Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2015 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:04 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 Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Donna Aasness, Resident RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. OATH OF OFFICE Mr. Carlberg administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Aaron Jarson. He noted that Commissioner Olson had also been reappointed but is not present tonight to be sworn in. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 14, 2015 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of January 14, 2015. Motion passed 6-0. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg stated that staff had hoped the City Council would have discussed the Selmer/Blanchette property during a January Workshop meeting but advised that item has been pushed back to the February 24th Workshop. He advised that staff is meeting with Mr. Wold to discuss his plans for an access road out to Hanson Blvd. He provided an update on the negotiations currently ongoing with Mr. Kuiken and confirmed the desire of the Commission to purchase the property. He hoped to have a closed session of the City Council to discuss the property acquisition negotiations on February 17th. MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATES Mr. Carlberg noted that the management plans had recently been discussed and amended. He referenced the term open space, as well as the type of activity that should occur, and asked for input from the Commission. Chairperson Sabel stated that the lands should be open to the public but with additional controls, such as no bicycles. Mr. Carlberg stated that all of the rules that apply to city parks also apply to open space. He noted that he could bring a copy of the rules list to the next meeting for the Commission to review. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – February 11, 2015 Page 2 Chairperson Sabel provided a draft copy of a document she printed which includes rules for the open space that could be posted in the kiosks. Commissioner Van Hecke suggested the term preservation be used in a statement as well. Mr. Carlberg stated that the Commission has been moving in the direction of providing access to residents and improving wildlife habitat but noted that there is another option to simply preserve the land in a natural setting. He questioned the level the Commission wants to invite residents into the open space properties, noting that a decision would be necessary in order to move forward on grant applications should the Commission make that choice. Donna Aasness stated that there is a middle ground between straight preservation and parks style maintenance and questioned how the public would be made aware of that middle ground. She also questioned how enforcement would occur for those riding bicycles, noting that she has seen bicycles riding through the North Woods Preserve open space area next to them. Commissioner Perry stated that in his opinion if something is named open space it should remain open space. Mr. Carlberg advised that rules/regulations signage had not yet been posted near the North Woods Preserve parking area and noted that would be the next step to be done in the spring. He stated that he will bring the rule/regulations to the March 11th meeting and the Commission can review and amend if necessary. Commissioner Kovich stated that in the past the decision had been made to use the park rules but noted that it may make sense to amend those rules specifically to the open space. He stated that the intent of the open space program had been to save land from development and preserve the land in that sense. Commissioner Van Hecke mentioned a comment that had been made by Mayor Trude that there might be a need to hire additional park staff if there is additional work load required for the maintenance of open space. She personally did not believe that the open space management requires that much work from the Parks Department. Mr. Carlberg explained that the new 40-acre park was the primary reason for the need for additional park staff. He explained that park staff works on open space projects when they have time available. He provided the example of tree trimming that is currently underway and advised that the wood chips created from this activity will be used for the open space paths. He explained that certain open space areas will be used more because the surrounding area is developed with homes, compared to other open space areas that are located in rural areas on a cul -de-sac like Martin’s Meadows. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would like to see access preserved but would also like more information, such as an assessment. She would also like to see a physical barrier to bicycles. She also believed that signage, such as a kiosk, should be placed at the southern entrance to North Woods Preserve. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – February 11, 2015 Page 3 Mr. Carlberg confirmed the consensus of the Commission that signage should be posted, access should be provided to the public with guidance, and minimal maintenance should occur. Commissioner Kovich provided an example of a 40-acre open space/park within the city of Champlin that has minimal signage and maintenance. Commissioner Myers did not think that the foot traffic should be limited to trails as he believes that it is important to allow people to wander through the area. Commissioner Kovich stated that most people will stay on the trail but agreed that the area should remain open for people to wander and view. Chairperson Sabel commented that the draft document she prepared could be made larger to display in the kiosks. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that the language could be made more positive. Mrs. Aasness referenced the issue of wildlife adaptation and recognized that while some types of wildlife adapt well, others do not. Mr. Carlberg noted that he would distribute the document from Chairperson Sabel along with the current rule/regulations to discuss at the March meeting. NAMING OF RECENTLY ACQUIRED OPEN SPACE – SELMER/BLANCHETTE PROPERTY Mr. Carlberg noted that he simply placed this on the agenda to continue the thought process. OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Sabel stated that she and Commissioner Myers are involved in the pollinator task force and believed that perhaps representatives and information from that group could be included at the table that this Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission share at the Andover Family Fun Fest. a. Next Meeting: March 11, 2015 Noted. Mr. Carlberg hoped that a joint meeting could occur between the Commission and City Council during the month of May. ADJOURNMENT Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – February 11, 2015 Page 4 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary