Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 8, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 11, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of December 11, 2013. Motion passed 5-0-2 (Flores and Jarson present). OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg reported that the City is set to close on the Aasness property this Friday, noting that the checks have been cut and the paperwork simply needs to be signed. He hoped that he would be able to report at the next meeting that the property is owned by the City as open space. He referenced the Selmer property and noted that even though negotiations stalled when the sewer study was released, he didn’t believe that the door for that land purchase option had been closed. He briefly identified parcels that have been approved for, or have interest in, the available sewer units. He gauged the interest of the Commission in a possible 30 to 40 acres spread over two parcels. Commissioner Kovich confirmed that the Commission always had interest in the land in that area. Commissioner Perry questioned if the Commission has interest in other properties in the City, as this would be close to other open space areas. Commissioner Kovich stated that the Commission had always ranked the property in discussion very highly but agreed that all avenues should be kept open at this time. Mr. Carlberg stated that he will continue to gather information and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. He noted that the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan in regard to the 83 acre expansion of the urban service area will go before the Metropolitan Council later this month for approval. Commissioner Kovich asked for an updated map of the City at the next Commission in order to search for available properties in other areas of the city. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2014 Page 2 Mr. Carlberg reported that the last aerial map was developed in 2011, noting that a new flyover would be conducted this spring to develop a new map. He advised that the Commission could look at other available aerial photographs through Google Earth. Commissioner Olson confirmed that the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan would be on the consent agenda at the Metropolitan Council and was surprised that there would not be public input. Mr. Carlberg noted that staff for the Metropolitan Council has received a lot of input from residents in Andover regarding this issue. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg presented photographs from Martins Meadows that had recently been taken. He advised that there will soon be an article in the Star Tribune from a reporter that was out cross country skiing in the open space area. He noted that there have not been any snowmobile tracks in the open space area since the signage and fencing were installed, but noted that there were a number of deer tracks across the site. Chairperson Sabel advised that she had visited the open space area this past weekend as well. Mr. Carlberg noted that the input from the Commission in regard to the community survey were provided to the company drafting the survey and advised that a draft version of the survey should be made available at the January 21st City Council meeting. He hoped to have the community survey available for the Commission to review at the February meeting. He reviewed the current budget of the open space fund and what would be available following the closing on the Aasness property. Commissioner Flores stated that he agrees with the comments made by Commissioner Perry in regard to looking at properties in other areas of the City. Mr. Carlberg noted that the easiest method to determine interest in selling property to the Commission might be to publish an article in the newsletter, noting that the next available edition of the newsletter would be the March/April issue. He noted that Commissioner Flores has chosen not to reapply to be on the Commission and thanked him for his service as this will be his last meeting. Commissioner Flores stated that it was nice to be a part of this group and to find others in the City that are also concerned with preserving open space. He noted that while he would love to continue on the Commission, he now works further away from Andover and does not have enough time to make it to the meetings regularly. He believed that it will also be good to add new blood and ideas into the Commission. Mr. Carlberg believed the Star Tribune article will be published the following Wednesday. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – January 8, 2014 Page 3 a. Next Meeting: February 12, 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Motion passed 7-0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary