HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 11, 2009
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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