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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 11, 2014ANL66WA © 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CLANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda June 11, 2014 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 6.00 p.m. 1. Tour of Martin's Meadows 2. Return to City Hall for regular meeting m 7.30 p.m. 1. Call to Order g 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes: May 14, 2014 Regular Meeting 4. Guest Speaker — Sarah Strommen 5. Open Space Acquisition Update 6. Recap of the Joint Meeting with City Council (verbal) 7. Fun Fest Preparation (verbal) 8. Other Business a. Next meeting: July 9, 2014 9. Adjournment �4010 rX REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPA CE AD VISORY COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 11, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:01 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Aaron Jarson (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Kim Kovich, Jim Myers (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director; Sarah Strommen; James Goodrich RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 14, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of May 14, 2014. Motion passed 4 -0. Commissioners Jarson arrived at 7:03 p.m. Commissioner Myers arrived at 7:04 p.m. GUEST SPEAKER — SARAH STROMMEN Chairperson Sabel introduced the guest speaker, Sarah Strommen, and each of the Commissioners briefly introduced themselves. Sarah Strommen stated that she spoke with Chairperson Sabel regarding the properties that have been purchased thus far as well as additional options. She noted that when the Commission first started she did make a presentation with options and found it nice to come back and see what has been accomplished. She began reviewing the options for acquisition including fee title acquisition, noting that the process is fairly simple involving a willing buyer and seller at a negotiated price. She stated that there are a number of other options that provide alterative tools and steps to reach the same goal, both involving purchase and partial purchase. She began explaining alternative tools including the right of first refusal, an option to purchase, and a purchase agreement noting that those options would be minimal investment. She noted that another option would be to purchase the property but allow the landowners to reserve a life estate. She advised that there are third party organizations, such as the Trust for Public Land or the Conservation Fund, that can purchase and secure property through quick sale and then work cooperatively to sell the land to the City when the funding is available. She noted that sometimes those organizations even assist in gaining funds for the municipality. She referenced Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —June 11, 2014 Page 2 conservation easements, which can be a good tool for open space protection when the City does not need to own fee title and hold ownership over the property. She explained that the owner of the property would sell some of the rights to the holder of the easement, which could fit well with an open space use. Commissioner Van Hecke referenced the Rum River and questioned if there are easements or restrictions that allow for some landowners to have docks while other property owners do not. Ms. Strommen believed that would be a personal preference. She noted that in regard to easements in general there can be regulations built into the easement language to protect the purpose of the easement, explaining that for a use of open space, development could be prohibited or for use along a river there could be shoreline regulations. She stated that there is an option to have an easement for a specific period of time but noted that municipalities have shifted towards permanent easements to avoid paying for an easement more than once. She referenced the option of deed restrictions for a property that would offer certain restrictions. She explained that deed restrictions are only good for 30 years and then would have to be renewed. She advised that in regard to deed restriction there is no third party involved, as there is with an easement, which means that there is not a third party insuring compliance. She reviewed different types of easements including conservation and access easements. Commissioner Kovich questioned if the City of Andover holds any easements. Mr. Carlberg noted that the City did have one conservation easement in the past three years to protect trees but noted that easement had been removed and those trees were eventually removed for development. He did not believe that the City currently holds any easements that Ms. Strommen addressed this evening. Commissioner Van Hecke asked for additional information regarding easements and open space. Ms. Strommen stated that sometimes open space is more built into the parks system and explained that the areas can be managed for active park use and as more natural open space areas within the same park land. She noted that some cities have placed conservation easements over their park land to ensure that the land will remain as park. Chairperson Sabel questioned how the third party organizations would be engaged. Ms. Strommen stated that each organization has representatives for the metro area and advised that she could forward contacts for both the Trust for Public Land Trust and the Conservation Fund. Mr. Carlberg noted that this could be a great topic for a joint meeting with the City Council as there would be aspects of that option that would need to be further discussed. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —June 11, 2014 Page 3 Chairperson Sabel and the Commission thanked Ms. Strommen for attending tonight and providing additional options for the Commission to consider as the fund balance decreases. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg provided an update on the property area including .Aasness, Kuiken, and Selmer. He also provided an update on the developer activities of Scott Wold adjacent to that area. He believed that the best option would be to wait to determine what happens with the developer and property owner, noting that the developer is aware of the interest of the Commission. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MARTIN'S MEADOWS OPEN SPACE Mr. Carlberg displayed pictures that he took the previous day in the open space area. He noted the high water levels yet again delayed the tour. He stated that the Commission could investigate the possibility of a floating walkway but noted that Commissioner Olson expressed through email that he believed that would create more of a park feel rather than open space. © Chairperson Sabel stated that she would be open to discussing possibilities and noted that in the future there would be access from another area of the site. Commissioner Kovich stated that perhaps the Commission could review that option once the tour can occur. RECAP OF THE JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Carlberg reported that Commissioners Perry, Olson, and Jarson attended the meeting. He stated that the Council prefers to wait out the Selmer issue and did support the access and parking area for the Aasness property. He noted that staff will visit the site and stake out the parking area in the next couple weeks, and noted that signage will also be installed this year as well. He noted that the future possibilities of the Commission were also discussed. FUN FEST PREPARATION Mr. Carlberg advised of the open timeslots for the booth and the Commissioners who have volunteered for the open times. He advised that shirts have also been ordered for the Commission for the event. He confirmed that the booth would be staffed by Parks and Recreation Commissioners and this Commission and the neighboring booth will be the City Council. He advised that the Commission will meet one more time before the event to review the materials and maps. F ® Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — June 11, 2014 Page 4 C/m-� _YNTIAM a. Next Meeting: July 9, 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Van Hecke, to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Motion passed 6 -0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary C1 H