05-06-2020 Work Session
May 6, 2020
A work session meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date with
modifications. Due to the health advisory issued by the State regarding the COVID-19 outbreak,
to avoid public gatherings and limit social contact, the meeting was conducted over an electronic
platform. All council members and staff who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other
and contribute to discussions. City Administrator Cammilleri and City Clerk Eklund were
present in the Council Chambers. Cammilleri was the presenter and displayed the meeting
materials for participants to view on their remote screens.
Mayor Christine Maefsky called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll call was taken. The
following were participants to the meeting: Council members Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller,
Chris Ness, Patti Ray and Mayor Christine Maefsky. Staff participating: City Administrator Ken
Cammilleri, Police Deputy David Peters, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Public Works Director Adam
Hawkinson, and City Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Maefsky announced the following additions to the agenda:
9a) Proclamation regarding the wearing of protective masks
Ness, seconded by Ray, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call vote:
Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness – yes; Cusick – yes; Maefsky – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
PRESENTATION FROM LAKES CENTER FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES – LINDA
MADSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Madsen, Executive Director of the Lakes Center for Youth and Families, provided
information on the services offered to youth and families, serving 12 communities within the
Forest Lake School District. In 2019, 550 clients ages 3 – 80’s, utilized the programs and
services. Workforce readiness, youth enrichment, counseling and intervention are some of the
programs offered, now being done via telehealth sessions during the Covid-19 situation. Madsen
noted the organization’s loss of charitable gambling revenue from Running Aces now absent
with the state’s stay at home orders. Madsen said this is a concern, but overall, the organization
is doing very well serving their clients.
Mayor Maefsky stated that the organization has done remarkable and beneficial growth, and the
City is proud to support LC4YF.
DISCUSSION ON EXCESSIVE POLICE CALLS TO 18000 BLOCK OF LAYTON
AVENUE
Council member Kronmiller explained that the excessive number of police calls to the 18000
block of Layton Avenue concerning complaints, civil matters and disputes, has put the
neighborhood in a state of chaos and they asking for help. Kronmiller said staff is making good
efforts to enforce ordinances but what other actions should the City take to address the situation.
City Administrator Cammilleri explained the challenges of code enforcement and that nuisance
complaints do not have immediate resolution. Cammilleri noted that the Council could 1)
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approve the purchase of a decibel meter for the deputy; and 2) make significant changes to
exterior storage and parking ordinances to clear up confusing language. The lack of a leash law
is also challenging for all areas in Scandia. Deputy Peters stated that a large majority of the calls
are complaints based on perceived activities and not related to ordinances.
Council member Kronmiller said that neighbors are picking on neighbors by calling police. What
can the Council do to help the neighbors get along? Council member Ray suggested a
neighborhood organization. Mayor Maefsky agreed and stated that she will communicate with
residents that city officials are willing to help them form a community organization to improve
communications among the neighborhood once the governor’s order to limit gatherings is lifted.
DISCUSSION ON USE OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER PARKING LOT FOR THE
SCANDIA FARMERS MARKET
Sarah Porubcansky requested use of the Community Center parking lot for this season’s market
because the Gammelgarden grounds are not conducive for social distancing. A map of the
proposed market layout was presented, with an explanation that the area will be roped off and the
entry controlled for proper customer distancing. The market organizers are following
recommended protocol for handwashing stations, use of sanitizer and the wearing of protective
face coverings. Porubcansky explained that the market will be transactional only and not a social
gathering as in past years.
Staff recommended that the Market provide to the City a public liability insurance policy naming
the City as an additional insured entity with limits of not less than one million dollars per
occurrence, prior to the opening of the Market on June 10th.
Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the use of the Community Center’s
parking lot for the Scandia Farmer’s Market from June 10th to September 16th. Council
member Kronmiller asked if the organizers have a contingency plan if the crowd gets too large.
Porubcansky explained that they will control the number of people entering the market area, and
can shut the market down if needed. Roll call vote: Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness – yes;
Cusick – yes; Maefsky – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
REVIEW CONSULTANT PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT CODE RE-WRITE
PROJECT
City Administrator Cammilleri explained that the Development Code Re-Write Committee
narrowed the selection of finalists for award of the project to MSA Professional Services, Inc.
and SCH (Swanson Haskamp Consulting, LLC). Mayor Maefsky, Council member Kronmiller,
and two Planning Commissioners served on the Committee.
Each firm described their proposal for the Development and Zoning Code Update Project, a
required update of the City’s official controls for consistency with the recently adopted 2040
Comprehensive Plan.
Council members Ness and Ray asked for more time to research both proposals for a decision at
the next Council meeting.
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Ness, seconded by Ray, moved to table further review of consultant proposals to the May
19, 2020 Council meeting. Roll call vote: Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness – yes; Cusick –
yes; Maefsky – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON NO WAKE ZONE AND ENFORCEMENT ON SCANDIA AREA
LAKES
Administrator Cammilleri explained the state application process for the adoption of surface
water regulations on Goose Lake. Cammilleri is waiting on a reply from the Carnelian-Marine
Watershed District for assistance with the application, and will provide an update at the next
meeting. Mayor Maefsky stated that she has heard from residents on the lake with concerns of
high-water levels.
DISCUSSION ON PROVIDING FLOOD CONTROL MATERIALS FOR RESIDENTS
Discussion on providing flood control materials for residents was continued from the last
meeting. Administrator Cammilleri explained that sand bagging materials could be stored at the
Public Works site, but it would be logistically difficult to charge residents for them. Council
member Ray reported that there was no interest from Bone Lake residents. Council member Ness
stated this appears to be a solution without a problem, and there is no need to pursue a supply of
sand bags for flood control.
Ness, seconded by Ray, moved to not provide sand bags for flood control to residents. Roll
call vote: Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness – yes; Cusick – yes; Maefsky – yes. Motion
carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ON THE LIONS CLUB RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE IN THE
COMMUNITY CENTER ON JUNE 15, 2020
Mayor Maefsky reported that the Scandia-Marine Lions Club is looking for approval to host a
Red Cross blood drive at the Community Center on June 15th. Administrator Cammilleri
explained that the Red Cross will be using the indoor space as the staging area, but doing blood
collection from their mobile vans in the parking lot.
Kronmiller, seconded by Ness, moved to allow the Lions to host a Red Cross blood drive at
the Community Center on June 15th with the stipulation that state guidelines for Covid-19
safety protocols are in place. Roll call vote: Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness – yes; Cusick
– yes; Maefsky – yes. Motion carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATION REGARDING THE WEARING OF PROTECTIVE MASKS
Mayor Maefsky presented a proclamation for the Council to adopt which would support a
directive for Minnesotans to wear masks when outside their homes, including face to face
interaction at retail stores. Maefsky explained that this would encourage residents to be safe and
show support for area businesses to protect their employees.
Council members Kronmiller and Ray stated that they support this 100%, to show support and
help slow the spread of Covid-19.
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Council member Ness said he is not opposed to wearing masks, but this is an issue the city does
not need to get into. Council member Cusick agreed that the directive has come from the
governor and doesn’t need to be taken up by the city.
Ray, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to approve the proclamation to support the wearing
of protective masks when outside homes. Roll call vote: Kronmiller – yes; Ray – yes; Ness –
no; Cusick – no; Maefsky – yes. Motion carried 3-2.
ADJOURNMENT
Ness, seconded by Kronmiller, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk