7.a Draft of the 4-2-2018 Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, April 2, 2018
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Dustin Hegland (Vice Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Dan
Lee, Cami Van Abel, and Jim Schneider
Members Absent: Adam Hawkinson (Public Works Director)
Staff Present: Neil Soltis (City Administrator) and Judi Negus (Office Assistant)
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Lee, seconded by Hegland, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Lee, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the March 13, 2018 minutes. The motion
carried 5-0.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham attended the March 20, 2018 City Council meeting. Gorham reported the City Council
approved seeking proposals for several configuration options that were proposed to provide for both
tennis and pickleball for the tennis court reconstruction project scheduled for this spring/summer.
Gorham indicated although the Scandia Marine Lions have a cap on funding, they might be open to
consideration of a donation for this project.
City Administrator Report
Administrator Soltis provided an update to Wind in the Pines preserve. Scandia resident John Haus
attended the March 20 City Council meeting and shared concern regarding trespassing on his
property adjacent to Wind in the Pines. Haus requested the access and parking lot be closed. The
City has vigorously discouraged use of the private property with signs and blocking off trails without
success. Soltis informed Public Works Director Adam Hawkinson will address this issue at the April 4
City Council Work Session. Soltis provided Committee members with Hawkinson’s report to provide
a plan for closing the parking lot access.
Soltis informed the City Council approved the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails’ proposal for prairie
planting on a .25-acre area on Olinda Trail. The Friends will be relocating the pollinator plantings
currently at Lilleskogen to this new location.
Soltis advised City Council directed staff to draft a Right of First Option agreement. This agreement
would allow adjacent property owners of City-owned property on Goose Lake to have the option to
purchase the property at the appraised value. If the City property is not purchased by the adjacent
property owners, the property would be offered to the public through an on-line auction.
April 2, 2018
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Soltis reviewed the financial reports he provided with Committee members and addressed any
questions. Once the Goose Lake property sells, it will be determined where those funds will be
placed. Soltis shared the Wayne Erickson playground will need to be updated in the future and
funding might be needed for electrical updates as well.
Public Works Director Report
Committee members were provided with the Public Works March 2018 activity report. Soltis
highlighted the Sentence to Service buckthorn removal at Lilleskogen and maintenance of the fence
lines around various parks.
Soltis informed the Planning Commission is reviewing wetland setbacks at its April 3 meeting that
could impact the current required setbacks at Lilleskogen. The wetland setbacks could be based on
the quality of the wetland.
OLD BUSINESS
Hockey Rink Signage
Van Abel reported she has not received a response from Jeni O’Brien. Committee members agreed
to place this topic on the May meeting agenda.
Operating Calendar
Committee members will be discussing a potential Vinterfest Committee and preliminary planning
for the Taco Daze Pickleball Tournament at its May 7 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Park Capital Improvement Plan
Gorham provided Committee members with a handout, “Park Capital Planning: For Discussion, April
2, 2018.” Committee members agreed on a park tour to take place on Saturday, May 19, at 9 a.m.
Committee members will tour: Big Lake, Bone Lake, Wojtowicz Skate Park, Hay Lake, Lighted Ball
Field, Community Center, Swedish Monument, and City properties on Orwell Avenue and Orwell
Court. Soltis suggested using the 2006 park plan to re-evaluate each park. Gorham agreed to
incorporate the potential opportunities recommended at the Committee’s February 28, 2018
meeting into the spreadsheet Schwinghammer created summarizing the 2006 park plan.
Gorham suggested Committee members prioritize criteria for the parks (i.e., community interest,
community benefit, support for other community groups, value, and maintenance efforts.) Gorham
offered to update the parks spreadsheet to add columns for prioritization. Gorham will provide the
updated spreadsheet to Committee members in the near future to review and comment prior to the
Committee’s May meeting. Schwinghammer suggested the priorities should be consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan.
Gorham shared an email sent by Mayor Maefsky suggesting the idea of a potential Splash Pad when
planning for capital expenditures. Soltis identified some difficulties with the project to include cost,
water pressure, housing of equipment and maintenance, as well as disposal of chlorinated water
potentially overwhelming the City’s sewer system.
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, May 7, 2018 meeting:
1. Vinterfest Committee
2. Taco Daze Pickleball Tournament
3. Review Criteria Priorities Spreadsheet
4. Hockey Rink Signage
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Lee, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant