08.a 03.07.2022 PRC Minutes DRAFT
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, March 7, 2022
A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center
and on Zoom. Committee members present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), Thomas Hinz.
Kimberly Johnson participated via Zoom. Absent: Dustin Hegland. Staff Charles Fischer (Director of Public
Works) and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant via Zoom) also attended. The meeting was called to order
by Gorham at 7:01 p.m., a quorum was present.
PUBLIC FORUM
None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Gorham requested Summer Recreational Program Discussion in New Business as item 7.b. Motion to approve
the agenda as amended by Zauner, seconded by Hinz. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the February 7, 2022 minutes. No additions or
corrections were submitted. The minutes stand approved. Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections
to the February 15, 2022 Joint City Council Special meeting minutes. No additions or corrections were submitted.
The minutes stand approved. Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the February 22, 2022
Special meeting minutes. No additions or corrections were submitted. The minutes stand approved.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham reported meeting with representatives of the Scandia Heritage Alliance with Charles Fischer to
discuss PRC’s support in the Water Tower Barn project, in particular grant options with trail additions that would
include the Community Center and other park grounds. Gorham stated his chair report will continue by
comments on other agenda items.
Public Works Report
Fischer provided a written report. Gorham requested feedback over the first seasonal use of the Zamboni.
Fischer indicated that two full propane tanks were insufficient to meet the needs at Vinterfest and one additional
tank will be necessary in the future. Fischer will contact R&R Specialties to service the Zamboni later this year.
OLD BUSINESS
Chair & Vice-Chair Nominations
Zauner nominated Gorham to serve as Chair for the next term of 2022, seconded by Hinz. Motion passed by
roll call vote, 3-0.
Gorham nominated Zauner to serve as Vice-Chair for the next term of 2022, seconded by Hinz. Motion passed
by roll call vote, 3-0.
Park Planning Proposals Update
Gorham reported City Council approved accepting MSA’s proposal for A Parks, Recreation, and Open Space
Master Plan. Fischer stated Cammilleri is drafting a contract for Council’s consideration at their March 15, 2022
meeting. Zauner requested MSA include incorporating community involvement in Taco Daze and contacting
Scandia Elementary School directly, even if it would mean delaying their start date as their proposal schedule
completes this phase prior to Taco Daze. Zauner inquired if the approval from the Watershed is on schedule for
this spring. Fischer reported that preliminary watershed feedback indicates the location recommended by PRC
possibly will not require a full wetland delineation report. More information will be available later in the spring.
March 7, 2022
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Playground Update
Fischer referred to PW written report. The DNR grant awards are announced in July, the request would be $110k
or so, depending on some matching fund commitments. Gorham will follow up with the Lions to see if they will
be able to complete their request process in time for Council’s deadline for the March 15, 2022 regular meeting
to consider approving the application Fischer is preparing. Zauner inquired if other grant opportunities are been
pursued. Fischer replied that other grants are expired or did not fit into the scope of this project. However, the
Carnelian-Marine St Croix Watershed District is working on 500 sq ft rain garden plans to contribute to this
project. Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails or the Real Housewives of Bone Lake may be sources of potential
volunteers to help plant this rain garden. Fischer asked if any PRC members have reached out, or if there is a
future plan, to local businesses for local support. Staff will locate the letter drafted for this purpose.
PRC Operational Calendar
No changes
NEW BUSINESS
On-going and Future Projects
• Gorham reported that Ray is requesting that a PRC member consider taking over the role of liaison
between PRC’s Children’s Story Path and Scandia Elementary School. Johnson indicated she is
interested, and will reach out to Ray for further details.
• Zauner inquired as to the state of the StarWatch Party deposit and rescheduling. Discussion included
incorporating this event with the potential dinner event in Lilleskogen Park in the fall, at Vinterfest 2023
or Hay Lake Park in any season. Zauner strongly discouraged Vinterfest with the cold weather challenges
and distraction from the Village Center events. Gorham requested staff get clarification on the status
of the donated funds and address rescheduling the StarWatch Party in the April PRC meeting.
• Stignani inquired if the Park Ambassador suggestion by Ray will be implemented now that conditions
have improved for PRC members to more regularly visit parks. Staff will locate details on which park
each committee member volunteered to report back needs or project ideas periodically, as well as to
use the Public Works online requests for service to report missing signage, down trees or the like.
• Stignani inquired if the School Forest Project is still being considered or not. Johnson indicated an
interest to communicate with Gorham to get up to speed on this DNR program and contact the current
Scandia Elementary School principal to see if there is still an interest to pursue this arrangement.
Summer Recreational Programming Discussion
• Gorham asked staff to contact St. Croix Festival Theater to see if they were still interested in hosting a
summer Art in Action camp this year. Zauner inquired if there is still a possibility to partner with the
local Girl Scout troop for the Camp Lakamaga summer camp programs. Stignani explained that Camp
Lakamaga fills up their programs, but has dropped Scandia’s Park and Recreational requests to host a
camp because these camps have consistently not met the minimum registration requirements. Other
organizations or Girl Scout troops have filled their programs instead over the past few years. Stignani
asked if the Share your Skills class concept suggested by Ray has any renewed interest. Gorham will see
Ann Rinkenberger to see if she has any interest later this week. Fischer commented that PW relocated
bins with PRC craft supplies and recreational items (most notably, a large number of dodgeballs) from
cold storage to the Annex building. Staff will research if there are official inventory lists of any items.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
March 7, 2022
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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The proposed agenda for the Monday, April 4, 2022 meeting:
1. Review PRC Bylaws and Duties & Functions documents
2. StarWatch Party Reschedule
3. Summer Recreational Programing
4. Park Planning Update
5. Playground Update
6. Park Ambassadors
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hinz, seconded by Zauner, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously by roll call.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator