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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 18, 2014 Joint MeetingC I T Y O F %LNDOVERJPP_ 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 Joint Meeting With the Andover Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Agenda December 18, 2014 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 6.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Park Planning and Coordination in North Woods Preserve /Selmer /Blanchette Area 3. Developing Nature Programming for Open Space and Parks 4. Maintenance Programming for Kelsey Round Lake Park Area 5. Other Business 6. Adjournment x ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION JOINT MEETING WITH ANDOVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2014 MINUTES A Joint Meeting with the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission and the Andover Park and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chair Gretchen Sabel and Chair Ted Butler on December 18, 2014, 6:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Open Space Commissioners Present: Chair Gretchen Sabel, Vice Chair Kim Kovich, Commissioners Aaron Jarson, Bruce Perry, James Myers, Jim Olson and Suzanne Van Hecke. Open Space Commissioners Absent: None Park and Recreation Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Vice Chair Jim Lindahl (arrived at 6:15 p.m.), Commissioners Sarah Elstrom, Alisa Lewnau, Angela Marinello, Mark Miskowiec, and Shane Stenzel Park and Recreation Commissioners Absent: None Also Present: Assistant Public Works Director, Todd Haas Community Development Director, Dave Carlberg PARK PLANNING AND COORDINATION IN NORTH WOODS PRESERVE/ SELMER/BLANCHETTE AREA Chair Sabel stated 30 acres of the recently purchase Selmer /Blanchette parcel will be open space. Mr. Carlberg showed a map of the area. Last year the City closed on the 26- acre piece known as the Aasness Property which has been added to the North Woods Preserve Open Space bringing the total acreage to 46 acres. An Eagle Scout has constructed a kiosk for the area off of the newly constructed gravel parking lot located off of Hanson Blvd which includes signage and information available for visitors. The maps available encourage visitors to stay on the Open Space part of the parcel. In November the Selmer /Blanchette property of 40 acres was closed on by the City and 30 of the 40 acres were purchased with Open Space funds. The southern 10 acres was purchased with another funding source to provide some flexibility in locating a road out to Hanson Blvd. Joint Meeting — Open Space Commission /Park & Recreation Commission Minutes — December 18, 2014 Page 2 There could possibly be a park developed in this 10 acres as well, which would be a discussion point for the Park and Recreation Commission. The City would look at possibly purchasing 15 additional acres north of the Selmer/Blanchette parcel which would likely exhaust the Open Space funds. Chair Sabel asked if the Park Commission has seen sketch plans in the area and Chair Butler stated he had seen some sketch plans in the past. He noted the Park Commission has discussed the possibility of a park in that area. He likes the idea of having a small park near the Selmer /Blanchette Open Space area. This could be an entry park to the Open Space area. Chair Butler asked if the elevations are known about the 15 acres being considered west of Country Oaks North. Chair Sabel stated it is currently being used as a motocross area. Mr. Carlberg showed a map indicating the elevations. He also indicated a proposed path for the road out to Hanson Blvd. Chair Butler stated the Park Commission will need to have some significant discussions about this matter. The Park Commission would consider the southern 10 acres of the 40 acres. Commissioner Stenzel asked if there was a way to tie in North Woods Preserve Open Space with the Selmer /Blanchette 40 acres. Mr. Carlberg stated possibly a trail on Hanson would be possible. Commissioner Jim Lindahl arrived at the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Commissioner Stenzel asked about the area to the west of the Selmer /Blanchette property and Mr. Carlberg stated it is owned by someone who is not willing to sell. Commissioner Kovich stated a park would be a nice addition. However, the area was purchased for Open Space and not to be developed and now if the City would put in a park that was not the original plan. Commissioner Stenzel suggested tying three developments together with a small park. He feels there would need to be another access point into the area other than from Hanson Blvd. Mr. Carlberg stated staff is looking at two access points from the 40 acres to the east of Selmer /Blanchette property referred to as the Ganter property. Mr. Haas stated the road will come in off Hanson Blvd when the area is developed. Mr. Carlberg stated that there are a limited number of municipal sewer units in this area. The developer may be open to a park being added. Park Dedication fees were received on this area known as Country Oaks North in lieu of land. There is a black ash swamp in the area that environmental agencies do not want touched which poses a challenge on getting the road out to Hanson Blvd. Joint Meeting — Open Space Commission /Park & Recreation Commission Minutes — December 18, 2014 Page 3 Chair Butler stated he would be interested in seeing some plans about using the motocross track portion of the area as parkland. Any road would need to meet state aid standards. There is a watermain that needs to be constructed through the wetland area to the south to provide water for the development. Mr. Haas stated the sketch plan will be presented to the City Council for review in January and will be presented to the Park Commission at a later date. Mr. Carlberg stated some determinations need to be made about the road. The developer may be asking for City funding assistance to pay for the road since it will be serving more than his development. Since the 10 acres were purchased with non -Open Space funds there is some flexibility in the road location. PARK PLANNING AND COORDINATION IN MARTIN'S MEADOWS AREA Chair Sabel stated they have developed a Management Plan for Martin's Meadows area. There is a lot of buckthorn in the area. Mr. Carlberg stated Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resource Technician, has sent a letter to the adjacent property owners about the buckthorn. Chair Butler stated that area has always been Open Space. There has never been a plan to add active use to this area. Chair Sabel stated the cedar trees have been removed and the area is in the process of prairie restoration. Mr. Carlberg provided a map showing the land cover types. Chair Butler stated the Management Plan should cover both the Open Space and Martin's Meadows Park. Commissioner Lindahl stated there is Anoka Conservation District (ACD) match grant funds available for cleanup of these areas. Mr. Carlberg will follow up with Mr. Kytonen. DEVELOPING NATURE PROGRAMMING FOR OPEN SPACE AND PARKS Chair Sabel suggested there be programs set up in the Open Space area and parks such as having a naturalist lead a tour. She has made contact with some naturalists and they are willing to do this. She suggested a committee be formed to plan programming. She suggested a walk be planned every two weeks. Chair Butler stated the Park Commissioners sign up for projects and this may be a project for 2015. He requested Lyle Bradley come in and give his Kelsey Round Lake presentation during a Park Commission meeting. A nature /interpretive center is being considered as part of the Master Plan for Kelsey Round Lake Park. A Master Plan will be done for this area starting in the spring of 2015. The Master Plan is expected to be Joint Meeting — Open Space Commission /Park & Recreation Commission Minutes — December 18, 2014 Page 4 completed by August 2015. Buckthorn control is in the plan. There was a discussion of possibly using goats to keep down the buckthorn. MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMING FOR KELSEY RO UND LAKE PARK AREA This item was not discussed due to time constraints. OTHER BUSINESS None. ADJOURNMENT OF JOINT MEETING Motion by Commissioner Lewnau, seconded by Commissioner Marinello, to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, 0 -nays, 0- absent vote. Motion by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Jarson, to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, 0 -nays, 0- absent vote. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary Timesaver Of, f Site Secretarial, Inc.