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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.12.14 meeting packetA AN • 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.AN DOVER. MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda February 12, 2014 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Swearing in of Commissioners 4. Nominate and Appoint Chair and Vice Chair 5. Approval of Minutes — January 8, 2014 6. Open Space Acquisition Update 7. Community Survey Update 8. Martin's Meadows — Metro Big Rivers Phase 4 Grant Update 9. Other Business a. Publicizing of Open Space Properties b. Next meeting: March 12, 2014 10. Adjournment C I T Y O F ND OVE 1665 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Swearing In of New and Re- appointed Commissioners DATE: February 12, 2014 Commissioners Van Hecke and Sabel were reappointed to serve three year terms. Commissioner Myers was appointed to fill the vacancy of Commissioner Flores who choose not to reapply when his term expired at the end of January. Commissioners Van Hecke, Sabel and Myers will be asked to take an oath of office. Respectfully submitted, aL" CX, (� David L. Carlberg W A 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes — January 8, 2014 DATE: February 12, 2014 INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the January 8, 2014 meeting. DISCUSSION Please share any changes to the minutes at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A motion, second and vote are necessary to approve the minutes. Attachment January 8, 2014 Minutes Respectfully submitted, 2)4 0- .6x4-- David L. Carlberg REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 8, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:03 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Aaron Jarson, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: None Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — December 11, 2013 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of December 11, 2013. Motion passed 5 -0 -2 (Flores and Jarson present). OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg reported that the City is set to close on the Aasness property this Friday, noting that the checks have been cut and the paperwork simply needs to be signed. He hoped that he would be able to report at the next meeting that the property is owned by the City as open space. He referenced the Selmer property and noted that even though negotiations stalled when the sewer study was released, he didn't believe that the door for that land purchase option had been closed. He briefly identified parcels that have been approved for, or have interest in, the available sewer units. He gauged the interest of the Commission in a possible 30 to 40 acres spread over two parcels. Commissioner Kovich confirmed that the Commission always had interest in the land in that area. Commissioner Perry questioned if the Commission has interest in other properties in the City, as this would be close to other open space areas. Commissioner Kovich stated that the Commission had always ranked the property in discussion very highly but agreed that all avenues should be kept open at this time. Mr. Carlberg stated that he will continue to gather information and will report back to the Commission at the next meeting. He noted that the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan in regard to the 83 acre expansion of the urban service area will go before the Metropolitan Council later this month for approval. Commissioner Kovich asked for an updated map of the City at the next Commission in order to search for available properties in other areas of the city. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — January 8, 2014 Page 2 Mr. Carlberg reported that the last aerial map was developed in 2011, noting that a new flyover would be conducted this spring to develop a new map. He advised that the Commission could look at other available aerial photographs through Google Earth. Commissioner Olson confirmed that the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan would be on the consent agenda at the Metropolitan Council and was surprised that there would not be public input. Mr. Carlberg noted that staff for the Metropolitan Council has received a lot of input from residents in Andover regarding this issue. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Carlberg presented photographs from Martins Meadows that had recently been taken. He advised that there will soon be an article in the Star Tribune from a reporter that was out cross country skiing in the open space area. He noted that there have not been any snowmobile tracks in the open space area since the signage and fencing were installed, but noted that there were a number of deer tracks across the site. Chairperson Sabel advised that she had visited the open space area this past weekend as well. Mr. Carlberg noted that the input from the Commission in regard to the community survey were provided to the company drafting the survey and advised that a draft version of the survey should be made available at the January 21" City Council meeting. He hoped to have the community survey available for the Commission to review at the February meeting. He reviewed the current budget of the open space fund and what would be available following the closing on the Aasness property. Commissioner Flores stated that he agrees with the comments made by Commissioner Perry in regard to looking at properties in other areas of the City. Mr. Carlberg noted that the easiest method to determine interest in selling property to the Commission might be to publish an article in the newsletter, noting that the next available edition of the newsletter would be the March/April issue. He noted that Commissioner Flores has chosen not to reapply to be on the Commission and thanked him for his service as this will be his last meeting. Commissioner Flores stated that it was nice to be a part of this group and to find others in the City that are also concerned with preserving open space. He noted that while he would love to continue on the Commission, he now works further away from Andover and does not have enough time to make it to the meetings regularly. He believed that it will also be good to add new blood and ideas into the Commission. Mr. Carlberg believed the Star Tribune article will be published the following Wednesday. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — January 8, 2014 Page 3 a. Next Meeting: February 12, 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Motion passed 7 -0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary •�itj11,ND0VFA'',W J 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CLANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Open Space Acquisition of Property Update DATE: February 12, 2014 INTRODUCTION Staff has continued to work with property owners to pursue acquisition of open space property east of Hanson Boulevard NW and north of 161" Avenue NW. DISCUSSION An update will be provided at the meeting. ACTION REQUESTED A discussion will be held at the meeting. Respectfully submitte :::Z� aN z David L. Carlberg 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Community Survey Update DATE: February 12, 2014 INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to receive an update on the questions for a new community survey coming out in 2014. DISCUSSION The Commission discussed at the December 13, 2013 meeting the questions from the 2006 community survey regarding open space. The attached questions ( #61463) are the questions that will be included in the 2014 community survey. ACTION REQUESTED None Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg TOO NOT ABO DK/ TOU TOU RIG REF 58. Upkeep and maintenance of residential properties? 1 2 3 4 Continuing.... 59. How important are natural re- VERY IMPORTANT ........... 1 sources and environmental issues SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT ....... 2 to you - very important, somewhat NOT TOO IMPORTANT ........ 3 important, not too important or NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT ..... 4 not at all important? DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 5 60. What do you think is the greatest natural resource or environmental issue facing the city? (ROTATE AND READ LIST) TREE DISEASES, SUCH AS OAK WILT AND DUTCH ELM DISEASE .................... ....1 INVASIVE INSECTS AND DISEASES, SUCH AS THE EMERALD ASH BORER AND ASIAN LONG- HORNED BEETLE..; ...................... 2 INVASIVE PLANTS, SUCH AS BUCKTHORN ..............3 PROTECTING LAKES, RIVERS, STREAMS AND WETLANDS . ..............................4 LOWERING GROUNDWATER USAGE FOR LAWN CARE PRACTICES .............................5 PRESERVING OPEN SPACES ..........................6 PROTECTING TREES DURING DEVELOPMENT .............7 OTHER DON'T KNOW/ REFUSED ..............................9 61. Are you aware of the open space program? ZDin Are you aware of open space areas the city? IF "YES," ASK: YES ......................1 NO.......................2 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 3 YES ......................I NO.................. ...2 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 3 a 63 Have you visited any open space areas in the city? (IF "YES," ASK:) Which ones? Turning to parks and recreation.... 64. Overall, how would you rate the EXCELLENT ................1 city parks and recreation facile- GOOD .....................2 ties in Andover - excellent, good, ONLY FAIR ................3 only fair or poor? POOR .....................4 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 5 65. How often do you or members of FREQUENTLY ...............1 your household use city parks and OCCASIONALLY .............2 recreation facilities - frequent - RARELY ...................3 ly, occasionally, rarely or never? NEVER ....................4 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 5 IF "FREQUENTLY" "OCCASIONALLY" OR "RARELY," ASK: 66. What do you use them for most often? 67. How often do you or members of FREQUENTLY ...............1 your household use city trails - OCCASIONALLY .............2 frequently, occasionally, rarely RARELY ...................3 or never? NEVER ....................4 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED ....... 5 IF "FREQUENTLY" "OCCASIONALLY" OR "RARELY," ASK: 68. What do you use them for most often? For each of the following, please tell me if you think Andover's facilities are much better in comparison to other cities, somewhat better, about the same, somewhat worse or much worse in comparison to other cities. 9 C T Y O F 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: David L. Carlberg, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Martin's Meadows Update DATE: February 12, 2014 INTRODUCTION The Commission will receive an update on current activities at Martin's Meadows and the $117,000 grant being received from Great River Greening (GRG). DISCUSSION On Wednesday, January 22, 2014, city staff met with Todd Rexine, Director of Operations for Great River Greening. Mr. Rexine is the project manager for the Metro Big Rivers Phase #4 project. This project includes $117,000 awarded for Martin's Meadows and was funded through the Lessard -Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund. The description of the project is as follows: • Enhance 29 acres of oak woodland, floodplain forest and grassland habitat at Martin's Meadows Open Space on the Rum River in the City of Andover. Activities will include prescribed fire, forest thinning, invasive species control and other. The site includes shrub -carr wetlands, riparian floodplain forests, oak woodland and remnant prairie and oak savanna habitats. It is part of a significant contiguous wildlife habitat complex of over 1,000 acres that includes the 550 -acre Cedar Creek Conservation Area (acquired with OHF) and 434 -acre Rum River Central Regional Park, both managed by Anoka County Parks. Project funds will need to be spent by June 30, 2016. Respectfully submitted, David L. Carlberg