS.
Peterson, seconded by Crum, moved to adopt Resolution 04-21-09-02 to accept the Final
Scoping Decision for the Zavoral Mining and Reclamation Project EIS. The motion passed
unanimously.
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR USE OF SCANDIA PUBLIC PARKS, ORDINANCE
NO.115
City Administrator Hurlburt reviewed citizen concerns about the new Parks Rules Ordinance.
Jerry Cusick, 15978 Scandia Trail, stated that it may be better to specifically indicate that the
new rules don’t apply to the city’s river and lake boat landings, and a swampy area north of Bone
Lake where hunting occurs. Mr. Cusick also mentioned that having an archery program in a
public park would also be illegal. Cusick suggested some wording changes to the ordinance.
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Scandia City Council
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Seefeldt spoke in favor of make these changes. Staff will bring a draft ordinance back to the
Council to vote on these changes.
2008 AUDIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, LARSENALLEN
LaronAllen principal Craig Popenhagen and senior auditor Brady Hoffman were present to
answer questions regarding the audit and discuss upcoming GASB changes that will affect the
city. Council member Lindell requested a workshop to go over the financial figures. Popenhagen
suggested they meet prior to making a budget for next year. July was suggested as a good time to
meet.
Peterson, seconded by Lindell, moved to accept the Auditors Report and Financial
Statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, and direct publication of the summary
financial statements as required by state law. The motion passed unanimously.
LAKES AREA COMMUNITY TELEVISION – GAIL MOHR AND GREG OCHS
No one was present to address this item.
LILLESKOGEN PARK IMPROVEMENTS
City Administrator Hurlburt was instrumental in acquiring a $7,500 contribution from the
CMSCWD to be applied toward the design and construction of a water control structure at
Lilleskogen Park. Approval is needed for a cost-sharing agreement between CMSCWD and the
city. The City would agree to construct and maintain the water control structure for a minimum
of 10 years. Also needed is approval of a proposal from SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for
engineering services not to exceed $13,800. The project has a budget of $25,000, with the
balance of the project is to be paid from the Parks Capital Improvement Fund. Administrator
Hurlburt has also submitted an “expression of interest” to the DNR for a matching grant program
which could provide $12,300 to be used for plantings for the wetland restoration.
Crum, seconded by Seefeldt, moved to approve the project cost-sharing agreement with
CMSCWD and approve the proposal from SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for engineering
services in the amount not to exceed $13,800, to be paid from the Parks Capital
Improvement Plan. The motion passed unanimously.
NOMINATIONS TO CARNELIAN-MARINE-ST. CROIX WATERSHED BOARD OF
MANAGERS
Three people have applied for appointment to the CMSCWD; Steve Kronmiller, current
president of CMSCWD whose term expires June 21, 2009, Michael White and Gary Orlich.
Peterson, seconded by Crum, moved to nominate Steve Kronmiller for reappointment to
the CMSCWD. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMUNITY CENTER USE FOR SCANDIA PTO FUN RUN/WALK ON MAY 16
Council member Peterson expressed concern that the Scandia PTO would have to do in-kind
service for use of the Community Center for their Run/Walk. Presenting her own research,
Peterson expressed her opinion that it was perfectly acceptable for the city to give free use of the
community center to the PTO for their fundraiser. City attorney Hebert reiterated his research
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from the Minnesota State Auditor and Attorney General that free use of the community center,
when it has an established rental policy, is considered a donation, and it is illegal for cities to
provide donations to non-profit groups. Hurlburt suggested the Council could revisit the rental
policy.
Peterson, seconded by Amos, moved to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer