10-06-2021 Work SessionOctober 6, 2021
A work session meeting of the Scandia City Council was held on the above date with
modifications. The meeting was conducted in-person at the Scandia Community Center and over
an electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other
and contribute to discussions.
Mayor Christine Maefsky called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present:
Council members Heather Benson, Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller, Patti Ray and Mayor
Christine Maefsky. Staff participating: City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, Public Works
Director Charles Fischer, and City Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Maefsky added Agenda Item #8.a) Discussion of the City's Covid emergency plan and
potential for remote meetings. Benson, seconded by Ray, moved to approve the agenda as
amended. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
INTERVIEW PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE APPLICANT KIMBERLY
JOHNSON
Kimberly Johnson was the only applicant for the unexpired term on the Parks and Recreation
Committee. Ms. Johnson was not present for the interview. The opening will be re -advertised on
the City's website and Facebook page, for interviewing at the November 3rd Council Work
Session.
CONSIDERATION OF KITCHEN RENTAL AGREEMENT FROM HEIDI SKOOG
Staff recommended approval of a kitchen rental agreement with local resident Heidi Skoog who
proposes to use the Community Center kitchen up to 50 hours a month for her jam -making
business, with a condition that Ms. Skoog submit the required liability insurance policy naming
the City as an additional insured.
Ray, second by Benson, moved to approve the Kitchen Rental Agreement with Heidi Skoog
conditioned on the submission of the required insurance certificate of liability naming the
City of Scandia as an additional insured. The motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
COMFORT LAKE -FOREST LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT GREENWAY
CORRIDORS INITIATIVE
Nick Banks, Senior Land Management Coordinator with the Comfort Lake -Forest Lake
Watershed District, presented the District's Greenway Corridor concept and initiative, described
as an opportunity to protect and improve waters by connecting communities through natural
corridors. Maps of potential corridor connections were viewed. Banks said this long-range plan
is on a multi -decade timeline, beginning with this informal exploration with stakeholders to
gauge interest and collaboration. Future conversations will include a strategy for partnerships,
programming and budgeting.
October 6, 2021
Scandia City Council
Page 2 of 3
OVERVIEW OF DRAFT CARNELIAN -MARINE -ST CROIX WATERSHED
DISTRICT'S WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Mike Isensee, Carnelian -Marine -St. Croix Watershed Administrator, presented an overview of
the draft 2022-2031 CMSCWD Management Plan which contains measurable goals to
accomplish improvements on eleven surface water bodies in Scandia over the next decade. The
goals are to be met by actions identified in the 10 -year management plan over the next decade.
Capital improvement projects, eight being in Scandia, will focus on reducing stormwater runoff
pollutants, stabilizing erosion prone areas and reducing sediment deposits, including stream
restoration for improved water quality flowing to the St Croix River. Comments on the draft are
due by October 15th, with a second public hearing scheduled with the Board of Managers on
November 18th
CONSIDERATION OF PARK HUNTING PERMIT REQUEST FROM JOHN MOSZER
John Moszer has requested a special use permit for he and his son to hunt a parcel of land within
the Balfanz Valley View Subdivision. This 7.5 -acre property was dedicated to New Scandia
Township in 1972 for public purposes and is subject to the city's park ordinance. The parcel has
no road access; Moszer provided written permission from an adjacent landowner to enter this
landlocked park area. Staff explained that it was recently discovered that Mr. Moszer had
constructed a deer stand and ATV trails on the property without permission, a violation of the
park rules.
Mr. Moszer joined the meeting virtually and explained that the property had been used for many
years by others and it was unknown to him that it is considered park land. Four years ago, he had
inquired to the City about hunting on the property and was given informal approval. Mr. Moszer
said he was just recently notified of the restrictions, saying there was no signage until the City
posted "no motor vehicles" in September. He said he used his ATV to remove buckthorn and did
not mean to be destructive.
Staff stated that Mr. Moszer has removed the deer stand and Mr. Moszer will not be prosecuted
for damages to the property.
Council deliberated the request, and noted that hunting with firearms would not be appropriate
due to the residential area and that park rules prohibit the use of his ATV on the land.
Benson, second by Kronmiller, moved to approve a Special Use Permit for Mr. John
Moszer and his son to discharge a bow and arrow on the Balfanz Valley View Subdivision
parcel owned by the City from September 25, 2021 to December 31, 2021. The motion
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION OF TRAFFIC ISSUES IN THE 14800 BLOCK OF OAKHILL ROAD
City Administrator Cammilleri stated that staff will be introducing a nuisance ordinance at the
next Council meeting which will assist with the issues and complaints coming from the 14800
block of Oakhill Road. Staff is also researching the cost of repurposing the cameras from the
Warming House to the Annex to assist with identifying patterns of illegal activity for the
scheduling of extra patrol detail. Cost for extra patrolling is estimated to be $10,000 to cover 2
four hour shifts on weekends through the summer months (13 weeks).
October 6, 2021
Scandia City Council
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CITY'S COVID EMERGENCY PLAN AND POTENTIAL FOR REMOTE MEETINGS
Mayor Maefsky questioned staff as to when the Council should consider moving back to remote
meetings. Administrator Cammilleri explained that the City's emergency declaration is still in
effect, and if desired the City could meet remotely at their discretion. Council member
Kronmiller noted the County's rising Covid transmission and positivity rates as a concern, with
the number of cases trending upward. Council members Benson and Cusick said they are fine
with continuing to meet in person. Council member Ray suggested that Good Neighbor awards
could possibly be delayed so as not to attract large numbers of attendees at Council meetings.
Council agreed that staff should monitor the advisories from the county and state health
departments for in-person meetings.
ADJOURNMENT
Ray, second by Cusick, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk