08.a PRC Minutes DRAFT 04.04.2022
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, April 4, 2022
A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center
and via Zoom. Committee members present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), Kimberly Johnson,
Dustin Hegland and Patti Ray (City Council Representative). Thomas Hinz participated via Zoom. Staff Brenda
“Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant) 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
Stignani suggested adding a Dinner in the Woods item to go with the documents Ray requested to be added to
the meeting packet and PRC Operational Calendar. Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Hegland,
seconded by Zauner. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the March 7, 2022 minutes. No additions or corrections
were submitted. The minutes stand approved.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham did not provide an official report, instead saving comments as the topics were discussed.
Public Works Report
Fischer provided a written report. Additional Orwell Ave Park detail provided by staff: resolution accepting the
forfeited tax land parcel is dated October 20, 2020. The required minimum improvements of a sign, rustic
walking trail and picnic bench are due by October 20, 2023.
OLD BUSINESS
Park Planning Proposals Update
Stignani reported on Cammilleri’s behalf that the contract proposal will be seen, and possibly acted upon, by
Council at the Work Session meeting on Wednesday night. The scope of the work has already been agreed upon,
it is the legal contract language that is being addressed. PRC can expect a project kick-off meeting in the next
few weeks. Anticipate this to be a joint meeting with the City Council. This meeting will help the contractor
identify the important areas of focus, the key stakeholders and firm up the project schedule.
Playground Update
Fischer provided a draft letter of financial support for local businesses. Gorham commented that the text of the
letter implies that additional funds would not be used to increase the number of features, and only support
supplementary aspects of the park (shade, seating, etc.) Gorham would suggest an edit, to encourage more
interactive play opportunities (like additional structures in the SW corner of the proposed layout.) Ray
recommended shortening the letter to one-page, complete letter on the front, and graphics on the back. Zauner
suggested another fundraiser, engraved pavers to be incorporated in the playground surface or in or around the
sidewalk. No changes to the proposed sponsorship levels, insert $25, 000 as the donation goal.
PRC Operational Calendar
Gorham commented that future Council discussions will give PRC directions on Park Capital Planning topics.
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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NEW BUSINESS
Review PRC Bylaws and Duties & Functions documents
Gorham raised the question of altering the bylaws to allow for committee members participating remotely to
be included in the quorum and voting process. Ray confirmed that this is a Minnesota Statute requirement
regarding Open Meeting Laws, and not something that could be addressed by amending bylaws. Ray suggested
considering adding a description of the duties and expectations of the Council Liaison to either the Bylaws or
Duties & Functions document. Discussion concluded that the current system is working and this change would
be reconsidered in the future if a new need arises.
StarWatch Party Reschedule Options
Gorham facilitated discussion which concluded in selecting Saturday, October 1st as the first-choice rescheduled
date and Friday, October 14th as the second choice or a Rain Date if allowed to select. Hosting at Hay Lake Park,
and consideration of adding a bonfire and Smores activities to be ironed out at a later date. Staff will contact
Mike Lynch to request these dates to then be recommended to Council for approval.
Summer Recreational Programming
• Art in Action: Stignani reported St. Croix Festival Theater indicated they have “slotted” Scandia for the
week of August 8th. The community center is not available due to the primary election. Staff will request
July 18th, or a different week in August.
• Yoga: no leads on a new yoga instructor from past instructor, Schwinghammer. Johnson will contact a
potential instructor and request summer classes for one or two nights per week.
• Share Your Skills: Conversations have not led to committed interest by potential Program Directors. Staff
to clarify if a Program Director and or Volunteers would be covered by the city’s insurance plan, or if this
would be a requirement for teachers to provide. Current Learn to Skate instructors are hired by the City
as Seasonal Employees for addressing insurance requirements.
• Kids Who Code: The instructor, Ray’s niece, is out of the country and unable to commit at this time. Ray
will stay in contact and report any changes.
• Other: Pickleball classes? Skateboard classes?
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Gorham, to recommend to Council offering the Art in Action Camp with an
open date option, depending on the calendar of both St. Croix Festival Theater the Community Center. Motion
carried unanimously.
Park Ambassadors
Gorham encouraged all PRC members to visit their parks as ambassadors intentionally two times per year, the
first preferably before the next PRC meeting in four weeks.
• Scandia Community Center – None assigned, PW sees regularly for maintenance needs
• Bone Lake Park – Gorham & Ray
• Leonard Wojtowicz Skating Park - Hegland
• Lilleskogen Park - Zauner
• Liten Park (new Orwell Ave Park) - Hinz
• Log House Landing - NOT a Scandia Park
• Scandia T-Ball Field – None assigned – request PW right the bleachers, and plan to bring them to 2023
Vinterfest
• South Ball Field (future Water Tower Barn center) - Hegland
• Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Park – Zauner & Hegland
• Wind in the Pines – All PRC members
• Hay Lake – Johnson
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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To be included in the next PRC agenda in regard to parks:
• Lilleskogen Park – Rethink the storyboards, winter weather froze the hinges.
• Bone Lake Park – Ray requests starting the process to rename the park formally. Gorham will write a
Survey Monkey introduction, Ray will edit, staff will publish. Future discussion also to include
coordinating with the Bone Lake Association to clear the trail.
Art in the Park Event – Lilleskogen Park
Ray reiterated the idea concept. Discussion included concerns about parking, logistics of tables spread out on
the trail, scheduling a rain date vs. reserving the Community Center as a backup location, limiting the number of
vendors, crafts to be included as well as art vendors, and request for a PRC member to spearhead the project.
Decision for Zauner and Hegland to observe local art & craft fairs in 2022 in preparation for proposing a 2023
Scandia event.
Dinner in the Woods – Lilleskogen Park
Ray reiterated the idea concept. Gorham reported preliminary discussion with Bruce Swenson regarding
catering, if this is possible. Volunteers to help could come from Scandia Marine Lions, or the National Honor
Society members in Forest Lake High School. Lynette Welsch is considering hosting a Lions’ dinner in the park
for their members, perhaps PRC would wait to allow them to identify the potential issues prior to hosting a small
parks fundraiser dinner and reach out to Rustic Roots Winery to see if they have advice as they offer Dinner in
the Vineyard to their patrons. Gorham recommended that tickets to a PRC fundraiser should be profitable at
$50 or less per person in order to consider moving forward. And mosquito control measures in place.
Taco Daze Theme Ideas
In response to Lions member Lynette Welsch’s request for PRC feedback on an environmental Taco Daze theme:
• Story Contest on topic in the Children’s Story Path
• Booth or Table of PRC park plans – with donation’s accepted for park development
• Scavenger Hunt in parks
• Map of things to “find”, one per park, turned in for a prize
• Rock painting – to be used in decorating a park
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, April 4, 2022 meeting:
1. Park Planning Update
2. Playground Update – support letter
3. Park Ambassadors’ Reports
4. Bone Lake Park
5. Lilleskogen Park
6. New Ideas
7. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Hegland, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator