Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 12, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Myers, Jim Olson, and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Bruce Perry Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director; Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician; Todd Rexine, Great River Greening RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 8, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Olson, to approve the minutes of October 8, 2014. Motion passed 5-0. REVIEW MARTIN’S MEADOWS MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Todd Rexine provided information on Great River Greening, including the funding sources. Commissioner Van Hecke arrived. Mr. Kytonen highlighted some tasks on the Martin’s Meadows Management Plan that staff believes should occur this fall/winter/spring. He noted that staff previously obtained a verbal agreement with the adjacent property (the Luedtkes) owner to obtain access for some of these tasks. Mr. Carlberg commended Mr. Kytonen for his efforts updating the Management Plan Summary/Table and asked if the Commission has any concerns with the Plan as proposed. Mr. Rexine reported that the grant funds are available through June 30, 2017. Mr. Kytonen stated that there is still $117,000 available in grant funds for this area. Mr. Carlberg noted that without the boardwalk there is approximately $50,000 to $60,000 proposed for management activities and questioned what else could or should be done. Mr. Rexine explained the thinning process that would assist in controlling the ash trees. He stated that even after the 2017 window is closed he would like to keep an open dialogue with the City in the case that additional funds become available. He stated that the DNR is developing their pollinator guidelines and believed that once those are set they could be applied to the existing grant funds. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – November 12, 2014 Page 2 Commissioner Van Hecke stated that there is a huge temptation for young people, and others, to go up and down the overlook area the City is attempting to restore from erosion and questioned if perhaps that would be a good location for stairs. Mr. Rexine stated that the funds could not be used for building stairs. Mr. Carlberg did not believe that walking down the overlook area is causing erosion problems and believed that the ATV’s and snowmobiles caused the problem. Mr. Kytonen acknowledged that is a problem area and stated that perhaps a fence could be installed on the bottom to prevent that activity. Mr. Rexine stated that perhaps the local Watershed would have funds available for erosion control. Mr. Carlberg stated that he would like to see more detail on the Plan, such as additional buckthorn control and pollinator plantings, as well as the line item amounts for the items increased. He stated that his fear is that in 2016 there will still be $50,000 left to use. He believed that a greater impact should be made at Martin’s Meadows. Mr. Rexine stated that the funds may be limited to anything that was not included in the last grant application. He noted that he will follow up to determine if follow up activity could occur on those tasks. Chairperson Sabel stated that perhaps additional plantings should be added that assist in bee health. She commented on the Anoka natural area, north of the library and stated that she is not at all impressed. She noted that the trails are paved and very wide and did not believe that it was very natural at all. Commissioner Kovich stated that perhaps rather than a boardwalk a path could be constructed across the wetland simply using dirt. He noted that the City will be gaining wetland credits for the Coon Creek Golf Course and could possibly offset that path. It was noted that the golf course is within the Coon Creek Watershed while the open space area is within the Lower Rum River Watershed, which could be problematic. Mr. Carlberg explained that the intent is to sell an easement to the Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) in order to replace the funds used to purchase the golf course property. Chairperson Sabel stated that she likes the wandering path around the wetland and would not be interested in crossing the wetland. Mr. Carlberg believed staff had sufficient direction to update the Plan further. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – November 12, 2014 Page 3 Mr. Kytonen stated that with the support of the Commission he will send literature to the private property owners surrounding the open space regarding invasive species management and possible assistance that may be available. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg stated that the closing is scheduled for Friday, November 21st for the Selmer/Blanchette property, noting that the issue has been the removal of the blanket pipeline easement that runs over the entire property. He noted that all necessary information has been sent to the Koch Pipeline for the release of the easement and once that is completed the sale will close. He stated that once the Selmer property closes, staff will meet with Dennis Kuiken to discuss the purchase of some of his land. Commissioner Myers referenced the Martin’s Meadows Management Plan, specifically language used under the trail portion describing foot traffic. Mr. Carlberg noted that he would delete a portion of the language so it does not imply that people should not wander off the trails. He also displayed photographs of the kiosks that have been constructed at Martin’s Meadows and North Woods Preserve. DISCUSS NEED FOR JOINT MEETING WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Chairperson Sabel stated that she would like to hold a joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission. Mr. Carlberg advised that the Park and Recreation Commission will be meeting on December 18th at 7:00 p.m. He stated that the Commissions could meet in joint session at 6:00 p.m. on that night. He advised that this Commission will still hold their December 10th meeting and could prepare for the joint meeting discussion at that time. Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Van Hecke, to hold a joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission on December 18, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. DEVELOP PROGRAMMING FOR OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES Chairperson Sabel stated that she has spoken with some groups, such as the Master Naturalists and Scout groups that would be interested in providing programing in the open space areas. She noted that she has obtained volunteers that would like to host events in the open space areas and advised that the events could be advertised on the City website and through the newsletter. Commissioner Kovich agreed that this could be a good tool in gaining more attendance in the open space areas. He noted that this could be a collaborative effort with the parks. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – November 12, 2014 Page 4 Mr. Carlberg noted that could be added to the agenda for the joint meeting. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would also like to speak about management efforts at Kelsey Round Lake Park. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that he has three items listed for the joint meeting agenda including the parks planning in the Selmer/Blanchette area, promotion or programming of open space and park areas and maintenance of Kelsey Round Lake Park. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg stated that he received a suggestion from Councilmember Trude that perhaps an open house should be held to invite the public to participate or provide input on the management plans for Martin’s Meadows and North Woods Preserve. He noted that the Commission develops the Plan but stated that perhaps once a Plan is developed the public could be invited to review. a. Next Meeting: December 10, 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Chairperson Sabel, to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary