01-21-2025 MeetingJanuary 21, 2025
A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date in the Council
Chambers. The meeting was conducted in -person and over an electronic platform. All
participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to
discussions.
Mayor Steve Kronmiller called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Following the Pledge of
Allegiance, roll call was taken. The following were in attendance: Council members Jerry
Cusick, Jim Gribble, Kirsten Libby, and Mayor Steve Kronmiller. Absent: Council member
Mike Lubke (present on Zoom). Staff present: City Administrator Kyle Morell, City Attorney
Eric Larson, City Planner TJ Hofer, City Engineer Isiah Bubany, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public
Works Director Charles Fischer, and City Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-
0.
LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT
The December police activity report was in the packet. Council member Gribble asked for a map
of Deputy Booth's patrol area.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1) December 17, 2024 Regular Meeting
2) January 16, 2025 Work Session
b) Treasurer's Report
c) Payment of Vouchers
d) Resolution No. 01-21-25-01 Designating Depositories of City Funds for 2025
e) Resolution No. 01-21-25-02 Ratifying Surety and Blanket Bonds
f) Approve Temporary Off -Premise Sales Liquor License for Vinterfest (January 24-25,
2025), Meister's Bar & Grill
g) Approve Temporary On -Sale Liquor License, Scandia Fire & Rescue Relief Association
(February 22, 2025)
h) Approve Waiver of Fireworks Permit Fee for Vinterfest (January 25, 2025)
Cusick, seconded by Libby, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion
carried 4-0.
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
Park & Recreation Committee Vice -Chair Greg Zauner addressed the council. Vinterfest will be
this weekend, with plans in place for a hockey tournament and other activities.
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January 21, 2025
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PLANNING COMMISSION
The Planning Commission did not meet in January.
SCANDIA INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE
The Internet Action Committee did not meet in December.
TOURISM COMMITTEE
The Tourism Committee did not meet in December.
WASTEWATER COMMITTEE
Administrator Morell reported that the Wastewater Committee met on January 13th and discussed
the December 9th public meeting with sewer users. A follow up meeting will be held next month
to discuss updates to the Big Marine Sewer System. Morell said no significant changes to the
sewer budget process will happen in 2025, with rates to continue to be based on expenses. The
Committee will study future capital needs.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The December building activity report was in the meeting packet. In December, 14 building
permits were issued at a valuation of $736,963.00. In 2024, 299 permits were issued with a
valuation of $14,511,878.27.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire Chief Hinz reported on the Fire Department's December activity. Last month the department
responded to 33 calls; 9 fire, 23 medicals, and one dive call. Total calls in 2024 numbered 346,
with 220 medicals, 102 fire related, 3 dive calls, and 21 cancelled calls. The department
responded to a structure fire on Wednesday; the building was saved, and a cardiac arrest patient
was resuscitated by the EMTs.
CITY PLANNER
Planner Hofer described UDC amendments regarding the design standards ordinance which will
be heard at the February 4th Planning Commission meeting, along with a variance for a lot split.
Hofer said the City has reached out to the Carnelian -Marine Watershed about the shoreline
survey they completed last year, for data gathering to further the conversation on accessory
structures in shoreland that started last year.
CITY ENGINEER
Engineer Bubany's engineering report was in the meeting packet. Mayor Kronmiller asked how
long-range budget planning for roads is formulated, and how priorities are determined. Bubany
said staff typically provides a 5-to-10-year outlook on roads, and will be utilizing a robotic test in
the future. An AI driven test of the roads will cross train with established PASER ratings to
evaluate the results. These results will be taken out to residents to see how road conditions
impact residents. Factors that decide a project include cost, traffic counts and number of homes
affected. Administrator Morell added that the Capital Investment Committee will hold a public
meeting this spring/early summer and provide up to date road conditions; the purpose being to
educate and gather comments in time for the Council's first budget meeting.
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January 21, 2025
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2025 Street Improvement Project - Request Approval of Plans and Specifications, and
Authorize Ad for Bid
Engineer Bubany requested the City Council approve plans, specifications and authorize
advertisements for bid for the 2025 Street Improvement Project. The City budgeted $665,000 for
this year's project with the extents of the project to streets on the west side of Scandia. Bid
opening is scheduled for February 19, 2025. Project limits will be reviewed for expansion if
favorable bids are received.
Gribble, seconded by Cusick, moved to approve plans, specifications and authorize
advertisements for bid for the 2025 Street Improvement Project. Motion carried 4-0.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director Fischer reported on department activities. The ice rink is being readied
for the hockey tournament this weekend. Fischer provided the Request for Proposals for removal
of the cold storage building. Proposals will be due by February 28, 2025.
Libby seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the Request for Proposals for removal of the
cold storage building. Motion carried 4-0.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Eric Larson introduced Attorney Amanda Johnson, recently hired by Eckberg
Lammers, who will be working with municipal clients and is currently the City Attorney for
Forest Lake.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Morell provided a written report. There were no questions from Council.
The Developers Agreement with Laurel Ridge is ready for signatures. The final plat will be
recorded soon.
DESIGNATE THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR 2025
In December, staff solicited proposals from the Country Messenger and the Forest Lake Times to
serve as the city's official newspaper for 2025. The bids were provided in the staff report.
Gribble, second by Cusick, moved to designate the Country Messenger as the official
newspaper for 2025. Motion carried 4-0.
APPOINTMENTS TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
The City Council interviewed four applicants for the Planning Commission at their January 16tt,
Work Session. The two applicants for the Tourism Committee withdrew their applications.
Mayor Kronmiller stated that he reached out to the Sister City Council who determined a city
representative would not be needed, but the Scandia Heritage Alliance would like a city
representative.
The Council discussed the Planning Commission appointment, saying that all were very able
candidates and well qualified to serve on the Commission, making this a difficult choice. Cusick,
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January 21, 2025
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Gribble, Lubke and Kronmiller stated that Mary Cullen's legal background would bring good
understanding of laws and ordinances to Planning Commission deliberations.
Gribble, seconded by Cusick, moved to appoint Mary Cullen to a 5-year term on the
Planning Commission, expiring on February 1, 2030. Motion carried 5-0.
Staff had reached out to all the applicants to see if they had an interest in serving on the Tourism
Committee. Renee Lee replied that she would.
Libby, seconded by Cusick, moved to appoint Renee Lee to the Tourism Committee.
Motion carried 4-0.
No applications were received for a vacancy on the Wastewater Advisory Committee. Member
Peter Nora agreed to be re -appointed to a 5-year term.
Cusick, seconded by Libby, moved to re -appoint Peter Nora to a 5-year term on the
Wastewater Advisory Committee, with a term expiring on February 1, 2030. Motion
carried 4-0.
The City will continue to advertise for the vacancy on the Wastewater Committee.
Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to appoint Mayor Kronmiller as the city liaison to the
Scandia Heritage Alliance. Motion carried 4-0.
APPOINT ACTING MAYOR FOR 2025
Cusick, seconded by Gribble, moved to appoint Mike Lubke as Acting Mayor for 2025.
Motion carried 4-0.
NEW TREASURER HIRE
City Treasurer Colleen Firkus has given her retirement date effective March 31, 2025. The city
received eight applications, and held interviews with five candidates last week. Administrator
Morell reported that after reference and background checks were completed, an offer was made
to hire Veronica Korby who accepted the position at $24.62/hour. Ms. Korby will begin work on
January 27, 2025.
Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to hire Veroncia Korby as City Treasurer at a rate of
$24.62/hour. Motion carried 4-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk