06.a2 Draft minutes 08-03-2022 Work SessionAugust 3, 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 6:33 p.m. The following were present:
Council members Heather Benson, Jerry Cusick, Steve Kronmiller, Patti Ray, and Mayor
Christine Maefsky. Staff present: City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, Public Works Director
Charles Fischer, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Engineer Ryan Goodman, and City Treasurer Colleen
Firkus. Capital Investment Committee members present were Terry Gorham and joining
remotely Dominic Mitchell and Perry Rynders.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Maefsky announced amendments to the agenda:
• Addition of 2.a. Interview for Planning Commission Position
Ray, second by Benson, moved to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 5-0.
INTERVIEW FOR PLANNING COMMISSION POSITION
Mike Lubke was interviewed by the Council for one of two positions open on the Planning
Commission. Mayor Maefsky, seconded by Cusick, moved to accept Mike Lubke for a
position on the Planning Commission. Motion carried 5-0. Lubke will retain his position on the
EDA as well. There is one more opening and one more applicant to be interviewed. Positions have
been posted since July 7, 2022 on the city’s website.
UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE BLISS ADDITION WATER QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – PRESENTED BY MIKE ISENSEE, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF CMSCWD
Executive Director Isensee reported that a Big Marine Lake Subwatershed Analysis was done and
used for grant applications. The goal identified was to reduce phosphorous by 10%. A Clean Water
Fund grant of $274,400 was obtained to treat 7.3 acres and retrofit 6,111 cubic feet of stormwater
treatment. Modeling indicates this will reduce 9.9lb of phosphorous. Two quotes for the work were
received of four solicited. Pre-Design public input meeting walking tour was held on June 16, 2022
which resulted in some locations removed and others potential ones added. A map identifying
projects was presented and discussed with priorities given to treating water flowing directly into the
lake. The Watershed budget is 12.5% of costs with a city match of 12.5% and 75% from the grant.
The grant only covers water quality and not drainage issues. Identifying ways to increase treatment at
some drainage points to improve water quality and identify more costs that can be covered by the
grant.
Maintenance Opportunities: Lower St. Croix Watershed Partnership has an enhanced street
sweeping program to provide incentives and funding to cities to help keep phosphorous out of lakes
by cleaning up leaves/debris from streets. A study by the University of Minnesota identified that as a
way to reduce phosphorous in the watershed. The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake and Rice Creek
Watersheds would also be included. The Washington Conservation District will do the vegetation
maintenance for the first two years as part of their county-wide Best Management Practices spelled
out in an agreement between the city and the Watershed District to use Conservation staff as city
crews are not trained for this kind of maintenance. The next Public Input meeting is August 17 to
review a draft of potential project areas. At the September 2nd public meeting the Watershed plans to
Scandia City Council Work Session
August 3, 2022
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have plans to review. Final design and approval and bids will occur in October 2022 with
construction to commence in 2023.
DISCUSSION OF THE CITY’S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
City Administrator Cammilleri presented a power point regarding sources for funding of capital
projects: 1)Prop Tax Levy, 2)Fund Balance, 3)Grants/Intergovt Revenue, 4)Debt. Cammilleri asked
the Council their preference for funding sources and if they were amenable to use more debt
financing. For example, 50% of the Big Marine Sewer Nitrate project will be paid for by issuing
G.O. bonds of about $500,000. Increasing that it $1 million will allow for more competitive interest
rates and can fund other city projects. The city currently has $38 million in debt. The city can
borrow up to 3% of the estimated market value of all taxable property in the city. Scandia’s
estimated market value is $1,023,241,400 placing Scandia’s current debt level at approximately .37%
of the debt limit of $30,694,242. The Council indicated they would consider using debt as a source
of funding in the upcoming budget process.
Property values increased 25% overall, which will increase the tax rate by .8% and therefore increase
tax payments. This is projected to give the city an additional $200,000 levy without increasing the tax
rate.
The Council asked if sewer user fees will cover the $500,000 nitrate treatment project debt.
Cammilleri indicated that the previously presented increases in user fees will cover the debt
payments. Also, pushing out the primary lift station project will reduce the project costs.
Councilmember Benson asked if it would make more sense to borrow more and take care of Lift
Station now and Cammilleri agreed, but cause a steep increase in user fees. Councilmember Benson
indicated waiting on the Lift Station would be better.
It was decided to hold another joint meeting between the Council and Capital Investment
Committee (CIC) in two weeks to discuss capital projects, their rankings and funding. A staff memo
explaining the process will be sent out with updated reports. Suggested meeting dates will be sent
out as well.
Cammilleri asked if the Council would like him to update the schedule of the 2019 Compensation
Study. The Mayor indicated she was in favor of seeing that. Park & Rec Chair Gorham was also
asked to obtain rankings from the Park & Rec Committee for the meeting. It was noted that the new
park plan will drive Park & Rec priorities.
ADJOURNMENT
Ray, second by Benson, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus
Treasurer