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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 9, 2007 C I T Y o F ~. O--J.l-- NDOVE W11-tfGn Cj"'I;J.,~D7 0 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W.' ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304. (763) 755-5100 FAX (763) 755-8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING -AUGUST 9,2007 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle, August 9, 2007, 7:04 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Bruce Perry, Jody Keppers, and Kim Kovich. Winslow Holasek (arrived at 7:08 p.m.). ~.tf\vb l VI. ~ c.h I e- Commissioners absent: Jim Olson Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz Josh Williams, Anoka Conservation District APPROVAL OF MINUTES-JULY 11,2007 0 Chairman Deuschle asked for approval of the minutes. Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Kovich, to approve the July 11, 2007 minutes as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. B. OATH OF OFFICE Jody Keppers read the Oath of Office. RECEIVEINFORMATlON ON OPEN MEETING LAW AND ROBERTSRULES OFORDER Chairman Deuschle acknowledged receipt REVIEW OF BALLOT QUESTION Chairman Deuschle stated the ballot question was reprinted for clarification purposes, so the Commission would be conscious of the language. Commissioner Perry asked if there had been any directions established for the Open Space Commission. Mr. Bednarz stated that information was in the by-laws and would be addressed later in the meeting. 0 Commissioner Kovich reminded the Commission that the word "preservation" was very specific. Chairman Deuschle agreed, stating the referendum clearly stated it was for the preservation of nature areas, water air quality and natural habitat, not park and recreation. 0 Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - August 9, 2007 Page 2 Commissioner Sabel asked if the question and answer sheets were still available on the website for people to refer to. Mr. Bednarz stated yes, the OSAC had a link on the City website, under Advisory Commissions. Chairman DeuscWe requested that Item #7, Review available natural resource information and Item #8, Commission discussion of available services/statement of qualification for natural resource inventory be moved up. REVIEW AVAILABLE NATURAL RESOURCE INFORMATION / COMMISSION DISCUSSION OF AVAILABLE SERVICES / STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS FOR NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Commissioner Kovich stated he reviewed the inforIilation from Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. (pEe) and felt there were also other sources available. He stated he had invited Mr. Williams from the Anoka Conservation District (ACD) to provide information on the ACD's available resources. 0 Mr. Williams, ACD Natural Resources Planner, stated the purpose of the ACD was to help identify natural resources in the community and provide assistance at a relatively low fee, if any. He stated the ACD received a grant from the League of Citizens on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) in the amount of $250,000, which included his services through the end of2007 and allowed assistance to continue through June of 2008. In his presentation he stated the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) was currently available for the seven county metro area, which included all of Anoka County and would provide assistance for any land cover preservation. He also stated that since they would be working from a grant, it would be best to move forward sooner than later, as it would run out in June 200S. He stated the City would be eligible to draw off the grant money and get assistance if an eligible project came up. Commissioner Sabel asked if the MLCCS was current. Mr. Williams stated it had been updated within the last five years. Commissioner Keppers asked how the process worked. Mr. Williams stated it would start with a ground study, where it would be mapped out in a Global Positioning System (GPS). The information would then be added into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Commissioner Kovich asked if it they could overlay landowners on top of the maps. Mr. Williams stated it was generally updated approximately every three months. Commissioner Perry asked if the City gave ACD a set of criteria, would they be able to locate 0 areas. Mr. Williams stated yes, depending on the criteria. Commissioner Perry asked if the first step would be identifying the areas that they wanted looked at. Mr. Williams stated yes, stating the funding was limited and they would want to make sure they use the money the best way possible. 0 Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - August 9, 2007 Page 3 Chairman Deuschle asked if City Council would make the decision on whether or not to use the ACD. Mr. Bednarz stated the OSAC would make the recommendation and City Council would make the decision. Chairman Deuschle stated it would be useful to use the ACD, stating the City would have nothing to lose. He stated he would request that the ACD provide the OSAC with a set of maps to use as a work guide to refine their search and possibly some GIS information. Commissioner Keppers agreed, stating it would be a good starting point. Commissioner Kovich stated he was currently a supervisor at ACD and hoped it would not be considered a conflict of interest. Chairman Deuschle asked when Andover's MLCCS was completed. Mr. Bednarz stated approximately five years ago. Chairman Deuschle asked what type of cominitment was required. Mr. Williams stated he would need to review it with the project manaeer since the grant period is in its final project stages. He suggested drafting a Memorandum of Understanding. Mr. Williams stated the ACD could also make an amendment to the work plan with LCMR requiring no additional fees. 0 Chairman Deuschle asked if there would be an opportunity to have someone prioritize the areas on the maps. Mr. Williams stated yes, depending on the criteria Chairman Deuschle asked if they would be able to use the City's GIS at a workshop. Mr. Bednarz stated yes. Commissioner Sabel asked for clarification, stating the mapping would be done by end of2007, and asked if the on-ground mapping would also be done. Mr. Williams stated that sounded about right, stating his services would end at the end of2007, but that there would be assistance from ACD available through June 2008. Chairman Deuschle asked if the grant money would run out by end of the 2007. Mr. Williams stated the grant money is dependent on project requests. Commissioner Sable asked if the City had wellhead protection zones, as well as other overlays and tools to use. Mr. Bednarz stated yes. Chairman Deuschle stated the information provided seemed to meet their needs. Motion by Perry, Seconded by Keppers, to recommend the ACD move ahead and refine information for Andover and to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to be adopted by City Council. Motion carried nnanimously. 0 0 Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - August 9, 2007 Page 4 OVERVIEW OF PARKSAND OPEN SPACE LANGUAGE FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES Mr. Bednarz presented information on comparisons with other Cities and the benefits of separating parks from open space criteria. Chairman Deuschle stated he was surprised to find out that the other communities had combined documents. Commissioner Perry stated he was impressed with Plymouth's information and felt they covered more open space detail and suggested using their information. Chairman Deuschle agreed. DISCUSS PARKS AND OPEN SPACE CHAPTER OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Chairman Deuschle asked for if the Commission had any further thoughts on the matter since the last meeting. Commissioner Perry stated he felt chapter five in the Comprehensive Plan appropriately defined open space, but would prefer they have their own chapter. Commissioner Sabel asked of there would be any comprehensive plan hearings. Mr. Bedrnarz stated there would be forums and public hearings. He also stated they would need to give the plan out for 0 other city review for six months and then receive it back for finalization. Commissioner Sabel suggested participating in the forums, talking with people for their feedback and having some criteria agreed upon by November. Chairman Deuschle stated he is fine with the current Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Bednarz suggested getting a recommendation ready by fall. Chairman Deuschle asked Mr. Bednarz to keep this on the agenda each month. PRIORITIZE GENERAL POWERSAND RESPONSIBIUTIES FROMAPPROVEDBY-IAWS Chairman Deuschle suggested prioritizing general powers and responsibilities should be a group discussion. The Commission had discussion on the various ranking order of the tasks submitted by staff. Chairman Deuschle suggested the Commission review the City list provided and come up with their own list of criteria as well as short and long-term plans. He stated the OSAC could then discuss and try to have a plan in place within the next couple of meetings. Commissioner Sabel asked if there were any deadlines for the OSAC at this point. Mr. Bednarz stated the Comprehensive Plan had a timeline, along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant application request due date around the end of February 2008, if they wished to apply. Commissioner Sabel asked when the DNR grant would open and if the OSAC would need to have identified parcels prepared by February for the DNR grant. Mr. Bednarz stated Andover would be an 0 excellent candidate for the DNR grant, stating they would need to have a specific property identified for the grant application. Chairman Deuschle asked how questions were being handled for those who would like to see if their land meets the open space requirements. Mr. Bednarz stated staffhad been taking information and putting it into a file. Commissioner Sabel asked if any of those were interested in donating their 0 Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - August 9, 2007 Page 5 property. Mr. Bednarz stated it did not appear so. Chairman Deuschle suggested informing the public by use of the newspaper and City website, that they could contact the OSAC with questions. Commissioner Sabel asked if the survey done last year could be provided to the OSAC. Mr. Bednarz stated he would make it available to the commission. Consensus of the Commission was to prepare a list of criteria for the Commission to work on and establish both short and long-term goals. OTHER BUSINESS A. Discuss Timing of Conservation Development Presentation Chairman Dueschle asked if there was a desire for further conservation development presentations, noting the presentation given earlier by Mr. Williams. He suggested this item be considered at a later date. The Commission agreed. 0 B. Next Meeting Chairman Dueschle set September 12, 2007 at 7 p.m. as the next OSAC meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Keppers, Seconded by Kovich. to adjourn. Motion carried IImmimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kelly Schmidt, Recording Secretary 0