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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 14, 2012tj C I T Y O F ND OVE_ _ 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda November 14, 2012 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes — October 10, 2012 4. Hanson Area Acquisition of Property Update © 5. Review and Discuss Potential Open Space Property Acquisitions 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: December 12, 2012 7. Adjournment U REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING © NOVEMBER 14, 2012 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: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, and Suzanne Van Hecke (left the meeting at 7:57 p.m.) Commissioners absent: Bruce Perry Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — October 10, 2012 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Jarson to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 -0. HANSONAREA ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY UPDATE © Mr. Carlberg displayed an aerial photograph of the properties along the east side of Hanson Boulevard and identified the desired parcels to be acquired. He reported that the City Council recently approved purchase agreements with Selmer, Kuiken, and Lawrence families to obtain a total of 51 acres, with a permanent easement over the one acre of Lawrence property. He advised that all of the purchase agreements have a closing date deadline of December 31, 2012, contingent upon an access road to the properties. He explained that the area of the Lawrence property is considered a farmed wetland by the Lower Rum River Water Management Organization ( LRRWMO) which could have additional financial implications. He advised that the Council reviewed the matter in closed session and directed staff to move forward if the road can be constructed within the budgeted amount, the Council is not interested in paying the additional amount that may be necessary for filling and mitigating the farmed wetland. He stated that staff is investigating other access options but explained that if the road cannot be built within that budgeted amount the purchases will likely fall through. Commissioner Olson stated that he does not believe that the open space funds could be used to construct a roadway. Mr. Carlberg stated that under legal review it has been determined that the funds could be used to construct access to an open space area. © Commissioner Flores agreed that funds should be spent on land and not an access road. Mr. Carlberg explained that if the LRRWMO is firm on their view of the area as farmed wetland he believed the deals may fall through. He reiterated that the Council has no interest in paying an additional amount for purchasing wetland credits for constructing the roadway. He noted that the © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 14, 2012 Page 2 City should have a decision from the LRRWMO by the end of the week and that will guide the direction for the future. Commissioner Olson stated that he believes that the City should pay for the roadway to be constructed, as the open space funds will be used to purchase the land. Chairperson Sabel stated that the Commission and the City have come out so much better than she could have imagined because the funds were gained and then property values fell, so the Commission was able to purchase so much more with the funds. She explained that because of that, she was willing to use the open space funds to construct an access road to the property. Commissioner Flores stated that it did not seem fair that the families involved would be losing out on the funds they are thinking about gaining from the sale and believed that maybe the landowners could possibly assist in finding a solution to the access issue. Mr. Carlberg agreed that any information passed down from the LRRWMO would be shared with the families. © Commissioner Olson stated that there was another access option through property to the north to Ward Lake Drive. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that the Council would not approve the construction of a roadway that requires a one to one or two to one wetland replacement, and the Council would also not support the purchase of the property without it being accessible to the public. RE VIE WAND DISCUSS POTENTIAL OPEN SPACE PR OPER TY A CQ UISITIONS Mr. Carlberg provided an update on the property owner that had expressed possible interest in selling 35.68 acres of open space land to the City that has multiple owners. The current listing price is too high. He referenced an additional property which is approximately 120 acres along the Rum River that was rumored to be up for sale. He noted that he followed up with a member of the family that stated they have no intention and no interest in selling any of their land. Commissioner Kovich noted that additional land opportunities could be discussed at the December meeting once a decision is known on the Hanson area properties. Commissioner Van Hecke identified a parcel along the Rum River, near the Strootman Park boat © launch, that is currently listed for sale. She advised that there is a public boat launch neighboring the parcel which would make the area seem larger. Mr. Carlberg noted that the area is within the floodway and there are some issues with buildability. He noted that he could obtain additional information on the parcel prior to the December meeting. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — November 14, 2012 Page 3 OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg referenced the budget and reported that the open space fund currently has a balance of $752,683.03. He referenced the maintenance issues identified on the walkthrough conducted of Northwoods Preserve and summarized how those issues are being addressed. He advised of an issue with a neigh boring dog that occurred on the site and noted that staff would follow up to ensure that the dog is chained. He confirmed that he will follow up to ensure that using open space funds to construct a roadway to access open space would be appropriate. Commissioner Van Hecke left the meeting. a. Next Meeting. December 12, 2012 Noted. Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Flores to adjourn. Motion passed 5 -0. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. 0° Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary