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8.a 12-07-2020 Minutes DRAFT City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, December 7, 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 remotely. The following were participants to the meeting: Committee members Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Cami VanAble and Patti Ray (City Council Representative). Staff members Ken Cammilleri (City Administrator), Adam Hawkinson (Director of Public Works), and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant). Absent: Dustin Hegland. The meeting was called to order 7:01 p.m., a quorum was present. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Zauner, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the agenda. Roll call vote, the motion carried 4-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the November 2, 2020 minutes. No additions or corrections were submitted. The minutes stand approved. REPORTS Chair Report Chair Gorham provided a written report. In addition, City Council approved soliciting ice rink advertisements under the existing policy in a 3-2 vote. Zauner and Gorham agreed to contact businesses individually for new advertisements and staff will update the two advertisers who have been on hold to move forward in the process. Public Works Director Report Hawkinson provided a written report. In addition, Hawkinson reported that he is investigating options for sign posts that will look like brick or wood at a reduced cost than actual brickwork. The weather has not allowed Public Works to begin the process of making ice for the rink, and staff added that the ice rink attendants are arranged but it is anticipated that the warming house will be closed to the public. OLD BUSINESS Eagle Scout Project in Lilleskogen Park Ray assisted Eagle Scout candidate Xavier in presenting his project to create 50 cement stepping stones at Lilleskogen Park. River rocks will form numbers 1 to 50 set in concrete to be set out in a Hopscotch pattern (two stones, space, one stone, two stones, etc.) PRC recommended altering the proposed material to concrete with fiberglass instead to eliminate the need for mesh reinforcement. Public Works will direct Xavier where and how to place the finished stones. Xavier answered PRC’s questions and is responsible for all aspects of this project, with the full support, endorsement, and appreciation of the PRC. CLFLWSD Collaboration with Bone Lake: Ray communicated with CLFLWSD board member Jen Oknich, and recommended a PRC member attend their December 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m. board meeting on behalf of PRC to start a discussion on this potential project December 7, 2020 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 3 collaboration. Gorham will attend. Ray also reported that the Bone Lake Association anticipates building the trail as soon as it is safe to do so from a public health perspective. Lilleskogen Storyboard Update Ray reported the Lions Coloring contest winning entries are currently on display in the Lilleskogen Storyboards. Ray has attempted contacting the Scandia Elementary School principal, Julie Hull, but they have not been successful yet. The children’s story book, Early to Bed, Late to Rise by Deborah Smith, has been published and is for sale at Gammelgarden’s Butik. Ray is working with Gammelgarden and their upcoming anniversary event. Cammilleri agreed to provide $50 as a prize for the children’s story contest in this event. Ray announced the Tourism Committee will now be working with Scandia’s sister city, Mellerud, Sweden. Ray also stated that the bridge in Lilleskogen Park would be an idyllic place to take pictures with a wreath added next winter. Committee members recommended searching for a solar powered lighted wreath. Zauner suggested a book signing event this summer for Smith, and Ray has been approached by another local artist who is considering writing a children’s book to be on display as Smith’s book was. The priority is to display children’s work, but the health pandemic has made it challenging to coordinate and Ray is considering other options. Another idea is to collaborate this summer with the Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails for an educational event for children at Lilleskogen Park. Playground Equipment Replacement Update VanAble provided a written report. After discussion, members agreed involving community members on a subcommittee as the next step. Cammilleri informed members that projects in excess of $175,000 require a competitive bidding process. VanAble agreed to represent SPRC on this proposed subcommittee. Motion by Gorham, seconded by Zauner, to recommend to City Council forming a subcommittee to access what kind of equipment to purchase and prepare an estimate to send out RFP (Request For Proposals) for playground equipment. Roll call vote, the motion carried 4-0. Skating Program Update Stignani provided a written report. PRC discussed Herman’s recommendation and supports offering Learn to Skate classes in January if the Minnesota Department of Health and Governor Waltz Executive Orders allow activities of this nature. NEW BUSINESS Website Parks & Recreation Presentation Staff demonstrated the progress on the new website. Maps are suggested be included on the site. Committee members are assisting staff to update the descriptions of parks. Gorham and VanAble will give staff more specific feedback on content when the site is structured properly and ready for a more careful examination. Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails Mary Hooley, 2021 President of Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails, reached out to see if there are any projects the PRC is considering or working on that would interest SP & T members. Hooley listed some past SP & T projects and will watch PRC meeting agendas for topics that may become collaborative efforts in the future. PRC Volunteers to be ‘ambassadors’ for a park property Ray suggested PRC members advocate for one Scandia park. PRC members would select one park to visit at least once every two to three weeks, and make suggestions as appropriate to PRC that would improve that park’s amenities or utility. December 7, 2020 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 3 of 3 AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING The proposed agenda for the Monday, January 4, 2020 meeting: 1. Playground Equipment Replacement Update 2. Park Ambassadors 3. CLFLWD Collaboration Update 4. Signs Update 5. Website Update ADJOURNMENT Motion by Zauner, seconded by VanAble, to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote, the motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator