Former college volleyball star is new Zephyr coach

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Tia Schlundt, a former Division II All-America player with powerhouse Concordia-St.

Paul, is the new volleyball coach for the Mahtomedi Zephyrs.

“Having played volleyball through the collegiate level, I understand the importance of hard work, accountability, and leadership, both on and off the court,” Schlundt stated on the Zephyrs’ website.

Schlundt takes over a Zephyr program that notched its first conference title and first state tournament trip in

2022. She has coached in the Mahtomedi Area Volleyball Association for several years and headed the freshman team in 2022. She succeeds Jaden Burns, who was head coach for just that one season.

“We're excited to have Tia Schlundt lead the next chapter of Zephyr volleyball, and develop young women of character on and off the court,” said Aaron Forsythe, activities director.

She was Tia Lindberg, from Forest Lake, when she helped get Concordia-St. Paul started on its rise to national prominence. Lindberg delivered 1,456 kills and was the Golden Bears’ first All-America player, earning that honor twice. She helped them qualify for their first two national tournaments and a runner-up finish in 2003. CSP has since won nine national championships.

The CSP Hall of Fame inducted Schlundt in 2022. She is married to former CSP baseball player David Schlundt, and they have two children. She has an MBA from Concordia and is a Senior Global Marketing Manager for Medtronic.

“My goal is to create an environment where young athletes can realize their full potential, giving them the confidence to excel in all areas of their life,” Schlundt said.

Burns commented that she had “an awesome first year as head coach, with a great group of players and staff.” She made the “painful decision” to step away for the time being, adding that she’s confident she will eventually coach again.

• It has taken a while but the City Hall parking lot will finally be lighted, after council authorized city staff to execute a contract with Vetter’s Electric, Inc. in the amount of $38,200 to light the area. The lights are expected to increase safety and security around City Hall and be “downcast” to avoid unnecessary light pollution. Additional shielding is available as an inexpensive add-on once the lights are in place, in the event they still create a nuisance for neighbors. The delay in installing the lights is due to the city’s two unsuccessful applications for Occupational Safe and Health Administration grants of $10,000 to offset the cost of the lights. Instead, the project will use money from the Street Fund and Street Capital Improvement Project that includes municipal parking lots.

• The city has a new massage/sauna business in town, after Council approved a Massage Establishment License request from owner, Christina Juger, at 7087 Centerville Road, subject to her submitting appropriate insurance documentation.The Centennial Lakes Police Department has approved her background check, and she has submitted all other paperwork. Council also approved a Massage Therapy License for Jodi Cruz/Day to perform those services at 7087 Centerville Road.

• Council approved the 2024 budget for its telecommunications provider, North Metro Telecommunications Commission. The operating budget for 2024 is $1.4 million, a $27,692 increase over expected expenditures from 2023 that includes a 3% COLA increase for staff. Other expenditure increases include building maintenance costs and insurance costs. Budgeted capital costs from the current year amount to $570,884, a $57,451 decrease from the 2023 budget. Each city is asked to approve the budget each year, prior to Oct. 15.

• The city is remaining diligent in fulfilling its longterm contract with the Anoka County Historical Society (ACHS) to reimburse the organization every four to six months for display hardware at a cost of $250. Council authorized a donation of $500 from the General Fund to the ACHS. As part of City Hall renovations and redesign in 2021, a “history niche” was added to council chambers. The city and the ACHS signed a memorandum of understanding assigning the ACHS the responsibility of maintaining and curating the display case on an ongoing basis.

• Centerville recently bought a UW56 Bobcat from Tri-State Bobcat and will also purchase an extended warranty. The standard warranty will expire on Oct. 25, and staff recommended purchasing an extended warranty on the Bobcat using money from the General Fund at a cost to be determined.

• The property owners at 1846-73rd Street have been given the green light to build a four-foot chain link fence within the side yard setback within the city’s right-of-way/drainage and utility easements on the east side of their property.

• The property owners at 7320 Deer Pass Drive have also been given the go-ahead to build a five-foot chain link fence in the sides and rear yard setbacks within the city’s right-of way/drainage and utility easements on the north, south and east sides of their property.

• A lthough National Night to Unite has come and gone, council approved a Special Event permit for the Meadow Court neighborhood on Aug. 1, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., provided the event didn’t result in the blocking of driveways, fire hydrants and access to emergency vehicles.

• Council needs a block of time to discuss the implementation of the current strategic plan, downtown redevelopment, Population 5000 and other topics, so Assistant City Administrator Athanasia Lewis was directed to set up the retreat date. Her scheduling criteria include any Saturday in October or November, a single four-hour time block, a time not attached to another business meeting, and a date when Junior Council Rowan Shaw is still a member of council.

• Open seats on two of the city’s most important advisory committees are still available. The Parks & Recreation Committee, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at City Hall, has one open seat. The Planning and Zoning Commission, which meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at City Hall, has two open seats. There will also be a work session immediately beforehand at 5 p.m.

The next city council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23 at City Hall.