HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 8, 2008
1 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
2 OCTOBER 8, 2008
3 MINUTES
4
5 The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by
6 Chairman Deuschle, October 8, 2008, 7 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard
7 NW, Andover, Minnesota.
8
9 Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jody Keppers, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek,
10 Bruce Perry and Kim Kovich (arrived at 7:45 p.m.)
11 Commissioners absent: None
12 Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz
13 Others
14
15 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
16
17 September 10, 2008
18
19 Motion by Holasek, seconded by Perry, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried on
20 a 6-ayes, O-nays, O-present, I-absent (Kovich) vote.
21
22
23 DISCUSS SEPTEMBER INFORMATION MEETING
24
25 The Commission discussed the September 17th information meeting noting that it was well attended.
26 Mr. Bednarz indicated that the comment cards, calls and e-mails centered around eminent domain,
27 people looking for resources to do projects on their own, and people interested in selling property or
28 at least learning more about it.
29
30 The Commission went on to discuss methods of continuing to communicate with residents.
31
32 Commissioner Keppers stated information about the resources that are available to people should be
33 included and that a link to the Anoka Conservation District (ACD) web site should be added to the
34 city's web site. He asked if the city had information prepared for this.
35
36 Mr. Bednarz indicated that Chris Lord of ACD requested $3,000 to update a brochure with the
37 corridors and do a direct mailing to Andover residents. The Commission concluded that they would
38 like to do their own mailing and that some ACD contact information could be included.
39
40 Commissioner Sabel suggested a follow-up mailing and newsletter article that would include an
41 opportunity for people to sign up for an e-newsletter. She suggested that the Commission be
42 represented at community events like Recycling Day and others.
43
44 Mr. Bednarz indicated that one resident suggested that the city coordinate a plant exchange among
45 property owners, possibly concurrent with recycling day. Mr. Olson added that garden clubs are a
46 good resource for this type of effort.
47 Mr. Bednarz asked what the message would be on progress by the Commission.
48
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - October 8, 2008
Page 2
1 Commissioner Olson stated thatthe Commission needs to make some decisions and move forward.
2
3 Chairman Deuschle stated the purpose of the communication is twofold. First, to keep people
4 involved a recap of the information meeting, a list of resources and contact information should be
5 included. Second, to indicate the Commission is moving ahead with reviewing properties. The
6 Commission indicated that they would like to send the letter to the same mailing list as was used
7 previously.
8
9 Mr. Bednarz indicated that a common question from residents is 'what is the Commission trying to
10 achieve?'
11
12 Commissioner Perry asked if the Commission would recommend purchase of a 2.5 acre parcel.
13
14 Chairman Deuschle stated that would not be likely. It would be more likely that the city would
15 direct them toward resources from ACD for them to utilize on their own.
16
17 Commissioner Sabel agreed and stated there are project they can do on their own.
18
19 Commissioner Kovich arrived at 7:45 p.m.
20
21 Mr. Bednarz stated that many of the property owners who indicated interest have properties with a
22 significant amount of wetland and floodplain.
23
24 The Commission generally agreed that the city should not spend referendum dollars to purchase
25 properties that are heavily encumbered by wetland and floodplain.
26
27 The Commission went on to discuss the list and map of properties that were included in the packet.
28 Parcel size, the surrounding area, and the existence of vegetation, wetland and floodplain areas were
29 discussed for each of the properties.
30
31 The Commission highlighted six properties as potential candidates for acquisition. It was suggested
32 that further evaluation of these properties be done.
33
34 Commissioner Sabel stated that the evaluation criteria established by the Commission should be
35 applied to all of the properties to show that due diligence had been completed and to provide
36 reasoning to the selection process.
37
38 Commissioner Kovich suggested that property owners adjacent to the area south of Crosstown
39 Boulevard and Leeman Lake be contacted to determine if they are interested in being involved.
40
41 Commissioner Sabel commented that they had not come forward through all ofthe communication
42 leading up to the information meeting.
43
44 Commissioner Kovich stated that in some situations purchasing a combination of upland and
2/ mrormatIon meetmg. commIssIOner :sabel mclIcateO that she woUlO prepare a dratt ot the letter.
28
29 Mr. Bednarz indicated that he was unsure of what was being asked of him.
30
31 Commissioner Sabel asked that the evaluation criteria be applied to all of the properties on the list.
32
33 OTHER BUSINESS
34
35 There was none.
36
37 Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Kovich, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
38 adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
39
40 Respectfully submitted,
41
42 Courtney Bednarz
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - October 8, 2008
Page 3
1 wetland may make some sense. An example of a 5 acre upland and 15 acre wetland parcel was
2 given, noting that the rate for the wetland area would be significantly lower than the upland area and
3 may achieve a nice property with some public access. He requested that the nine study areas be
4 added to the list so they can be updated on who was interested among these areas.
5
6 Mr. Bednarz indicated that the Kuiken Family are the only ones within the study areas that have
7 declared interest. He added that Mr. Schmelzer indicated that his children may be interested in the
8 future.
9
10 Commissioner Keppers left the meeting at 8:45 pm.
11
12 UPDATE ON NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY FIELD WORK
13
14 Commissioner Olson asked if the field work information would be shared with the owners of the
15 study areas and if this provide another opportunity to speak with them about preservation.
16
17 Mr. Bednarz indicated that it would.
18
19 Commissioner Olson asked when the field work would be completed.
20
21 Mr. Bednarz indicated there was an update from the botanist in the packet, but he did not know
22 when the final report would be completed.
23
24
25 The Commission further discussed a mailing to update property owners within the corridors. The
26 Commission agreed that the letter should be sent to the same mailing list as was used for the
27 information meeting. Commissioner Sabel indicated that she would prepare a draft of the letter.
28
29 Mr. Bednarz indicated that he was unsure of what was being asked of him.
30
31 Commissioner Sabel asked that the evaluation criteria be applied to all ofthe properties on the list.
32
33 OTHER BUSINESS
34
35 There was none.
36
37 Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Kovich, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
38 adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
39
40 Respectfully submitted,
41
42 Courtney Bednarz