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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 11, 2009 0 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 11,2009 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle, March 11,2009, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Jody Keppers, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek, Bruce Perry and Kim Kovich Commissioners absent: None Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz APPROVAL OF MINUTES 0 February 11,2009. Motion by Commissioner Kovich, Seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried on a 5-ayes, O-nays, O-present, I-absent (Sabel) vote. REVIEW PROGRESS ON SELECTED SITES Mr. Bednarz advised that the Council had directed the Commission to pursue several options on two river sites. He advised that the first of those properties, the Ludtke property, has encountered problems in finding an appraiser for the site. He stated that an appraiser with Anoka County had said . that a quote would be in today, but he had not yet received that information. He advised that the deadline to obtain grant funding would be the end ofthe month. Commissioner Kovich questioned what the selling price had been for the property. Mr. Bednarz advised of the City offer and what the property owner was requesting. Commissioner Keppers questioned if a purchase agreement was in place. Mr. Bednarz advised that a purchase agreement cannot be in place to be able to qualify for the grants. He stated that an update would be given to the City Council at their meeting next week. 0 Commissioner Olson questioned if a figure would need to be entered into the grant application. Mr. Bednarz advised that a figure would need to be entered for the application. He explained that the City could apply for the full amount and adjustments could be done after the grants are prioritized. Commissioner Olson questioned ifthe City would be competing with Anoka County. Mr. Bednarz 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 11, 2009 Page 2 advised that they would be in competition for one of the grants. Mr. Bednarz advised that he had been in contact with the owner ofthe second property on the Rum River, and a revised proposal had been submitted for 7.3 acres adjacent to the parle. He advised that the owner did not think that their family would be ready for sale this year, as he had some hurdles to clear with the other family members. He hoped that an appraisal would be completed. Chair Deuschle questioned ifthe same appraiser had been commissioned for both propeliies. Mr. Bednarz advised that an appraiser had not been secured for this property. He explained that the first appraiser approached an unreasonable amount to do the appraisal. He explained that the Metro Greenways Program would have available funds and would have a mid-summer grant cycle. He thought it was another opportunity for the City and stated that he would bring the Commission further details in the future. Chair Deuschle stated that hopefully the appraisal would be completed by the time the update was given to the Council. Mr. Bednarz advised that he hoped to have the appraisal done and at least one conversation with the Luedtke's before the end ofthe month. He advised that public hearings for the 0 grants are scheduled for Mal'ch 24th for the two grant applications. Commissioner Holasek questioned the major reasoning that the Russell propeliy was going to be split into two parcels. Mr. Bednarz advised that a comment had been made at the Council worksession to possibly look at all options, including less than the entire piece of property. He advised that the Russell's would like to retain the agricultural tax status, and retain a portion of the land. Chair Deuschle stated that it appeared the Russell parcel would be off the table for the time being, but thought that it was still of interest to the commission. Commissioner Holasek thought it would be more beneficial to the City to obtain the entire Russell property, as it is located adjacent to the parkland. RECEIVE FINAL DRAFT OF NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY Chair Deuschle thought the document looked nice and was a sharp document. He hoped that this document would be expanded beyond the bookshelves. Mr. Bednarz advised that he was about half way through putting together something for the property owners, in regard to this document. He advised that the document would be used with the Luedtke propeliy and in the development of the grant application. 0 Commissioner Perry questioned how Mr. Bednarz saw the Commission and the City using the book in the next two yeal-s. Mr. Bednarz advised that there is a good summary of the different plant communities in the area, and thought that would be useful to property owners. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 11, 2009 Page 3 Commissioner Perry questioned if another property were to come along if a separate survey would be done for that property. Mr. Bednarz confirmed that a field inventory survey would need to be done. Commissioner Sabel anived at 7:20 p.m. Commissioner Sabel questioned if the information would be printed on the City web site as well. Mr. Bednarz thought that would be a possibility. Chair Deuschle thought that the more general information could be posted on the website, with the specific property information not included. He then gave a brief update of the meeting thus far to Commissioner Sabel. Commissioner Keppel's questioned how the public meeting on March 24th would proceed. Mr. Bednarz advised that he would give a presentation, the public hearing would be opened for resident testimony, the public hearing would be closed, discussion and a vote would be held for the resolution. DISCUSS ARBOR DAY PLAN C Chair Deuschle advised that a discussion was conducted at the prior meeting involving the visibility of the Commission and possible inclusion with the Arbor Day event. He reported that the event would run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. He thought it would make the most sense to be located near the tree sale, in the garage. He stated that half of the effort of the Commission may be helping with the handing out of trees. He advised that there could also be a booth with brochures and handouts. Commissioner Sabel thought that there were handouts that could be reused. Commissioner Kovich questioned the date for the event. Mr. Bednarz advised that it would be held on April 25th. Commissioner Sabel questioned ifthe materials were still available to use. Mr. Bednarz thought that they were. Chair Deuschle stated that he still possessed the Power Point presentation that could be easily modified for the event. Commissioner Keppel's questioned ifthere were materials in regard to residents doing projects on their own property. He thought that the end portion of the previously discussed document, starting after page 74, could be distributed to the general public. Commission Sabel thought that would be a little long. 0 Chair Deuschle thought that would be more information than the general public would be interested in. He thought some condensing could be done to make it more accessible. Commissioner Keppel'S volunteered to start that process himself and have something proposed for the Commission to review at the next meeting. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March J J, 2009 Page 4- Chair Deuschle thought the event would be a good opportunity for the Commission to speak with the public. Commissioner Sabel questioned if a bamler could be obtained for stating Open Space Advisory Commission. Mr. Bednarz thought that would be possible. He confirmed that materials, signs and boards would be refined for the next meeting. Commissioner Sabel thought that another alternative to the trees would be to give out prairie seeds to residents. Chair Deuschle advised that he had a possible contact and would investigate that option for the event. Commissioner Keppers questioned how much seed would be needed for restoration. Chair Deuschle advised that a small envelope would cover 250 square feet of area. Commissioner Kovich commented that the restoration process is often not what people expect it to be. Chair Deuschle confirmed that for aesthetic purposes people would be better off going with four inch live plants. 0 DISCUSS 2009 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Chair Deuschle stated that the Commission would proceed with the Luedtke and Russell properties, and thought that further guidelines could be developed. Mr. Bednarz thought that a table of interested property owners should be brought back, along with a few new properties that were previously not on the list. He advised that one property owner, with 4 acres on the Rum River had contacted him. Commissioner Olson thought a form should be available for interested property owners at the recycling event to catch any new property owners that would be interested. Commissioner Kovich questioned if they should give a second chance to the property owners that had received invitations to meet with the Commission. Mr. Bednarz encouraged the Commission to use the outlets available to them. He did not know that mailing a large amount of invitations would be wise with the current economy and suggested some other advertising options. Chair Deuschle was reluctant to send out further letters to homeowners. He thought that the City Newsletter would be a better option in the near future. Commissioner Sabel questioned if the next route would be to apply for the same grants next year. 0 Mr. Bednarz advised that they could also apply for the mid-summer grants through the Metro Greenways. He thought it would be highly unlikely for the City to approve the purchase of even the Luedtke property if grant funding did not come in. He was fairly optimistic that grant funds could be obtained for the two discussed propeliies. 0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes - March 11, 2009 Page 5 Chair Deuschle was hesitant to plan too far into the future, until they discover what happens with these propeliies. He advised that the item would be maintained as an ongoing agenda item. OTHER BUSINESS Chair Deuschle asked about contact with owners that had previously expressed interest in working with the city. Mr. Bednarz stated that he had spoken with the propeliy owners about the direction of the Council and that the Commission. He explained that the Council was first looking at more of a show piece and thought that there might be more oppOliunity in the next round. Chair Deuschle thought the last Commission Newsletter was great and questioned if any feedback had been received. Mr. Bednarz advised that he did receive a call from one interested property owner. Commissioner Sabel questioned ifthat newsletter would be made available on the City Website. She thought it would be a good oppOliunity for public education and awareness. Commissioner Keppel'S questioned if analytics were done on the website in regard to how many hits 0 are obtained, and which portions of the site are accessed. He thought it would be interesting to know how many people are accessing that information. Mr. Bednarz advised that he believed it would. Commissioner Sabel volunteered to continue working on the newsletter information. Mr. Bednarz advised that the next major items would be the update for the Council next week and the following Tuesday would be the public hearing for the two grants. Chair Deuschle advised that he would be present at the meeting, but felt more comfortable with the City Administrator conducting the presentation. He stated that he would be available for questions. A. Next meeting. Chair Deuschle advised that the next meeting would be held on April 8, 2009. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Commissioner Perry, Seconded by Commissioner Kovich, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 0 Amanda Staple, Recording Secretary