9-8-14 MinutesCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
September 8, 2014
Members Present: Greg Zauner (Chair), Alex Bildeaux, Matt Rasmussen, Ryan Jinks, Brad Borg
and Dan Lee (City Council Representative)
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Tim Kieffer (Director of Public Works) and Judi Negus (Office Assistant)
Guests Present: Justin Otto and Tari Kari of Lakes Free and Janie O'Connor, Karen Schik, and
Cristina de Sobrino of Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails
Chair Zauner called the meeting to order at 7 p.m
PUBLIC FORUM
Rich Burton appeared for the meeting disappointed he was not on the agenda to discuss bike route
signage on behalf of the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails. Chair Zauner reminded Burton that he
needs to present information to Negus at least one week prior to the Parks and Recreation
Committee meetings in order to appear on the meeting agenda.
Kieffer recognized Lakes Free church members have generously donated time to spread woodchips.
Last year, the woodchips were spread at Lilleskogen; this year, woodchips were spread at the
Community Center. On behalf of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Chair Zauner presented a
Certificate of Appreciation to Justin Otto and Tari Kari for Lakes Free's contributions.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Bildeaux, seconded by Jinks, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the August 4, 2014 minutes. The
motion carried 5-0.
Negus shared she did not accurately report information on "The Miracle of the Monarch" at the
August 4, 2014 meeting. The fundraiser was not organized by Janie O'Connor. The fundraiser was
organized by the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails.
REPORTS
Chair's Report
Chair Zauner stated there was nothing in addition to other agenda items to report.
Staff Report
Negus reported there were a total of 12 classes offered for our 2014 summer recreation programs.
There were a total of 86 participants. None of the classes were cancelled, although the tennis
camps were combined.
Chair Zauner shared he is working with Ironhorse Central Railroad Museum in Chisago City to offer
a program there next summer.
OLD BUSINESS
Taco Daze Dodge Ball Tournament Recap
September 8, 2014
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Chair Zauner reported there were five adult teams, one grades 10-12 team, and three grades 7-9
teams that participated in the Taco Daze dodge ball tournament. Zauner observed there was not a
lot of local participation and shared the Twin Cities dodge ball participants brought their own official
dodge balls.
Bildeaux shared he received positive feedback and suggested changing the structure of the
tournament. Bildeaux asked the Committee to consider a round robin tournament where teams
would be seeded and include playoffs. Although the tournament had the lowest turnout in several
years, the Committee agreed to continue offering the dodge ball tournament during Taco Daze.
Chair Zauner recommended the use of official dodge balls. The Committee agreed to recommend
purchasing new dodge balls. Although we need 16 dodge balls, it would be ideal to purchase 24
dodge balls. Rasmussen suggested he may be able to purchase them at a discount.
NEW BUSINESS
Lilleskogen Progress Report
Janie O'Connor introduced Karen Schik and Christina de Sobrino, butterfly subcommittee members
of the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails. O'Connor provided Committee members with a written
update to the "Installation of Butterfly Gardens" goal of the Lilleskogen Parks Restoration Strategic
Action Plan. O'Connor reported the need for more fill before work can begin on the butterfly garden.
O'Connor informed Ryan Construction may donate some fill and Belair Excavating would haul the fill
for free. Kieffer suggested he may have a contact to bring in enough fill to get started on the
butterfly garden and hoped to bring in dirt next week. Kieffer recommended starting with a 1,800
square foot butterfly garden. Schik suggested the need for a retaining wall to keep the soil in the
butterfly garden from the parking lot. Kieffer pointed out the expense of a concrete block installation.
It was suggested logs could be used to provide a retaining wall. Kieffer recommended at least two
logs be stacked. Bildeaux volunteered to coordinate with Kieffer to cut down trees.
O'Connor informed of the September 10, 2014 deadline to order plants through Prairie Restoration.
Committee members agreed the plants could be ordered and committed to beginning installation of
the butterfly garden this fall.
Vinterfest Planning
Chair Zauner shared he and Negus met with Pam Arnold to discuss Vinterfest 2015. Zauner
informed Arnold is recommending volunteer groups be formed to plan for specific events. Zauner
also informed Arnold is recommending the snow sculpture contest be moved to the family oriented
events at Gammelgarden.
Zauner shared Arnold proposed the theme for Vinterfest 2015 to be "Sami--Northern Scandinavian
Reindeer Herders." Zauner reported Arnold is looking into a potential reindeer petting zoo. It was
suggested local businesses sponsor a question for the Quiz Promenade. Zauner also suggested the
Committee seek donations for not only Lilleskogen, but for the Vinterfest event as well.
The Committee also would like to hold a button design contest for sixth graders at Scandia
Elementary. Negus is waiting to hear from the PTO at Scandia Elementary of their interest. Our
hope is that the PTO will agree to the contest and sell buttons, with a portion of the proceeds to be
donated to the City.
Jinks suggested he could help with grooming the trail for the LilleTour and offered to assist Arnold in
planning the event.
Zauner shared there were three business owners who had an interest in participating in the standstill
parade.
September 8, 2014
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Motion by Borg, seconded by Bildeaux, to approve the "Sami" theme for Vintenfest 2015. The
motion carried 5-0.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The Committee agreed on the following agenda items for the October 6, 2014 PRC meeting:
1. Scanley Cup Planning (Corey Roberts)
2. Winter Recreation Programs
ADJOURNMENT
Rasmussen, seconded by Borg, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant