12-7-15 MinutesCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
December 7, 2015
Members Present: Ryan Jinks (Chair), Brad Borg (Vice Chair), Greg Zauner, Matt
Rasmussen, Alex Bildeaux and City Council Representative Dan Lee
Staff Present: Brenda Eklund (Deputy Clerk) and Dave Williams (Director of Public Works)
Guests: Mayor Randall Simonson
Chair Jinks called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Bildeaux, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the November 2, 2015 minutes.
The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS
Chair's Report
Chair Jinks reported that the City Council postponed action on the Pollinator Project at their
November 17th meeting until an amendment to the development agreement for Swenson'
Goose Lake Farm Estates is made. The agreement required that a ballfield and playground
equipment be installed on Outlot A, but was not completed due to a decision by the Township.
Legal changes will be made to the agreement that will allow for the pollinator project to proceed,
most likely presented at the December Council meeting.
Also at the November Council meeting, the Special Event Permits for the Scanley Cup and the
Vintage Snowmobile Rally were approved. Vinterfest events being sponsored by the PRC were
accepted, including the closure of 209th Street. Public Works Director Williams will look into
using road barriers instead of cones as more effective traffic control.
OLD BUSINESS
Log House Landing Signage
Jinks, seconded by Zauner, moved to postpone discussion of Log House Landing
Signage to the January meeting due to the absence of National Parks Service
representatives. The motion carried 5-0.
Vinterfest 2016 Logo and Updates
Selections of logo images for the Vinterfest event, developed by graphic artist Jeni O'Brien,
were viewed. The committee came to a consensus on using the traditional Dala horse encircled
with blue scrolling to be the permanent Vinterfest logo. It was recommended that a card be sent
to Ms. O'Brien in appreciation for donating her time in preparing the images. Jinks offered to
take care of this.
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Motion by Jinks, seconded by Bildeaux, to approve the traditional Dala horse image with
blue scrolling as the permanent Vinterfest logo. The motion carried 5-0.
Jinks will present this logo selection to the Council at their December 15th meeting, and obtain
the graphics file to begin preparation of publicity materials. The Committee noted that the
image and wording will be good for use on signage at events, but a more readable font will be
used on banners designed for use along roadways.
Cub Scout Pack 173 Ice Fishing Contest Special Event Permit Application
Lisa Pothen submitted a Special Event Permit Application for a Cub Scout Pack 173 Ice Fishing
Contest to be held on Goose Lake during Vinterfest. This is the second year the event will be
held. The staff report noted that the application was submitted after the October 23rd deadline in
order to be promoted as a Vinterfest event. Jinks recommended the event be approved even
though it was a late submission, as the Committee had earlier discussed including it in the
promotion of Vinterfest events.
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Rassmussen, to reaffirm the Ice Fishing Contest as a
promoted Vinterfest event. The motion carried 5-0.
Meisters Mite Hockey
Chair Jinks introduced a discussion of the Meisters Mite Hockey event that was held at
Meisters' hockey rink parallel to the Scanley Cup last year. The event was well attended and
owner Scot Taylor plans to expand the event this year to include a youth hockey jamboree, a
pig roast, outdoor beer garden and various outdoor family activities. The event is entirely on the
business property and Jinks stated that it is a complement to the Vinterfest activities and should
be included in the advertising materials. Bildeaux recognized the support the business has
made to the community but questioned if it would set precedence for future requests from
businesses that want their events promoted by the city. Zauner said that it is typical for
communities to list all events being held at citywide celebrations in one brochure. Discussion
continued and Jinks concluded that each request should be considered in context — the
Committee has discretion in choosing which events are promoted using certain criteria such as
community support and donations.
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Zauner, to include Meisters Mite Hockey as a Vinterfest
event in the promotional material. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Vinterfest Button Design Contest Judging
Zauner provided the 6th grade button design entries for selection of the top three. The entries
were judged as best showcasing the Vinterfest theme "Hemslojden" (Swedish handwork).
Shannon O'Brien, 1 st Place and official Vinterfest button design
Alison Johnson, 2nd Place
Heather Kaup, 3rd Place
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Jinks, to approve the placements for the Vinterfest
Button Design Contest. The motion carried 5-0.
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Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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Rapid Press will print the design for assembly by Committee members into the buttons that will
be sold at area businesses. Zauner will prepare the payment collection boxes for distribution
around town.
Vinterfest Planning
Mayor Simonson was present to receive clarification on the expectations of his role as the
Saami reindeer herder during Vinterfest. Jinks stated that having a recurring mascot is a great
addition to the event and explained that his presence at the various venues would be
appreciated. Jinks offered to transport Simonson to the locations and will put together a general
schedule of times to appear for photo opportunities with media. Borg, as media coordinator, will
assist with this schedule. Borg will also coordinate photo opportunities in advance of the event
for Vinterfest promotion in local newspapers.
Mayor Simonson recommended the Committee be aware of the potential for increased
attendance at the fireworks show the Saturday evening of Vinterfest, and the safety issues
related to that. Jinks will discuss traffic concerns with Deputy Yetter in order to be prepared for
assistance with traffic management from the Sheriff's Department.
Jinks stated that he will have a general schedule of events ready within the next week for
distribution to members for preparation of posters and brochures. Zauner recommended the
snow sculpture contest be moved up in the schedule to avoid overlap with the youth ice fishing
event. There was consensus to schedule registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. with a 10:00 a.m.
start for snow sculpting. The awards presentation will remain at the scheduled time. Jinks
explained that the event will be moved to the front of the Community Center grounds for better
public viewing. Council member Lee offered to bring in drums of snow from a local ski hill if
snow is scarce.
There was discussion on including the number of years that Vinterfest has been a community
event on the promotional material. Deputy Clerk Eklund offered to research the history of this
winter celebration in Scandia.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The Committee agreed on the following agenda items for the January 4, 2016 meeting:
1) Vinterfest updates
2) Log House Landing signage (National Park Service)
3) Lilleskogen Strategic Action Plan review
4) Review draft of the Parks Committee annual report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Rasmussen, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried
5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Eklund
Deputy Clerk