Staff Report on Committee Terms
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Date of Meeting: November 23, 2021
To: Tourism Committee
From: Brenda Bee Stignani, Office Assistant
Re: Committee Member Terms
As requested, staff researched the history of the establishment of the Tourism Committee. This
committee was established to be 5-7 members and the terms of each member was not formally
established. It was understood that one member of this committee would be a current member of the
Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the remaining from the community.
Staff recommends the currently appointed members establish terms to be 2-years with terms expiring
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on February 1 of any given year.
Staff recommends that half of the non-EDA members terms expire every other year and that there be
no limit on the number of terms any person may apply or be appointed by City Council.
Staff recommends that committee members Gacek, Moratzka, Porubcansky and Schlingerman, 2 choose
for their term to expire on February 1, 2022 and the other 2 choose for their term to expire on February
1, 2023.
As the committee wishes to expand to 7 members, staff recommends posting applications are being
accepted where one term expires February 1, 2022 and the other on February 1, 2023 with the hope
that anyone appointed between now and the first expiring term would consider reapplying immediately
for the next 2-year term.
June 18, 2019 City Council Minutes:
DISCUSSION ON EDA RECOMMENDATION TO FORM A TOURISM COMMITTEE
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At its June 10 meeting, the EDA recommended the formation of a Tourism Committee to lead tourism
efforts for the community. The EDA would like it to be comprised of 5-7 members representing the
business community, existing tourism venues, and community volunteer groups that would build
support and a vision for tourism development and establish priorities for meeting the strategies of the
Tourism Assessment report recently completed by the University of MN Tourism Center.
Ray, seconded by Ness, moved to approve the formation of a Tourism Committee as recommended by
the EDA. The motion carried 4-0.
June 10, 2019 EDA Minutes:
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Discussion on Tourism Assessment At the April 24 EDA breakfast meeting with businesses, a
presentation on the Tourism Assessment was given by Cynthia Messer, UM Tourism Development
Center. Short term ideas and strategies included the creation of a task force/committee to lead
community tourism efforts. Motion by Porubcansky, seconded Ray, to recommend to the City Council
the establishment of Tourism Committee comprised of 5-7 members representing the business
community, existing tourism venues, and community volunteer organizations that would build support
and a vision for tourism development and establish priorities for meeting the strategies of the tourism
assessment. The Committee would regularly report to the City Council. Vote: 4-0. Motion carried.
November 5, 2019 Tourism Committee Posting:
The Scandia Economic Development Authority contracted with the University of Minnesota Tourism Center to
conduct an assessment of the potential for the development of tourism in Scandia. The 12-month Tourism
Assessment Program gathered input from community, experts, and visitors to provide a 360-degree snapshot of
current tourism in Scandia and identify opportunities for the community to enhance or expand its tourism offerings.
The goal of tourism development in Scandia is to bring economic vitality to the city in a way that honors and
the wishes of the Scandia
community as seen through its 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Tourism is a $15.3 billion industry in Minnesota. It is
seen as having great potential for promoting appropriate scale and focused economic development in Scandia that
will benefit both residents and visitors.
One of the Assessment first recommendations was that the city establish a Tourism Committee to
lead community tourism efforts. The committee can organize and host regular meetings to create a
tourism development plan that communicates the value of tourism and local assets, as well as implement a
marketing plan to coordinate tourism promotion efforts.
Actions will include:
Establishing ongoing community and stakeholder engagement to build support and a vision for
tourism development that aligns with community goals.
Identify others in the community who can/should be involved in tourism.
Invite youth, seniors and new community members to participate in tourism discussions.
Develop a written plan for tourism development.
Create a marketing plan for tourism in the community.
Establish a budget for tourism promotion.
Interested residents are encouraged to apply.