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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 20, 2013E 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 February 20, 2013 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Swearing in of Commissioners 4. Nominate and Appoint Chair and Vice Chair 5. Approval of Minutes — January 9, 2013 Q6. Open Space Acquisition Update 7. Discuss Joint Meeting With City Council on February 26, 2013 8. Other Business a. Next meeting: March 13, 2013 9. Adjournment x ANL6 6 q j3O9. REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY20, 2013 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, Bruce Perry, and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. SWEARING IN OF COMMISSIONERS Mr. Carlberg administered the oath of office to Bruce Perry and Kim Kovich. He indicated the certificates of office would be updated and signed at the next meeting. NOMINATE AND APPOINT CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Chairperson Sabel opened the floor for nominations for Chair and encouraged other members to consider serving in that capacity. Commissioner Kovich nominated Gretchen Sabel to serve as 2013 Chairperson. Commissioner Olson seconded the nomination. Chairperson Sabel accepted the nomination and opened the floor for nomination for Vice Chair. Commissioner Olson nominated Kim Kovich to serve as 2013 Vice Chair. Commissioner Flores seconded the nomination. Commissioner Kovich accepted the nomination. Mr. Carlberg indicated that since 2007, there has not been a secretarial appointment, as required in the bylaws. The Commissioners agreed with the assessment of Chairperson Sabel that a secretary is not needed since a recording secretary is used to prepare meeting minutes. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —February 20, 2013 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES — January 9, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes. Motion passed on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- present (Commissioner Flores). OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg provided an update on staff's continued work with property acquisition. He explained that since the Lawrences are not interested in a walking path, staff issued letters to the other three parties indicating that purchase agreement was no longer necessary since the City cannot fulfill the access issue. He indicated, however, there was still some interest with the other three parties to contribute towards a minimum maintenance road across the south 40 acres of the Lawrence property so that consideration is in limbo until those parties determine what they would contribute. Mr. Carlberg stated he spoke with Jim Selmer who indicated he was still interested in selling, however, would start to market the property to others as there had been interest. Mr. Carlberg stated he told Mr. Selmer the City was still interested if it can gain access but understood that Mr. Selmer has the right to market and sell. Mr. Carlberg stated he also talked with Richard Aasness who indicated he and his sister are interested in selling 20 -40 acres, was aware of the Selmer/Blanchard purchase, and was happy with the same number for their 40 acres. Mr. Carlberg indicated he had reminded Mr. Aasness that about one -half of his 40 acres was wetland so the City would not be considering a price as high as offered for the Selmer /Blanchard property. Mr. Carlberg suggested the Commission ask the Council whether the road access is an important issue with the Aasness property or if it should be acquired now and held for future use as open space. He noted Mr. Aasness also owns an adjoining 20 -acre parcel to the west in addition to a 5 -acre parcel that abuts the 20 -acre parcel and Hanson Boulevard. If Mr. Aasness is willing to sell the 5 -acre parcel and southern portion of the 20 -acre parcel, the property could be assembled to provide access to the 40 -acre parcel. In addition, the 40 -acre parcel is contiguous with North Woods Preserve. The Commission reviewed contour maps of the Aasness property, noting it contained beautiful wooded areas and features a high and protected area with potential for trail access across the wetland area. Commissioner Kovich stated Mr. Aasness may not be interested in selling the full 20 -acre or 5 -acre parcels because he still wants to hunt. Mr. Carlberg described how the lot lines could be relocated to allow Mr. Aasness to retain a buffer behind his house, which could be 10 -acres in size to allow hunting. Commissioner Kovich suggested Mr. Carlberg contact Mr. Aasness to find out whether he would be willing to sell additional land. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — February 20, 2013 Page 3 Mr. Carlberg reviewed the discussion that had been held during the 2012 Joint City Council Workshop relating to property acquisition and need for public access. Chairperson Sabel noted the Aasness property abutting Hanson Boulevard would have high value. Mr. Carlberg agreed it would have a higher per acre cost than the other acreages. The Commission asked Mr. Carlberg to contact Mr. Aasness to determine if there is interest in selling the 5 -acre parcel abutting Hanson Boulevard and another abutting five acres to the east, in addition to the 40 -acre site. Commissioner Olson asked whether the Council would support the Lawrence parcel if the Lawrences did not object to a parking lot and trail. Mr. Carlberg indicated that is a good question to ask the Council, since it did not support paying that much (about $200,000) for the roadway and open space dollars cannot be used for road access. Commissioner Olson asked if Mr. Lawrence should be told that acquisition may be going a different direction and ask if there is another alternative to provide access from Hanson Boulevard. Mr. Carlberg stated they had been asked and did propose another access plan but it involved an unsafe © route. He noted that Sheriff patrols Hanson Boulevard often so activity can be better viewed. Mr. Carlberg stated the discussion point with the Council is whether to purchase the 40 -acre Selmer piece now with a future roadway access as the area develops. In addition, the Commission can discuss the purpose of the bond referendum, whether to purchase land for passive parks or to simply preserve open land. Commissioner Olson stated the referendum language was clear and that issue has been raised previously before the Council. He stated he wants to assure the City stays true to its mission. Commissioner Perry stated when he was interviewed for reappointment he had been asked what he sees the City doing, preserving open land or making more of a park area. Commissioner Perry stated he had responded it was a long -range plan. Commissioner Van Hecke referenced the 2012 Joint Workshop minutes relating to Indian burial sites. Mr. Carlberg stated he does not know of that location but will further research that question with Councilmember Knight. He indicated there are specific protection regulations and separation requirements for listed Indian burial mounds. DISCUSS JOINT MEETING WITH CITY CO UNCIL ON FEBR UARY 26, 2013 Mr. Carlberg suggested the presentation before the City Council at the joint meeting of February 26, © 2013, include the mission of the Open Space Advisory Commission and purpose of the bond. He asked whether the Commission wanted to present a list of issues or have a dialogue with the City Council, noting a PowerPoint had been presented at the 2012 joint meeting. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —February 20, 2013 Page 4 The Commission discussed the slides that were presented at the 2012 joint meeting and supported showing Slide 1 with the bond referendum question, Slide 6 Identified Study Area based on location of natural features and corridors, slides containing pictures of sites that have been acquired, Slide 16 relating to the Initiated Third Round Sites, and, Slide 19 depicting the area map or a modify Slide 19 that highlights data on the Selmer and Aasness properties. It was also suggested to present a slide that lists the point values, again with the Selmer and Aasness properties highlighted. Commissioner Kovich asked whether Selmer is the top priority and Aasness is the next priority. Chairperson Sabel indicated that is consistently what the Commission has supported. The Commissioners unanimously supported that position. Commissioner Kovich asked if there should be a bigger and longer -range vision if the additional Aasness property is not available, to move it north to the Kuiken property. Commissioner Olson agreed that scenario is a bigger and longer -range vision. Mr. Carlberg noted the purchase of the Richard Kuiken property would create a central corridor of open space. The Commission supported showing pictures at the start of the presentation to show the beautiful © walk that could be provided with acquisition of the Aasness property. Commissioner Van Hecke noted acquisition of the Aasness property would also make the North Woods Preserve more appealing. Commissioner Perry noted purchase of the Aasness 40 acres would still not provide access to the Selmer property. Mr. Carlberg confirmed that was correct. The Commissioners discussed the distance from the North Woods Preserve. Commissioner Flores agreed it is a distance and creates a nice walk that puts you in touch with nature. The Commission indicated its vision, after canvassing the entire City, is to pursue the Selmer property for future use and to continue pursuing access to that property; to pursue the Aasness property and option for access from Hanson Boulevard; and, to pursue the purchasing of the Richard Kuiken parcel lying in between Selmer and Aasness to pull the properties together. It was agreed that if Mr. Aasness indicates that he is not interested in selling the property on Hanson Boulevard, then that option would not be included in the presentation before the City Council. It was agreed that Chairperson Sabel and Commissioner Van Hecke will work with staff on Friday to complete the PowerPoint presentation and Commissioner Van Hecke will provide pictures of the subject properties for inclusion in the presentation. © OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting. March 13, 2013 Noted. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — February 20, 2013 Page 5 Mr. Carlberg reported the next newsletter will contain an article on Open Space Preservation. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn. Motion passed 7 -0. The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Carla Wirth, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. C &I F