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7.a. PRC Minutes DRAFT City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Thursday, September 3, 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) and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant). The meeting was called to order 7:01 p.m., a quorum was present. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Gorham requested removing agenda items 6. B. and 6. C. from this meeting. Motion by VanAble, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call vote: Van Able – yes, Schwinghammer – yes, Zauner – yes, Gorham – yes. The motion carried 4-0. Hegland was absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Gorham requested a correction to remove his name from the approval of the agenda as voting affirmative as he did not attend. Ray requested correction of the time for volunteers at the Midco event to reflect 6-7 p.m. Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hegland, to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call vote: Van Able – yes, Hegland – yes, Zauner – yes, Schwinghammer – yes, Gorham – yes. The motion carried 5-0. Hegland joined. REPORTS Chair Report Chair Gorham provided an oral report. The Capital Planning Process is underway. The Early Migrating Bird Project completed plantings, the expansion at Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Field seems good and the Hay Lake planting has a River Birch that does not seem to be fairing well. If it does not recover, Abrahamson Nurseries will replace if necessary next year. Olivia will prepare a written update at a later date. Public Works Director Report Hawkinson provided a written report. Cammilleri added that the city is investigating LED lighting replacement at Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Field and Skate Park. Gorham inquired if the sign project has moved forward. Cammilleri stated the unexpected changes on the Tourism Committee has contributed to the continued delay. Staff Report Stignani provided a written report. Staff will reach out to the elementary school to see if busses will be available to students who participate in Learn to Skate, if offered. Staff will contact past instructor and rink attendants to potentially provide outdoor winter activities if deemed plausible by the City Council at a later date. OLD BUSINESS Vinterfest: September 3, 2020 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 3 Zauner reported that the city wants to consider providing outdoor Vinterfest activities. He has contacted past outdoor participants, and no one is committing yet to participating in 2021. Zauner reported a suggestion to add bean bag toss games with the snow sculpture contest, Kubb tournament and hockey tournament plus some activity at Lilleskogen. Discussion continued regarding contacting city contracted businesses for prize donations, supplies for proposed activities, drafting a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan specific to Vinterfest and necessary deadlines in October. The committee members concluded that there are too many factors, too much difficulty, too much hesitancy and too many unknowns to try to move forward to plan Vinterfest 2021. Motion by Zauner, seconded by Schwinghammer, to recommend to City Council to cancel Vinterfest 2021. Roll call vote: VanAble – yes, Schwinghammer – yes, Hegland – yes, Zauner – yes, Gorham – yes. The motion carried 5-0. Midco Event – Ray reported a press release will go out Friday, September 4, 2020 to the County Messenger and Forest Lake Times regarding the Midco Ribbon Cutting Event on Wednesday, September 16, 2020. The deadline for student submissions for the Lilleskogen Story Student competition is 4 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020. All PRC members have volunteered to assist at this event, beginning at 5:45 p.m. to pass out the Meister Burger boxed dinners. Ray explained that the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony begins at noon at Hay Lake where boxed lunches will be distributed, then Midco materials will be handed out at a booth at the Scandia Farmers Market 3:30-6:30 p.m. and the final event is the story competition at Lilleskogen with prizes awarded and boxed dinners to conclude at 7 p.m. CLFLWSD Collaboration with Bone Lake: Ray reported that a letter has been sent to CLFLWSD to assist writing a grant proposal, designing a boardwalk and creating an educational environment to the community as well emphasizing the importance of the connection of the wetlands and health of the lake. Cammilleri suggested applying also for LCCMR funds – this is the state’s wildlife fund. NEW BUSINESS Develop Long-term Park Plan Chair Gorham introduced the idea to developing a long-term park plan. Cammilleri provided more explanation of the scope and purpose. Staff will provide examples of other agency’s park plans for the committee to consider before preparing a Request for Proposal recommendation to City Council. Trail Extension to Ozark Ave Chair Gorham presented a comment by a resident who observed there is not a safe trail from Scandia Mall back to the Community Center area. Cammilleri pointed out that the city owns a narrow stretch of land that connects Ozark Avenue to 209th Street near the proposed bike trail. A preliminary engineering assessment is already completed on a segment where the city is considering installing a tunnel on the trail, funded last year by the DNR. This 30’ wide stretch of city owned land would need a preliminary engineering assessment plus a Wetland Delineation Report to get an idea of the cost to consider making a safe trail available. A more accurate estimate of these costs would enable the city seek grant funding. Cammilleri will contact the city engineer for an estimate of preliminary engineering costs for this potential project. Tax Forfeited Land Option to Acquire for Scandia Parks Chair Gorham presented information regarding a letter from Andrea Banaszewski, Washington County Tax Forfeited Land Specialist, offering the City of Scandia to take possession of a parcel of land in Scandia for authorized public use or public purpose, which would include a city park. If the PRC would recommend to City Council to accept this parcel, action must be taken within 60 days of the August 10, 2020 letter of notification. September 3, 2020 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 3 of 3 Committee members discussed park use options, the connection of nearby city owned property, use and deed restrictions, the potential value to the City as an affordable parcel of land for a potential new resident to develop, and the importance of collecting community input if the intent is to develop as a park. Cammilleri recommends if PRC recommends to City Council to accept this tax forfeited parcel, that the City list Parks, Trail, Public for use on the restricted deed. Motion by Hegland to accept this parcel with Deed Restrictions, seconded by Zauner. Extra discussion Gorham reiterated the city owns nearby property for future utility needs, and because the traditional park development already exists at the south end of the lake, he is skeptical that this is something that the city should pursue. Ray added that the property should be sold to a young family to keep the schools growing and developing as it is a reasonably priced piece of property. Zauner pointed out that at auction, there is no guarantee who the purchasing party will be. Roll call vote: Schwinghammer – no, Gorham – no, Zauner – yes, Hegland – yes, Van Able – yes. Motion carried 3-2. PRC Consent to add: Consider Public Internet Service at Hay Lake Park Cammilleri reported that the Internet Action Committee would like to know if the Parks & Recreation Committee would support recommending to City Council installation of publicly available internet service at Hay Lake Park. The CARES Act funds would cover the cost of installation and the $50 monthly fee, likely only through November 2020. Discussion about pros and cons ended with recommendation to go back to IAC to consider the Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Park instead. PRC Discussion for Playground Update that was removed from the agenda VanAble and Gorham will finalize a community input survey by September 11, 2020 to be included with other community notifications. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING The proposed agenda for the Thursday, September 3, 2020 meeting: 1. Skating Program 2. CLFLWD Collaboration Update 3. Long-term Park Plan Update 4. Playground Update 5. Ice Rink Advertisement 6. Trail Extension Update 7. Local Club to Adopt Gardens at Hwy 97 & Olinda Trl N ADJOURNMENT Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hegland, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator