09.08.2022 PRC Minutes
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Thursday, September 8, 2022
A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center
and via Zoom. Attended by Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), Tom Hinz, Charles Fischer (Public
Works Director) and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant). Absent: Kimberly Johnson and Dustin Hegland.
Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., a quorum was present.
PUBLIC FORUM
John Maloney, 22190 Olinda Trl N, inquired if the PRC is working to move forward on surveying or any other
steps for the trail near Goose Lake. Gorham clarified that this is not a trail, but an easement and it is topic being
handled by the Council as PRC is only in an advisory role. Fisher provided further clarification regarding the use
of an easement and how the public use of an easement is by a permit or agreement with the city. Maloney has
gathered volunteers who are willing to assist city staff if needed on this project.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Gorham requested to add item 5.c City Staff, to discuss Winter Skating Program. Motion to approve the agenda
as amended by Zauner, seconded by Hinz. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the August 1, 2022 minutes. No additions or corrections were
submitted. The minutes stand approved.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Gorham stated his comments will be later in the meeting on topics.
Public Works Report
Fischer provided a written report adding that a volunteer has continued to assist staff with mowing when able.
The playground replacement project is scheduled to begin after Taco Daze, working with the Washington County
Watershed over the winter to collaborate on the raingarden design, and may be completed as early as May
2023. Zauner requested staff place some type of notice at or near the existing playground in time for Taco Daze
on Saturday announcing the project. Possibly include donation information with photos of the future
equipment. Gorham provided further clarification regarding the MSA Park planning discussion that the Capital
Improvement Committee is working and currently has 60-80k in parks line items that would need to be
considered for the two signs (Liten Park & Hay Lake Park), a pavilion at Lilleskogen Park and development of
trails. Staff asked to get feedback from MSA on the status of the community survey to see if efforts should go
into the elementary school’s Digital Backpack notice to parents or not with the September 12th survey end date.
Ken Cammilleri joined the meeting to give a Gateway Trail Update. The state grant application has been
approved for 88% of the estimated $3.07 million project. There is additional $100k funds from the DNR that can
go toward the shortfall. Staff proposes to remove the parking lot from the current project, to delay this expense
for a later phase in order to move forward with the trail and tunnel aspects with the current funding options.
Staff Report
Staff contacted both of the Winter Learn to Skate program teachers from last year, Margaret Gerty and Ellen
Krueger. They have affirmed they would like to teach the same program as last season with the same payment
of a stipend as a percentage of the registration fees.
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Gorham, for staff to prepare a recommendation to Council to offer the same
Winter Recreation Learn to Skate program as last season. Motion carried unanimously.
September 8, 2022
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 3
OLD BUSINESS
Midco Day Recap
Ray provided a written report and added requesting shade over the picnic tables. Fischer and Hinz commented
that their families limit computer and internet use for their young children, and perhaps other families do the
same as a contributing factor to the difficulty in collecting 8 stories for this specific project.
MSA Update
Hinz asked if staff could create a direct link on the city’s webpage to the survey as the embedded MSA page is
difficult to maneuver to find the survey. Staff to inquire to find out how many surveys have been completed, if
PRC should work to find another way to get the word out. Staff to follow up with Scandia Elementary School to
see if a notice could be sent to students via the Digital Backpack if MSA agrees it would be useful and would
support extending the survey past September 12th.
Lilleskogen Park Dinner Event
Topic tabled for October meeting as Johnson is absent, and PRC will need to discuss partnering with another
entity who can process donations (i.e., Cycling Scandia, Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails or the Lions.)
Vinterfest Planning
Some banners need to be replaced. Zauner requested staff collect information for the October PRC meeting for
the options and costs. Fischer requests darkening the lettering on future banners as the light colors fade in the
white background of the banner in the common glare from the white snow piles. Zauner reported securing two
food trucks, the returning pretzel truck and a Kettle Corn truck, plus intends to ask trucks at Taco Daze for one
more. Franconia Sculpture Garden will formalize a suggestion of an event or something for their participation
in Vinterfest. PRC members support a return of Vinterbeans, but moved closer to the beer tent. An ice fishing
event on Bone Lake is in the works for Friday or Sunday evening.
Park Ambassadors’ Reports
Committee members have contacted PW directly and this system seems to be working.
PRC Operational Calendar
Staff suggests changing discussing the Winter Recreation Programs to a September topic in order to request
Council approval for all programs prior to publishing the Fall Newsletter.
NEW BUSINESS
Taco Daze Pickleball
Gorham reported 11 teams have signed up, Hinz indicated he would sign up as the 12th team. The event starts
at 10 a.m. on Saturday and should be complete prior to the start of the parade.
Star Gazing Party – October 1st
Staff reported Mike Lynch has booked a different group on our confirmed date of October 1st. Likely from the
confusion of a second party in Scandia which has rescheduled for Vinterfest. Discussion concluded to wait until
after Vinterfest 2023 to contact Mike Lynch to reschedule another date in 2023, perhaps in connection with a
meteor shower or other event. Staff will communicate with the original event sponsor, Security State Bank,
about the delay.
September 8, 2022
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, October 3, 2022 meeting:
1. MSA Update
2. Taco Daze Recap
3. Lilleskogen Park Dinner Event
4. Vinterfest Planning
5. Park Ambassadors
6. Operational Calendar
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Hinz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator