8.a Minutes of the 4-3-17 PRC meetingCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, April 3, 2017
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Vice Chair), Dustin Hegland, Jodi Feldmann, Sue Rodsjo, and Jim
Schneider
Members Absent: Ryan Jinks (Chair)
Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Public Works Director)
Guests Present: Catherine Michel, Amy Erickson, and Bob Wolf representing Wild River Fitness
Vice Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PI IRI Ir MR1IM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Feldmann, seconded by Rodsjo, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 4-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Feldmann, to approve the March 6, 2017 minutes. The motion
carried 4-0.
REPORTS
Vice Chair Report
Gorham provided a written report and reviewed the report with Committee members. Gorham
informed he did not attend the Capital Improvement Committee meeting held March 28.
City Administrator Report
Administrator Soltis provided a written staff report and financial reports that were reviewed by the
Committee.
Hawkinson plans to seek a contractor to complete repairs of the bleachers at the Wayne Erickson ball
field. It was clarified that improvements at Lilleskogen are to be 100% funded through grants and
donations. Rodsjo questioned if the City would be open to matching grants. Schneider suggested grants
could be applied for City Council consideration.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson reviewed the written report he provided to the Committee. Hawkinson informed the
Sentence to Service participants will be completing brush cleaning at Lilleskogen. Hawkinson shared the
part-time seasonal maintenance staff will begin working in May.
Hawkinson also shared a handout with an estimate for costs for trails. Rodsjo questioned who was
responsible for the bike trail on Highway 95. Schneider informed it is the Department of
Transportation's responsibility and it is unlikely the State would make any improvements to the trail.
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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OLD BUSINESS
Park Capital Improvement Plan
Gorham expressed the need to have Committee members volunteer to take on lead roles for projects
identified in the Park Capital Improvement plan. Committee members agreed to review the Lilleskogen
park plan at next month's meeting to determine if there should be updates to the plan.
Park Budget Planning
Gorham noted there was discussion earlier regarding the budget.
Review PRC Operating Calendar
Gorham reviewed the calendar and noted the Committee will be making preliminary plans for Taco Daze
at its May meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Hockey Rink Signage
Hegland recommended advertising on the rink boards as a source of revenue. Rodsjo suggested sign
requirements and limiting the number of signs. Hegland agreed to research other signs, materials, and
costs.
Concession Sales at Community Center
The Committee discussed the possibility of vending machines at the warming house. Hegland agreed to
check out the vending machines in Forest Lake and Feldmann agreed to research as well. The
Committee also suggested the Ice Rink Attendants could operate a concession stand in the warming
house during the winter months to sell pre-packaged snacks. Hawkinson suggested the Scandia-Marine
Lions or the Boy Scouts could sell snacks during the summer months.
Senior Recreation Programs -Wild River Fitness
Catherine Michel of Wild River Fitness approached the Committee. Michel shared they currently have
25-30 participants in their senior programs in Osceola. The programs vary from exercises in a sitting
position to strenuous exercises and everything in-between. They also provide health care/educational
programs for seniors. Michel suggested the Committee determine what the community would like to
see in senior programming.
Bob Wolf approached the Committee and suggested the Committee have focus groups determine what
the senior community wants. Rodsjo questioned if programs could be offered to other age groups. Wolf
suggested a trial offering two classes for seniors and one class for a different age group. Programming
could be expanded if the need exists.
The Committee questioned availability of equipment, which depends on the programs offered. Amy
Erickson shared it would be ideal to get funding for equipment and store the equipment at the
Community Center. Schneider questioned the cost for instructors. Erickson informed the rate is $50 per
hour, but would consider reducing the cost to $35 per hour for the City. Registration could go through
Wild River Fitness or the City. Wild River Fitness's liability would not cover participants if the programs
are held at the Community Center. Some programs include Silver Sneakers, Zumba, and Pound (a
drumstick class). Committee members were encouraged to visit the website for more details.
April 3, 2017
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Gorham agreed to take a lead role in pursuing to offer senior recreation programs and will contact the
Lions to arrange a focus group discussion.
Safe Routes to School Presentation
Rodsjo provided background of the three trails projects she identified at last month's meeting, which
included: the Department of Transportation's SRTS program, Legacy Funding (Lindstrom/Chisago
Swedish Heritage Trail system) and the Gateway Trail system. Rodsjo reached out to all three
organizations. A representative from the Gateway Trail is open to presenting to the Committee at a
future meeting. The Swedish Heritage Trail is through the County. Legacy Funding is for regional trails
and not city trails.
Rodsjo shared a presentation on the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant. The program benefits include
improving health, safety and transportation. It was not clear if the grant would cover 100% of the
expenses. Rodsjo suggested Ryan Goodman of Bolton & Menk could come to a future meeting to
discuss the Safe Routes to School plans that were completed in the Forest Lake school district. Negus
suggested working with Scandia Elementary to determine the need for the program and informed
enrollment has decreased since March 2011 when the SRTS survey was completed. Committee
members reviewed the survey results from March 2011. Rodsjo agreed to obtain current student
enrollment at Scandia Elementary. Rodsjo will ask Goodman to waive the cost to attend the Parks and
Recreation Committee meeting to present. Rodsjo offered to take a lead role in the SRTS program.
Rodsjo offered to contact the DNR to present updates to the Gateway Trail system at a future meeting.
Hawkinson asked the Committee to review the summary of City -owned parcels not being utilized as
parks that was provided by Soltis. The parcels for consideration are located on Orwell Avenue North,
Orwell Circle, and Odell Avenue North. Committee members agreed it would be beneficial to visit each
of these sites.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the May 1, 2017 meeting:
1. Veterans Memorial Update
2. Taco Daze Preliminary Planning
3. Lilleskogen Park Plan Review
4. Hockey Rink Follow-up and Concessions
5. Potential Bolton & Menk Presentation for SRTS
Negus reminded Committee members that any documentation to be included in the meeting materials
should be provided to her 10 calendar days before a meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Rodsjo, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant