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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 13, 20170 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda September 13, 2017 Andover City Hall Conference Room A&B 6:00 a.m. 1. Walking Tour of Maple View Preserve —1251 167th Ave. NW 2. Return to Andover City Hall for regular meeting 7:00 P.M. • 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes: July 12, 2017 Regular Meeting 4. Update on Big Rivers grant with Great River Greening 5. Discussion of doing spots in field at our preserves with QCTV 6. Kiosk signage update 7. Other Business a. Next meeting? 8. Adjournment REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPA CE AD VISOR Y COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 6:55 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. The Commission and staff met prior to the regular meeting to walk one of the preserves before convening at City Hall. Commissioners present: Rebecca Dahlberg, Joy Faherty, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich (arrived at 6:59 p.m.), and Jim Olson Commissioners absent: Anna Dirkswager Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician f(7aC9/i7Dl��L�1�Q 3/ No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OFMINUTES— July 12, 2017 Motion by Commissioner Dahlberg, Second by Commissioner Faherty, to approve the minutes of July 12, 2017. Motion passed 4-0 (Jarson present). UPDATE ON BIG RIVERS GRANT WITH GREAT RIVER GREENING Mr. Kytonen stated that the original grant was in the amount of $117,000 and the Commission currently has approximately $40,000 left that needs to be spent by June 30, 2018. He stated that he is going to meet with staff from Great River Greening to develop a plan to spend the remaining funds before the deadline. He stated that he was open to ideas from the Commission as to how to spend the remaining funds. He noted that the funds cannot be transferred to other preserves and must be spent in Martins Meadows. Chairperson Sabel asked what is next on the management plan. Mr. Kytonen stated that they are using a forestry mower to thin the prickly ash, which they hope will open a seed bank for the species they hope will come in. He noted that most likely they will do over seeding and planting with some of the remaining funds. Commissioner Kovich arrived at 6:59 p.m. Mr. Kytonen stated that native trees and woodland forbs would most likely be planted and would absorb a lot of the remaining funds. He stated that initially they were going to attempt to use volunteers for plantings but the funds need to be spent and therefore a contractor may be used. He noted that a good plan will be developed when he meets with Great River Greening staff. Commissioner Olson noted that they used to work with 4-H students to plant trees and shrubs and perhaps that would be an opportunity for volunteers. Commissioner Faherty asked when plantings would occur. Mr. Kytonen replied that the planting and seeding combination would be done in the spring. He stated that once he meets with staff Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —September 13, 2017 Page 2 from Great River Greening he would provide the Commission with the draft schedule and budget. He stated that there is another potential grant opportunity for Maple View Preserve and stated that the budgeted amount for Maple View proposed was $102,000. He stated that there is still one more meeting before that grant would be known for sure. He noted that if the grant receives final approval, the City would have three years to use the grant funds within that preserve. Chairperson Sabel provided additional details on the process the grant would take through the legislature. She noted that there has been talk of thinning the timber stand in North Woods and asked if there is any progress with that. Mr. Kytonen noted that funds would be needed to complete that activity. Commissioner Kovich stated that the only capital funds the Commission requested is for the wetland crossing at Dalske Woodlands. Mr. Kytonen stated that perhaps he could research further to see if the potential grant funds for Maple View could be transferred to the other preserves as well. He noted that there would be a match requirement of ten percent for the grant opportunity. He stated that the City would have the available matching funds. DISCUSSION OF DOING SPOTS IN FIELD AT OUR PRESERVES WITH QCTV Chairperson Sabel stated that she spoke with Katherine Lenaberg at QCTV who stated that QCTV is excited to do this and would send two people into the field to two sites, so a total of four staff people. She stated that the Commission needs to organize who from the Commission would meet QCTV staff at each site. She stated that would be tentatively scheduled for September 28`h and she would be willing to attend along with other Commissioners. Commissioner Olson stated that QCTV did some promos a few years ago and they are very organized and have questions ready to ask to help lead the discussion. He stated that he would like more information, such as what time, how long it would last, how long the segment would be, and who determines the content. Chairperson Sabel stated that she works a lot with QCTV and although the Commission will control the content, QCTV staff will provide input as well to help. Commissioner Faherty stated that it would be helpful to develop a list of questions that could be discussed for each site as the answers would vary for each site. Chairperson Sabel agreed and noted that the history of the preserves could be reviewed. Commissioner Kovich noted that the improvements that have been done could be discussed. Chairperson Sabel noted that tips could also be given, such as access for Dalske Woodlands and the hill at Martins Meadows. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — September 13, 2017 Page 3 Commissioner Kovich stated that he would love to participate but would be working. Commissioner Jarson stated that he would also be working. Commissioner Dahlberg stated that she would be available but is concerned with her lack of knowledge. She stated that she would have no problem participating if there is a script to assist. Commissioner Faherty stated that she would assist with developing the questions/script but did not want to be on camera. Mr. Kytonen stated that he could also participate. Commissioner Olson stated that he may be available and could follow up. Mr. Kytonen stated that Commissioner Dirkswager would also be interested in attending. Commissioner Dahlberg stated that she would like to team up with Chairperson Sabel to ensure that they would have the sufficient knowledge. Commissioner Kovich stated that he could do an afternoon at 3:00 p.m. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would follow up with QCTV staff. It was confirmed that Commissioner Kovich could participate at 3:00 p.m. or later, Commissioner Olson can tentatively participate, Chairperson Sabel can participate, Commissioner Dahlberg can participate, and Commissioner Dirkswager can tentatively participate. The preserves were assigned as follows: Commissioner Dahlberg for Dalske Woodlands, Commissioner Kovich for Martin's Meadows, Commissioner Dirkswager for North Woods, and Commissioner Olson for Maple View. It was noted that Chairperson Sabel and Mr. Kytonen would split between the teams. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would work with QCTV staff to determine the timing for each preserve. She confirmed that the list of questions would include the history of the site and previous owners. She stated that Commissioners can also highlight aspects of the specific preserve and perhaps the kiosk locations. Mr. Kytonen noted that Commissioners can also mention management activities, current and future, as well as funding sources. He stated that site features and long-term goals could be mentioned as well. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would advise the Commission once she receives a response from QCTV. She noted that if it rains on the 28th, perhaps the next date would be the following Thursday. KIOSK SIGNAGE UPDATE Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — September 13, 2017 Page 4 Commissioner Faherty stated that she did not find much history for Dalske, so she went to the library to find previous owners and was able to find a lot more information. She stated that she was unable to find the previous owner names for Maple View and therefore used the history she received from City staff and the ecological assessment. She stated that she had difficulty highlighting the site features. Mr. Kytonen suggested adding a tree as currently there are three shrubs listed. He advised of a semi -rare tree that is found in the preserve that could be included. The Commission also reviewed the site features for Maple View and suggested the addition of a tree species. The Commission thanked Commissioner Faherty for her contribution. The Commission provided input on the site features and poison ivy excerpts that will be posted in the kiosk. It was noted that any additional comments should be sent to Commissioner Faherty. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Kytonen read aloud comments he received from Commissioner Dirkswager via email. The Commission discussed the possible meeting schedule and determined the date for the next meeting. a. Next Meeting: January 10, 2018 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chairperson Sabel, Second by Commissioner Kovich, to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary