08.d 06.25.2024 Minutes TC DRAFT
Scandia Tourism Committee, Council Chambers June 25, 2024
Members in Attendance: Sue Dickens, Lynne Moratzka, Chrissi Larsen, Sarah Porubcansky, and
Jim Gribble. Additional Attendee: Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant.)
Call to Order –Chair Dickens called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m., a quorum is present.
Approve the Agenda – Porubcansky moved, Larsen seconded, to approve the agenda with
Flexibility. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve the Minutes – Porubcansky moved, Dickens seconded, to approve March 23, 2024
minutes. Motion carried unanimously.
Garage Sale Wrap-Up – Dickens reported the few survey responses in addition to informal positive
feedback. Further discussion included possible improvements to the map, encouraging local food
establishments to offer coupons or specials or some method of earning a prize, promoting the sale as
early as VinterLights!, use of QR codes, and considering a standardized sign as either a PDF to send
to registered sellers to use or requesting Scandia Marine Lions to sponsor reusable signs in for a unique
or ‘branded’ color for shoppers to easily identify registered sales.
Business Breakfasts – Dickens reported City Council has approved Tourism organizing two EDA
breakfast meetings per year with approximately $300 available for funding the meal at each. Dickens
suggested continuing the practice of rotating the catering among any business who serves breakfast
food and starting with The New Scandia Café. The first two dates selected are October 9, 2024 and
April 9, 2025. Dickens will draft a potential invitational letter to be sent to the EDA contact list
maintained by the city to be edited at the July TC meeting. Additionally, Scandia social media accounts
will seek updates to the EDA contact list. Dickens requested all committee members bring
suggestions for speakers or program ideas to the July TC meeting. Gribble suggested drawings or
door prizes for participants, perhaps donated by the guest speaker or the hired caterer. Moratzka
suggested TC capitalize on city sponsored events to help promote other events in Scandia like the
upcoming Fast Pitch Softball Tournament.
Website – Staff requested direction for inclusion of the annual Community Wide Garage Sale on the
Visit Scandia side of the city’s website. Discussion concluded to add it to the Seasonal Event page,
just before the Farmer’s Market. Staff notified the committee of the revision of the city’s web site.
Discussion concluded that the current concerns are already being addressed by staff in discussion with
the redesign team. No new content or organization of the Visit Scandia page was suggested.
American in Bloom Report – Porubcansky reported meeting with representatives of the American
in Bloom grant sponsors on behalf of the committee. These representatives toured Scandia and met
with various representatives of different organizations. Their recommendations will be released in a
future report, however, Porubcansky believes many of their suggestions will be sent to TC for
recommendations to Council for implementation. Porubcansky anticipates recommendations for
gathering all community organizations to take on a particular project or task. For example, connect
Gammelgarden with maintaining the butterfly garden at Lilleskogen Park. Porubcansky also
commented the representatives are encouraging Scandia to apply for a second grant as they understand
one grant will not likely suffice.
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
June 25, 2024
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Adjournment –Motion by Porubcansky, seconded by Gribble, to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant