7.a) Draft minutes of the 5-6-2019 PRC Meeting
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, May 6, 2019
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Dustin Hegland (Vice Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Cami Van Abel,
Greg Zauner, and Patti Ray (City Council Representative)
Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Director of Public Works)
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hegland, to approve the April 1, 2019 minutes. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham provided a written report. Gorham informed he attended the April 11, 2019 Capital Improvement
Committee meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for May 15. Gorham is asking Committee members to
draft a preliminary list of potential capital improvement items for him to present at the next meeting.
Gorham attended the April 16, 2019 City Council meeting. The Council approved and accepted the SHIP grant
submitted on behalf of Cycling Scandia, approved the purchase of skate park equipment, and formally
accepted a grant for habitat restoration at Lilleskogen in the amount of $38,270.
Gorham attended the April 24, 2019 EDA meeting. A representative of the University of MN presented results
of the Scandia tourism study. The tourism assessment can be found on the City’s website.
Gorham reported Corey Roberts, organizer of The Minnesotan adult hockey tournament, intends to organize
the event during Vinterfest 2020.
City Administrator Report
Financial reports provided by Soltis were reviewed by the Committee. Hawkinson informed of the need to
budget for a lawnmower to drag ball fields. Hawkinson estimated a new mower would be under $5,000.
Hawkinson shared there have been no applications to date for the part-time seasonal maintenance worker.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson placed an order for new skate park equipment. The SHIP grant submitted by staff on behalf of
Cycling Scandia has been formally approved. Staff and Cycling Scandia representatives will be meeting with
Kim Ball of Washington County to advise of the process for use of the funding.
Hawkinson met with a Minnesota Department of Health inspector and was provided with a list of items that
need to be addressed prior to a water fountain installation at Hay Lake shelter. The unidentified well needs
to be addressed by Washington County Historical Society. Committee members agreed of the need to move
forward with this proposed project.
May 6, 2019
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 4
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to recommend moving forward with the plan to provide a water
fountain at Hay Lake shelter by staff drafting an agreement between Washington County Historical Society
and the City addressing the Minnesota Department of Health’s issues. The motion carried 5-0.
Timelines were identified for continuation of Lilleskogen’s Park Restoration Plan now that grant funding has
been secured. Staff is soliciting bids this spring. This summer through fall will focus on the mowing and spray
treating of reed canary. A prescribed burn is scheduled for spring through fall 2020. The goals for spring
through fall 2011 are to respray growth, follow-up brush control, species list, a prescribed burn and seeding.
The estimated project completion date is June 30, 2022.
Staff will be providing Committee members with a drawing of the proposed expansion of the pleasure rink.
The drawing would include location of any sewer lines. Hawkinson informed of the removal of three trees
for the expansion.
OLD BUSINESS
Capital Planning
Gorham shared the Capital Improvement Committee will meet monthly until September/October.
Committee members reviewed the following list of potential capital improvement projects for the parks
provided by Gorham. (The additions from the meeting are indicated in bold.)
Lilleskogen
Boardwalk or arched bridge over the east side wetland
Picnic Pavilion (on northwest corner and connected to Veterans Memorial. The pavilion must be handicap
accessible).
Additional habitat restoration. Native tree restoration.
Council Rings (small informal teaching and sitting areas along the main pathway), or rocks/logs.
Signage
Community Center
Dedicated skate park (near the tennis courts)
Relocation of existing playground equipment
Reconfigured or new pickleball only courts
Second skating rink (a potential smaller mite rink.)
A splashpad or water area for children.
Funding to support possible expansion of city center to the south ball field
New Amphitheatre
Support for possible relocation of Hilltop Water Barn
Boardwalk over the wetland, to the Community Center
Trails to the area
Large Dala Horse (50 feet tall)
Settlers Monument
Relocation, perhaps to the city center area
May 6, 2019
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 3 of 4
Hay Lake Park
Dog Park (no less than 2 acres recommended.)
Softball field (especially if Heritage Alliance wants to use the south ball field)
Soccer field
New Amphitheatre
Bone Lake
Trails development, signage
Boardwalk at north end
Fishing pier/platform/floating dock
Bike rack
Wayne Erickson Park
Picnic shelter
Parking expansion and improvement
An improved and larger concession stand at the lighted ball field, as well as another small shelter to store
equipment.
Many others
Additional Trail development?
Playground on the west side of Big Marine Like (where?)
Other facilities NOT in the city center area
What is old and needs replacement?
Bike racks throughout Scandia
NEW BUSINESS
Scandia Heritage Alliance
Sarah Porubcansky, representing Scandia Heritage Alliance, addressed the Committee. The Alliance is a
nonprofit organization that advocates for preservation and renovation of historic structures and landscapes
in and near Scandia. Porubcansky shared preliminary potential locations for the relocation of the historic
Water Tower Barn. The location of the south ball field would be ideal due to its close proximity to
Gammelgarden Museum. Other locations include east of Hwy 97/95 intersection and the t -ball field.
Hawkinson suggested locating the barn at the Barton Johnson site. The building could be used as a small
event center and the south ball field location could also include boardwalks across wetlands to the
Community Center and an amphitheatre. It is possible the building could be eligible for the national historic
registry and could then use state legacy funding. A public meeting will be held by Scandia Heritage Alliance
on May 30, 2019 to solicit public input on the potential relocation of the Water Tower Barn. Hawkinson
suggested considering the old fire station as another location since there is already a foundation footprint
and sewer/water connection.
Warming House Extended Hours
Hawkinson recommended extending the hours for the warming house to be open to the public and shared
expenses with Committee members. The Committee agreed it would be advantageous to have Wi-Fi available
to the public in the warming house.
May 6, 2019
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Motion by Gorham, seconded by Hegland, to recommend accepting Hawkinson’s proposal extending
warming house hours, with the addition of $500 to go towards Wi-Fi connection. The motion carried 5-0.
Yoga Program Proposal
Schwinghammer presented a proposal to instruct a yoga class beginning June 10, 2019. Schwinghammer
would be reimbursed 80% of the $42 registration fee. The class would run for six weeks on Monday evenings
from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center.
Motion by Van Abel, seconded by Hegland, to recommend approval of the Program Agreement and offer
yoga classes. The motion carried 5-0.
YMCA and/or Wild River Fitness Programs
No progress has been made. Gorham is awaiting a proposal from Bob Wolfe of Osceola Medical Center.
Bone Lake Trails
Ray informed Bone Lake Association members have marked the proposed trails at Bone Lake park. It was
suggested a volunteer was willing to cut down fallen trees from the path. Hawkinson pointed out the need
for a completed volunteer donor form. Association volunteers were hoping to cut the downed trees next
weekend. The trail will start on the west side and eventually have a continuous loop. Volunteers would like
to use four-wheelers with trailers to spread woodchips on the path. City policy does not allow motorized
vehicles in parks, except in areas specifically designed or posted for their operation.
Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to recommend an exception to the p arks rules to allow four-
wheelers on the trails of Bone Lake park for the purpose of volunteers spreading woodchips. The motion
carried 5-0.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, June 3, 2019 meeting:
1. Capital Planning
2. Park Signage
3. Promotion of Advertising at Ball Fields and Hockey Rink
4. New Ideas for Parks
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Van Abel, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant