9-9-13 MinutesCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
September 9, 2013
Members Present: Greg Zauner (Chair), Mike White, Pam Arnold, Matt Rasmussen (Vice -Chair),
Alex Bildeaux, Dan Lee (City Council Representative)
Staff Present: Kristina Handt (City Administrator), Tim Kieffer (Public Works Director) and Judi
Negus (Office Assistant)
Chair Zauner called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
Councilmember Sally Swanson reported there was a total of 16 teams for the Taco Daze dodgeball
tournament. Swanson shared concern regarding the coordination of the tournament and her
disappointment that the PRC voted to recruit volunteer referees without compensation. Swanson
urged the PRC to reconsider compensating the volunteer referees who spent five hours refereeing in
92 degree heat.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Zauner recommended the addition of Taco Daze wrap-up to the agenda under Old Business.
Motion by Bildeaux, seconded by White, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion
carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by White, seconded by Arnold, to approve the August 5, 2013 minutes. The motion
carried 5-0.
REPORTS
Chair's Report
Chair Zauner thanked Rasmussen and Swanson for running the Taco Daze dodgeball tournament.
In addition to Chair Zauner's written report, Chair Zauner reminded the PRC of the need to ensure
future scout projects are complete before submitting to the City Council for approval.
Staff Report
Handt reported the Hay Lake Park trail has been improperly installed without a base. A sub -base
will be added at no cost to the City. Handt suggested to the Lions that future scout projects should
allow 9 to 12 months for final approval by City Council. Handt recommended there be one point of
contact for future scouts and shared concern that there were too many mentors for the Lillquist
Eagle Scout Project. Handt encouraged the PRC to work as a group during PRC meetings and not
individually.
Handt informed the PRC that Negus will share a recap of the summer recreational programs once
she has the results from surveys that were distributed by Camp Lakamaga.
Handt provided the August expense report and informed the PRC would need City Council approval
if they would want to move dollars and that any dollars unused would go to unreserved fund balance.
NEW BUSINESS
Hockey Tournament Fundraiser
Handt reported Corey Roberts of Roberts Funeral Home had an interest in sponsoring a hockey
tournament fundraiser. Handt pointed out that our current Ice Rink Reservation Policy does not
September 9, 2013
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 3
allow for reservations on the weekend. In past years, Roberts sponsored a pond hockey tournament
in conjunction with Forest Lake's Flakefest, but shared a desire to change the venue due to past
years ice conditions and dates. Roberts would like to host a regular hockey tournament and add a
fundraising component. Rasmussen suggested adding the hockey tournament to our Vinterfest
activities the first Saturday in February. Roberts agreed to the dates and proposed the tournament
would start Friday evening, January 31, and conclude Saturday, February 1. Roberts proposed four -
on -four hockey with two goalies and a cap of 6 to 8 teams. Roberts would seek former hockey
players to volunteer referee. Roberts suggested a $500 winning prize. Roberts also suggested the
local Lions club may want to sell food and refreshments. It was recommended that we may want to
consider having a co-ed hockey tournament to attract more teams. Roberts proposed using the
pleasure rink to set up skills stations for youth. Roberts agreed to organizing and marketing the
tournament with a goal to make the tournament an annual Vinterfest event. Bildeaux asked Roberts
to provide in writing a complete plan for the event including what tasks Roberts would be taking on to
sponsor the tournament. Chair Zauner stressed the fundraising dollars need to be used to support
our rink. Arnold shared concern that the tournament be promoted as a City of Scandia event even
though it is being sponsored by a Forest Lake business. Roberts informed he will make sure the
PRC knows how they will be promoting the tournament.
There was no action taken at this point. The PRC will wait to review the details of the hockey
tournament once provided by Roberts.
Lilleskogen Parking Lot
Kieffer reported he is working with Washington County to get the curb replaced to make a loop.
Kieffer is working on receiving additional bids for the concrete curb work. Bildeaux will provide
Kieffer with an additional contact he knows from North Branch. Rasmussen reported Tom Triplett is
working on obtaining a gravel donation and agreed to follow-up with Triplett regarding the status.
Kieffer suggested we may get better quotes in the spring.
Motion by Chair Zauner, seconded by White, to postpone the parking lot until spring. Chair
Zauner rescinded his motion and recommended to table the decision, seconded by White.
The motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Vinterfest
Arnold shared her suggestions for additional activities to be offered at Vinterfest 2014. Handt
reminded the PRC to limit the activities to what they could successfully support and that no PRC
members could compete in the activities where there might be a conflict of interest. Handt shared
that Bolton and Menk might be willing to sponsor the sculpture contest. The PRC agreed the
following events would be offered at Vinterfest 2014: ski workshop, quiz promenade, loppet, team
snow sculpture contest, Pleasant Valley Cloggers, hockey tournament, winter survival skill
workshop, bonfire, chili contest, and sledding. Arnold offered to talk to some Scandia Farmers
Market vendors to see if there is an interest in participating in Vinterfest. Although Bildeaux
suggested allowing beer sales during Vinterfest, Chair Zauner suggested not allowing beer sales to
promote a family -friendly Vinterfest.
Lee and White agreed to coordinate and judge the chili cook -off contest. Bildeaux agreed to
coordinate the bonfire. Arnold will work with her contacts to coordinate the: ski workshop, quiz
promenade, loppet, and winter survival skill workshop.
Bildeaux reminded of the need to close 209th Street between the Community Center and Olinda to
allow for safe sledding.
September 9, 2013
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 3 of 3
Taco Daze Recap
Rasmussen reported the biggest dodgeball tournament to date with 16 teams. Due to some
disorderly pushing, the last championship tournament game ended early. Handt reported the Lions
could recruit future volunteer referees for the dodgeball tournament. Rasmussen recommended that
if the PRC solicits referees, they should be compensated. Arnold stated she did not feel it was
appropriate to compensate this year's referees since the PRC minutes reflected the Committee was
to seek volunteers. Rasmussen also suggested the dodgeball rules need to be clarified. Handt also
shared an interest in a tennis clinic being held during a future Taco Daze in place of dodgeball.
Handt encouraged the PRC to consider cancelling any future Taco Daze activities that the PRC
cannot support. Bildeaux agreed to help coordinate the dodgeball tournament next year and
recommended adult referees. Rasmussen recommended two referees on each side of the court.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The Committee agreed on the following agenda items for the October 7, 2013 PRC meeting:
1. Vinterfest
2. Winter Programming
3. Lilleskogen
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Zauner, seconded by White, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant