5. Staff Report Committee Terms
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: January 4, 2022
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 on February 1st 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
At its June 10th 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:
Discussion on Tourism Assessment – At the April 24th 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 capitalizes on Scandia’s historic, cultural and environmental assets in accord
with 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 report’s 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.