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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 11, 2024 REGULAR NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 11, 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 RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 11, 2024 Motion by Commissioner P. Miller, Second by Commissioner M. Miller, to approve the minutes of September 11, 2024. Motion passed 6-0. URBAN NIGHT SKY PLACE DISCUSSION Commissioner P. Miller provided an update on the dark sky readings he conducted in two preserves. Commissioner Gwinn stated that this would be a good opportunity if it can be controlled so that the preserve would not be overrun with people in the evenings who abuse the preserve. Commissioner P. Miller stated that he could attempt to write a proposal for the Commission to consider, agreeing that he would want to start small. The Commission discussed access and the best preserve locations to consider. Mr. Kytonen stated that he would also need to verify whether the preserves could be open to people after dark as the preserves are currently closed at dusk. Commissioner P. Miller commented that he would propose starting small with perhaps two nights open and explained that they could test it out before publicly declaring it as an urban night sky place. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2024 Page 2 Mr. Kytonen stated that if it were determined that this could not work in the preserves, they could possibly use another public location. He confirmed that Commissioner P. Miller will bring additional information to review at the next meeting. DISCUSS IDEAS FOR WEBSITE UPDATES Commissioner M. Miller stated that there is currently a lot of information on one page, and she would propose splitting the information into two pages, one focused on the preserves and the second on the Commission. She explained that the community link could go directly to the preserve information while the government link could display Commission information. She reviewed the additional information she would propose to change and/or add. Mr. Kytonen stated that these are very good ideas and there are some things that could be implemented but there are also some limitations. He stated that he could work with Commissioner M. Miller to determine what could be done. Commissioner Hanson stated that she can provide updated photos that could be put on the website. She stated that perhaps a description could be developed for each preserve, highlighting different features. DISCUSS CURRENT AND FUTURE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE PRESERVES Mr. Kytonen provided an update on the wetland management project as well as other anticipated maintenance activities including forestry mowing, controlled burns, buckthorn removal, and dead tree removal. DISCUSS FUNDING OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONS TO THE PRESERVES Chairperson Kovich stated that he, Commissioner Gwinn, and Mr. Kytonen met with the new City Administrator the previous week. He noted that they are in essence starting over with a new Administrator and a mainly new Council as well. He commented that the only time-sensitive item would be Martin’s Meadows and provided details on that process. He stated that the new Administrator was open to the concept of a referendum but that would be years down the road in terms of providing funding. The Commission discussed the possibility of a resident survey, noting additional delays. Commissioner Gwinn commented that he believes that this is a good time to pursue a potential referendum as residents are not happy with the speed at which Andover is developing and would most likely support a referendum for this purpose. He asked if the Commission could host an open house on this topic. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2024 Page 3 Chairperson Kovich stated that in the discussion with the City Council this past year, the Council supported expansion of the preserves therefore a resident survey is not needed. He noted that there are sources of funding out there and they need to gather more information on how to apply for that type of funding. Commissioner Gwinn commented that they need to have a vision and goal in order to move forward in an effective manner. Chairperson Kovich stated that perhaps the next step is to determine the value of the property and then look at outside sources of funding. Commissioner Hanson provided an update on some grant opportunities that she was provided with through some of her contacts. She confirmed that she would email the information to Mr. Kytonen to distribute to the Commission. Chairperson Kovich identified the parcel the Commission is interested in pursuing and confirmed that the members of the Commission are going to complete additional research prior to the January meeting. Commissioner Hanson stated that there is a benefit to residents in the neighborhood having that area maintained by the City rather than paying fees to an HOA for that work to be completed. Mr. Kytonen commented that there is a new Administrator and there will be a new Council coming on board, all of whom will take time to get up to speed and will have their own priorities. He commented that there will be more discussion on the staff level about the property and its potential. He stated that other properties could be attractive for a preserve as well and perhaps this should be a broader scope rather than focusing on just one property. Commissioner Gwinn commented that while this property would be a priority, he would agree not to put all the eggs in one basket and to keep a broader view. Commissioner Hanson commented that one of the main topics during the recent election was the speed of growth Andover is experiencing. Mr. Kytonen reviewed the members who have expiring terms, and some members volunteered as to whether they would be reapplying. DISCUSS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NATURAL PRESERVE COMMISSION (NPC) Chairperson Kovich commented that the original goal and objective of the Commission was to purchase land. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2024 Page 4 Commissioner Gwinn commented that the group talks about opportunities, but it is important to have a goal to work towards. He believed there should be a set goal identifying search areas and opportunities. He stated that they could then speak about this with the City Council in April. Commissioner McGowan commented that there have been many conversations about grants without applying for one. She stated that she would like to get to the step where they could begin to apply and put things into action. Chairperson Kovich stated that in the past Mr. Kytonen has written the grant applications for the City. He also believed that another entity could write a grant on behalf of the Commission if the authorization was provided. Commissioner Hanson explained that in her career, each quarter they have to set goals and define how those could be achieved. She suggested that the first goal be to identify grants that could be feasible, and each Commissioner could be provided with an opportunity to research and provide an update to the Commission. Commissioner P. Miller commented that through the night sky initiative, he would like to bring awareness and spread education, which would be a separate goal. Commissioner M. Miller agreed that the creation of specific goals with deadlines will help to provide guidance and actual action from the Commission. Commissioner McGowan commented that she believes there should be a focus on one main goal to ensure that progress can be made, while some additional side elements could be included without getting lost in the process. Commissioner Hanson asked if staff could send a snapshot of the parcels they could potentially be interested in purchasing as that could be helpful in researching grants. Mr. Kytonen stated that this will be a big part of the discussion with the City Council in April to determine if there will be continued support of this concept from the new Council. Chairperson Kovich commented that more detailed information would be helpful to present to the Council. He highlighted the next steps in preparation for the next meeting and highlighted items that could appear on the next agenda. OTHER BUSINESS a. Dalske Woodlands Crossing Mr. Kytonen stated that City staff will be applying for the grant for the Dalske Woodlands boardwalk. Regular Nature Preserve Commission Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2024 Page 5 b. Next Meeting: January 8, 2025 The Commission reviewed the meeting calendar for the year, meeting on the second Wednesday of the month during the odd months of the year. c. Other No comments. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Gwinn, Second by Commissioner Hanson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. Motion passed 6-0. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary