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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 14, 20150 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 October 14, 2015 Andover City Hall Conference Rooms A & B 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes: September 9, 2015 Regular Meeting 4. Open Space Ecological Field Assessment and Vegetation Surveys • 5. 2016 Meeting Schedule — Select Dates 6. Other Business 7. Adjournment REGULAR ANDOVER OPENSPACEADVISORYCOMMISSIONMEETING OCTOBER 14, 2015 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: Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Myers, Jim Olson and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director Jason Husveth, Critical Connections Ecological Services Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OFMINUTES— September 9, 2015 Chairperson Sabel stated that the minutes appeared to make it seem that she was trying to circumvent the open meeting laws by suggesting the Commission meet in groups of three to tour the open space properties. Mr. Carlberg stated that it was accurate that the question was asked and the Commission can • meet in smaller groups. Commissioner Kovich stated that the Commission could have the tour noticed as a work session. Mr. Carlberg noted that the meeting would simply need to be posted and minutes would need to be taken, noting that the minutes could be a brief description of what occurred. No final decisions should be made. Commissioner Van Hecke arrived. Motion by Commissioner Jarson, Second by Commissioner Olson, to approve the minutes of September 9, 2015. Motion passed 5-0-1 (Kovich present). OPEN SPACE ECOLOGICAL FIELD ASSESSMENT AND VEGETATION SURVEYS Jason Husveth introduced himself and stated that he is present to review the summary reports for each of the open space properties and share what they observed during the process. He began with Maple View, noting that site has the least going on ecologically. He stated that the methods and objectives for Maple View are very similar to the methods and objectives for each of the open space areas. He reviewed the soil conditions for Maple View, which ranges from dry to wetland areas. He explained that classification of the vegetation was done in order to learn the history of the vegetation, the current condition, and how the City might manage those systems in the future. He stated that they can do that by comparing how the vegetation exists in the current condition to the reference condition. He stated that once the classification is done they identify and delineate plant types; detect and document special protected or rare animals, such as the Red Shouldered Hawk that was identified at Martin's Meadows; identify unique or sensitive priority • Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 14, 2015 Page 2 features in the open space. He noted that this process and information can be used to develop long-term management plans. Mr. Carlberg introduced Mr. Kytonen who will be working closer with the group with the transition from acquisition and towards management of the open space properties. He advised that the Commission already developed a management plan for Martin's Meadows and North Woods Preserve and would do the same for the other open space areas. Mr. Husveth explained the process that his staff follows in order to gather and document the necessary information, noting the use of GIS. He noted that assessments were done during different times in the growing season to gain a full understanding of the rare and sensitive features. He stated that the results of the field work are a native plant community mapping and descriptions. He displayed mapping of the site and provided additional details regarding the site and soil conditions and native plant community types. He stated that because of the site conditions within Maple View there are more contiguous communities of plants. He stated that the dryer portion of the property would be managed through fire while the wetter soils would be managed in a different way. He noted that buckthorn should be managed in the mesic hardwood forest area and provided more details about problems that can arise from earthworms. Commissioner Kovich asked if a decision had been made regarding the ten acre parcel to the south. Mr. Carlberg stated that he recently drafted the Purchase Agreement for that parcel and confirmed that the area would be developed as a part of the Country Oaks North 2"d Addition plat. He stated that one acre lots would abut the road that is being built and noted that the one acre lots abutting Maple View would be custom built lots in an effort to preserve trees in the rear of the lots. Mr. Husveth noted that development does help to fund management of parks and open space. He stated that the goal would be to develop a plan to manage all of those aspects. Commissioner Van Hecke asked if the creation of a trail could create gaps in the canopy, which would assist in the spread of buckthorn. Mr. Husveth agreed that could be a factor and noted that the location, design and construction of trails would all need to be considered in order to prevent disruption. Mr. Carlberg stated that trails would simply be mowed and would meander through the property in order to prevent disruption. He identified the location of future trail connections to the open space area with a small parking area, similar to what exists at North Woods Preserve. • Mr. Husveth stated that there are some existing trail remnants that could be mapped and followed, where it makes sense. He stated that the other portion of the property, the dry-mesic forest would benefit from being more open. He stated that the summary recommendations are provided in the report for the Commission and City to review. He stated that Maple View is a • Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 14, 1015 Page 3 relatively small open space that will be surrounded by development and that should be considered when thinking of short and long-term management plans. He noted that some of the "heavy lifting" should be done before development moves forward. Commissioner Olson referenced the statement that the existing conditions are due to deer and earthworms and asked if the human influence also had an impact. Mr. Husveth noted that the cutting of firewood changed the landscape from a more wooded landscape to a more slashed appearance. He stated that the lack of fire tells a story about that site and reintroducing fire is probably the most effective thing that could be done. Commissioner Myers asked what the plan would be for the non-native elements. Mr. Husveth stated that the non-native area mapped at Maple View is a very small area that was seeded with a wildlife mix as a food plot for deer and noted that part of restoration for that area would be to herbicide that area and reseed with native seeds found onsite in order to remove the non-native elements. He stated that the deer are having a large impact on the flora in that site. He provided additional information on earthworms and the problems they cause, noting that forests across central Minnesota are failing and they will eventually convert to savannahs and grasslands. He stated that there is no way to eradicate earthworms and there is not sufficient research on how to replenish forest soils in a quick amount of time. He moved on to Martin's Meadows and stated that he was pleasantly surprised with this property. He displayed an aerial map of the property and identified unique and rare features within the open space. He stated that the site conditions lend it to being diverse in plant communities. He noted that the river system lends itself to being a great habitat for the Red Shoulder Hawk. He provided additional information on the Cardinal Flower, which was found on the site and stated that it is rare and significant enough that he will report it to the State. He identified an area that is in need of mowing. Mr. Kytonen stated that the City received a grant and is partnering with Great River Greening, noting that one of the first items will be to mow down the Prickly Ash in that location. Mr. Husveth stated that when you move towards herbaceous systems the earthworm problems become lesser because they prefer the shaded areas. He stated that with the use of fire and herbaceous systems the level of diversity increases. He identified an area that seemed to be previously wooded. Mr. Kytonen stated that the City actually cut down some trees in that area a few years ago and plan to have a burn in that location as well. Mr. Husveth identified areas of oak wilt on the property and noted that there are ways to manage • that. Mr. Kytonen advised of the upcoming management activities that are already planned for the property. • Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 14, 2015 Page 4 Mr. Husveth confirmed that areas of the property are full of poison ivy. Mr. Kytonen stated that perhaps an informational brochure could be placed in the kiosk that would help visitors identify poison ivy. Mr. Husveth stated that fire is an effective management tool for controlling poison ivy. Mr. Kytonen agreed that fire can be an effective management tool but acknowledged that public relations are one of the biggest elements. Mr. Husveth stated that Martin's Meadows has some pretty established trails with the electrical power line right-of-way providing a pseudo trail as well. He suggested that wetlands not be filled when creating trails through the wetlands to avoid problems with flooding. He moved on to the North Woods Preserve site and provided an aerial map of the property, describing the site conditions. He identified the native plant community types found within the open space parcel and stated that it appears to him that there had been an attempt to cultivate a portion of the site. He stated that the site could be easily restored by collecting seeds from the species already • existing on the site. He stated that although the parking lot was probably needed, it did encroach on a more sensitive area of the site. He stated that any type of disturbance should be considered as the species native to that area will reestablish and hold the soil relatively quickly and he would recommend against using non-native seed to prevent erosion. He identified areas on the site, which are fire dependent and could benefit from being managed with fire. He referenced the non-native section of the property and stated that the City could either choose to manage that as a pine forest or could reestablish that as native plantings. He identified a created wetland on the parcel, which has all the signs of a dug down and excavated basin, and noted that the wetland is now relatively high quality. He identified the rare and unique features found in North Woods Preserve. He provided additional information on a book he purchased through the DNR, which provides information on native plant communities of Minnesota, noting that there are three different regions available. He stated that there are threatened species on the North Woods Preserve area and noted that there are special steps that you should follow if working in those areas. He stated that outside of the scope of what has been provided, he would like to visit these sites with the Commission next field season as he was not able to do that this year. He noted that late June to early July would be the best timing. Commissioner Myers stated that perhaps signage should be placed in the open space areas asking people not to introduce new plant species to the area. Mr. Carlberg referenced the prairie area and noted that there was thought to completing prairie restoration and asked for the input of Mr. Husveth. • Mr. Husveth stated that the best method for management would be to collect seeds from the site and then conduct a burn followed by spreading the seed to reestablish in that area. Chairperson Sabel and the Commission thanked Mr. Husveth for his time. • Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — October 14, 2015 Page 5 Mr. Husveth noted that the tour this next summer would be a courtesy. He provided additional detail on the reason for the higher cost estimate for the Dalske Woodland open space assessment and survey. 2016 MEETING SCHEDULE — SELECT DATES Mr. Carlberg stated that Mr. Kytonen will begin attending the open space meetings next year and noted that perhaps he himself would continue to work with the Commission in some aspect. He stated that it could be helpful to have the input of Mr. Husveth in developing the management plans. Chairperson Sabel stated that there would be an option to meet the second Wednesday of every third month, which would be January, April, July and October. Mr. Carlberg noted that the Commission would not have to meet quarterly but could meet in times during the growing season. He stated that the Commission could also choose to hold volunteer type walks of the properties. He did not believe that the Commission would need to meet during the cold weather months and could meet in March, May, July, and September. He noted that these meetings would not be the typical hour long meeting and would more likely be a few hours long. The Commission agreed to meet in March, May, July, and September next year. OTHER BUSINESS There was none. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Van Hecke, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary I 1 U