Loading...
8.a PRC Draft 04-05-2021 Minutes City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, April 5, 2021 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), Emmy Lundeen, Dustin Hegland, Cami Van Able, Patti Ray (City Council Representative) and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant). The meeting was called to order 7:00 p.m., a quorum was present. PUBLIC FORUM Residents Nancy and Mike Frank presented their concern over buckthorn growing on a city owned park parcel on Orwell Ave N, identified as Parcel 26.032.20.22.0001. The Franks are transitioning to natural landscaping over maintaining traditional lawns and are concerned that the buckthorn will invade their project when they stop regular mowing. Their purpose is to raise awareness to this issue and invite members of PRC or any City Staff to a site visit to view the approximately 300 feet of shared lot lines with the City and discuss options. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Gorham requested adding tentative dates for the Arts in Action Summer Program and replacing trail signs at Wind in the Pines as New Business items. Ray requested adding the request by Marine Community Library to consider installing a children’s mini library at Lilleskogen Park to New Business. Motion by Van Able, seconded by Hegland, to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call vote, the motion carried 5-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the March 1, 2021 minutes. No additions or corrections were submitted. The minutes stand approved. REPORTS Chair Report Gorham reported an update in contacting the CLFLWD, and he is waiting for a response from Mike Kinney. Staff Report Stignani provided a written report. Staff directed to launch the Name Orwell Ave park survey the 2nd week of May. Zauner questioned if the ballfield advertisement letters included information about the space in the skating rink available. Staff did not include this information. Lundeen would like to have the information necessary to consider advertising, and will look into finding other area businesses to advertise and support these parks. PRC members support the location for the park sign at Lilleskogen as recommended by Public Works. OLD BUSINESS Playground Equipment Replacement Sub-Committee Update Van Able provided an oral report on the first meeting, including the intention to focus on the Community Center playground and leave Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Field to be addressed at a later date. Kindness Story Contest Update April 5, 2021 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 3 Ray reported that the Kindness Project launched Friday, April 2, 2021 with distributing cookies to area commuters and residents at the Cottages. Kindness buttons are being distributed by area businesses at no cost, and more are being requested. The Scandia Marine Food Shelf donation boxes are collecting funds, one business has requested PRC to collect the funds so there is not cash sitting on their counters soon as there seems to be a generous response from residents. The story contest for Scandia Elementary students changed to provide equal cash prizes for one winner from each grade, per the principal’s request. The launch date was inadvertently delayed, so the awards ceremony has been changed to Saturday, April 17, 2021. The process for judging is yet to be determined by Ray, depending on the volume of participants. Buttons, stickers, and fruit snack treats will be provided to all children who attend the ceremony. Staff is providing weekday updates on the number of Kind Acts recorded on Facebook and local newspapers have written articles or scheduled appointments with Ray. PRC Operational Calendar The PRC Operating Calendar indicates Park Capital Improvement Plans, Bark Budget Planning (Fund 404) and Summer Program Planning are to be addressed in April and May. Gorham reported that he is participating in meetings addressing the budgeting, and there is nothing to report yet. NEW BUSINESS Summer Programing: Arts in Action Gorham reported that St. Croix Festival Theater has contacted Parks & Rec to indicate interest in running an Art in Action summer camp, assuming all public health guidelines are met. Staff directed to communicate for proposed dates to recommend to City Council, early August. Ray reported an opportunity to sponsor an Open Eye Theater one-day event, perhaps in connection with Scandia Marine Lions. This is an outdoor puppet show with music that could be held in Hay Lake Park, Lilleskogen Park or even in connection with a playground unveiling in the future. Ray will provide staff with the contact information to follow up. Ray reminded members that Midco intends to sponsor another community event on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 with a bag give-a-way and cookout. Wind in the Pines Trail Signs Replacement Gorham reported there are damaged signs at Wind in the Pines and indicated that Hawkinson was in contact with Rapid Press for cost estimates before his retirement. Staff directed to inquire at Rapid Press to consider options and costs for replacing three signs and trailhead map. Marine Community Library – Children’s Mini Library The Marine Community Library approached Ray to see if Scandia would consider a mobile children’s library unit to be located in Lilleskogen Park. The Marine library would staff and maintain it. Ray will follow up to indicate PRC is receptive to the idea. Members suggested investigating the pros and cons to participate in the official Little Library system vs hosting a book swap in a box potentially shaped like a water tower barn. Members discussed possible locations, near the bridge by a bench and suggested Scandia consider a program to o ffer memorial benches similar to the way Chicago City does. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING The proposed agenda for the Monday, May 3, 2021 meeting: 1. Green Futures Program 2. Park Plan Request for Proposals 3. Bone Lake Park Update 4. Marine Community Library Proposal Update April 5, 2021 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 3 of 3 5. Trail Sign Replacement Wind in the Pines 6. Playground Update 7. Orwell Ave Lots Concept Ideas 8. Operational Calendar ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hegland, seconded by Zauner, to adjourn the meeting. Roll call vote, the motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator