HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-26-24 Joint meeting with City CouncilANDOVER CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING — MARCH 26, 2024
MINUTES
The Workshop Meeting of the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Bukkila, March
26, 2024, 6:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover,
Minnesota.
Councilmembers present: Jamie Barthel, Ted Butler, and Randy Nelson
Councilmember absent: Rick Engelhardt
Also present: City Administrator, Jim Dickinson
Natural Resources Technician, Kameron Kytonen
Associate Planner, Jake Griffiths
Director of Public Works/City Engineer, David Berkowitz
Parks and Streets Operations Manager, Jason Baumunk
Fire Chief, Dennis Jones
Nature Preserve Commission Members
JOINT MEETING WITH NATURE PRESERVE COMMISSION
The City Council is requested to meet with the Nature Preserve Commission (NPC) and provide
feedback on the mission of the NPC, interest in potential expansion of preserves, and a potential
trail in the south upland area of Dalske Woodlands Preserve.
Natural Resources Technician Kytonen introduced the members of the NPC.
NPR Chair Kim Kovich reviewed the staff report in regard to the NPC's mission statement and
goals. He highlighted each nature preserve and gave the Commission's recommendation of what
they think will improve these spaces, including Martin's Meadows, North Woods, Maple View,
Dalske Woodlands, and a greenspace in the Legacy at Petersen Farms development. He discussed
potential partnerships with a number of organizations throughout the State.
Commission Gwinn noted these organizations are looking for communities within the metro area
for these kinds of opportunities.
Councilmember Nelson shared he likes the partnerships as it seems like there are a variety of
different ways that they can accomplish their goals and ideas. He noted these ideas are definitely
something the Council can look at for the future.
Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes — March 26, 2024
Page 2
Councilmember Nelson asked how the greenspace in Legacy at Petersen Farms would connect to
Martin's Meadows. Mayor Bukkila said they would not connect. She explained even though the
two spaces would be attached to each other, the public would not be allowed in the greenspace at
Petersen Farms as it would be private property.
Mr. Kovich explained if this is a conservation easement and there is money available down the
line, they could look at opening the private space up to the public. He shared they have met with
the Anoka Conservation District and they are looking into this currently. He added they also met
with the Minnesota Land Trust on this.
Mayor Bukkila shared she was recently in the Petersen Farms area as the development was a part
of a recent Council discussion. She noted there is a house in the development that is worth
$1,500,000 so the seven lots that they are looking at for this greenspace could be valued very high.
She said from a market and value standpoint, she does not know if obtaining these seven lots is
reachable.
Mr. Kovich emphasized the importance of partners for funding these projects. He shared some of
the lots in the development are for sale for around $150,000. He added they do not know what the
future will look like for these values. He shared the Commission's recommendation for a minimum
maintenance ditch crossing at Dalske Woodlands.
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Berkowitz shared they have discussed this area a lot
over the last few years. He said they had a grant that was approved by the DNR but was rejected
by the City to build this crossing. He added there is a ditch that goes through this area and there
are engineering requirements to cross this ditch. He stated the City would not be able to do
something that was substandard in this area. He said he could not support directing a trail to a
ditch knowing that it is only dry seasonally.
Parks and Streets Operations Manager Baumunk added this crossing would have to be stable
enough to get a lawnmower or other equipment to the other side for maintenance and mowing.
Mr. Berkowitz shared they would recommend applying for this grant again to see if there would
be interest from the DNR to award this grant again.
Mr. Kovich said they want this to be something that will take care of the City requirements, but at
the same time take care of the people who want to enjoy this space.
Councilmember Barthel said he is not sure about the crossing as there are a lot of costs associated
with this kind of project. He noted he really likes the concept of looking at properties adjacent to
properties that are already nature preserves. He likes the idea of making the existing reserves bigger
rather than having many small reserves. He added the existing reserves already have parking lots
and other things that they would need to start fresh on with a new preserve.
Councilmember Nelson said they would be able to draw more partners for the expansion of
Andover City Council Workshop Meeting
Minutes — March 26, 2024
Page 3
Martin's Meadows because of the Rum River. He shared his appreciation for all that the NPC has
done in looking at these preserves and how to grow them.
Councilmember Butler said he loves the idea of having a crossing at Dalske Woodlands; however,
between the engineering requirements for the ditch and the cost even with grants, he worries about
why they would do this for a parcel that he believes has low potential for public use. He noted he
has been to this area and has walked the trail but he believes they are unlikely to get a significant
amount of public access. He added he also likes the creativity of looking at adjacent properties
and thinking about partners. He shared his concerns with conservation easements that would not
allow public access. He said he would like more information to understand what the long term
vision of the conservation easement concept would be. He noted he believes that these areas should
be preserved and there should not be a whole lot of park -like development in them, while still
being open to the public.
Mr. Kovich explained the conservation easement would stop the parcel from being developed.
Mr. Berkowitz asked if a conservation easement was purchased and if there is any way that they
could change this to allow access for the City if the property owner ever decided to sell the parcel.
Mr. Dickinson said the organizations that could help with funding these projects want an agent of
the City that can talk to them that would have the authority to do certain things. He asked the
Council if they would like staff to have the ability to engage with these organizations about the
open space opportunities. He added that Petersen Farms is already supportive of open space or
nature preserves with a public component to it. He stated development will be happening around
the North Woods and Maple View preserves.
Mr. Kovich thanked the Council for their support of the NPC and their time during this meeting.
Council consensus was reached to direct the NPC to continue working towards these projects and
give Staff the authority to speak to these organizations about funding.
DISCUSS VARIOUS CITY CODE AMENDMENTS
Associate Planner Griffiths presented the staff report in regard to various City Code amendments.
Mayor Bukkila asked how quickly they can get the solicitor license revocation process started.
Mr. Griffiths said they should be able to have it done in a month. He added they are trying to get
this done where it can be handled administratively, similar to how other licenses are done so the
process would only take a day.
Mr. Griffiths discussed an invisible fence ordinance.
Mayor Bukkila said she does not understand the issue with someone having an invisible fence
other than people potentially being scared that a dog could run after them if they do not know
1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755-8923 • WWW.ANDOVERMN.GOV
TO:
CC:
From:
Subject:
Date:
Mayor and Council Members
Jim Dickinson, City AdministratoMlic David D. Berkowitz, Director of Prks/City EngineerDD?
Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resources
Joint Meeting with Nature Preserve Commission (NPC) - Engineering
March 26, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The Nature Preserve Commission (NPC) has met on several occasions and continues to plan for
ongoing management and development of the properties and potential future acquisitions. The
Commission would like to get feedback from the City Council on various items, which include
those listed below.
DISCUSSION
The following items will be discussed during the meeting:
• Mission of the NPC
• Interest in potential expansion of the preserves
• Potential trail in south upland area of Dalske Woodlands Preserve
ACTION REQUESTED
The City Council is requested to meet with the Nature Preserve Commission and provide
feedback on the above talking points.
Respectfully submitted,
Kameron Kytonen
Natural Resources Technician