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7.a Draft 6-19-17 PRC Minutes City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Special Meeting Monday, June 19, 2017 Members Present: Ryan Jinks (Chair), Terry Gorham (Vice Chair), Sue Rodsjo, and Jim Schneider Members Absent: Dustin Hegland Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Public Works Director) Guests Present: Tom Triplett, Dave Wilson, and Judy Rydeen Chair Jinks called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Gorham, seconded by Rodsjo, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 3-0. NEW BUSINESS Veterans Memorial Landscape Plan Tom Triplett approached the Committee. Triplett shared the history of the Veterans Memorial. The concept started in July 2013 with several locations considered, including Hay Lake and Gammelgarden Museum. To date, $25,000 has been donated by 144 families to place bricks on the honor walls. The Veterans Memorial Committee has also received a donation of plants, which are consistent with the Lilleskogen Park Restoration plan, from Abrahamson Nursery. Triplett shared a proposed Veterans Memorial landscape plan. The plan was revised to include additional pollinator plants. Triplett informed the plants would flower at different times during the season. The height of the plants is crucial so that there would be an unobstructed view from the parking lot for visitors not able to leave their vehicle. Jinks shared his concern over the loss of one-third of the original butterfly garden planned. Jinks informed a mowed lawn is not part of the plan for Lilleskogen. Judy Rydeen approached the Committee to share her concern regarding the change of plans for Lilleskogen from its original intent. She informed “Bob” donated the land to the City and the intent was to have an educational component with native plants. Rydeen suggested “Bob”, a Navy veteran, would approve of a Veterans Memorial as well as a butterfly garden. Gorham felt the Veterans Memorial Committee did a nice job of selecting pollinator plants and shared the lawn was his concern. Gorham suggested a compromise by eliminating a portion of the proposed lawn areas and replacing with additional shrubs to maintain a natural look. Dave Wilson approached the Committee and shared his concern that the Veterans Memorial has a nice, clean look and didn’t want vegetation impeding a view of the memorial. Wilson felt the Lions’ had a responsibility to the donors to have an appealing landscape. Triplett noted the current butterfly garden is not attractive. Hawkinson mentioned maintenance as a concern and the need to find volunteers to do the maintenance and the need for funding. Hawkinson suggested an alternative of white clover for the lawn areas. Rodsjo suggested the replacement of a manicured lawn with an alternate ground cover that does not require mowing. Jinks reminded of the goal to have Lilleskogen park become a Monarch Waystation with the need for milkweed plants and other nectar sources. Jinks shared ornamental trees June 19, 2017 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 2 do not fit in with the original plan. Rydeen informed maple trees were originally planted when the land was donated but ultimately cut down. Wilson informed the Scandia-Marine Lions are responsible for the area surrounding the Veterans Memorial and the City is responsible for lawn maintenance. Motion by Gorham, seconded by Rodsjo, to recommend City Council approval to plant the proposed shrubs as noted in the landscape plan, with the Veterans Memorial Committee exploring other options for the proposed trees and lawn areas. The motion carried 2-1. Jinks opposed. Taco Daze Preliminary Planning Gorham shared a written proposal to replace the Taco Daze dodgeball tournament with a pickleball tournament. The tennis courts would be marked for pickleball in August and funded by the Scandia- Marine Lions. Hawkinson noted the cracks in the tennis courts would be filled before the stripping of the courts. The tournament would be self-funding with registration fees to cover the cost for t-shirts, balls, medals, printing and contingency. The Lions agreed to cover the costs for a banner, flyers and posters. It was suggested the Lions organize the tournament. Triplett informed the Lions have already reached a limit of volunteers and could not take on any additional events for Taco Daze. Gorham, Rodsjo and John Venables agreed to staff the tournament. Venables suggested volunteers for the YMCA may agree to staff as well. The tournament would be mixed and consist of 16 teams of 2 players. The Committee considered a contingency plan in the event the tournament would be canceled due to inclement weather and wet courts. It was suggested the event could be held an alternate weekend or, if canceled, the registration fees could be nonrefundable. All remaining proceeds from the registration fees would go to support the City’s parks. Rydeen suggested rather than ordering t-shirts for the participants of the pickleball tournament the Committee should consider using the Taco Daze t-shirts that will be ordered. The t-shirts would cost approximately $10 each. Motion by Jinks, seconded by Gorham, to recommend City Council approval of the pickleball tournament at a cost of $20 per participant, use Taco Daze t-shirts, with the Lions’ underwriting up to $140 for miscellaneous costs in the event the tournament was canceled. The motion carried 3-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Gorham, seconded by Rodsjo, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judi Negus Office Assistant