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Home My WebLink About09.04.19 meeting packet CAI T Y OF +,x. NDOVE ' --*`, 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 4, 2019 Andover City Hall Conference Room A&B 6:00 p.m. 1. Walking Tour of Northwoods Preserve— 16437 Hanson Blvd. 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: April 10, 2019 Regular Meeting 4. Discuss Maple View Grant(Partnership with Great River Greening) 5. Discuss Status of Dalske Woodlands Boardwalk 6. Fun Fest Recap 7. Discuss Potential for Another Tour of the Preserves with QCTV 8. Discuss Items for Joint Meeting with City Council 9. Other Business a. Next meeting? 10. Adjournment (A quorum may be present at walking tour. No votes will occur.) CITY OF cA,. ND OVE ' `'2' 1 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N . • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Approval of Minutes — April 10, 2019 Regular Meeting DATE: September 4, 2019 INTRODUCTION The Open Space Advisory Commission is asked to review and approve the minutes from the April 10, 2019 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. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Attachment April 10, 2019 meeting minutes REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 10, 2019 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 6:10 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Joy Faherty, Ryan Ingebritson, and Jim Olson(arrived at 6:22 p.m.) Commissioners absent: Anna Dirkswager, Kim Kovich, and Brian Perra Also present: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician RESIDENT FORUM No one was present to address the Commission. DISCUSS MAPLE VIEW GRANT(PARTNERSHIP WITH GREAT RIVER GREENING) Mr. Kytonen stated that the grant was awarded in the amount of$43,000 and will be used for restoration of 17 total acres including nine acres of wetland and eight acres of upland areas. He noted that the City will also be providing $5,000 in matching funds and will have until June 15, 2023 to use the grant funds. He stated that once the snow melts, he will meet with Great River Greening to develop a plan and then hire a contractor to complete work. He noted that he will continue to update the Commission. Chairperson Sabel noted that it would be helpful to share information with the public on the activities. Commissioner Faherty suggested placing educational materials on the restoration activities in the kiosk. Chairperson Sabel provided the following suggestions for the kiosk sign: notice that work is being done, project details, why the work is being done, timeframe, source of the funds, and a warning to watch for construction vehicles and that sometimes trails may be closed. DISCUSS STATUS OFDALSKE WOODLANDS BOARDWALK Mr. Kytonen stated that the City applied for a grant for the boardwalk, noting that they also applied in 2018 but that request was denied. Commissioner Olson arrived at 6:22 p.m. Mr. Kytonen stated that after construction of a similar boardwalk near Crosstown, it was determined that additional funds would be needed, above the previous request. He stated that in 2018 the request was made for $40,000 but the application this year was submitted for$80,000. Commissioner Olson asked if this would need to be a permanent boardwalk. Mr. Kytonen confirmed that this would be a permanent boardwalk. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes—April 10, 2018 Page 2 Commissioner Olson stated that perhaps a cheaper option would be available. Mr. Kytonen stated that he did receive some follow-up questions from the grant administrator. He confirmed that matching funds of 25 percent would be needed if the grant is awarded. DISCUSS POTENTIAL OF INTERPRETIVE ACTIVITIES AT THE PRESERVES Chairperson Sabel stated that this topic has been discussed previously. She stated that she would like to pursue interpretive activities that could increase resident activity and awareness of the preserves. She used the example of a walk with a naturalist, that could be held a few times per year. Commissioner Olson stated that he would agree there should be a balance of preservation and raising awareness and increased use of the areas by the public. He stated that there should be some constraints to ensure that the preserves do not become as active as parks. Commissioner Ingebritson agreed that tax dollars have been invested and therefore people should be aware of the amenity. Chairperson Sabel stated that she will then investigate opportunities with the goal of beginning in 2020. Commissioner Faherty stated that she is always surprised that not many people are aware of the preserves. She stated that perhaps FunFest would be an opportunity to discuss those kinds of activities. She stated that she could also research opportunities for public activity in the preserves. She referenced an activity that families enjoy in national parks and noted that perhaps a similar finding activity would be appropriate for the preserves. Mr. Kytonen asked if it would be appropriate for a Commission member to lead a tour of a preserve. Chairperson Sabel confirmed that could be an option. She noted that the DNR or other non- profits may also have naturalists available. DISCUSS POTENTIAL FOR JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL Mr. Kytonen stated that Commissioner Dirkswager sent an email requesting to hold a joint meeting with the City Council. He explained that because of the new Councilmember, Commissioner Dirkswager thought it would be valuable to go on a hike through a preserve and then have a short discussion meeting afterwards where the groups could discuss the opportunity to save for future land acquisitions. Chairperson Sabel stated that she likes the idea of holding a joint walk through a preserve. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes—April 10, 2018 Page 3 It was the consensus of the Commission to meet jointly with the City Council to host a walk through a preserve and follow up discussion in either August or September. It was determined that Martins Meadows would be the preserve location. Chairperson Sabel stated that in the past the Council has been invited to come along on a walk through a preserve and the Commission met after the walk, with a joint workshop being held on a different date. She stated that perhaps the option be provided for the City Council to select a date to do the walk and joint meeting. She noted that if the Council does not want to suggest a date,perhaps September 11th is provided as the date. Mr. Kytonen confirmed that he would follow up to determine a potential walk and joint meeting. OTHER BUSINESS a. Next Meeting:September 11, 2019 Mr. Kytonen confirmed that he will send out an email to plan for booth staffing for FunFest in July. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—November 14, 2018 Motion by Commissioner Olson, Second by Commissioner Faherty, to approve the minutes of November 14, 2018. Motion passed 4-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Ingebritson, Second by Commissioner Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Motion passed 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Kameron Kytonen Natural Resources Technician Drafted by: Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary CITYcA,..._ OF 14NDOVE ' r''' 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N . • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Discuss Maple View Grant (Partnership with Great River Greening) DATE: September 4, 2019 REQUEST The City is partnering with Great River Greening (GRG) and has secured a grant for restoration activities in Maple View Nature Preserve. The grant will cover activities in the wetland and upland areas (total of 17 acres). This grant is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard- Sams Outdoor Heritage Council through GRG's membership in the Metro Big Rivers Partnership. Staff met with a GRG rep in mid-July to walk the site and help come up with a game plan for restoration and management activities. Staff will discuss the components of the grant and some of the proposed activities with the OSAC. Respectfully submitted, Yam---4' eron Kytonen CAI T Y OF ND OVE ' Abc 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Discuss Status of Dalske Woodlands Boardwalk DATE: September 4, 2019 INTRODUCTION Dalske Woodlands Preserve is currently separated by a wetland area that encompasses a county ditch. This prevents users from being able to safely cross into the other upland area, which is situated on the southern half. DISCUSSION This past winter, the City once again applied for a grant under the DNR Federal Recreational Trail Program with hopes of getting funding to build the boardwalk. Unfortunately, the City didn't get the grant on this occasion. The boardwalk was initially inserted into the 2020 CIP, but has since been pushed back to the 2023 CIP. There are plans to hopefully build a boardwalk, regardless of being awarded a grant- in the future. The City has recently installed a few other boardwalks in the City,and staff will share some of that cost information with the Commission. ACTION REQUESTED The Commission is requested to discuss the future boardwalk at Dalske Woodlands Preserve. Respectfully submitted, ameron Kytonen CITY OF .-.: ; J NDOVE ' -,` 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N . • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Fun Fest Recap DATE: September 4, 2019 REQUEST At this year's Andover Family Fun Fest, which was held the weekend of July 13, 2019, a couple OSAC members volunteered during a few of the shifts. The members who participated will share their experience during the event. Respectfully submitted, ameron onen CITY._ OF -..,L, NDOVE I 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Discuss Potential for Another Tour of the Preserves with QCTV DATE: September 4, 2019 INTRODUCTION In the Fall of 2017, select members of the OSAC did a walking tour of the four nature preserves with the local cable channel, QCTV. DISCUSSION Since that time, all the preserves have had improvements and/or have changed a bit. Thus, it would be interesting to show these features to residents by conducting the tour in conjunction with QCTV. Participating in this potential opportunity would be a great opportunity to showcase the preserves to residents and expand our services. Once again, the idea is to have QCTV visit each site to take footage while interested commissioner(s) talk about them. ACTION REQUESTED The Commission is requested to discuss this program in more detail, including defining roles of participating commissioners, its appropriate format and deciding on a date that may work. Respectfully submitted, 1/— ilj Kameron Kytonen CITY OF ` `;t, NDOVE 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N . • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV TO: Andover Open Space Advisory Commission FROM: Kameron Kytonen,Natural Resources Technician SUBJECT: Discuss Items for Joint Meeting with City Council DATE: September 4, 2019 REQUEST The OSAC has met a couple times over the years with the City Council to discuss pertinent items related to present and future activities in the four nature preserves and to discuss the future of the OSAC in general. In addition, future land acquisition and funding options have been discussed. The Commission is requested to brainstorm ideas for discussion items for another potential joint meeting with the City Council. Respectfully submitted, g/f. P-1 -' Kameron Kytonen