08.d 06.24.2025 Minutes TC DRAFT
Scandia Tourism Committee, Community Center Hall June 24, 2025
Members in Attendance: Renee Lee, Lynne Moratzka and Sarah Porubcansky. Absent: Sue Dickens
and Jaimin Brown. Additional Attendees: Jim Gribble (Council Representative) and Brenda “Bee”
Stignani (Office Assistant).
Call to Order –Vice Chair Moratzka called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m., a quorum is present.
Approve the Agenda – Porubcansky moved, Lee seconded, to approve the agenda with
Flexibility. Motion carried unanimously.
Approve the Minutes – Porubcansky moved, Lee seconded, to approve May 27, 2025 minutes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Update List of 2025 Community Events –
• Vinterfest Support Ideas Update – Moratzka reported Dickens contacted Zauner
regarding ideas considered in the last Tourism Committee meeting; no action now, but
will be on future agendas to finalize by December. Lee suggested puzzle contest not
knowing Gammelgarden offered games and puzzles last year. Trivia, BINGO, or cribbage
tournaments are other options to consider.
• Fall Crawl – Moratzka reviewed event dates and general concept, confirmed Dickens is
contacting local businesses for participation, and requested a volunteer to create a flyer.
Lee would consider helping marketing program with more details
• National Night Out – hosting a booth on Tuesday, August 5th
• Business Breakfasts – Update – Staff reported receiving one feedback survey.
Discussion concluded to start planning an October breakfast, Gribble to ask EDA if they
had other ideas as EDA is still defining their goals and a joint meeting has not been
scheduled yet. Lee will consider organizing the next event, invite EDA to participate, and
prepare to hand off all future events to EDA.
Community Wide Garage Sale – Recap – Feedback from the community banner is that “First
weekend in June” is confusing, City Staff have requested TC replace the banners for 2026, tabled for
future discussion. Gribble observed many sales which were not on the map. Porubcansky’s brother
may be able to push the registration deadlines back to allow for one week to build the interactive map
he has provided. Removing registered participants is easy, but adding last minute sellers is impossible.
Staff can work directly with him in design layout requests for the printed map version. Lee volunteered
to investigate mapping options that allow participants to register and cancel independently. Moratzka
reported Gammelgarden saw many shoppers, but fell short of sales goals.
Moratzka has magnetic Scandia Volunteer Name Tags and Safety Vests from Public Works for
volunteers to use on Friday at the Fastpitch Softball Tournament. All volunteers are to meet at 5 p.m.
to help to set up parking area, direct participants, hand out programs, etc. Scandia Farmers Market is
lending use of rope and cones, but need poles or something else. Gribble to look for something to
help hold the ropes. Porubcansky added SHA event for tomorrow (Wednesday) night at the Scandia
Creamery has 180+ tickets claimed. The tickets are free, but limited to 200. The event starts at 7 p.m.
Moratzka highlighted details from the Artisan Market Vendor application for VinterLights! Gribble
volunteered to coordinate the events outdoors, commenting that both Elim and Gammelgarden have
their holiday lights set on timers and the description in the Vendor applications should be edited to
Scandia Tourism Committee Minutes
June 24, 2025
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reflect this. Moratzka volunteered to inquire if Elim Church would consider opening to the public
for visitors to come in to tour the Christmas decorations as a part of VinterLights! Porubcansky
volunteered to contact and organize the musicians. Lee recommended contacting the Chisago Lakes
musical group to perform. Moratzka and Lee to collaborate on flyers. Staff to send some logos and
images used in past promotions.
General discussion of EDA, Tourism, Event Planning, long term planning for Gateway Trail guests,
SHA guests, etc. concluded that Lee will reach out to City Administrator Morell to coordinate
communication between Tourism’s goals and EDA’s goals prior to a joint meeting.
Adjournment – Motion by Porubcansky, seconded by Moratzka, to adjourn the meeting
Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 5:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant