05-04-2022 Work Session
May 4, 2022
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, Patti Ray, Steve Kronmiller, and Mayor
Christine Maefsky. Staff present: City Administrator Ken Cammilleri (remote), Public Works
Director Charles Fischer, Fire Chief Mike Hinz (remote), and City Clerk Brenda Eklund.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Maefsky announced an addition to the agenda: Agenda Item 9a) Neighbor cities report.
Benson, second by Ray, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0 by
roll call vote.
PRESENTATION FROM LAKES CENTER FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES – LINDA
MADSEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linda Madsen, Executive Director for the Lakes Center for Youth and Families, provided an
annual report on the services offered by the non-profit, which focuses on youth and family
counseling, intervention, and enrichment. Madsen listed off new board members having been
appointed following their annual meeting, and reported that 85% of the financial resources are
spent on program expenses. The organization employs three full-time therapists, and will be
hiring an additional therapist this summer. Enrichment programs such as safety camp, free
afterschool programming in four area elementary schools, and a summer program in North
Branch offer positive decision-making skills to youth. Program data was explained; the
organization served 411 clients in 2021 and conducted 3,441 sessions. Madsen stated that virtual
sessions have been working very well for families and will continue. Madsen thanked the city for
supporting their mission.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE HIRING OF
THREE NEW PROBATIONARY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS
Fire Chief Hinz reported that three candidates went through the interview and physical testing
and he is recommending their hire to the fire department, conditioned on successfully completing
the medical exam and background check.
Cusick, second by Benson, moved to approve the conditional hiring of Zachary J. Caldwell,
Brent G. Gross, and Steven M. Stefano as Probationary Volunteer Firefighters. Motion
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE HIRING SEASONAL
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE WORKER
Public Works Director Fischer recommended hiring John Ziegelski for the 2022 summer season
for grounds maintenance and Public Works assignments, as a 40 hour per week 67-day
appointment at a rate of $15.50/hour, upon passing the required background check. This position
will start in early May.
May 4, 2022
Scandia City Council Work Session
Page 2 of 3
Benson, second by Ray, moved to hire John Ziegelski as recommended by staff. Motion
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF A/V EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
FOR BOARD ROOM
At the April 6th Work Session, Council directed staff to search for a second quote for the
installation of AV equipment in the Council Chambers. Administrator Cammilleri explained that
staff contacted Tierney, Inc. but were unable to obtain a second quote. Tierney declined due to
the potential future complications that may arise during installation and any technical difficulties
while operating the system. PW Director Fischer further explained that Tierney could not quote
equipment that would be compatible with EMI’s existing AV equipment, saying staff retains the
recommendation to approve EMI for the expansion of the AV equipment in the Council
Chambers. Cammilleri noted that the Cable Fund has money to cover the costs of the EMI
equipment upgrade of the AV system in the Council Chambers.
Ray, second by Kronmiller, moved to approve the quote from EMI Audio in the amount of
$38,680.18 for the ability to move public meetings back into the Council Chambers. Motion
carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE AWARD OF DUST CONTROL APPLICATION TO
CONTRACTOR
PW Director Fischer proposes to apply one application of dust control to gravel roads and to
have the ability to apply a second application later in the season to only areas of concern for dust
and road surface instability. Fischer contacted 4 vendors, and received 2 responses for calcium
chloride application, with the low quote from Northern Salt at $1.322 per gallon applied. A full
application will cost $22,474.00. A second application will vary in cost but typically has been
half the amount of the initial full application. Funding for the applications will come out of the
Public Works Contractual Road Maintenance Repair line item.
Council member Kronmiller asked if there are alternatives to liquid calcium chloride. Fischer
said he looked at alternatives, but these are expensive, almost double in cost.
Kronmiller, second by Cusick, moved to authorize dust control to Northern Salt for this
year as recommended by staff. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION
NO. 2022-17 AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO LCCMR FOR FUNDING
CONSTRUCTION OF THE GATEWAY TRAIL SEGMENT
Administrator Cammilleri explained the resolution presented to the Council to authorize staff to
submit a proposal to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) to
obtain funding to complete the segment of the Minnesota DNR Gateway Trail from City owned
property in the Scandia Village Center to William O’Brien State Park through the Environment
and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Cammilleri said the previous attempt at this
funding was not successful, but this time around there is a lobbyist to advocate for the project.
Kronmiller, second by Ray, moved to adopt Resolution No. 2022-17, to Submit for FY 2023
Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Program. Motion carried 5-0 by
roll call vote.
May 4, 2022
Scandia City Council Work Session
Page 3 of 3
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING THE 1,000 ACTS OF
KINDNESS PROJECT
Council member Ray explained that the 1,000 Acts of Kindness Children’s Story project was
endorsed by the PRC at their May 2nd meeting. This is the second year for this story contest.
Awards will be given to the first-place student and classroom, at a cost up to $300. The Citywide
kindness initiative will begin June 1st, with 400 buttons being distributed to area businesses.
Kronmiller, second by Benson, moved to authorize funds up to $300 for the 1,000 Acts of
Kindness Children’s Story project. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
ADDITION: NEIGHBOR CITIES
Mayor Maefsky said she met with Kevin Nyenhuis, Mayor of Marine on St. Croix, to propose a
Mayor’s Picnic at William O’Brien State Park in honor to the park’s 75th anniversary. Maefsky
said the event is in the early planning stage and she will provide more details at a future meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Ray, second by Benson, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0 by roll call vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
City Clerk