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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 13, 2024 REGULAR NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 13, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Nature Preserve Commission was called to order by Chairperson Kim Kovich at 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Natalie Hanson, Jonathan Gwinn, Margaret Miller, Peter Miller, and Jamie McGowan Commissioners absent: Erik Lindberg Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician OATH OF OFFICE FOR COMMISSIONERS HANSON AND MILLER Mr. Kovich administered the Oath of Office to Commissioners Hanson and P. Miller. APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIR Chair Kovich noted that because the prior Vice Chair is no longer on the Commission, a new Vice Chair will need to be appointed. Motion by Commissioner McGowan, Second by Commissioner M. Miller, to appoint Jonathan Gwinn as Vice Chair. There were no other nominations. Motion passed 6-0. RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – January 10, 2024 Motion by Commissioner McGowan, Second by Commissioner M. Miller, to approve the minutes of January 10, 2024. Motion passed 4-0 (Hanson and P. Miller present). DISCUSS GOALS AND MISSION OF NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2024 Page 2 Mr. Kytonen commented that he thought this would be a good time to review the goals and mission of the Commission. It was confirmed that the Commission recently reviewed these to ensure they were still accurate. DISCUSS POTENTIAL WETLAND RESTORATION AT MARTIN’S MEADOWS PRESERVE Mr. Kytonen stated that the Anoka Conservation District (ACD) reached out to the City with interest to do some work in Martin’s Meadows. He stated that ACD has grant funds available to fund wetland restoration. He stated that if there is support, ACD would like to meet with some other entities to create a design. He stated that design would then come back to the Commission before going forward to the City Council. He provided an overview of the intent for the restoration project. Chair Kovich commented that ACD does good work, and this would be a great project to restore the wetland, noting that it was not naturally occurring as the land was previously farmland. DISCUSS ITEMS FOR JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL ANOKA CONSERVATION DISTRICT (ACD) MEETING REVIEW Mr. Kytonen stated that there is an intent for the Commission to meet annually with the City Council. Chair Kovich stated that he met with the City Administrator this week and then he and Commissioners Gwinn and M. Miller met with ACD staff. He stated that in his meeting with the City Administrator he asked for clarification on whether the desire is to expand or simply maintain the preserves. He stated that he felt that there was support for the expansion of preserves, so that could move forward to the Council. He stated that he then reviewed each of the preserves. He stated that for Dalske the obvious discussion was related to the desire for a minimum maintenance crossing. He believed that the Commission should make a motion tonight to request a minimum maintenance crossing and trail creation on the south end at a cost of around $6,000. Mr. Kytonen commented that the company he spoke with, which provided the quote of $6,000 stated that work would not take place until the dead of winter when the ground is frozen. He asked the desire of the group related to a crossing, whether the desire is for no crossing or a lower scale crossing. He noted that there would also be a decision, if there were not a crossing, as to whether the City would be comfortable with that risk. Commissioner Gwinn asked if there is an estimate on a lower grade boardwalk. Mr. Kytonen estimated between $25,000 and $50,000. Chair Kovich commented that the City Engineer did not support that option. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2024 Page 3 Mr. Kytonen commented that while that was the City Engineer opinion, the Council may support a lower grade boardwalk. Commissioner McGowan commented that she believes a benefit of the preserves is that they are natural, and people can explore. She stated that signage could be used to alert residents to the varying conditions. She stated that she would be open to trying no crossing to see if people use the trail created on the southern end to determine if there would be use for a boardwalk. Chair Kovich agreed that the crossing should be abandoned at this time and focus on the creation of the trail. He moved that Martin’s Meadows noting that the City Administrator did agree to the concept the Commission discussed for a canoe landing. He noted that the discussion also included expansion of the preserves, whether that is done by adding new preserves or expanding the existing preserves. Chair Kovich also provided additional input on discussion with ACD on a specific parcel along with potential partners because the property is along the Rum River. Additional information was provided about an option that would allow for dedication of land in conjunction with development. Commissioner McGowan provided additional input on the involved of an HOA and when land is owned by an HOA. She stated that she would prefer to have the City own that property to remove that control from an HOA and ensure public access. Mr. Kytonen stated that he would want to talk to planning staff to flush out options, noting that a motion could still be made in support pending his research on that item. Chair Kovich stated that they would not be voting on the expansion of the preserves and the potential partnership activity at this time, but are simply voicing support. He stated that he did speak with the City Administrator about this and was told it could still be a possibility. He stated that for the joint meeting with the City Council the concept would be to go through the list of preserves and potential expansion opportunities to gauge the level of support. He stated that they could then discuss the ACD opportunity for Martin’s Meadows and the funding request for Dalske. The group also had additional discussion on the possible use of conservation easements along with the concept of conservation land buffering. Mr. Kytonen recapped that at the joint meeting they will go over the preserves and the concept of expanding preserves. th Chair Kovich welcomed all members to attend the joint meeting on the 26. He noted that if the direction of the Council is to focus on maintenance only, then they could skip the discussion related to expansion of preserves. Commissioner Gwinn stated that in his presentation to the Council on the topic of public land acquisition/buffering there were multiple opinions from the Council. He stated that the direction Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2024 Page 4 was for that to be placed on the community survey. He stated that the community survey is not moving forward at this time and therefore he would suggest not bringing up the community survey at the joint meeting. He stated that he will instead remind the Council of the support the community previously voiced in support of land acquisition for this purpose. Chair Kovich recapped the agenda order for the joint meeting. Motion by Commissioner Gwinn, Second by Commissioner M. Miller, to approve the agenda for the joint meeting with the City Council as discussed. Motion passed 6-0. OTHER BUSINESS a. Vice Chair Action already taken. b. Next Meeting: May 8, 2024 Noted. c. Meeting Schedule for 2024 thththth The remaining meeting dates for 2024 are May 8, July 10, September 11 and November 13. d. Preserve Pics of the Month Schedule It was noted that Commissioner Gwinn will do Martin’s Meadows this month, Chair Kovich will do Maple View in April, Commissioner M. Miller will do Northwoods in May, and Commissioner Hanson will do Dalske in June. e. Newsletter Article Mr. Kytonen stated that communications staff is open to the Commission having an article on a preserve in the newsletter. Commissioner M. Miller volunteered to write the first article. Commissioner P. Miller provided input on his interest and experience with birding and urban night sky. He stated that he would like to draft some information for the Commission to consider in the future. The Commission agreed that would be a great future agenda item. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Gwinn, Second by Commissioner P. Miller, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – March 13, 2024 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary