Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MAY 10, 2017 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Acting Chairperson Kim Kovich at 6:02 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Joy Faherty, Aaron Jarson, Jim Olson Commissioners absent: Chairperson Gretchen Sabel and Commissioners Rebecca Dahlberg and Anna Dirkswager Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 8, 2017 Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Jarson, to approve the minutes of March 8, 2017. Motion passed 3-0 (Faherty present). DISCUSS AGENDA FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Kytonen displayed the agenda for the joint meeting tonight with the Council which will immediately follow this meeting. Commissioner Olson stated that perhaps a verbal summary could be done for the Management Plans. Commissioner Jarson stated that perhaps a statement is made that the Management Plans lead into the CIP which would lead directly into the next agenda item. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps a summary of each open space area is given, switching the term open space to preserve. Commissioner Olson stated that originally, he was against changing the term from open space to preserve but after the discussion with the Park Commission members he did support the change to preserve as it better fits the intent of the property. Commissioner Faherty agreed that preserve is more fitting as the term open space was a bit confusing. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2017 Page 2 It was the consensus of the Commission to begin with Martin’s Meadows and go through the different areas, giving a brief summary of the Management Plan and CIP items for each area, which would combine the first and second agenda items together. Commissioner Olson suggested printing out copies of the open space comprehensive priority list, which will help provide guidance as the summaries are reviewed for each area. The Commission reviewed the items on the open space comprehensive priority list. Mr. Kytonen noted that trail maintenance and sign installation is needed for Maple View and advised that those items can be done with in-house staff. He noted that a kiosk would also be helpful as that preserve has a lot of deer ticks and therefore educational information would be helpful. It was the consensus of the Commission that rather than open each Management Plan, they would instead open a map of each area when providing an overview. DISCUSS RESULTS OF CONVERSATIONS WITH PROPERTY OWNERS WHO LIVE ADJACENT TO DALSKE WOODLANDS Mr. Kytonen stated that he met with an adjacent property owner on Monday to review the concerns regarding the entrance and how it does not seem welcoming to visitors. He stated that they both agreed that additional signage along the road would be helping, guiding people to the entrance of the open space. He stated that a brown entrance sign was posted to the right of the entrance but that is being blocked by a tree and will then be moved to a more visible area on its own post. He stated that the property owner would like to keep the no trespassing signs on the trail to keep people off his property. He noted that the signs could discourage people from using the open space. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps the City could offer to create and post a sign that states private property to post on the adjacent properties rather than the existing signs that could be discouraging. Commissioner Faherty stated that perhaps it would be more helpful for the City to create signs guiding people to the open space rather than offering to post additional no trespassing signs. Mr. Kytonen stated that they could post guiding signs along the open space to help guide visitors and encourage them to stay on the open space property. Commissioner Olson asked where visitors will park. Mr. Kytonen stated that topic did come up as the neighbor did not want people to park blocking his driveway. Commissioner Olson stated that perhaps signage could be installed stating park here for the open space on the north side which would guide people away from the driveway. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2017 Page 3 Mr. Kytonen stated that in summary it was a good meeting and the neighbor was receptive to the wishes of the Commission and was very cooperative. He stressed the importance of having a good relationship with the neighbors of the open space areas. Commissioner Faherty asked if the dust from the roadway will be a problem. Mr. Kytonen stated that he will keep that on the radar. DISCUSS AGENDA FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL (CONTINUED) Mr. Kytonen reviewed the items on the priority list for Dalske Woodlands. Commissioner Jarson left the meeting at 6:35 p.m. Acting Chairperson Kovich noted that Dalske needs trails, signs, vegetation management, and access needs to be improved. Mr. Kytonen stated that trails will occur before vegetation management as the trails needs to be determined before you will know where to maintain vegetation. Acting Chairperson Kovich noted that the road signage should be the highest priority for Dalske. DISCUSSION OF GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Mr. Kytonen stated that he has nothing new to report. He stated that there is still the opportunity with Great River Greening to manage the central wetland and advised that the project will be packaged with other opportunities Great River Greening is seeking. DISCUSSION OF REBRANDING OF OPEN SPACES Acting Chairperson Kovich confirmed the consensus of the Commission that open space should be replace with the term “preserve.” KIOSK SIGNAGE UPDATE Mr. Kytonen stated that Commissioner Faherty has done a lot of work on the kiosk signage. Commissioner Faherty stated that she has created drafts for two of the kiosk and noted that before printing they can add the term preserve to each name. She stated that she has created a template of the format that she can use to create posters for the other kiosks in the future. She stated that for Maple View it was more difficult to find the historical information and site features to list. She stated that she received the ecological assessment of the open space and was able to pull information from that list that she thought people would recognize and have interest in. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2017 Page 4 Mr. Kytonen stated that each Commissioner could review the draft and then provide feedback and suggestions for inclusion. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that there is not a kiosk for that open space yet and therefore there is no rush. He stated that he does like the format for the two complete draft posters. Commissioner Faherty stated that the poster is meant to be a welcome with some brief information. She stated that the existing kiosks are three sided and therefore she has begun work on a poison ivy flyer that could be included to educate visitors. She referenced the ecological features that are mentioned in the draft posters and noted that on another side of the kiosk they could display photographs of those features and visitors could try to find the features while they are visiting the site. She noted that the example pictures she has are copyrighted and therefore she encouraged the Commissioners to take and share pictures that they could use in the kiosk. She confirmed that the same format could be used in each kiosk and that would provide consistency throughout the different open space areas. She asked where she would be able to obtain historical information on Maple View and Dalske Woodlands. Mr. Kytonen stated that staff can look into it to see what they can find. Commissioner Olson stated that the County plat would have the historical information of ownership. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that Oak Grove may have information on Dalske because of the public land. Mr. Kytonen stated that he believes that land is owned by the State for wildlife management. Commissioner Faherty stated that she will stop into the historical society in Anoka in attempt to find information and asked staff to provide any contacts they may have. Mr. Kytonen stated that a Scout reached out and is interested in constructing a kiosk at Maple View. Commissioner Faherty stated that currently there is one vertical and one horizontal and the Commission should decide which layout they prefer going forward. She stated that horizontal may be easier for people of all heights to see the information. Acting Chairperson Kovich thanked Commissioner Faherty for all the work she has done on the kiosk posters. OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting: July 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. Acting Chairperson Kovich noted that Funfest is also held in July. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – May 10, 2017 Page 5 Mr. Kytonen asked if the Commission would like to do a site visit anywhere this summer. Acting Chairperson Kovich stated that it would be nice to visit Dalske. It was the consensus of the Commission to walk Dalske at 6:00 p.m. and meet at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Acting Chairperson Kovich noted that if Funfest is before the next meeting they will need to email out a sign-up sheet to staff the booth. Mr. Kytonen stated that he will email out a sign-up sheet to the Commission members in the next month to determine staffing for the booth. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Faherty, to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Motion passed 3-0. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary