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06.a1 Draft minutes 04-21-2026 Meeting April 21, 2026 A regular meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date in the City 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. Council member Mike Lubke participated on Zoom but was not a voting member. Staff present: City Attorney Amanda Johnson, City Engineer Isiah Bubany, Planners Jeff Matzke and Greenlee Dahle, Police Deputy Jake Anderson, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Charles Fischer, and City Administrator Kyle Morell. APPROVAL OF AGENDA City Administrator Morell announced Consent Agenda addition of Resolution No. 04-21-26-03, Amending the Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling Agreement between the City of Scandia and Waste Management. Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 4-0. LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT Deputy Anderson reported on calls and statistics over the past month. In March, there were 89 incidents; 55 traffic stops and 9 citations issued. Anderson reported that a resident had walked out of the Meadowbrook group home. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. CONSENT AGENDA The following Consent Agenda was presented: a) Minutes 1) March 17, 2026 Closed Meeting 2) March 31, 2026 Work Session 3) April 13, 2026 Board of Appeals 4) April 16, 2026 Special Council Meeting b) Treasurer’s Report c) Payment of Vouchers d) Approve Leave of Absence for Volunteer Firefighter Tim O’Neill e) Approve Washington County Historical Society Temporary Liquor License for Beer Tasting Event on June 20, 2026 f) Approve Joint Powers Agreement with City of Hugo for Building Official Services g) City Engineer – Engineering Updates Report h) Patrick Doyle Resignation from the EDA Scandia City Council April 21, 2026 Page 2 of 6 i) Resolution No. 04-21-26-03 Amending Waste Management Agreement to Add Senior Rate Kronmiller, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0. PUBLIC HEARING: VARIANCE FROM A WETLAND SETBACK FOR IMPERVIOUS SURFACE RELATED TO DRIVEWAY IMPROVEMENTS AND A VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE EXPANSION OF A NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE WITHIN THE ORDINARY HIGH-WATER LEVEL SETBACK AT 19750 MAXWILL AVENUE NORTH. JEREMY IMHOFF, APPLICANT ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNER JARMOLUK LIVING TRUST. RESOLUTION NO. 04-21-26-01 Planner Matzke explained that a public hearing for a variance at 19750 Maxwill Avenue was held by the Planning Commission on March 3rd but the DNR stated that additional time was needed to offer their comments and requested a new public hearing set for tonight. The property is located on the east side of Big Marine Lake. The existing single-family dwelling is approximately 46 feet from the Ordinary High-Water Level where a 100-foot setback is required. The owners propose a new structure placed 50.9 feet from the OHWL which is consistent with neighboring properties. The property has a large Manage 1 wetland requiring a 75-foot setback. The city’s engineering standards require a hammerhead driveway which is proposed to be 38 feet from the wetland. A smaller turnaround could be constructed which would increase the wetland setback to 42 feet. Planner Matzke stated that staff’s recommendation is to have the driveway be narrowed to 20 feet, the minimum width requirement for the turnaround. Planner Matzke reported that the Planning Commission felt the variance requests are reasonable and recommended approval. The Watershed and DNR are requesting additional vegetation along the shoreline to better screen the structures from the lake, with the DNR recommending denial of the variance and a smaller structure that better meets setback requirements. Mayor Kronmiller opened the public hearing. Jeremy Imhoff, applicant and designer, said they have been working on this project since last fall. The DNR comments on the size of the house are understood, but the house is designed for age-in-place living with all the primary owners’ needs on a single level, with a basement for guests and family. Imhoff said they did their best to work within the OHWL and wetland setbacks. There were no further public comments and Mayor Kronmiller closed the public hearing. Council member Libby said the applicants have done a good job putting a plan together on a difficult site. Scandia City Council April 21, 2026 Page 3 of 6 Council member Lubke said the Planning Commission was adamant on a 20-foot driveway width, so the staff recommendation to keep the driveway at 20 feet is appropriate. Mayor Kronmiller stated that shoreland revegetation may not be included as a condition as it is not in city code, but may be added later. Kronmiller said he would encourage the applicant to work with the Watershed to improve the shoreline. Staff clarified interpretation of a view corridor and structure screening setbacks as proposed by the Watershed and DNR. Kronmiller, seconded by Cusick, moved to adopt Resolution No. 04-21-26-01, Approving Variances for Encroachments into the Setbacks of a Wetland and Ordinary High-Water Level at 19750 Maxwill Avenue North, as presented by staff. Motion carried 4-0. PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE There was no report from the Parks and Recreation Committee. PLANNING COMMISSION Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the cultivation of indoor-grown cannabis and the light manufacturing of low-potency hemp edibles at 21080 Ozark Court North. Applicant Joe Whebbe. Resolution No. 04-21-26-02 Planner Dahle described the application from Emerald Horizon for a Conditional Use Permit for indoor cannabis cultivation and low potency hemp edible manufacturing. Future retail use on the site is permitted. The applicant is in the process of securing a state microbusiness license and approval from the local government unit for the business is a required step. Planner Dahle explained that city authority for the business is limited to land use, not regulation of business practices, which is managed by the State Office of Cannabis Management. State inspections occur before licensing and thereafter without notice. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at their meeting on April 7th. One public comment was heard regarding odor from the building. The Commission discussed odor management, fire safety and other concerns. The original recommendation of approval from the Commission had 33 conditions for the CUP; however, many were removed due to redundancy, legal overstep and enforceability. The fire department requested a fire box be installed and this was added as a condition. Planner Dahle explained that the city did not adopt language for additional buffers from schools, churches or daycare facilities in the ordinance which regulates cannabis businesses. Council member Gribble said he is in favor of the CUP, and curious about employment. Applicant Joe Whebbe answered that he thinks 12-14 people will be on staff during harvesting time. Council member Libby said she thinks this is a great addition to Scandia and considers this commercial economic development. Libby said the city does not have an odor mitigation ordinance, so this will fall back on the state for mitigation standards, saying the state does have Scandia City Council April 21, 2026 Page 4 of 6 mechanisms in place that require an applicant to make changes if significant complaints are received. Libby, seconded by Cusick, moved to adopt Resolution No. 04-19-26-02, Approving a Conditional Use Permit located at 21080 Ozark Court North. Motion carried 4-0. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY The EDA did not have a quorum for the March 24th meeting. SCANDIA INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE The Internet Action Committee met on March 19th and discussed the Midco project which will be completed in July 2026. The IAC is working with Midco to reach those few properties that do not have access to high-speed internet. TOURISM COMMITTEE Tourism Committee Chair Sue Dickens appeared on Zoom and reported that the Committee continues to prepare for the citywide garage sale being held the last weekend of May. The Committee is exploring a fall bicycle ride. BUILDING OFFICIAL The March building activity report was in the meeting packet. In March, 24 building permits were issued at a valuation of $296,784.00. FIRE DEPARTMENT Fire Chief Hinz reported on the past month’s activity. In March the department responded to 23 calls; 7 fire related and 16 medicals. Hinz stated that the department has a contract to conduct a house burn this fall, and will use the structure for training during the summer. CITY PLANNER Planner Dahle stated that staff continues to work with the Watershed and the DNR on non- conforming structures and shoreland ordinance updates. CITY ENGINEER Engineer Bubany’s engineering report was on the Consent Agenda. There were no questions. 2026 Crack Seal and Seal Coat Project Engineer Bubany presented quotes for the 2026 Crack Fill and Seal Coat Project received on April 15,2026. The City budgeted $95,000.00 for this project out of the City’s maintenance budget. Contractor Base Bid Alternate 1 Total Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC $59,505.40 $ 7,874.60 $67,380.00 Pearson Bros., Inc. $67,534.50 $10,165.00 $77,699.50 Allied Blacktop Company $74,155.00 $ 8,952.50 $83,107.50 Scandia City Council April 21, 2026 Page 5 of 6 Engineer Bubany recommended the City award the Base Bid and Alternate 1 to the lowest quoter, Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC. Cusick, seconded by Gribble, moved to award the 2026 Crack Seal and Seal Coat Project to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC, in the amount of $67,380.00. Motion carried 4-0. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Director Fischer’s report on department activities was in the meeting packet. Fischer reported that 30 applications for the two Maintenance Worker positions have been received by the April 13 deadline. Staff will conduct virtual interviews with in-person interviews to follow. Proposed Ditch Mowing Exemption Program Public Works Director Fischer presented a proposed ditch mowing exemption plan requiring a permit fee and escrow to cover all city review costs, signage for installation in the ROW identifying the exemption, and for vegetation establishment within two years. Staff outlined the process to move forward with the policy along with collection of fees and escrows. Council member Gribble asked why are we creating a new policy for what used to be a simple agreement between the city and the property owner, saying the whole process and concept appears big city. Council member Libby asked for clarification of the permit fee and escrow. Staff proposed increasing the fee and allowing an assessment to property taxes if restoration is needed. Sonia and Brad Borg, 19609 Oxboro Lane, spoke in favor of a system to allow exemptions, but thinks it is not needed and overreaching. City Administrator Morell said that staff will draft a permit with appropriate language based on the discussion, and will include an option for assessment if restoration is needed, and review sign requirements. Council member Gribble suggested signage be placed at the start and end of the exemption area, and every 300 feet in between. Council member Lubke asked about the vegetation height limit of 12 inches. Public Works Director Fischer explained this has to do with site lines and safety. Height restrictions need to be considered only within so many feet of an intersection or road edge. Mayor Kronmiller said he is in favor of moving this policy forward for residents to apply for a ditch mowing exemption. Staff will draft a permit for the Council to review as a next step. CITY ATTORNEY There were no updates from City Attorney Johnson. Scandia City Council April 21, 2026 Page 6 of 6 CITY ADMINISTRATOR City Administrator Morell provided a written report in the meeting packet. There were no questions. ADJOURNMENT Cusick, seconded by Gribble, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kyle Morell City Administrator