06.a1 Draft Minutes of August 18, 2026, City Council Regular MeetingAugust 18, 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 6:30 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 attended via Zoom. Staff
present: City Attorney Amanda Johnson, City Engineer Isiah Bubany, City Planner TJ Hofer, Fire Chief
Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Charles Fischer, and City Administrator Kyle Morell.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Kronmiller introduced late additions to the agenda. Item 6f was removed at the request of the
Lions Club, and Item 8c, Cannabis and Hemp Retail Registration Form, was removed.
Gribble, seconded by Cusick, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT
Deputy Jake Anderson presented the July law enforcement report. There were 108 incidents, 70 traffic
stops, and 17 citations issued.
PUBLIC FORUM
Roger Rydeen, 18901 Oakgreen Avenue, addressed the Council regarding the condition of his road. He
stated that he did not believe new gravel had been added since 2006 and expressed concerns about the
material used in recent road maintenance and the quality of snowplowing.
Peggy Swenson addressed the Council regarding the condition of the property at 14712 Oakhill Road
North, where her family previously owned the home for approximately 50 years. She expressed concern
about the condition of the property and asked the Council to take action to improve the appearance of
the area.
Steve Engstrom, 14220 185th Street North, commented on road maintenance and the use of calcium
chloride. He expressed concern that the material is corrosive to equipment and asked the City to
consider an alternative product.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following Consent Agenda was presented:
a) Minutes
1. July 21, 2026, Regular Meeting
2. July 21, 2026, Special Meeting
3. August 5, 2026, Work Session
b) Treasurer's Report
c) Payment of Vouchers
1. Payment Batch 08.05.2026
2. Payment Batch 08.18.2026
d) Approve Special Event Permit for Taco Daze, Meisters Bar & Grill (September 12, 2026)
e) Approve Temporary Off-Premise Sales Liquor License, Meisters Bar & Grill for Taco Daze
(September 12, 2026)
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g) Approve Resolution No. 08-18-26-01 Conditional Use Permit for Additional Accessory Structure and
Square Footage, 20440 Olinda Trail North
h) Approve Travis Loeffler's Resignation from the Planning Commission
i) Scandia Heritage Alliance DEED Grant Draw Request #2 - $49,929.43
j) 2026 Crack Fill and Seal Coat Project - Contractor's Request for Payment No. 2 - $40,433.91
k) Bliss Wastewater Project - Contractor's Request for Payment No. 3 - $45,983.80
l) DNR Gateway Trail Project - Contractor's Request for Payment No. 3 - $1,056,565.80
m) Accept Rick Regnier Retirement and Advertise Open Position - Public Works Department, with the
words "in good standing" removed from the recommended motion.
Council Member Libby thanked Travis Loeffler for his service on the Planning Commission. Council
Member Gribble thanked Rick Regnier for his service to the Public Works Department and for
providing sufficient notice of his retirement.
Cusick, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the Consent Agenda as modified. Motion carried
5-0.
BARR SOLAR DSES AGREEMENT
Staff presented the proposed Development and Decommissioning Escrow Agreement for the Barr Solar
project.
City Attorney Amanda Johnson explained that identifying the property owner only as a consenter could
limit the City's ability to recover costs associated with issues arising on the property. Jesse Diamond,
representing New Energy Equity, stated that the developer was seeking to protect the property owner
from obligations related to the operation and decommissioning of the project while remaining
responsible for complying with the agreement.
Council discussed whether the property owners should be parties to the agreement. Mayor Kronmiller
and Council Member Lubke stated that property owners receiving financial benefit from the project
should have responsibility and accountability under the agreement.
Diamond also discussed the proposed decommissioning bond. New Energy Equity proposed a five-year
reevaluation process during the 35-year life of the project, with bond amounts adjusted based on updated
projections and market conditions. Council discussed the need for an independent review process and
limits on associated costs.
Council directed staff to continue working with the developer on the agreement, with the property
owners identified as parties rather than consenters. No formal action was taken.
CAR MAR WATERSHED ROAD IMPROVEMENT COST SHARE REQUEST
City Engineer Isiah Bubany presented a request for a 50/50 cost share between the Watershed District
and the City to correct drainage issues on 192nd Street. Water was not draining to the intended basins
due to concerns with the roadway crown or curb installation.
Council discussed whether the drainage problem resulted from a design or installation issue and whether
the cause should be determined before the City committed to paying a portion of the repair costs. Staff
will obtain additional information and bring the item back to the Council at a future meeting.
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BEAVER DAM AT 14925 OAKHILL AVENUE NORTH
Council discussed concerns regarding a beaver dam and the potential for drainage problems if the
drainageway is blocked or altered. Council also discussed the potential cost of cleaning and maintaining
the drainageway.
City Attorney Amanda Johnson advised that legal action could be complicated and that, if the City
determined it needed permanent access or control of the property, acquisition of an easement through
eminent domain could be necessary.
Gribble, seconded by Libby, moved to table the item until further notice. Motion failed 2-3, with
Cusick, Lubke, and Kronmiller opposed.
Kronmiller moved to direct staff to meet with the Department of Natural Resources and the
Watershed District and report back to the Council. Motion carried 5-0.
PARK & RECREATION COMMITTEE
Staff provided an update on the Park and Recreation Committee.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Ordinance No. 2026-05, Amendment to the Unified Development Code Regarding Nonconforming
Buildings and Structures
City Planner TJ Hofer presented the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve an amendment
to the Unified Development Code regarding nonconforming buildings and structures. The item was first
discussed in February and was tabled to allow staff to work with the Watershed District on the proposed
changes.
The amendment clarifies language regarding the repair, replacement, maintenance, and expansion of
nonconforming structures and adds requirements for replacement of significant trees that are removed.
The Watershed District suggested additional statutory language applicable to shoreland properties. Staff
recommended that any shoreland-specific language be considered as part of the City's ongoing
Shoreland Ordinance review rather than included in the UDC amendment.
Kronmiller, seconded by Lubke, moved to approve Ordinance No. 2026-05 amending the Unified
Development Code regarding nonconforming buildings and structures and Resolution No. 08-18-
26-02 authorizing summary publication. Motion carried 5-0.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The EDA discussed housing affordability and the limited options available without significant
investment in municipal sewer and water infrastructure. The EDA plans to document its findings and
provide information to the public regarding alternative housing options, including accessory dwelling
units and improvement opportunities.
The EDA also plans to restart the Business Breakfast meetings in October.
SCANDIA INTERNET ACTION COMMITTEE
The IAC is continuing planning for Community Fun Day and will meet again in September. The
Committee also received an update on the Midco internet project.
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TOURISM COMMITTEE
The Tourism Committee did not meet.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The Building Official's report was in the meeting packet.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
July 2026 Activity Report
Fire Chief Mike Hinz reported that the department responded to 24 calls in July. Department members
also toured the new clinic as part of ongoing training and familiarization.
Replacement Chest Compression System
Hinz presented a request to replace the department's LUCAS CPR device, as the current unit is obsolete.
The replacement cost is $19,715.66, including a $3,000 trade-in allowance for the existing unit. The
item is included in the 2027 Capital Improvement Plan at $18,000. The vendor will allow the City to
place the order in 2026 with billing deferred until 2027.
Lubke, seconded by Libby, moved to approve the purchase of the replacement LUCAS CPR
device. Motion carried 5-0.
2027-2029 May Township Fire Contract
Hinz presented a proposed three-year fire service contract with May Township to replace the current
agreement, which expires at the end of 2026. The proposed contract follows the same formula used in
previous agreements and will be presented to May Township in September.
Turnout Gear Replacement
Hinz requested approval to purchase replacement turnout gear. The department attempts to replace three
to four sets annually. The cost of the proposed purchase is $15,969.92. The available budget amount is
$13,424.59, with the remaining $2,727.33 to be transferred from other Fire Department line items.
Libby, seconded by Gribble, moved to approve the turnout gear purchase and transfer the
remaining funds from other Fire Department line items. Motion carried 5-0.
CITY PLANNER
There were no updates from City Planner Hofer.
CITY ENGINEER
Engineering Update Report
City Engineer Isiah Bubany reviewed the monthly engineering update. The Gateway Trail paving was
scheduled to occur shortly before Taco Daze, and staff will coordinate traffic control while guardrail and
striping work remains incomplete. The 2026 Crack Fill and Seal Coat Project is substantially complete
and is expected to be closed out in October.
The Bliss wastewater project has completed subsurface work and is awaiting delivery of the
prefabricated building. The Osceola Bridge project has been awarded, and work is underway on a
closure schedule.
Scandia Heritage Alliance Planning and Engineering Fee Reduction Memo
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Bubany presented Bolton & Menk's response to the Scandia Heritage Alliance's request to reimburse
planning and engineering fees. The memorandum did not recommend reimbursement.
Council discussed the timing of the Alliance's sewer plans and permit application and whether
submitting the plans earlier would have identified the permitting and capacity issues sooner. Mayor
Kronmiller expressed concern that the Alliance had previously received an indication that a connection
may be possible before the lower flow rate was reviewed and the connection was not approved. Bubany
stated that Bolton & Menk did not believe the City or its consultant should be responsible for the costs
and that the timing of the Alliance's application contributed to the issue.
Gribble, seconded by Cusick, moved to deny the reimbursement request. Motion failed 2-3.
Kronmiller, seconded by Libby, moved to reimburse the Scandia Heritage Alliance $1,690. Motion
failed 2-3.
Bubany stated that Bolton & Menk could commit to reducing hours on future work associated with the
project. The reduction in the hourly rate would be provided to the City for work associated with the
Heritage Alliance project up to $500.
2026 Street Improvement Project - Bid Results
Bubany reported that bids were received on July 15, 2026, and were below the engineer's estimate. The
required cultural resources review remains in progress and may be completed as early as September or
could delay portions of the project until spring.
Council discussed completing the retaining wall work this year and paving in 2027, if permitted. The
proposed change order would lock in pricing for the 2027 work.
Gribble, seconded by Cusick, moved to accept the low bid and approve Change Order No. 1.
Motion carried 5-0.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director Fischer’s monthly report was in the meeting packet. The Council had no
additional items.
CITY ATTORNEY
There was no report from City Attorney Johnson.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
City Administrator Morell’s report was in the meeting packet.
ADJOURNMENT
Gribble, seconded by Libby, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle H. Morell
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August 18, 2026
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City Administrator