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2022 October - Fall NewsletterDedicated to Rural Community Values City 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.scandi&mn.us Hours: Mondaythru Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Like u7-1.c-ook tm the Most UInfossnation October PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Scandia, MN 55073 PERMIT #6 December • December 10, Lions Breakfast with Santa, 8-11:30 a.m. • December 11, Lucia Dagen, Gammelgarden • December 15, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m. • December 24 and 26, Christmas Third Tuesday. 7:00 P.m. • October 31, Safe Halloween at the Fire Holiday —Office Closed Council Work Session: Hall, 5-7 p.m. January First Wednesday. 6:30 P.m. November Planning Commission: January 2, New Year's Day Observed -- First Tuesday. 7:00 P.m. • November 2, Butik at Gammelgarden Office Closed WS 10 4 S 14 CCty Council: Christine Mae sf yk . Maw 651.433.5684 Patti Rav 612.812.5591, lent' Cusick 651.433.5865 Heather Benson 651.433.0168 Steve Kronmiller 651.53&0094 October 4, Cinnamon Bun Day, 6-8 a.m. • December 7, Public Hearing, 2023 City October 10, Columbus Day Observed— Budget and Tax Levy, 6:30 p.m. Office Closed • December 5, Lions Blood Drive, October 11, Fir- n-^=-1­1 Community Center, 12-6 p.m. House, 5-7 p.m October 15, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8- 11:00 a.m. October 20, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m. October 20-23, 2nd Annual Second Regular Council Meeting Hand Swedish Sale hammelaarden ci Sta . Ken Cammilled. Administrator Brenda Eklund. City Clerk ,. Colleen Firkus. Treasurer Brenda "Bed' Stignani. Office Assist. Parks & Res, Coord Charles Fischer. Director of Public Works ss Mike Hinz Fire Chief Chris Nelson, Attorney Eckberg Lammers Ryan Goodman, Engineer Bolton & Menk Evan Monson. Planner. TKDA opens, - at— a.m.— p.m., un - . January 16, Martin Luther King Day — p.m. until December 23rd Office Closed November 8, Election Day, 7am-8pm November 11, Veterans Day Observed —Office Closed November 17, Scandia Evening Adventures, 5-8 p.m. November 18, Turkey Bingo, 7p.m. November 24 and 25, Thanksgiving Holiday —Office Closed November 27, Vinterlights! November 27 Scandia Holiday Shopping Extravaganza, 12-5 p.m., Community Center February • February 4, Vinterfest • February 4, Lions Pancake Breakfast, 8- 11:30 a.m. • February 20, Presidents' Day —Office Closed March • March 12, Daylight Savings Time Begins Formore information and a Citymeeting / calendar, see: w .cityofscandia.com VOLUME 16, ISSUE 2 OCTOBER 2022 Atwice-yearlypublicationforresidentsoftheCityofScandia,Minnesota Message From the Mayor Volunteers are the heart of our Scandia community. From the Scandia- L1 ("1 A �TiIT A Marine Lions Club comprised of members who support families, individuals, 171�1�-1� DI A and community organizations in the Scandia/Marine/May Township area including giving scholarships to our graduating high school students and dictionaries each year to Scandia Elementary 3`d Grade students, providing emergency assistance and performing hands-on community work and service projects to our Scandia Fire and Rescue Squad - men and women volunteer firefighters who make innumerable sacrifices in order to serve our community, to committee volunteers such as those of the Park and Recreation Committee, Economic Development Authority, Tourism Committee, Internet Action Committee, Sister City Committee, and many other individual groups. The Scandia Heritage Alliance which has successfully been moving forward with projects to preserve and celebrate Scandia's rich history, culture, arts and rural character. The Gateway Trail into Scandia initiative which was, in August, successful in being recommended by the state LCCMR committee which makes funding recommendations to the legislature for special environment and natural resource projects to receive $2,689,000 for a trail from the Scandia Village Center to William O'Brien State Park. Then there are local neighborhood volunteer groups such as the Big Marine Lake Association and the Bone Lake Association, elementary school volunteers, church volunteers and Gammelgarden volunteers. I encourage you to look for ways to volunteer in Scandia. Volunteering is good for mind and body. It strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, it exposes you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun, fulfilling activities. Call the Scandia city office, 651-433-2274, or reach out to me at 651-433-2684 to inquire about available volunteer opportunities. Wishing you a wonderful fall and winter. Christine Maefsky Mayor Exciting Sister City News � s, L, � Scandia's Sister City Committee is learning this program will facilitate more tourism in how to form a robust and lasting relationship both towns and a fun learning experience with thed 1 f Sister Cit about twoult Ifinterested goo peop e o our Is er I y In a ou our c ores. you are In Mellerud, Sweden. The two international hosting, in touch with Patti Ray at • please get committees meet together every two months p.ray@ci.scandia.mn.us. s in an online meeting. Lucky for Scandia that Both committees have also agreed to host a Sweden teaches English from an early age! joint anniversary celebration of signing the Vinterfest: February 4, 2023. The two committees are working on setting up Sister City Charter, complete with a much- Family friendly events all day. a visitor exchange program where people loved FIKA with lots of sweet pastries, on April Check the City's website and the sign up to host a couple or family from 20, 2023. Country Messenger for event Mellerud Sweden, in Scandia. Mellerud updates in early January. residents would host a Scandia couple or Look for the new Sister City highway signs family. We hope coming soon to Scandia highways! Internet Expansion Update s Gateway Trail Update Electien New. The City of Scandia was tentatively planned improvements to enhance Planning Commission News awarded a $2.7 million grant for the state park accessibility. In the long- Kid. winter skating Cl..... engineering and construction of a term, this trail segment will be part of segment of the Gateway State Trail from the connection between the Capital and New Development Code the Environment and Natural Resources Duluth. This phase of the project will Parks Open House Trust Fund (ENRTF) as recommended include a pedestrian tunnel under Inside Fire & Rescue News by the Legislative -Citizen Commission Oakhill Road N (CR-52) and 2,000 feet on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) this of recreational trail. The project will This Best of Scandia Extrava an s. year. The project will connect the ultimately connect to trails within the Issue: Public Works News Scandia Village Center (behind state park. The City is providing staff Scandia Evening Adventures Meister's Bar and Grill) to William support and land for a trailhead O'Brien State Park within the next 3-5 parking lot. Pla du date ygronn p years. This project coincides with Memorial Park Bench Program Page z_ _____Jiigh Speed Internet Expansion Progress Report - Fall 2022 Scandia's efforts to with completion by late fall. Check at this Additionally, Scandia has sent a letter expand high speed website to determine if you are within the supporting Frontier Communications' broadband service expansion areas: www.midco.com/ grant application to the State of Minnesota continues in 2022 about/service-areas/scandia/ to upgrade Frontier's service in Scandia and 2023. For 2023 Scandia has allocated $432,000 to fiber from the older DSL lines. T h i s y e a r ' s in local funding for another expansion Scandia's Internet Action Committee has construction will and requested MidCo provide a plan for been working since 2020 with the goal of reach approximately the city's approval, including additional bringing high speed broadband to all of 160 households and be provided by outside grant moneywhere possible. Scandia within 5 years. The work MidCo. The project is underway now continues and is on pace. Election Day: Tuesday, November 8th Planning Cormnission News: All Scandia residents vote at the County Elections at 651-430-6190 to A recent Solar Survey, asking residents to Community Center, 14727 209th Street have the application mailed to your express their views of solar farms in Scandia, North. Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close residence. Voters are encouraged to garnered 207 responses. Ten nonresidents at 8:00 p.m. For voters unable to enter submit absentee ballot applications answered also. Questions were asked the Community Center, curbside voting early. Absentee ballots cannot be regarding the number of projects allowed, is offered. In this case, the voter can dropped off at Scandia City Hall. screening and permitting requirements, and request that a ballot is brought out to the effects of solar on the environment. their vehicle. This service is also For city offices, Scandia will elect a offered at all early voting sites. Mayor and two City Council members. Responses were split between those Candidates for city offices in the approving the projects and those opposed, Early Voting Now Underway— In- with a small percentage reporting neutral person absentee and ballot drop off order they appear on the ballot are— views. A deeper evaluation of the results and runs through Nov. 7 at five Vote Center Mayor: Christine Maefsky suggestions for consideration by the Planning locations across Washington County Commission and Council is in process. during regular business hours Monday Council member: Christopher through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Massicotte Johnson, Jerry Cusick, Lori Earlier this year, Council issued a moratorium on Saturday, November 5" from 8 a.m. Lavin, Michael Lubke, Donald Baber on new solar farm development and tasked to 3 p.m. The nearest locations are the For more election information including the Planning Commission with reviewing the Headwaters Service Center in Forest sample ballots, along with links to ordinance for possible changes. Results of the Lake and the Government Center in downloadable registration and public survey will help guide that report. Stillwater. Absentee ballots are not absentee ballot application forms, available at the Scandia city office. please see the City website at Kids Winter Programming Residents may also request that a ballot www.cityofscandia.com/Elections be mailed to them. Voters may apply Scandia Parks & Recreation will offer ice skating for an absentee ballot online at classes in January for elementary school students. MNVotes.org or call Washington ki 1. Learn to Skate —Beginner /Advanced � New Development Code 2. Pleasure Skate %�"� 3. Hockey Skills Remodeling? Adding a storage shed? Any new project —check out the NEW DEVELOPMENT CODE - Watch for registration to open in December! information that will go in effect October 12, 2022— Scandia Fire & Rescue www. cityofscandia. com/CodeUp date PARKS, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN OPEN HOUSE When: Wadnwday,0cto6ar14",5-8pm Wnem Scandia community Cantar I477720th5PeerN M5Aen11Wf11'A mganopenhouseforme Gtyof Scandds Parai aecrertbn & ooen space Masrer Flan. smp tym near more &—the pmJee am snare yn�rcnolrc: aan�r scalar parks ane c�reaxnnaa oupommlcsl Learn more at cMyQf1,andla comZParksPIan A fOjMSA NEW —apply online—www.cityofscandia.com/BurnPermit • Fire Prevention Open House at the Scandia Fire station October I Ith 5-7 pm with demonstrations throughout the evening & Scandia Marines Lions providing food. • Mark your driveway or mailbox with at least 2" reflective numbers (visible from either direction) for fire, police, ambulance & other public safety members to quickly find your home in the event of an emergency. Additional markings are needed for shared driveways and mailbox clusters. See City Ordinance 152.20 on the city's website for specifications of identification (www.cityofscandia.com) • Driveways must be accessible to fire engines. These trucks must have a clear path that is 12' wide by 14' tall. Tree branches damage our vehicles resoondina to vour home in times of crisis. i October 31 * 5-7 pm, Best of Scandia Holiday I Page 3 I w Safe Halloween Shopping Extravaganza! Event at the Scandia Fire Station The Best of Scandia Holiday Shopping Extravaganza is Sunday, November 27' from noon-5 p.m. as part of Scandia's Vinterlights. Mark your calendars as this Scandia-Marine Lions providing event is not to be missed! In addition to the fabulous local artisans, this year's food, and candywill be handed out . event will have free gift wrapping available and a free Tomte tree ornament given to the first 300 shoppers. Scandia Public Works begin to melt and spring It is that time of year to think about rains start. Please help clear culvert fall preparations for winter. Many of openings on either side of your us are busy splitting wood, fall driveway by removing brush, sand planting, or watching the fall colors or soil, and fallen leaves. appear. The Public Works Remember to avoid stacking snow Department is busy as well, at either end of your culvert. transitioning to winter operations. Currently, staff are mowing Cut back landscaped plant material vegetation in the Right Of Way close to or above the roadway and (ROW) and will begin tree cover any delicate plants if you trimming to allow Sven, Ole, and have special landscaping in the Lena (our mainline plow trucks) the ROW. This will help both your space required to clear snow and Plants and plow operators. ice safely from the roadways. Garbage and Recycling containers Please help prepare the ROW for slow down the snow removal winter as well. Do not park or store Process. In times of snow, please extra vehicles, trailers or other Place these at the end of your seasonal items in the ROW to be driveway in a cleared area. buried in snow. Receptacles in the roadway or snow bank are safety hazards, Consider replacing your mailbox making it difficult to completely support with the swing -arm style, clear snow from the roadway. as these are designed with impact in mind. They swing out of the way If you are connected t one of the if a vehicle or snow from the plow City's septic systems, please ease do not blade comes in contact with the Park seasonal vehicles, docks, or mailbox. Specifications are trailers near the settling tanks or lift available on the city's website at: tanks. In the event any maintenance www.cityofscandia.com/Mailbox or repair is required, clear access Contact the local post office for to these structures dramatically details of where to place any increases Public Works response to mailbox. issues and decreases down time of your service. Clear culverts are key to Wishing everyone a safe fall and preventing flooded ditches and roadways later when winter snows winter. Memorial Park Bench Program The Parks and Recreation Committee invite you to consider providing a Memorial Bench in Lilleskogen Park in honor of a special friend or relative. To find out more, go to www.citvofscandia.com/ ParkBench or contact staff during regular business hours— (651)433-2274. Scandia Evening Adventures Shop, Eat, & Be Merry! You are invited on October 20, November 17, and December 14 to explore the various specials offered at select Scandia businesses between 5-8pm. Local businesses may vary each month but we're working with Abrahamson Nursery, Apothecary's Daughter, Countryside Art Studio, Dickens Pickins, Gammelgarden, Garden Gate at Crabtrees, Prairie Restoration, and Rustic Roots Winery. If your business is interested in participating, contact Sue Dickens at sidickens2000(cDvahoo.com. We would love to add you to the fun! Adventurous Shoppers? Check out www.citvofscandia/Adventures for specific detail updates. Playground Update Scandia was awarded an Outdoor Recreation Grant from the DNR to replace the playground at the Community Center. Public Works staff have removed the old structures. Fall installation plans include: playground curbing, picnic area concrete pad, and sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the picnic area and playground. The new playground structure, rubberized and wood chip surfaces are planned to be installed in the Spring of 2023. These improvements add ADA accessibility to the park. The City is accepting park donations for this project from residents and businesses until December 31, 2022. Donations will be invested in additional amenities that may include: shade trees, benches, tables, outdoor exercise equipment, or play structures. Decisions on how to best utilize additional funding will be considered in January of 2023. Please contact City Hall at 651-433-2274 if you are interested in donating.