6-1-15 MinutesCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
June 1, 2015
Members Present: Ryan Jinks (Chair), Brad Borg (Vice Chair), Matt Rasmussen, Greg
Zauner, and Dan Lee (City Council Representative)
Members Absent: Alex Bildeaux
Staff Present: Kristina Handt (City Administrator) and Judi Negus (Office Assistant)
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Zauner, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the agenda. The motion carried
4-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Borg clarified the May 4, 2015 minutes. Under the Park Capital Improvement Plan, Borg stated
the minutes should read that Borg questioned what park expenses were dedicated to the fees
collected "from 2005 to 2008" not collected "prior to 2004."
Motion by Rasmussen, seconded by Zauner, to approve the May 4, 2015 minutes as
noted. The motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS
Chair's Report
There was nothing reported.
Staff Report
Negus updated the Committee on the summer recreation programs. To date, there are 15
registrations for three sessions of the Outdoor Explorers day camp and 6 registrations for three
sessions of the Junior Explorers day camp. There has only been one registration for tennis
camp. Negus shared she has promoted the programs through press releases, insert in the City
newsletter, Facebook posts, City website news articles, e-mails notices to Parks and Recreation
subscribers, flyers to all Scandia Elementary students, digital backpack flyers to all Forest Lake
and Stillwater school district students, and word-of-mouth. Negus asked Committee members
to help spread the word of the offered programs.
Handt reported the bio -retention pond was planted last week with volunteers and the
Washington Conservation District. The expense is 50 percent grant funded up to approximately
$3,000 from the Watershed. Handt also stated she has received feedback from members of the
public that most don't know what Lilleskogen is. Staff will be ordering a temporary banner to
identify Lilleskogen as a park development in progress when there is a promotion for banner
sales. Handt also informed, due to the recent high bid of $45,000 for the Lilleskogen parking lot,
Staff has re -bid the work to approximately 23 different smaller contractors with a deadline of
next week. This deadline may be extended a month if bids are limited or come in too high.
June 1, 2015
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 2 of 4
NEW BUSINESS
Log House Landing --Park Rules
Lisa Schlingerman, 20661 Quint Avenue, addressed the Committee. Schlingerman and her
husband Craig Christensen would like the Committee to reconsider making Log House Landing
a park because of its historic significance and because it is Scandia's access to the scenic St.
Croix River. Schlingerman also stated Log House Landing was a park from 1937 to May 2009.
Craig Christensen, 20661 Quint Avenue, addressed the Committee. Christensen referred to a
survey identifying the strip of donated land and referred to Deed No. 128 where the City
acquired 40 feet of shoreline with the purpose of this land to be used by the citizens of Scandia
as a public park. Christensen stated the City received $300 at that time for improvements to the
park, and a fireplace was built as well as a set of outhouses.
Christensen is concerned that there is a deed that states the land is to be used as a park and
questioned why it is no longer a park. References were made to Ordinances 133, 116, and 115.
For the purpose of Ordinance 133 "Park" does not include the Goose Lake and Log House
Landing boat launch sites.
Christensen stated the main concern was that Ordinances were not being enforced. It was
advised that violations should be brought to the Sheriff's Department as soon as possible to
allow for enforcement. Chair Jinks shared his concern that making the Log House Landing a
park would restrict the public from valid overnight access to the river. Chair Jinks invited Jerry
Cusick to address the Committee.
Cusick, 15978 Scandia Trail, addressed the Committee and shared the history of Ordinance
115, which became adopted on March 17, 2009. Cusick wrote a letter to then City Administrator
Anne Hurlburt with concerns regarding this Ordinance. Specifically, regarding established park
hours and possession of firearms and bows/arrows. Cusick stated public access was
subsequently removed from the Ordinance and discharge replaced possession. Cusick
suggested the City could post a sign at the Landing with rules for the top three violations. Cusick
shared that if public can access the river without trespassing, the public has a right for all uses
of the river.
Handt questioned what rules are wanted. Schlingerman suggested no fires. Jinks questioned
what specific action is being requested. Schlingerman stated she wanted specific rules and
regulations. Jinks questioned what rules and regulations beyond the existing statutes and
ordinances.
Jinks stated he would not support closing access to the river. Katherine Lewis, 20453 Quinnell,
in attendance at the meeting, shared her grandparents donated the Log House Landing for the
public to enjoy and she didn't want to exclude access to the river. Lewis' concern was the noise
level and late night activity.
After a lengthy discussion regarding concerns of noise, late night activity, and campfires,
Committee members felt comfortable with the current Ordinances and Statutes to address
citizen concerns.
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Borg, to take no action at this time. The motion carried 4-
0.
June 1, 2015
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 3 of 4
Recommend 2016 Budget
Negus reported the $9,500 listed under "530 Capital Improvements" includes $7,500 for
improvements at the Erickson lighted ball field, which is offset by the annual $150 advertising
sign fee that provides revenue to a dedicated fund. Negus shared the $2,000 is designated for
wetland restoration at Lilleskogen.
Handt informed "319 Other Services" includes expenses to Camp Lakamaga for summer
recreation programs and Katy Herman for winter skating programs.
Zauner questioned if the Committee should recommend an increased budget for Vinterfest
expenses. Jinks felt the $1,000 budget was sufficient since he did not anticipate any wildlife
attractions for Vinterfest 2016.
Borg recommended including $5,400 in the budget for the removal of invasive species in the
event the City Council would not approve advancing funds this year. Handt advised that, at this
time, the Committee's recommendation is their best estimate and the proposed budget can
change as circumstances change.
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Borg, to approve the 2016 Parks and Recreation budget.
The motion carried 4-0.
Taco Daze Planning
Negus informed last year we hired one dodgeball referee. Due to the lack of additional
applications, three Committee members volunteered to referee the dodgeball tournament.
Negus questioned if Committee members should commit to volunteering or if Staff should be
directed to post the position. Committee members felt confident they could find adult
community volunteers if they could not commit. Handt reminded Committee members that adult
volunteer referees would not get paid.
Motion by Rasmussen, seconded by Zauner, not to make any changes to the structure,
rules, or promotions of the dodgeball tournament and to referee the tournament with
adult volunteers. The motion carried 4-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Vinterfest 2016 -Theme and Donation Guidelines
Committee members discussed the guidelines for donation structure for Vinterfest donations as
questioned by the City Council at their May 19, 2015 meeting.
Committee members agreed on the need to review the recommended "50% of proceeds" for for-
profit donations. After discussion, Committee members agreed on "50% of the net proceeds or
a minimum donation of $500."
In addition, Committee members agreed the button sales would be set at a $2 per button
donation with sales to be set at $3 per button. Committee members also agreed businesses
wanting to sell buttons would need to pay the $2 per button donation.
Motion by Jinks, seconded by Zauner, to make the above recommendations for Vinterfest
donations to the City Council. The motion carried 4-0.
June 1, 2015
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Page 4 of 4
Chair Jinks shared the suggestions to date for Vinterfest themes included "Moose," "Crayfish,"
"Alfred Nobel," and "Selma." Jinks informed that this year's Gammelgarden's theme is
"Hemslojden." Jinks suggested we continue this theme for Vinterfest 2016. Hemslojden means
Swedish handwork. This year, Gammelgarden is showcasing women's handwork. Jinks also
suggested using Gammelgarden's theme each year.
Motion by Rasmussen, seconded by Zauner, to use Hemslojden as the theme for
Vinterfest 2016. The motion carried 4-0.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The Committee agreed on the following agenda items for the July 6, 2015 meeting:
1. Veterans' Memorial --Dave Wilson
2. Park Volunteer Opportunities
(Handt informed volunteers from Lakes Free will be available for three Thursdays in July.)
ADJOURNMENT
Zauner, seconded by Rasmussen, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant