Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.09.14 meeting packetC I T Y O F ND ODE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW. CLAN DOVER. MN. US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda July 9, 2014 Andover City Hall Conference Room A &B 7:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes: June 11, 2014 Regular Meeting 4. Open Space Acquisition Update 5. Fun Fest Preparation 6. Other Business a. Next meeting: August 13, 2014 7. Adjournment NDOVE 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 — June 11, 2014 DATE: July 9, 2014 INTRODUCTION The Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the June 11, 2014 regular 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 June 11, 2014 meeting minutes Respectfully submitted, Q)4 ;/. ('e 0 David L. Carlberg REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE AD VISOR Y COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 11, 2014 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:01 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Aaron Jarson (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Kim Kovich, Jim Myers (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: David Carlberg, Community Development Director; Sarah Strommen; James Goodrich RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — May 14, 2014 Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of May 14, 2014. Motion passed 4 -0. Commissioners Jarson arrived at 7:03 p.m. Commissioner Myers arrived at 7:04 p.m. GUEST SPEAKER — SARAH STROMMEN Chairperson Sabel introduced the guest speaker, Sarah Strommen, and each of the Commissioners briefly introduced themselves. Sarah Strommen stated that she spoke with Chairperson Sabel regarding the properties that have been purchased thus far as well as additional options. She noted that when the Commission first started she did make a presentation with options and found it nice to come back and see what has been accomplished. She began reviewing the options for acquisition including fee title acquisition, noting that the process is fairly simple involving a willing buyer and seller at a negotiated price. She stated that there are a number of other options that provide alterative tools and steps to reach the same goal, both involving purchase and partial purchase. She began explaining alternative tools including the right of first refusal, an option to purchase, and a purchase agreement noting that those options would be minimal investment. She noted that another option would be to purchase the property but allow the landowners to reserve a life estate. She advised that there are third party organizations, such as the Trust for Public Land or the Conservation Fund, that can purchase and secure property through quick sale and then work cooperatively to sell the land to the City when the funding is available. She noted that sometimes those organizations even assist in gaining funds for the municipality. She referenced Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —June 11, 2014 Page 2 conservation easements, which can be a good tool for open space protection when the City does not need to own fee title and hold ownership over the property. She explained that the owner of the property would sell some of the rights to the holder of the easement, which could fit well with an open space use. Commissioner Van Hecke referenced the Rum River and questioned if there are easements or restrictions that allow for some landowners to have docks while other property owners do not. Ms. Strommen believed that would be a personal preference. She noted that in regard to easements in general there can be regulations built into the easement language to protect the purpose of the easement, explaining that for a use of open space, development could be prohibited or for use along a river there could be shoreline regulations. She stated that there is an option to have an easement for a specific period of time but noted that municipalities have shifted towards permanent easements to avoid paying for an easement more than once. She referenced the option of deed restrictions for a property that would offer certain restrictions. She explained that deed restrictions are only good for 30 years and then would have to be renewed. She advised that in regard to deed restriction there is no third party involved, as there is with an easement, which means that there is not a third party insuring compliance. She reviewed different types of easements including conservation and access easements. Commissioner Kovich questioned if the City of Andover holds any easements. Mr. Carlberg noted, that the City did have one conservation easement in the past three years to protect trees but noted that easement had been removed and those trees were eventually removed for development. He did not believe that the City currently holds any easements that Ms. Strommen addressed this evening. Commissioner Van Hecke asked for additional information regarding easements and open space. Ms. Strommen stated that sometimes open space is more built into the parks system and explained that the areas can be managed for active park use and as more natural open space areas within the same park land. She noted that some cities have placed conservation easements over their park land to ensure that the land will remain as park. Chairperson Sabel questioned how the third party organizations would be engaged. Ms. Strommen stated that each organization has representatives for the metro area and advised that she could forward contacts for both the Trust for Public Land Trust and the Conservation Fund. Mr. Carlberg noted that this could be a great topic for a joint meeting with the City Council as there would be aspects of that option that would need to be further discussed. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —June 11, 2014 Page 3 Chairperson Sabel and the Commission thanked Ms. Strommen for attending tonight and providing additional options for the Commission to consider as the fund balance decreases. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION UPDATE Mr. Carlberg provided an update on the property area including Aasness, Kuiken, and Selmer. He also provided an update on the developer activities of Scott Wold adjacent to that area. He believed that the best option would be to wait to determine what happens with the developer and property owner, noting that the developer is aware of the interest of the Commission. PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE MARTIN'S MEADOWS OPEN SPACE Mr. Carlberg displayed pictures that he took the previous day in the open space area. He noted the high water levels yet again delayed the tour. He stated that the Commission could investigate the possibility of a floating walkway but noted that Commissioner Olson expressed through email that he believed that would create more of a park feel rather than open space. Chairperson Sabel stated that she would be open to discussing possibilities and noted that in the future there would be access from another area of the site. Commissioner Kovich stated that perhaps the Commission could review that option once the tour can occur. RECAP OF THE JOINT MEETING WITH CITY CO UNCIL Mr. Carlberg reported that Commissioners Perry, Olson, and Jarson attended the meeting. He stated that the Council prefers to wait out the Selmer issue and did support the access and parking area for the Aasness property. He noted that staff will visit the site and stake out the parking area in the next couple weeks, and noted that signage will also be installed this year as well. He noted that the future possibilities of the Commission were also discussed. FUNFEST PREPARATION Mr. Carlberg advised of the open timeslots for the booth and the Commissioners who have volunteered for the open times. He advised that shirts have also been ordered for the Commission for the event. He confirmed that the booth would be staffed by Parks and Recreation Commissioners and this Commission and the neighboring booth will be the City Council. He advised that the Commission will meet one more time before the event to review the materials and maps. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —June 11, 2014 Page 4 OTHER B USINESS a. Next Meeting: July 91 2014 Noted. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Second by Commissioner Van Hecke, to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 p.m. Motion passed 6 -0. Respectfully submitted, David Carlberg Community Development Director Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary ANDOVE^ 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: Open Space Acquisition of Property Update DATE: July 9, 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 submitted, r� 4, :Z. a-0, David L. Carlberg LNDOVE 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: Fun Fest Preparation DATE: July 9, 2014 INTRODUCTION Staff has updated various handouts and maps to be used at the booth for the Andover Family Fun Fest to be held July 11"' and 12`'' DISCUSSION Staff will present at the meeting the maps and boards to be used for the Fun Fest booth. The Open Space Advisory Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission will be sharing the booth which will be located adjacent to the City Council booth just south of the City Hall Building (same location as last year). Attached is a schedule of booth attendees for the event. Respectfully submitted, 2 ` C. e6L... David L. Carlberg Protecting your Open Space Safeguarding Open Space in Andover A Citizen's Guide Open Space in Andover Andover is blessed by the abundance of natural open space. More than 40% of the city remains undeveloped. This is a true community asset, since local and national research has shown that natural areas positively affect home values and consistently rank high on lists of homebuyer preferences. This brochure is a quick summary of some of the things that are being done — and that you can do — to preserve this asset. The Open Space Advisory Commission In 2006, the residents of Andover passed a levy to establish a $2 million dollar fund to purchase land specifically to set aside as open space. The Open Space Advisory Commission was formed to evaluate opportunities to preserve open space and make recommendations to the City Council on land purchases. Since forming, the Commission has been evaluating the natural resources within the city, defining criteria to evaluate potential acquisitions, and investigating grant opportunities to maximize the limited funds available. Since 2006, the City has received grants totaling $137,000 from Great River Greening ( http : / /www.greatrivergreening.org /) for buckthorn removal, prairie restoration, and planting in the Martin's Meadows Open Space. Some important principles guide the work of the Open Space Commission: • The city will use funds from the levy to acquire land and/or enter into land preservation agreement to permanently protect natural areas. • All property transactions are with "willing sellers ". Participation is voluntary. • Land throughout the city is eligible for the program. Properties that offer the best opportunity to preserve natural areas for the future are a top priority. • The Commission encourages and promotes the efforts of individual property owners to preserve natural features on their land. The Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Andover City Hall. Members of the public are welcome! Open Space Properties Martin's Meadows A 40 acre site in the northwest corner of the city was purchased in 2009 from the Luedtke Family. Martin's Meadows is located on the Rum River, a designated "Scenic and Wild River ". Access is gained to the site from Navajo Street NW. The City has recently obtained an $117,000 grant from Great River Greening ( http : / /www.greatrivergreening.org/) for buckthorn removal, prairie restoration, and plantings. This work will be completed by June 30, 2016. North Woods Preserve This 20 acre site located north of 1615` Avenue NW and east of Hanson Boulevard NW was purchased from Larry Emmerich in 2010. When visiting North Woods Preserve, look to the right of the entrance sign for boundary markers and follow them along to the south and east into the larger preservation area. Look for the blossoming apple trees and don't forget to try an apple when you're out there later this summer! In January of 2014, an additional 26 acres was purchased from Donna and Richard Aasness. The property is located immediately north of North Woods Preserve bringing the total acreage of North Woods Preserve to 46 acres. The City will be constructing a vehicle access and small parking area off of Hanson Boulevard NW to provide public access. Resources on the City ofAndover's Website We have made some useful files and links available on the City of Andover website. To find them go to wvvw.andovermn.Qov. Click on the "Boards & Commissions" menu item at the side of the screen and then "Open Space Advisory Commission ". Resources include: • A list of frequently asked questions • A Guide to Andover Plant Communities • Land Protection Options: A Handbook for Minnesota Landowners • Natural Area Management Techniques • A link to the Anoka Conservation District Website. A great resource for local technical and financial assistance. Do you have questions on the open space proeram7 Contact: David L. Carlberg Community Development Director 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763 - 767 -5140 E -mail: d.carlberg @andovennn.gov Time Friday (7111114) 5:00 -6:30 6:30 -8:00 Saturday (7112114) 10:00 - Noon Noon - 2:00 2:00 -4:00 4:00 -6:00 Open Space Commissioner Jim Myers Suzanne VanHecke Kim Kovich Aaron Jarson Marjorie and Bruce Perry Gretchen Sabel Park and Rec. Commissioner Angela Marinnello Sarah Elstrom /Shane Stenzel Jim Lindahl (10:00- 12:45) Ted Butler (12:45 -2:00) OPEN OPEN Alisa Lewnau (not available) Mark Miskoweic (not available)