8.a Park &Rec Committee 07-06-2020 Minutes DRAFTCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, July 6, 2020
A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee 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
Committee members and staff who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to
discussions. City Administrator Cammilleri was present in the Council Chambers. Cammilleri was the
presenter and displayed the meeting materials for participants to view on their remote screens.
The following were participants to the meeting: Committee members Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner
(Vice Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Dustin Hegland and Cami Van Abel and Patti Ray (City Council
Representative). Staff members Ken Cammilleri (City Administrator), Adam Hawkinson (Director of Public
Works) and Brenda "Bee" Stignani (Office Assistant)
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no public comments
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hegland, to approve the agenda. Roll call vote: Hegland - yes, Van Able
— yes, Schwinghammer — yes, Zauner — yes, Gorham — yes. The motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the June 1, 2020 minutes. No additions or
corrections were submitted. The minutes stand approved.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham saved his report for old business.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson provided a written report. In addition, Hawkinson reported the intention of a group using the
lighted baseball field to donate a safety base, bleachers are being assembled for the lighted ballfield indoors
as weather and other projects permit and as there is some new volunteers participating in the area so he
suggests the new website project include improvement in visibility of volunteer opportunities.
OLD BUSINESS
Early Bird Migration Project Update
Gorham referred to his written chair report.
Pollinator Project Update
Gorham referred to his written chair report.
Capital Improvement Plan
Cammilleri updated the status of the Park Improvement Fund. Cammilleri recommended the PRC to consider a
7 -10 -year outlay. Cammilleri updated the DNR grant status for Lilleskogen Park. Hawkinson recommended
updating the 2005 Parks and Open Space Plan as members discussed options and goals with a need for a broad
picture, staff will provide this material as a starting point to committee members. The City Council will be
discussing possible renovations to the Community Center which would include any possible projects for parks,
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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in particular the expansion or changing of the skate park rinks. All committee members are to forward possible
project ideas to Cammilleri, and consider including Gorham, for future discussion.
Warming House Vending Machine Update
Schwinghammer reports there are no updates as possible providers have not returned messages. Gorham noted
there is no point to continue to look for further updates until the COVID-19 health pandemic ends to be able to
follow through on any recommendations to the City Council. Revisit this topic in the spring of 2021.
NEW BUSINESS
Vinterfest
Zauner provided a report of topics surrounding Vinterfest improvements or changes to be considered for 2021
if the COVID-19 health pandemic comes to an end in time.
Ice Rink Advertisement
Inquiries have come to the city offices about adverting opportunities in connection with the participation fees
associated with Vinterfest. PRC discussed various options, Gorham and Cammilleri will draft a policy for
consideration at the next meeting.
Playground Strategy
Cammilleri reported that the 2021 CIP forecasted updating the Community Center playground equipment, and
the Wayne Erickson Lighted Ballfield playground equipment at a later date. In light of the City Council's intended
discussion of updating the Community Center and its grounds, Cammilleri recommended the PRC consider
altering the order of updating equipment. After further discussion of decisions to consider for the scope and
target age range, VanAble volunteered to solicit community input through an avenue such as Survey Monkey to
update the PRC at a later date.
Walk in the Park — New author for Lilleskogen story boards, possible event
Ray reported that nationally published children's author Debra Mitts -Smith wrote the latest story for Lilleskogen
Children's Story Path, "Early to Bed, Late to Rise." Ray will prepare a press release and was considering how to
socially distance, and have a scavenger hunt activity with a honey stick from Bone Lake Meadows as a reward
for participation at the Scandia Farmer's Market. Staff will promote on the city website and Facebook.
Midco Sponsored event
Ray reported that Midco will be hosting a ribbon cutting event and would like to sponsor a Parks & Recreation
event in August or September. Suggestions included: meeting with the new principal at Scandia Elementary
School, hosting a small tournament through the Forest Lake Youth Baseball Association, booth at the Scandia
Farmer's Market, posting information at the trailhead of Lilleskogen's Children's Story Path, hosting outdoor
movies, an ice cream social, live music in a park, and sponsoring a special day at Lilleskogen. All suggestions
were discussed making adaptations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bone Lake Park — Comfort Lake Association Support and naming park
Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District has indicated their designer on staff would be available to assist
the City of Scandia in developing Bone Lake Park. CLFLWD would also support Ray and Cammilleri in applying
for grants for this developing project. Ray collected the following Swedish words and phrases to consider
naming Bone Lake Park: " en stig" ( a narrow path e.g. in the nature - in the woods, "en skogs -stig (exact
translation a path in the woods,) en skogs-stig (woods =en sko,) en skogsstig - a path through the woods, and
Troll Skogen which mean troll woods. After discussion, Troll Skogen was selected.
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AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, August 3, 2020 meeting:
1. Vinterfest
2. Ice Rink Advertisement
3. Playground Community Input Update
4. Walk in the Park
5. Capital Improvement Plan Follow Up
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Zauner, seconded by VanAble, to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote: Schwinghammer —yes,
VanAble — yes, Hegland — yes, Zauner — yes, Gorham — yes. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda "Bee" Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator