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08.a 04.03.2023 PRC Minutes DRAFT City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Monday, April 3, 2023 A meeting of the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee was held on the above date at the Community Center and Zoom. Attended by Terry Gorham (Chair), Greg Zauner (Vice-Chair), Tom Hinz, Kimberly Johnson, Dustin Hegland, Heather Benson (Council Representative,) Charles Fischer (Public Works Director,) and Brenda “Bee” Stignani (Office Assistant.) Gorham called the meeting to order, a quorum was present. PUBLIC FORUM None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Gorham requested to amend the agenda to add item 6.h Star Watch Party, move the order of item 6.e to be directly following item 6.a, and to add item 6.i Painted Rocks. Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Zauner, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Gorham called for any additions or corrections to the March 13, 2023 minutes. Gorham pointed out Liten Park would be the NW parcel on Orwell Ave, instead of the NE parcel. No objection to this correction was made. The minutes stand approved. REPORTS Chair Report Gorham reported that he would make comments on other agenda items as they are discussed. No written report. Public Works Report Fischer provided a written report adding that some of the community center playground has been delivered, but the majority of the equipment has not yet arrived. Installation is still hopeful to during May; however, the weather will determine the final schedule. Staff Report Stignani provided a written report. As there is no direct cost to Scandia for any Art in Action Camp, discussion concluded to recommend one camp that is the first date that works in the city’s community center space and again in the last week as suggested by Festival Theatre. Staff was just notified of a form error with the first Tai Chi class registrant being unable to submit form. Staff will correct this error. Staff will contact Patti Ray to see if the instructor for the Kids Who Code class would be available this summer. Zauner will contact Ann Rinkenberger to see if the new Photography Club that is being formed is looking for any collaboration with Parks & Recreation. Motion by Hegland, seconded by Hinz, to recommend to City Council offering Art in Action Camp by Festival Theatre on both June 26-30th and also August 14-18th. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS MSA Update Gorham reported that after this Parks Plan is considered ready, it will go next to the Planning Commission who will then submit it to City Council before it can be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for final approval. Currently there are some errors to correct in regard to Gateway Trail connection to William O’Brien State Park and the missing Washington County Bicycle Route Plan on Manning Trail. Gorham questioned on page 47, if the reference to Site C is Liten Park or the unnamed parcel on the SE side of Orwell Avenue, and where any reference to mountain biking came from. Given the history of the BMX project, committee members support changing this, as this would not be a recommendation on Orwell Avenue. Hinz suggests a dog park should be included, April 3, 2023 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 3 perhaps as a low priority at Hay Lake, so that the possibility of dog park is in the plan even if it is not a short- term goal. Hinz pointed out that any references to ‘converting’ tennis courts to pickleball courts should be changed to convert the existing tennis courts into multi-used courts to accommodate both tennis and added capacity for pickleball. Zauner and Gorham have edit suggestions for MSA that does not change content. Gorham requested any additional feedback to please be submitted to him, as he and Anne Hurlburt will schedule a meeting with MSA to submit all of this feedback. Outings Coordinator Johnson explained that the first step with the outings coordinator program is to sign up for training with the Sierra Club to learn their policies and procedures. After an individual has completed this training, they are paired with a Sierra Club member to facilitate a hike or outing in the individual’s area. This outing is then published and advertised by the Sierra Club to its members and is open to the public. Johnson stressed this is a way to give visibility to Scandia and draw some visitors who are potentially outside of Scandia to the parks and natural resources available here at no direct cost to the city. Johnson requested other PRC members participate in training, decide which parks to highlight, how often to offer outings and which parks to highlight. Discussion concluded the best areas to suggest would be Tomteskogen Park, Wind in the Pines Park, and Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area. Johnson would like other PRC members to become trained and offer to coordinate an occasional outing also. Gorham asked staff to clarify any potential concerns. Stignani recommended full explanation of the intended connection of Scandia with Sierra Club, explicit or implied, to the City Council for support prior to taking any action. Johnson will gather information in preparation of a staff report for the April 21st regular Council meeting. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zauner, to pursue to an agreement with the Sierra Club to create occasional outings programs under their guidance. Motion carried unanimously. Fundraising for Parks Johnson presented the idea of hosting an event with a presentation, food, and entertainment. Discussion included a catering option at Rustic Roots Winery. Consider an event like this in connection with presenting the new Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan when it is complete. There was discussion to avoid events (e.g., New Playground Grand Opening Event) too close together, as well as the need to define clearly stated fundraising goals for new projects. Johnson will continue to gather details for considering an event in the Fall of 2023 or later. Lilleskogen’s Children’s Story Path Update Gorham thanked Carla Hinz for volunteering to facilitate the Children’s Story Path project with Tom Hinz. Carla Hinz is a local citizen who has volunteered to coordinate, under the guidance of the PRC, the on-going activities at the Children’s Story Path. C Hinz requested clarification and direction for the Internet Story Contest in connection with the Midco Day event on August 23rdand the Tomte Story Contest to follow. Committee members confirmed that the contests are open to all students who are residents in Scandia, regardless of which school they attend (including home schooled students.) Staff will promote contests through the City’s social media accounts, and C Hinz will finalize letters to go to area schools with staff for both contests as a way to communicate with student before summer break. The August 4th deadline allows for time to both narrow the pool down to 8 finalists, or to work diligently to solicit more entries as needed, before each contest’s award ceremony. Discussion concluded the Internet Story Contest will be offered to students in 4th-6th grade (“write a fun, creative story about how you can use the internet to help your community”) and the Tomte Story Contest will be offered to students in the 1st – 3rd grades. Motion by Hegland, seconded by Johnson, to request $250 for prize money to sponsor the Tomte Story Contest ($50 for the winning student and $200 to the student’s classroom.) Motion carried unanimously. April 3, 2023 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 3 of 3 Earth Day Activities Benson and Zauner have collected pine cones and coordinated the other supplies. Benson will investigate how to provide hot water for the hot chocolate. Gorham, Benson, and Zauner will facilitate the event at Hay Lake Park, 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 22nd. Announcements have been made in the Spring Newsletter and the City’s social media accounts. Park Ambassadors’ Reports Zauner requested pest control at Wayne Erickson Memorial Ball Field, Fischer reported it will be contracted out as no one on staff has the proper qualifications. PRC Operational Calendar Reviewed the Operational Calendar for April and May. No changes needed. NEW BUSINESS Annual By-laws Review Gorham summarized each area of the SPRC by-laws and called for any requests for clarification or additional review. No requests were stated. AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING The proposed agenda for Monday, May 1, 2023: 1. MSA Update 2. Fundraising for Parks 3. Outings Coordinator 4. Earth Day Activity Recap 5. Children’s Story Path 6. Park Ambassador Reports 7. Operational Calendar 8. New Playground Dedication Ceremony ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting by Zauner, seconded by Hegland. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda “Bee” Stignani, Office Assistant/Parks and Recreation Coordinator