Nature Preserve Commission

REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 11, 2020 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Kim Kovich at 6:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Joy Faherty (arrived at 6:14 p.m.), Ryan Ingebritson, Erik Lindberg, Jim Olson, Brian Perra, and Jen Vedadi Commissioners absent: None Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 13, 2019 Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Ingebritson, to approve the minutes of November 13, 2019. Motion passed 3-0 (Lindberg, Perra, and Vedadi present). DISCUSS MAPLE VIEW GRANT (PARTNERSHIP WITH GREAT RIVER GREENING) Mr. Kytonen reported that the City currently has a grant through Great River Greening for Maple View. He noted that in mid to late May the work will continue with some invasive species control on the site. Commissioner Lindberg asked how the removal is completed. Mr. Kytonen replied that chemical treatment is used in the spring. DISCUSS STATUS OF DALSKE WOODLANDS BOARDWALK Mr. Kytonen stated that the City has applied for a grant for the construction of a boardwalk at Dalske Woodlands but has not yet been successful. He stated that he did not apply for the grant this year as the Commission will be meeting with the City Council to discuss the structure of the boardwalk. He explained that the City Engineer is currently supporting the need for a more robust boardwalk for that location, which would have a higher cost. He stated that the high cost of the engineer’s recommendation may make the boardwalk cost prohibitive and therefore the Commission may want to discuss the ability to go with a less robust boardwalk with the City Council, as it would only need to handle foot traffic and perhaps a lawnmower. Commissioner Olson stated that he would not support constructing a boardwalk with a cost of $100,000. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2020 Page 2 Commissioner Faherty arrived at 6:14 p.m. Commissioner Vedadi commented that the southern portion of Dalske Woodlands could be left as free space and open exploration. Commissioner Perra stated that he would prefer a trail. He noted that most visitors of the preserves go around the trails once or a few times while visiting. Chairperson Kovich stated that it could be marketed that visitors could access that portion of the preserve with knee boots. Commissioner Vedadi stated that perhaps signage could help to educate people on how they could explore that southern portion of the preserve. Commissioner Faherty stated that it would be difficult to explore the southern portion of the preserve in the summer because of the type of vegetation. Mr. Kytonen stated that the boardwalk was originally included in the 2020 CIP but because of the cost was pushed out to 2023. Chairperson Kovich commented on the perception that visitors would see the boardwalk as a waste of money for the small area that it would provide access to and suggested that perhaps be kept natural. DISCUSS LIST OF IDEAS FROM COMMISSIONER VEDADI Commissioner Vedadi stated that she brainstormed a list of ways that they could promote the preserves in attempt to bring more people in to enjoy the areas, which was included in the packet. She reviewed some of her ideas that could perhaps expose more children, students and families to the preserves through different activities and/or programming opportunities. Commissioner Faherty stated that perhaps the Commission could partner with the YMCA as a walking activity. She commented that she also liked the stamp/badge idea. Commissioner Perra stated that perhaps one of these activities could be done in conjunction with Andover Fun Fest. Commissioner Vedadi stated that her ideas could be split into short-term and long-term plans to increase utilization of the preserves. Commissioner Faherty agreed that perhaps choosing one or two to begin with would help to spur motivation. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2020 Page 3 Chairperson Kovich stated that there is a lot of grant funding available for taking children outdoors and perhaps there would be that type of funding available to pursue some of these programing ideas. Commissioner Vedadi stated that some of her ideas would take some effort from the Commission but would not be costly, using examples of partnership opportunities. Mr. Kytonen stated that the idea of tying an activity into Fun Fest may be a great way to start. Commissioner Faherty stated that the virtual badge idea would be an easy item that could be tied into Fun Fest. Commissioner Vedadi noted that could also be tied into the park system as well. Commissioner Perra stated that a few of the Commissioners could work on Fun Fest and tying one of these ideas into that. Commissioner Olson stated that at Fun Fest they could have a sign up for an event that would take place a few weeks later in the preserves. Commissioner Vedadi suggested that starting with Fun Fest and having a group of Commissioners work together to determine other programming that they could offer as well. Commissioner Lindberg noted that the possible partnership with the winery would be a unique opportunity that would most likely not have a cost for the City. Commissioner Ingebritson stated that his wife works for the Rum River Art Center, which offers some “plain air” activities but noted that it would be time prohibitive for that group to travel to Andover. He stated that perhaps there could be a contest where residents submit photographs or paintings of things in the preserves and a winner could be selected. Commissioner Faherty stated that perhaps the Rum River Art Center “plain air” group would want to judge the contest. Chairperson Kovich suggested that a work session or smaller work group meeting be held to discuss this topic further. Commissioner Faherty suggested that the focus first be on Fun Fest. It was the consensus that the smaller work group could meet in May and report back to the Commission at the June meeting. Mr. Kytonen stated that he would check with staff on the timing that would be necessary in order to appropriately advertise for a Fun Fest activity. DISCUSS LOGISTICS FOR NATURE PRESERVE TOUR WITH QCTV Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2020 Page 4 Mr. Kytonen reported that the last tours with QCTV were completed in fall of 2017 and highlighted features of preserves. He stated that QCTV is interested in doing another session of tours in the spring. Commissioners Olson, Lindberg, Vedadi and Chairperson Kovich stated that they would be interested in participating in the tours. Mr. Kytonen stated that he would communicate with those interested to schedule the QCTV tours. DISCUSS ITEMS FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Kytonen stated that the Commission could attend on a work session agenda or could meet with the Council prior to a regular meeting on a night that there is not an EDA meeting. Chairperson Kovich stated that a list of topics was created at the last meeting to include on a joint meeting agenda. He briefly reviewed that list of topics to ensure that it is still accurate and will be prioritized as follows: east access to Martins Meadows, open space opportunities within development proposals (similar to park dedication), Dalske boardwalk, OSAC meeting schedule, and review of the OSAC mission. Mr. Kytonen noted that it would be helpful to have multiple members of the Commission attend. He stated that he will find out the date for the meeting and advise the Commission members. DISCUSS PURPOSE/MISSION OF OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION (OSAC) Mr. Kytonen stated that this was included to review as a final draft. Chairperson Kovich confirmed the consensus of the Commission with the final draft of the purpose/mission. OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Perra stated that there is a new neighborhood opening up on the east side of Maple View and noted that perhaps it would be helpful to have an access for that neighborhood to access the preserve. He stated that he can provide additional details to staff. a. Next Meeting: June 10, 2020 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Perra, Second by Commissioner Faherty, to adjourn the meeting at 7:24 p.m. Motion passed 7-0. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes – March 11, 2020 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary