2. November 1, 2021 MinutesCity of Scandia
Capital Investment Committee
November 1, 2021
A meeting of the Capital Investment Committee 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.
Chair Steve Kronmiller called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Committee members present
were Council member Steve Kronmiller, Parks & Rec Committee Chair Terry Gorham, Planning
Commissioner Perry Rynders, Awesome Parent Dominic Mitchell, Public Works Director
Charles Fischer, Fire Chief Mike Hinz, Engineer Ryan Goodman, City Administrator Ken
Cammilleri, and Treasurer Colleen Firkus.
Review of draft Capital Improvement Plan 2022-2025
Administrator Cammilleri suggested the Committee focus on three goals: 1) Cash balance goals
for each capital fund, 2) Prioritize projects to maintain cash balance goals, and 3) examine effects
on the levy and tax rate.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND 401
Administrator Cammilleri requested a path/trail between the Arts & Heritage Center and the
Community Center be added to the plan. Onsite parking is limited for the new Arts & Heritage
Center. In order to meet parking requirements, the use of parking lots at the Community Center,
church parkin overflow area and the Gammelgarden Museum are combined in the Arts &
Heritage Center’s plans. An off-street path or trail will be needed to connect them. Initial
engineering estimates are $30-$50,000 depending on the extent/width of the trail and material
used. Estimated build year would be 2023 or 2024.
Additional items requested by Public Works Director Fischer include: 1) replace PW/FD and
Annex buildings overhead doors in 2022 for $30,000, 2) increase cost of skating rink boards
replacement to $125,000 in 2024 Parks Fund, 3) PW ceiling paint of $50,000 in 2023, 4) new
doors and paint on Cold Storage building totaling $30,000.
PARK INVESTMENT FUND 404
The only project in 2022 is the playground equipment at the Community Center projected to cost
$208,000 with half the cost paid by a grant and fund raising. Cammilleri suggested the cost of a
Park Plan be raised to $15,000 to more accurately reflect the requirements of the RFP that he has
drafted. The Committee questioned the high cost of the sign in 2023 at the new park on Orwell
Ave. in 2023. The cost reflects the masonry design plan to match other City signs as requested by
the Tourism Committee. It was suggested this design plan be revisited with the Tourism
Committee and perhaps not be applied to the City’s more far-flung parks.
November 1, 2021
Capital Investment Committee
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EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT FUND 406
Only change noted to this fund is to reduce the John Deere Tractor replacement in 2022 from
$260,000 to reflect actual cost of $198,000.
LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT FUND 408
Rynders strongly suggested the Committee recommend to the Council to concentrate on funding
road maintenance and reconstruction now rather than later when it will cost more. Engineer
Goodman estimated to replace every paved road every 30 years, the City would need to spend
between $1.2 and $1.5 million per year. Goodman also stated that the City’s policy to maintain
driveway culverts is costly and could save money by changing the policy/ordinance. Culvert
replacements cost the City $50,000 in the last road project. Cammilleri cautioned that raising the
levy too fast will have a negative effect on the tax rate and the Council has desired to keep a flat
tax rate. Cammilleri also suggested that when the City is finished funding Broadband, those
dollars could be reallocated to roads, possibly taking a look at Special Assessments. Goodman
indicated that studies have shown that without sewer and water improvements, it would be hard
to prove replacing pavement increases the value of the property by the amount needed to assess.
Committee members requested staff prepare alternative scenarios of more funding to roads
through a combination of gradual Levy increases and Debt. Cammilleri pointed out that future
economic conditions will play a role in affecting the City’s ability to implement a long-term plan.
Growth in the tax base will help the City fund capital investments and a population of 5,000 will
bring in Federal road aid. In the meantime, the City received $86,000 in State road aid this year.
The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. with a motion by Rynders, seconded by Gorham.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Firkus, Treasurer