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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 1, 2014 Workshop0 iLJ x 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV Workshop Session Joint Meeting between Park & Recreation Commission and Open Space Commission May 1, 2014 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Discuss Goals and Opportunities for Future Open Space and Park Land 3. 4. Other Business 5. Adjournment i. AC I T Y • c" i 4r PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION JOINT WORKSESSION MEETING MAY 11 2014 MINUTES The Joint Worksession Meeting of the Andover Park and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chair Gretchen Sabel and Chair Ted Butler on May 1, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Park and Recreation Commissioners Present: Chair Ted Butler, Commissioners Sarah Elstrom, Alisa Lewnau, Jim Lindahl, Angela Marinello, Mark Miskowiec, and Shane Stenzel © Park and Recreation Commissioners Absent: None Open Space Advisory Commissioners Present: Chair Gretchen Sabel, Commissioners Aaron Jarson, James Myers, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry, Suzanne Van Hecke Open Space Advisory Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Kim Kovich Also Present: Community Development Director Dave Carlberg Others APPROVE AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Lindahl, seconded by Commissioner Miskowiec to approve the agenda as amended to add discussion of North Parking Lot of Prairie Knoll Park as Item 1 A for consideration of the Park Commission only. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, 0 -nays, 0- absent vote. DISCUSS NORTH PARKING LOT OF PRAIRIE KNOLL PARK Chair Butler stated the engineer's estimate is $117,000 for the south parking lot and $121,000 for north parking lot. Question before the Commission is whether the north Andover Park Commission /Open Space Advisory Commission Joint Worksession Minutes — May 1, 2014 Page 2 ® parking lot should be included if the bid comes in under the engineers estimate. $100,000 was approved in the CIP. The consensus was just to do the south parking lot engineering study. Motion by Commissioner Stenzel, seconded by Commissioner Lewnau to only include the south parking lot engineering study. Motion carried on a 7 -ayes, 0 -nays, 0- absent vote. At the suggestion of Chair Sabel, everyone introduced themselves. DISCUSS GOALS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE OPEN SPACE AND PARKLAND Chair Sabel reviewed the presentation made to the City Council giving an overview of the Open Space Advisory Commission including review of Martin's Meadows, North Woods Preserve (formerly known as White Pine Wilderness) and other properties. There is $484,000 remaining from the $2M and they are currently in the third round of site search. They have identified study areas based on location of natural features and corridors. She reviewed the Open Space nine (9) point evaluation criteria. A recent acquisition was the Aasness Property. The Selmer/Blanchette Property was also reviewed. Chair Sabel reviewed the Park and Recreation Commission is requested to discuss goals and opportunities with the Open Space Advisory Commission. A copy of the Open Space Evaluation Criteria that has been established was provided for Commissioner review: 1. Prerequisite: The Area to be Protected is Sufficient in Size and location to Preserve and Enhance Natural Resources. 2. The Area Presents an Opportunity to Protect Significant Natural Resources That Would Otherwise be Negatively Affected by Development or Negligence. Considerations include the development potential or property and lack of protection by regulations such as wetland and floodplain regulations or existing easements. 3. Lands Important as Native Wildlife Habitat and Corridors Scoring based on existence of habitat for native animal species. Additional consideration given for the size of the area (less than one acre, more than one acre or larger), width of the area (greater or less than 100 feet) and whether the area connects areas of native animal species habitat. 4. Potential to be contiguous to additional conservation area. Native Plant Communities (Identified in DNR Subsection Profile of Anoka Sand Plain) Consideration based on size and quality of the area. Additional scoring if threatened or endangered species of plants or animals are present (DNR NHIS Data). Andover Park Commission /Open Space Advisory Commission Joint Worksession Minutes —May 1, 2014 Page 3 ® 6. Buffer Adjacent to Upland Native Plant and Animal Communities Scoring based on effectiveness in protecting or connecting native plant communities. 7. Buffer Adjacent to Lakes, Streams, Wetlands and Natural Watershed Systems Scoring based on width of area and its ability to protect these features. Additional scoring if the buffer area is adjacent to area within the DNR Public Waters Inventory or Coon Creek. 8. The Area Provides Opportunities for Passive Recreation and Observation of the Natural Environment for the General Public Scoring based on public access and whether the area is visible to the general public. 9. Other Notable features (Historical, Educational, Archaeological, Aesthetic, Other) Scoring assigned as documented on a case -by -case basis. The Open Space Advisory Commission will be looking for other potential parcels to purchase yet this year. Commissioner Miskowiec asked what would be done with the Aasness Property open field. Commissioner Van Hecke stated there is already growth that requires no maintenance. Mr. Carlberg stated they will come up with a management plan for the property which includes prairie restoration and plantings for pollinators. Chair Butler asked about access to the Open Space areas. He questioned what are the © right amenities to have for residents. He asked how to make residents aware of the open spaces. He questioned if a parking lot can be put in why not a small shelter. Commissioner Olson said the referendum is open for interpretation. Each property has its own unique needs as far as access. The Open Space Advisory Commission has needed to act to purchase property when it is available and changes can be made in the future. He stated it is a developing process as properties have been purchased are relatively new. Commissioner VanHecke stated in the survey it was obvious that residents are not aware of the open space. She would like to see some signage on the open space properties. Hiking is the best use of these open space properties. Mr. Carlberg stated that two Eagle Scouts are working on signage and kiosks for two of the areas. The residents need to be educated as to the location of the open space properties. Commissioner Van Hecke stated a shelter near the entrance to the Open Space properties may encourage littering if people consider it a picnic area. Chair Butler stated the Park Commission is currently dealing with small parcels of parkland. Currently there are 70 parks in Andover. There are a lot of small parks scattered throughout the City. The Park Commission is trying not to take too many small 1 -2 acre parks and trying to focus resources into larger parks. Andover Park Commission /Open Space Advisory Commission Joint Worksession Minutes — May 1, 2014 Page 4 Commissioner Lewnau left the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Commissioner Lindahl stated City maintenance devotes a lot of manpower in maintaining the smaller parks and have requested the Park Commission try to minimize those smaller park acquisitions. Commissioner Stenzel stated the survey showed the residents think we have enough parks. He asked Mr. Carlberg why the Open Space Advisory Commission was separate from the Park Commission. Most cities have Parks and Open Space Advisory Commissions together. Mr. Carlberg stated he believes the charge for the Open Space Advisory Commission was to advise the Council how to spend the $2M referendum monies. Commissioner Olson stated the Open Space Advisory Commission is not a permanent commission for the City. Commissioner Stenzel asked how the two Commissions can work together in the future. An example of where coordination may have been helpful was Northwoods Park not being built near the Northwoods Open Space. The Open Space Advisory Commission was not aware a park would not be constructed at Northwoods. Chair Butler stated this was discussed in 2010. At that time, the development looked © very differently than it turned out. A missed opportunity was to talk to the Open Space Advisory Commission before the purchase was made to have a park at the entrance to the open space property. He suggests prior to future Open Space purchases a joint meeting be held with the Park Commission. Mr. Carlberg said if Selmer and Kuiken happen the Open Space Advisory Commission will be done, as all monies will have been spent. The Open Space Advisory Commission may meet quarterly to review the management plans for the properties. Commissioner Lindahl stated the access to White Pines would not have a good crossing off County Road 20. The traffic into the development to access the North Woods Preserve Open Space would be a concern. Commissioner Olson stated when the property was purchased it did not allow room for a park. Commissioner Olson stated all three properties purchased have been wished to be preserved by the landowners. Commissioner Lindahl stated there is a park '/ mile from White Pines Wilderness. Chair Sabel stated there will be opportunities in the future to work with the Park Commission on the upcoming properties being considered for purchase. Andover Park Commission /Open Space Advisory Commission Joint Worksession Minutes —May 1, 2014 j Page 5 Commissioner Miskowiec asked about the Met Council 2040 plan and inclusion for the sewer district. Commissioner Olson stated the Met Council is trying to push everyone back in the City. Commissioner Olson asked what criteria the Park Commission uses when deciding on a park compared to the number of lots. Commissioner Lindahl stated each situation is considered separately. He suggested the Park Commission have a list similar for evaluation criteria. Chair Butler stated a couple larger parks are needed in the City. The number of housing units are considered as well as the neighboring resident's access to other parks. Chair Sabel asked if ball fields can be put on sod fields. Commissioner Stenzel stated they tend to move but can be done. More is spent on maintenance in the long term. Chair Butler stated the City has some parks that are wetland but the City attempts to avoid them. © Commissioner Van Hecke asked about the trail on Wintergreen and 167th Lane. Mr. Carlberg stated there would be a trail along the east side of Wintergreen and likely a trail along 167th Lane out to Hanson Blvd. NW. Commissioner Stenzel indicated Ward Lake on the map. Commissioner Stenzel stated the Park Commission's CIP included a discussion of Round Lake. He suggested there be a study or master plan for that lake to look at acquiring land that is currently private and converting it back to public space and eventually converting it to all park as a regional draw to the area. The master plan would include Kelsey Park. Mr. Carlberg stated he will see that the Park Commission is updated on the planned purchases and activities of the Open Space Advisory Commission. OTHER BUSINESS May 27, 2014 6 p.m., the City Council has set a work - session to meet with the Park Commission and the Open Space Advisory Commission. Chair Sabel suggested having a co -booth at the Fun Fest again this year with the Park and Recreation Commission and Open Space Advisory Commission. S Andover Park Commission /Open Space Advisory Commission Joint Worksession Minutes — May 1, 2014 Page 6 Motion by Commissioner Stenzel, seconded by Commissioner Lindahl, to adjourn the joint Worksession meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Lewnau) vote. Motion by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to adjourn the joint Worksession meeting at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried on a 6 -ayes, 0 -nays, 1- absent (Kovich) vote. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary Timesaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. lJ f w