7.a Draft minutes of the 2-5-2018 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, February 5, 2018
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Dustin Hegland (Vice Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Cami
Van Abel, Dan Lee, and Jim Schneider
Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Public Works Director)
Guest Present: Scot Taylor, Meister’s Bar and Grill
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Hegland requested the agenda be amended to include discussion regarding the Pleasure Skating
program. Hawkinson requested a discussion regarding the tennis courts be included in his Pub lic
Works Report. Motion by Lee, seconded by Hegland, to approve the amended agenda. The motion
carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Lee, seconded by Hegland, to approve the January 4, 2018 minutes. The motion carried
5-0.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham reported discussion regarding hockey rink signage at the January 16 City Council meeting.
Council members felt the signage should be consistent and simple. Van Abel informed she has not
received feedback from Jeni O’Brien. Gorham suggested O’Brien could recommend approval of
advertising signage.
City Administrator Report
Committee members reviewed the financial reports provided by Administrator Soltis.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson provided a written report to Committee members. Hawkinson documented the number
of hours dedicated by Public Works for Vinterfest events. Hawkinson reported the GFI’s circuits were
overloaded during Vinterfest and suggested having a backup next year.
Hawkinson informed he is in the process of receiving bids for reconstruction of the tennis courts this
year. Hawkinson shared the estimated cost would be $40,000. If the Committee were to consider
incorporating pickleball courts, the estimate would be an additional $10,000. Hawkinson encouraged
the Committee to make a recommendation to City Council if the Committee would like to make any
changes to the current plan for reconstruction.
February 5, 2018
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 3
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Lee, to recommend modifying the current plan for reconstruction
of the tennis courts to include the additional cost for multiple pickleball courts. The motion carried
5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Vinterfest Recap
Gorham shared a letter of appreciation from Mayor Maefsky for the Committee’s contributions to
Vinterfest. Gorham reported a successful snow sculpture contest with 8 teams participating. This
year’s addition of the Gammelgarden Museum events and Elim’s chili cookoff were a success as well.
Taylor addressed the Committee and suggested it would be ideal to have Vinterfest expand next year
and suggested other community members would be interested in organizing events as well. It was
also implied the Kubb tournament could return next year. Committee members contemplated the
Scandia Marine Lions organizing Vinterfest if the goal is to continue to expand events. It was also
suggested a Vinterfest committee be formed that would include the business community.
Taylor presented the Committee with a donation of $544 to benefit the Wojtowicz Skate Park.
BMX Bike Track
Gorham is in the process of preparing the communication to residents within the proposed area for
the bike track. Committee members questioned the use of the proposed track. The consideration of
the area be used for a horse riding arena was suggested.
Operating Calendar
The Committee reviewed the operating calendar and recommended preliminary planning for
Vinterfest begin in August.
Lilleskogen Subcommittee Update
Gorham prepared a written report in follow-up to a meeting he attended with Administrator Soltis,
Scandia Elementary staff, and the DRN for information about a potential School Forest program at
Lilleskogen. The DNR does not have specific funding available; however, the DNR could provide
information about potential grant opportunities. Gorham shared the next step would be to work
with the school district on a joint powers agreement for a School Forest program. It was suggested a
subcommittee consisting of the Scandia-Marine Lions, Scandia Elementary staff, Friends of Scandia
Parks and Trails and PRC representatives be formed to lead this project.
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Lee, to recommend City Council approval to form a joint powers
agreement with Forest Lake School District for a School Forest program at Lilleskogen. The motion
carried 5-0.
Gorham requested the Committee hold a special meeting to review and update all park plans.
Committee members agreed to hold the meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 7 p.m.
February 5, 2018
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 3 of 3
NEW BUSINESS
Annual Report
Negus prepared a draft of the 2017 Annual Report for Committee members review. Committee
members agreed to include extensive buckthorn removal at Lilleskogen, reconstruction of the
bleachers and improvements of the concession stand at the lighted ball field, and the new back stop
at the ball field south of the Community Center as 2017 accomplishments.
Motion by Lee, seconded the Schwinghammer, to recommend approval of the 2017 Annual Report
with the added accomplishments. The motion carried 5-0.
Fundraising Ideas
Lee suggested a snowmobile be raffled off at next year’s Vinterfest community celebration . It was
suggested a nonprofit such as the Boy Scouts, the Scandia Marine Lions, the Gammelgarden Museum,
the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails or the Scandia Elementary Enrichment Foundation organize
the raffle.
Pleasure Skating Program
Hegland informed he will not be able to supervise the Thursday, February 8, 2018 Pleasure Skating
Program. Other Committee members were unable to supervise as well. Hegland will ask a community
member to volunteer to supervise the program.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, March 5, 2018 meeting:
1. Summer Recreation Programs
2. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
3. Tennis Court Layout
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Lee, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant