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2024 October - Fall NewsletterCity of Scandia Scandia Community/ Senior Center 14727 209th Street North Scandia, MN 55073 Phone: 651.433.2274 Fax: 651.433.5112 E-mail: mail @ci.scandia.mn.us Hours: Mon. thru Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 16/f � !(j "lj', / �� t PMIT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN 00073 .... EDDM .... Household Scandia, MN 55073 Community Calendar, October 2024 - March 2025 October December City Council: October 4, Cinnamon Bun Day, 6-8 a.m. December 1 , VinterLights! Artisan , October 8, Fire Department Open House, 5-7 Market, 12-5 p.m., VinterLights! Tree Christine Maef;ky. Mayor p,m. Lighting, 5 p.m., Community Center 651,433,2684 October 19, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8- • December 2, Lions Blood Drive, Mike Lubke 11:00 a.m. Community Center, 12-6 p.m. 715.429,0786 October 17, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5- • December 4, Public Hearing, 2025 City lerry Cusick 8 P.M. Budget and Tax Levy, 6:30 p.m. 651.433.5865 October 17-20, 2nd Annual Second Hand • December 7, Lions Breakfast with Santa, Steve Kronmiller Swedish Sale, Gammelgarden 8-11:30 a.m. 651.53&0094 October 23, Scandia Candidate's Forum, • December 8, Luciadagen, Community Center, 6-9 p.m. Gammelgarden Renular Council Meeting Third Tuesday. 7:00 October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Hall, December 19, Scandia Evening p.m. Council Work Session: 5-7 p.m. Adventures, 5-8 p.m. First Wednesday. 6:30 p.m. November December 24 & 25, Christmas Holiday —Office Closed Planning Commission: • November 3, Elim Church Fall Carnival, 1:30 First Tuesday. 7:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. January November 11, Veterans Day —Office Closed • January 1, New Year's Day — Office Closed City St. Kyle Morell. City Administrator November 21, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m. January 20, Martin Luther King Da J y g y Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Colleen Firkus Treasurer November 22, Turkey Bingo, 7 p.m. Office Closed • January 24 & 25, Vintexfest Bee Stignani. Office Assistant ' November 28 and 29, Thanksgiving . January 25, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8- Ch H Fi h r Holiday —Office Closed 11:30 a.m. a es sr, el. Director of Public Works For more information and a City meeting calendar, Mike Hinz. Fire Chief see the website www_cityofscandia.com February Eric Larson. Attorney For Gammelgarden events, see: • February 17, Presidents' Day— Office Eckberg Lammers u'n'w-gamme gardenmuseum_ora Closed Ryan C-oodman Engineer For Scandia Marine Lions events, see: • February 22, Fireball, 7 p.m. —midnight Bolton & Men k u'n'w-scandiamarinelionsoro TJ Hofer. Planner, See Community Calendar for Foot Care Nurse Marc Services available in the Community Center • March 9, Daylight Savings Time Begins Bolton &Menk Y ,C VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2024 A twice -yearly publication for residents of the City of Scandia, Minnesota � c Message from the Mayor it It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as your mayor for close to����years. At this time, for a variety of reasons, I have decided to not seekanother term. Many things have happened during my four terms for which I am especially proud, including the revitalization of our community shownnt through the increase of volueerism. I have learned the importance of letting people know they are valued. I believe a good mayor is someone who understands the importance of creating a community that people want and value, who listens to people and keeps an open mind to them. I have established the city's "Good Neighbor Award," where nominations come in for those who have made a difference for others. I've worked to highlight the good things they are doing in the city. I have worked toward the following goals: Internet Improvements, accelerating roadwork, new trails, and revitalizing village center projects that are underway. Supporting the Scandia Heritage Alliance with its accomplishments of creating a comprehensive map of a Scandia Heritage Trail, and its development of the Water Tower Barn Heritage Center. Supporting tourism: welcoming new businesses into Scandia Putting ALL RESIDENTS of Scandia FIRST while tackling difficult issues with transparency, civility, and fairness. Thanks to the good people of Scandia who have shown their trust in me by electing me as mayor for the past eight years. My family and I will continue to be part of the Scandia community as we have for over 52 years, and look forward to the good times ahead. Please contact me with any questions or comments. c.maefskyfgci.scandia.mn.us, ,q Christine Maefsky, Mayor Consider Applying! Do you want to be more involved in the wF H' f Gateway Trail Update projects, plans, or events that the City of Scandia considers? The City Council is , In 2023, the City of Scandia was supported by five advisory committees and awarded a $2.7 million grant for the the Planning Commission. Some committees engineering and construction of a meet monthly, others less frequently, and segment of the Gateway State Trail while Council members are responsible for all%s from the Environment and Natural decisions, they rely heavily on the work of Vinterfest: January" 24 & 25, 2025. Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) as these committees and the Planning Check the City 's website and the recommended by the Legislative- Commission. Country Messenger for event Citizen Commission on Minnesota updates in early January. Resources (LCCMR). The project will Applications for expiring terms are accepted wwy✓ cityofscandia. com/Vinterfest connect the Scandia Village Center in December each year. Two positions expire m 2025 one on the Wastewater Committee 11[i IIJa71.d.p•''aii,s gA3s'u.e!:! (behind Meister s Bar and Gnll) to William O'Brien State Park. Design and and one on the Planning Commission. The nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnno Engineering are almost 60 % complete, council interviews the applicants and makes Tax Information and construction is scheduled for appointments in January, with the terms ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 2026. This project coincides with beginning in February. Currently, there is one Internet Expansion Update Tanned improvements to enhance vacant position on the Parks and Recreation p p Election Day state park accessibility. In the long- Committee and two vacant positions on the ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, term, this trail segment will be part of Tourism Committee. Applications fox these VinterLights! the connection between the Capital vacancies are being accepted now until the ""' ' Safe' Halloween' Event and Duluth. This project phase will positions are filled. include a pedestrian tunnel under The advisory committees are: Scandia Evening Adventures Oakhill Road N (CR-52) and 2,000 feet ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, of recreational trail. The project will J. Capital Investment 4. Tourism River Radio ultimately connect to trails within the Parks & Recreation News state park. The City is providing staff 2. Internet Action 5. Wastewater ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, support and land for a trailhead Public Works .. parking lot. 3. Parks & Recreation ' Community Calendar Page,.,Z,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,J,�j General llrnd Lovy Scandia City Council approved its 2025 Preliminary Debt 5.rviev Levy levy amount at its September LIP Funds Levy 17, 2024, meeting. The 2025 EDA Levy preliminary levy is $3,280,159, Total Levy a $283,307 increase over the Less Ft - I Disparities final 2024 tax levy. The Total Net Levy preliminary levy amount is a not -to -exceed amount. The final levy amount will be approved at the City's Truth -In -Taxation hearing scheduled for Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. at the Scandia City Hall. $1,865,918 $1,893,907 $27,989 $345,634 $656,252 $310,618 $785,300 $730,000 ($55,300) $2 99 ,852 $3 280,159 $283,307 (5107,857) ($123,679) ($13,435) $2,888,995 $3,156,480 $267,485 Estimated Tax Capacity Net Levy Scandia Internet Expansion Tax Rate Tax Information 'N Based on the preliminary levy 2 the proposed 2025 tax rate is 0/29.339%. This is a 2.635% 0 increase over 2024 or a 9.87 increase to the 2024 tax rate. Further reductions to the levy will occur between now and the Truth -In-Taxation hearing on December 4. Budget discussions will continue at the October 2 and November 6 Council Work Sessions. $10,818,416 $10,758,518 ($88,730) $2,888,995 $3,156,480 $267,485 26.704% 29,339/u 2,635 Update - Fall 2024 New Grant Application-2025/ be $385,000, the State of Minnesota 2026 Expansion Contribution (Grant) would be $ 652,459 Broadband Internet Service Expansion in and Scandia's contribution would be Scandia is underway in the following This spring the City Council approved a $300,000. The project includes 165 areas and is expected to be complete by proposal to further expand Broadband passings. the end of this year: Interne[ in Scandia, specifically asking MidCo to focus on areas along the St. If this grant is approved, the project Big Marine Lake - 173 Passings Croix River. would begin in 2025 to be completed in Rolling Acres— 9 Passings 2026. Announcement of the grant Scandia Adjacent to May Township — 20 MidCo applied for a new Border to Border winners is expected sometime this fall. Passings broadband grant to the State of Minnesota Line Extension Grant Areas (205th Street, in May. The total project cost is For additional updates including maps of Oakhill and Meadowbrook) - 72 passings $1,337,459. Midco's Contribution would service areas please visit the Scandia City Website at: www.cityofscandia.com/ Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th InternetActienUpdates. All Scandia. residents vote at the Hours for Early Voting at all 5locations, applications early. Absentee ballots Community Center, 14727 209th Street cannot be dropped off at Scandia City Monday-Friday:8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. North. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at Hall. B:00 p.m. For voters unable to enter the Saturday, October 26th: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. For city offices, Scandia will elect a Mayor Community Center, curbside voting is offered. In this case, the voter can request Tuesday, October 29th: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. and two City Council members. that a ballot is brought out to their vehicle. Saturday, November 2nd: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Candidates for city offices are — This service is also offered at all early voting sites. Sunday, November 3xd: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Mayor: Steve Kxonmiller, Patti Ray Early Voting Now Underway— In -person Monday, November 4th: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Council member: Zachary Gee, James absentee and ballot drop off runs through Residents may also request that a ballot Tim" Gribble, Lori Lavin, Rirsten J Libby, Nov. 4 at five Vote Center locations across Adam M. Schauls be mailed to them. Voters may apply for Washington County. The nearest locations an absentee ballot online at MNVotes.org For more election information, including are the Headwaters Service Center in or call Washington County Elections at sample ballots and links to downloadable Forest Lake and the Government Center 661-430-6790 to have the application registration and absentee ballot in Stillwater. Absentee ballots are not mailed to your residence. Voters are application forms, please see the City available at the Scandia city office, encouraged to submit absentee ballot website at www.citvofscandia. com/ Elections VinterLights! Artisan Market & Tree Lighting The Best of Scandia Artisan Market is 30 vendors inside the Community Center holiday spirit with a Tree Lighting event. Sunday, December I' from noon-5 for a unique shopping opportunity for Scandia families, friends and neighbors p.m. as part of Scandia's VinterLights! hand crafted, locally produced products. are invited to celebrate VinterLights! with festivities. Deep Roots Concession food Shop noon to 5 p.m. indoors, then migrate cookies, hot cocoa and carols around fire truck will return with more than outdoors to continue to kick off the pits! October 3Is' 5-7 pm, �I Safe Halloween Event at the Scandia Fire Station FOOD! CANDY! Scandia Evening Adventures II Page 3 Shop, Eat, & Be Merry! You are invited on111°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°a October 17, November 21, and December 19 to explore the various specials offered at select Scandia businesses between 5-8 p.m. Check out www.cityofscandia/ Adventures for specific detail updates as local businesses vary each month. We're working with Abrahamson Nursery, Apothecary's Daughter, Countryside Art Studio, Dickens Pickins, Gammelgaxden, Garden Gate at Crabtrees, Prairie Restoration, and Rustic Roots Winery. If your business is interested in participating, contact Sue Dickens at sidickens20001asyahoo.com. We would love to add you to the fun! River Radio is BACK! This popular podcast, presented by the Marine Community Library and produced by St. Croix Valley residents Jim Maher and Gayle Knutson, covers news from Scandia, Marine, and May Township. Along with community -based guests speaking about local topics, the show also tackles bigger -picture issues, featuring guests with a statewide or national profile. River Radio will also provide live election night coverage on November 5, including local election results, interviews with candidates and insights from a team of political analysts. New programs become available on September 21, October 5 and 19, November 2 and 23 (along with election night) and December 14. Links to these, and all past programs, can be found at marinecommunitylibrary.ora, or can be followed through podcast feeds (i.e., Apple, Spotify, etc.) Scandia Parks & Recreation will offer ice skating classes in January for elementary school students. Parks 1. Learn to Skate —Beginner / Advanced & 2. Pleasure Skate Recreation 3, Hockey Skills - Watch for registration to open in News December at www.cityofscandia.com/ WinterRecreation A new Beginner Tai Chi class will be Wednesday November 20, 2024 — offered at the Scandia Community January 29, 2026 - 5:30p.m. - 6:30p.m. Center beginning November 20`a. (No Class December 25th or January This class will consist of a sequence of 1st.) The class fee is $45. Register at forms that are part of the Tai Chi for www.cityofscandia.com/TaiChi. Health series developed by Dr. Paul Lam, Founder of the Tai Chi for Health The class is offered by Bill Jabas, a Institute in NSW, Australia. certified Tai Chi instructor. Bill has Participants will learn the beginner been practicing Tai Chi for 10 years. forms as well as the 6 principles of No new registrations after the second the Sun Tai Chi style. class on November 27th. Public works It is that time of year again to start thinking Clear culverts are the key to preventing Garbage containers in the roadway can about fall preparations for winter. Many of flooded ditches and roadways particularly cause accidents by forcing vehicles to us are busy splitting wood, fall planting, in the latter portion of the season when travel in the oncoming lane of traffic. or just enjoying watching the fall colors winter snows begin to melt and the spring appear. The Public Works Department rains begin. Please do what you can to If you are a resident with a connection to will be busy as well transitioning clear culvert openings on either side of one of the City's septic systems there are equipment to winter operations and your driveway by removing brush, sand important steps to remember as well. One preparing facilities for winter use. or soil, and fallen leaves. While clearing issue Public Works encounters over the your driveway this winter be mindful to winter is seasonal vehicles, docks, or As winter is approaching remember to do not stack snow at either end of your trailers parked or stored directly over the what you can to prepare anything along culvert. settling tanks or lift tanks. Please be your property in the Right of Way for If you have any landscaping in the Right of mindful of where these structures are on winter. This would include mailboxes, Way, please do what you can to cut back the property to keep them clear and culverts, landscaping, refuse containers, accessible throughout the winter. In the any plant material close to or above the vehicles and trailers, or within your event any maintenance or repair is roadway and cover any delicate plants. property such as septic infrastructure. This will help your plants as much as it will required, clear access to these structures Please consider installing swing -arm style help plow operators through the winter dramatically increases Public Works mailbox supports as they are designed season. response to any issue and decreases down time of your service. with impact in mind. They cushion the Garbage and Recycling containers can impact by swinging out of the way if a slow down the snow removal process Winter parking restrictions go into effect vehicle or snow from the plow blade November I it and run through April 30 . If during collection days. If collection day is comes in contact with the mailbox. vehicles interfere with snow and ice during a snow event within a few days Specifications are available on our City after a snow event, please remember to control a citation can or will be issued and website at: www.cityofscandia.com/ the vehicle removed at the owners Mailbox. If you need to know where to place the containers two feet away from expense. the edge of the road. When receptacles place a mailbox, contact the local post are laced in the roadway or snow bank, office for details. P y fall an you, and hope everyone has a safe 4„. they become a safety hazard and make it fall and winter this year. �1 °"^a.� difficult to clear snow from the roadway. �7d