6.a 3 minutes of 02-01-2017 Work Session
February 1, 2017
The City Council conducted a Work Session on the above date. The following were present:
Mayor Christine Maefsky, Council members Bob Hegland, Steve Kronmiller, Chris Ness and
Jim Schneider. Staff present: City Administrator Neil Soltis, City Attorney Andy Pratt , Police
Deputy Brandon Yetter and Deputy Clerk Brenda Eklund.
Mayor Maefsky called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried
5-0.
JOINT MEETING WITH CHISAGO LAKES TOWNSHIP REGARDING TRAFFIC
ISSUES ON 240TH STREET
Chisago Lakes Township Supervisors Sherri Stirling (Chair), Wayne Houle and John Nelson
were present with a request for joint support in lowering the speed limit on 240th Street, west of
Manning Trail. Houle explained that this is a shared road between 4 entities: Scandia, Chisago
Lakes Township, Forest Lake and Chisago City. Stirling explained that the statutory speed limit
of 55 mph is too fast for the curved roadway and hidden driveways. Dump trucks traveling in
and out of the Dresel gravel site on July Avenue are especially hazardous. One resident counted
21 trucks in 15 minutes last year.
It was questioned if a formal speed study must be requested from MnDOT before proceeding
with any changes. Stirling explained that a township can lower speed limits without a speed
study, and Council was in consensus to support a 35 mph posting. Deputy Yetter agreed that he
could enforce the lowered speed limit as posted. Josh Dresel, owner of Dresel Contracting,
stated his support for the lower speed and offered to pay for the signage.
Stirling summarized that 35 mph signs will go up this spring, and that “hidden driveway” caution
signs would also be installed. Administrator Soltis asked the Supervisors to communicate any
traffic complaints to him and he can request targeted police enforcement on this roadway as
needed.
JOINT MEETING WITH CARNELIAN-MARINE-ST. CROIX WATERSHED
DISTRICT ON LOG HOUSE LANDING BOAT RAMP IMPROVEMENTS
Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District Board members Andy Weaver, Wade Johnson,
Kristin Tuenge, Tom Polasik and Administrator Jim Shaver joined the meeting for a discussion
on the Log House Landing boat ramp improvements.
In 2016, the City and Watershed worked jointly to prepare plans for improvements to the Log
House Landing boat ramp. One bid was received for the project and rejected with the
recommendation that options be evaluated to reduce the cost. Administrator Soltis explained that
he and Watershed Administrator Jim Shaver worked with a MN DNR engineer to design the
landing with concrete planks for the ramp instead of a poured slab for the entire length. This
design was presented and noted that the new design does not include the stairs to the river.
Shaver stated that costs are unknown at this time until the project goes out for bids, which he
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recommended be done. He stated the DNR has designed this type of ramp to be durable over the
long-term, and is the best option to solve erosion and sediment discharge into the St. Croix
River.
Tuenge stated that she has concerns with the design, in that the planks are 15’ wide versus the
12’ width of the original design. She said that it appears to accommodate bigger boats.
Kronmiller said that now is the time to take a step back and look at all options and perspectives
which the community, Watershed and City can get behind that would improve safety and reduce
environmental impacts to the riverway. Kronmiller suggested that the Parks and Recreation
Committee be consulted for a recommendation after an analysis of various options, such as
revegetating the area and making it into a city park. Kronmiller listed 3 possible scenarios: 1)
leave the landing open to all types of watercraft; 2) limit boat traffic to walk-in types only, such
as canoes and kayaks; 3) close the landing to all types of watercraft. Kronmiller noted that
nearby William O’Brien State Park is an accessible launch site.
Council members Ness and Schneider stated their opposition to closing the site to motorized boat
traffic, stating that the riverway is a great resource to the City and access to it should remain.
Council member Hegland noted that summertime use averages four people per day with half the
users from out of town. He stated that the city shouldn’t waste money here and “canoes only”
may be a good option. Mayor Maefsky stated that community input strongly advocated keeping
the site natural and historic; access to the site is limited due to parking and the state park launch
is much better for boats. Maefsky said that boat traffic is contributing to wake erosion, and
working with the Watershed to revegetate the site may be a better use of funds.
Watershed Board member Tuenge stated her agreement with Kronmiller, and questioned if this
design is the only thing that can be done to stem erosion. Board member Johnson thanked City
staff for the improved grading done at the site last year to control erosion, as it made a noticeable
difference. Council member Kronmiller reiterated that improvements to the landing have been
solely focused on motorized boat use over these years, and better alternatives for the site have
been ignored.
Kronmiller, seconded by Hegland, moved to direct the Parks and Recreation Committee to
study alternatives for the site and come back with a recommendation. The options were
summarized as: 1) continue with improvements to the ramp as presented; 2) restrict use of
the ramp to non-motorized use only as a carry-in site; 3) close the site completely.
Kronmiller accepted a friendly amendment from Schneider to add 4) leave the site as it is
now with no improvements. The motion carried 3-2 with Ness and Schneider opposed.
PRESENTATION FROM YMCA ON OUTREACH, PROGRAMMING AND
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Jennifer Tolzmann and Kellie Kershisnik from the Forest Lake YMCA Community Board
presented information on the facility that has been open since August 2016, the programming
available for youth to seniors, and the partnerships formed with community organizations,
schools, businesses, hospitals and churches. Tolzmann reported that 4,000 membership units
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were registered within the first 6-1/2 months of operations, with 185 from Scandia and 79 from
Marine.
Council member Kronmiller asked if outreach could be provided to Scandia by either having
classes at the Community Center or providing transportation to the Forest Lake facility.
Kershisnik will have the Executive Director contact Administrator Soltis about this question.
DISCUSSION ON SNOWPLOWING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY RELATED TO
SIDEWALKS
A request was made at the January 17 public forum to clear snow from the sidewalk from
Oakhill Court west to the school entrance road (just south of Highway 97). Administrator Soltis
provided the snow control policy which lists the sidewalks that the City clears with the
tractor/blower, usually done by the part-time worker who also maintains the ice rink. Soltis
noted that adding additional sidewalks to the list would have minimal impacts to time and cost
since the operator and equipment are already out.
Council member Kronmiller stated that the sidewalks not being cleared are in residential areas
and should be the property owners’ responsibility. Becky and Bob Glesne, 14589 Oakhill Road,
said that there are residential areas already being cleared and this does not seem consistent.
Mayor Maefsky said that we should encourage a walkable community and since this could be
done at little cost, it makes sense to clear all sidewalks.
After further discussion, there was consensus to clear all sidewalks, including the segment north
of Highway 97 to the ballfield. Soltis stated that the revised snowplowing and ice control policy
will be presented at the next Council meeting for approval.
DISCUSSION ON REQUEST FROM ST. CROIX RIVER ASSOCIATION TO APPOINT
REPRESENTATIVE TO ST. CROIX PARTNERSHIP TEAM
Natalie Warren of the St. Croix River Association contacted the City seeking participation from
Scandia on the St. Croix Partnership Team. The Partnership Team is comprised of 35
communities in MN and WI that meets to discuss land use and surface water in the Lower St.
Croix, and consults with the Lower St. Croix River Commission (DNRs and NPS) on these
issues.
Planning Commissioner Dan Squyres was present and reported that he attended the January 31st
meeting of the Partnership Team and thought it worthwhile for Scandia to have a voice at the
table when recommendations are made. Squyres stated that he would volunteer for appointment
to the Partnership Team, which meets approximately 4 times a year. Administrator Soltis
explained that the Planning Commission can make this recommendation at their next meeting,
with formal appointment at the February 21st Council meeting.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
TERM
Two applications, from Cami Van Abel and Susan Rodsjo, were received to fill the expiring 5-
year term of Greg Zauner, who is not seeking reappointment.
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Schneider, seconded by Hegland, moved to appoint Cami Van Abel to a 5-year term on the
Parks and Recreation Committee. Ness stated that he would abstain from the vote. The
motion was tied 2-2, with Kronmiller and Maefsky voting no.
Kronmiller, seconded by Ness, moved to interview the two candidates. The motion carried
5-0.
Administrator Soltis will schedule interviews prior to the next Council meeting.
PRESENTATION BY LEGAL COUNSEL ON OPEN MEETINGS AND DATA
PRACTICES
City Attorney Andy Pratt provided an overview of state laws pertaining to open meetings and
data practices by elected officials. E-mail communication, social media posts, data practices,
conflicts of interest, public purpose expenditures and procedures for governing meetings were
among the topics covered.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk