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
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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