06.a3 Draft minutes 05-07-2025 Work Session
May 7, 2025
A work session meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date. The meeting
was conducted in the Council Chambers at the Scandia Community Center 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 6:30 p.m. The following were present:
Council members Jerry Cusick, Jim Gribble, Kirsten Libby (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Mike Lubke,
and Mayor Steve Kronmiller. Staff present: City Administrator Kyle Morell, City Planner TJ
Hofer, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Charles Fischer, and City Clerk Brenda
Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Gribble, seconded by Lubke, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-
0.
LAKES AREA CENTER FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES – PRESENTATION ON 2024
REPORT
Renee Wagner, Lakes Area Center for Youth and Families Board Chair, was present to report on
2024 highlights for the organization. Wagner explained the enrichment, intervention and
counseling services provided for youth and families in the area. In 2024, LC4YF serviced 930
youth and families, a 20% increase over the prior year. Primary clients are youth under the age of
18. Wagner thanked Scandia for the support over the many years.
SEASONAL PUBLIC WORKS HIRE
Public Works Director Charles Fischer recommended the hiring of Greg Vandershaegen for
Seasonal Parks Maintenance Worker at the pay rate of $17.75/hour. Mr. Vandershaegen worked
in this position last summer. Employment will run for 13 weeks through mid-August.
Lubke, seconded by Cusick, moved to approve hiring Greg VanDerschaegen as Seasonal
Parks Maintenance Worker at the rate of $17.75/hour. Motion carried 4-0.
SCANDIA MERCHANDISE
Mayor Kronmiller explained his proposal to license the city’s logo for sale of merchandise to
promote the city and offset some of the city’s expenses. Kronmiller asked if the Council would
approve of the city’s logo being used in various forms of merchandise. Tourism Committee
Chair Sue Dickens was present at the meeting, and voiced her support of the idea.
Administrator Morell reported his information from the City Attorney that many cities do this.
By statute, a city has no right to engage in commerce; however, the Economic Development
Authority does. Any agreements with vendors should run through the EDA. What can legally be
done with the money is another question to answer. Morell said there will be more information
for further discussion at the City Council meeting on May 20th.
Scandia City Council Work Session
May 7, 2025
Page 2 of 3
UDC AND SHORELAND AMENDMENT FOR LAND ALTERATION AND GRADING
Planner Hofer summarized the changes to the UDC and Shoreland Ordinance based on direction
to staff to further revise grading standards as discussed at the April 15th City Council meeting.
Hofer presented a revised grading and land alteration permit application which replaced the
requirement for a permit for any grading in the shoreland overlay with language from the DNR
model ordinance. This allows for grading and filling up to 10 cubic yards without a permit. A
permit would be required in more sensitive areas in the shore impact zone, bluff impact zone,
and on steep slopes.
Planner Hofer described optional standards for retaining walls in the shoreland overlay. From the
DNR ordinance standards, retaining walls require screening with vegetation to not be visible
from the waterbody. If adopted, it would create many nonconformities in the city. If existing
walls need to be replaced or reconstructed, the screening requirement would be triggered. Hofer
said he is looking for feedback on whether or not to include this language in the shoreland
ordinance.
Mayor Kronmiller said he wouldn’t want to put so many existing properties into noncompliance,
but recommended the Planning Commission provide their input.
Consensus was that the language is good to go forward to a public hearing and recommendation
from the Planning Commission at their June 3, 2025 meeting.
DRIVEWAY STANDARDS – CONTINUED FROM MARCH 18, 2025, COUNCIL
MEETING
The Council first discussed updating the city’s driveway standards as recommended by Fire
Chief Hinz at their meeting on March 18th and asked for additional clarification.
Administrator Morell explained that since then the question of the minimum length of a
driveway has come up. Morell described an inquiry to construct a cul-de-sac just beyond the
right-of-way of a city street. Nothing in the engineering standards would prohibit this, but Fire
Chief Hinz recommends roads be at least 150 feet in length to allow staging of equipment for an
emergency response.
Mayor Kronmiller stated that a minimum standard of 150 feet in length is fine. There were no
objections.
Fire Chief Hinz explained a few changes to the document since last discussed. Hinz
recommended the driveway standards be required for new construction and for improvements to
existing residences which add 50% or more value. Hinz said there are many long, narrow
substandard driveways in the city which complicate an emergency response. Required upgrades
are necessary for safety. This policy could be a more forceful tool for necessary improvements.
Upgrades would include pullouts on long driveways every 400 feet, a turnaround 50 feet from
the structure, a hard surface on driveways with greater than 6% slope, and standards for gated
driveways.
Scandia City Council Work Session
May 7, 2025
Page 3 of 3
Fire Chief Hinz noted the language for flexibility if modifications from the standards are needed,
with approval from staff.
Staff will present a clean copy of the Driveway and Fire Apparatus Access Road Requirement
Policy to the Council on May 20th. If adopted, the Unified Development Code will have a future
update to reference the policy into the UDC.
DENSITY AND SUBDIVISION DESIGN STANDARDS
City Council has been reviewing amendments to the Unified Development Code to establish
standards for major subdivisions to address concerns identified during review of the Laurel
Ridge Plat. Planner Hofer explained the communication he has had with the Met Council for
what options exist and to have a better understanding of what can be allowed for changing
density in the city. Hofer said he will cover this in steps over the next several meetings.
Planner Hofer described the Diversified Rural community designation which applies to Scandia,
allowing a maximum density of 4 units per 40 acres, and encouraging clustering of homes with
preservation of open space. The Met Council’s Flexible Design Guidelines state that bonus
density can be allowed when up to 75% of a development area is preserved. The bonus density
refers not to additional lots but to allow the lots to be clustered into a smaller area and increasing
the density of that one area. The gross density remains at 4/40. Hofer agreed the term is
confusing and the Met Council has plans to rework the document.
Standards for Open Space Planned Unit Developments were discussed. Planner Hofer noted the
standards which should be revised in the UDC to clarify the minimum open space required and
development in quarter-quarter sections.
Planner Hofer stated the next review will be the Rural Center Community Designation, Village
District density options, and potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and UDC.
Council member Libby said this is not written in stone – do we agree or should we change the
designation and not just accept the Met Council’s vision. Are there alternatives that make sense
for this community that could be taken forward to the Met Council? Planner Hofer said if the
Council has a concrete example of a goal in mind, he could be an advocate.
Staff was directed to share this report with the Planning Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
Lubke, seconded by Gribble, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk