Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Myers, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke (arrived at 7:02 p.m.) Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Donna Aasness, resident RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. Commissioner Van Hecke arrived. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 12, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Jarson, to approve the minutes of November 12, 2014. Motion passed 5-0-1 (Perry present). OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg reported that the sale of the Selmer/Blanchette property closed on November 21st with a purchase price of $345,000. He advised that the southern ten acres of the property was purchased using an alternate funding source. He explained that the property adjacent to the east has been purchased by developers and the City Council wanted additional flexibility and options. He noted that those options could include possible sale of a portion of the ten acres to the adjacent developer for a road connection out of the development to the future road planned out to Hanson Boulevard, realignment of the planned roadway to Hanson Boulevard due to the need to protect a high quality Black Ash Swamp, the creation of a park and/or the ability for the Commission to purchase additional land out of the ten acres. He provided an update on the Kuiken negotiations and reviewed the balance of the open space account. He stated that the open space account funded $258,750 of the total purchase price of the Selmer/Blanchette property, noting that the remaining purchase price is being held as a placeholder in the case that the Council desires the entire parcel to remain as open space in their discussions. He advised that the Council will be discussing this matter further in the next two months through worksession meetings in order to determine what should be done with the ten acres. He stated that perhaps a joint meeting of the Commission and City Council can occur in early 2015 to discuss this matter, as there are two new members that will be joining the Council. He advised that the Commission will further discuss the option of a park to be located in North Woods Preserve and Selmer/Blanchette properties at the joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission on December 18th. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2014 Page 2 REVIEW OF NORTH WOODS PRESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Mr. Carlberg stated that additional language and a historical perspective from Richard Aasness have been added to the beginning of the North Woods Preserve Management Plan. He briefly highlighted some of the proposed changes to the Plan and suggested that the Commissioners read through the document and email any concerns or questions by the end of the year. Chairperson Sabel referenced the map showing cover types that has been updated and asked for additional information on a specific portion. Mr. Carlberg provided additional information that was updated on the map through a review of the Emmerich property. He noted that the change would not have an impact on the open space area because of the open space designation but confirmed that change could have an effect on the potential development on the Emmerich property. Commissioner Kovich identified a portion of the map where the border of the open space area is defined and should be amended. Mr. Carlberg reviewed the access portion of the Management Plan, noting that the first paragraph of the section explains how the parking lot was constructed specifically the work and time of the Public Works Department to complete the lot at a minimal cost. He referenced the signage portion of the Plan, and provided a photograph of the completed kiosk that was constructed by an Eagle Scout. He provided a photograph of the boundary line signage that has been installed in the open space area to assist in preventing people from trespassing onto the Aasness property, noting that the sign did not deter a couple people that continued onto private property. He stated that additional signage can be installed once the ground thaws in the spring. Donna Aasness stated that when the people entered their property from the northwest corner of the open space they traveled off of a trail and wandered around the trees and almost to the Kuiken property to the north. Mr. Carlberg advised that he put maps into the kiosk today and will also place information about the property boundaries into the kiosk as well in attempt to deter people from wandering onto the Aasness property. Chairperson Sabel stated that perhaps additional signs could be placed on the Aasness property facing the open space area stating private property/no trespassing. Mr. Carlberg stated that the Aasness family could choose to place that type of signage on their property if they desire. He stated that he would like to wait and see if the signs work but confirmed that signs could be placed in the future that states “City property ends here”. He encouraged Mrs. Aasness to call the City if she notices footprints on her property and noted that if she sees people trespassing on the property she could call the Anoka County Sheriff’s Department. He again asked the Commission to review the document in their leisure and Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2014 Page 3 provide him with any input by the end of the year. Commissioner Van Hecke identified the area recommended for a prescribed burn and stated that she would rather let that area be rather than conducting a burn. Commissioner Myers stated that it would be interesting to have a below ground camera blind where visitors could climb into the area and see ground level views through the camera. DECEMBER 18TH JOINT MEETING WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION a. Park Planning In North Woods Preserve/Selmer/Blanchette b. Developing Programming For Open Space And Parks c. Maintenance Programming For Kelsey Round Lake Park Area Mr. Carlberg stated that the joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission will be held at 6:00 p.m. on December 18th. He advised that he did update the agenda, following suggestions made by Chairperson Sabel, to include park planning and coordination in the North Woods Preserve/Selmer/Blanchette area, developing nature programming for open space and parks, maintenance programming for Kelsey Round Lake Park area, and other business. Commissioner Myers questioned if there are plans for a kiosk in Kelsey Round Lake Park. Mr. Carlberg noted that could be discussed at the joint meeting as that would be a great location. He asked that the Commissioners think about what they would like to ask or what additional information they would like to get from the Park and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Kovich stated that perhaps Martin’s Meadows and Martin’s Park could be added to the agenda. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that park planning and coordination in Martin’s Meadows area could be added to the agenda as the second item. Chairperson Sabel stated that she has had contact with a naturalist with the DNR that would be willing to work with the Commission to help with programming and training for the programming. OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting: January 14, 2015 Noted. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – December 10, 2014 Page 4 Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary