7.a Draft minutes of the 5-7-2018 PRC meeting
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, May 7, 2018
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Dan Lee, Cami Van Abel, Dustin
Hegland (arriving late), and Jim Schneider (City Council Representative)
Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Public Works Director)
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Lee, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 4-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Lee, seconded by Gorham, to approve the April 2, 2018 minutes. The motion carried
4-0.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham attended the April 17, 2018 City Council meeting. Gorham informed the City Council
of the planned PRC park site visits scheduled for Saturday, May 19, and the intent to use the Summary
of the Park System Plan spreadsheet as a guide in reassessing previous recommendations for uses of
each of the parks.
City Administrator Report
Administrator Soltis provided a written report. Hawkinson informed City Council determined it is the
primary responsibility of property owners adjacent to Wind in the Pines to attempt to prevent
trespassing on their property. The City will continue to discourage trespassing by use of signs.
Schneider clarified the report on the City’s shoreland ordinance. Schneider explained there are
different categories of wetlands to take into consideration when determining setback requirements.
Gorham noted the wetland areas at Lilleskogen will be flagged before the PRC can make
recommendations for placement of a gazebo/pavilion.
Committee members noted no significant changes in the financial reports provided by Administrator
Soltis. Hawkinson informed the part-time seasonal maintenance position has not yet been filled; full-
time maintenance staff are currently taking on the responsibilities at a higher rate of pay. Hawkinson
also noted a full-time maintenance staff will be on leave for approximately four weeks, with six
months of limitations upon return.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson provided Committee members with the Public Works April 2018 activity report.
Hawkinson reported the skateboard park equipment is in very poor condition. Modification of the
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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equipment presents liability issues as any modifications should be done by the manufacturer of the
equipment.
OLD BUSINESS
Hockey Rink Signage
Van Abel reported Jeni O’Brien was unable to commit to designing a template for hockey rink signage.
Committee members agreed to propose the signage guidelines as originally presented to the City
Council.
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Lee, to recommended hockey rink signage guidelines as proposed
at the January 16, 2018 City Council meeting. The motion carried 5 -0.
BMX Bike Track
Committee members reviewed a letter to residents within a quarter mile of the proposed BMX bike
track drafted by Gorham. The letter invites residents to the June 4 meeting for public comment.
Committee members agreed to include an email contact for written comments in the letter.
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Hegland, to recommend the letter be sent to area residents as
amended. The motion carried 5-0.
Pickleball Court Recommendation
Hawkinson shared a Staff Report regarding tennis court reconstruction to be presented at the May
15 City Council meeting and noted the importance of meeting timelines for the project. Hawkinson
informed there is $40,000 in the budget for this project; the lowest bid came in at $44,233.
Hawkinson suggested the Committee approach the Scandia Marine Lions to ask for a donation for
the difference. Hawkinson recommended T.A. Schifsky pave the courts; striping would be done for
both tennis courts and pickleball courts. Hawkinson informed this project would also include striping
for pickleball courts at the Barton Johnson park at Gammelgarden.
Motion by Lee, seconded by Hegland, to recommend tennis court reconstruction as presented by
Hawkinson. The motion carried 5-0.
Review Park Priorities
Gorham shared an updated Summary of the Park System plan spreadsheet with Committee
members. Committee members will use this spreadsheet as a guide during their Saturday, May 19,
site tour of several parks. The tour is to start at 10 a.m. at the Community Center. The route will
include Wojtowicz skate park and Community Center, the Lighted Ball Field, Bone Lake, Big Lake, Hay
Lake, and Orwell. The Committee will integrate the 2040 Comprehensive Plan objectives and goals
when considering recommendations for park uses. Committee members will rank each of the parks
based on relevance to the Comprehensive Plan and Committee recommendations. Schwinghammer
suggested considering connectivity to the City center when reviewing the parks.
Operating Calendar
Committee members reviewed the Operating Calendar. Taco Daze preliminary planning and park
budget preliminary planning are scheduled for June.
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NEW BUSINESS
Vinterfest Committee
Lee advised Committee members of Polaris’ interest in considering to donate a snowmobile for a
raffle drawing during Vinterfest. Lee suggested the Big Marine Lake Association, a 501c nonprofit,
organize the raffle. Committee members agreed of the importance to involve other area
organizations and businesses to sponsor Vinterfest events. Lee offered to follow up with the Scandia
Marine Lions to inquire of their interest.
Taco Daze Pickleball Tournament
Gorham offered to, once again, organize a pickleball tournament during Vinterfest. Gorham
suggested there would be at least 8 teams participating. Lee informed the Scandia Marine Lions are
considering to offer a $1,000 first place cash prize for a parade float contest to draw more
participation. Van Abel suggested a bike parade as well.
Standards for Benches
Gorham reported of an inquiry for a donation of a bench in memory of a loved one. Hawkinson
requested the Committee make a recommendation for a standard bench style with consideration
given to maintenance. It was suggested the bench could be similar to the one across from the auto
repair shop downtown.
Motion by Lee, seconded by Hegland, to recommend a free standing 8’ bench as proposed by
Hawkinson.
Gorham suggested tabling this agenda item in order for Committee members to consider the
standard bench recommendation be similar to the one already downtown. Committee members
plan to look at the current bench during the park tour; Hawkinson agreed to provide cost estimates
for such a bench at the June meeting as well as the cost and recommended style for a plaque that
might be affixed to the bench.
Lee withdrew his above motion.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, June 4, 2018 meeting:
1. Budget
2. Recap of Park Tour
3. Park Priorities
4. Vinterfest Preliminary Planning
5. BMX Bike Track
6. Standards for Benches
Gorham informed he would not be in attendance at the June 4 meeting. Vice Chair Hegland agreed
to chair the meeting.
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ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Schwinghammer, seconded by Lee, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant