HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 12, 2009
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1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. . ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755-5100
FAX (763) 755,8923 . WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US
REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
AUGUST 12,2009
MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by
Chairman Deric Deischle, August 12,2009,7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown
Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jim Olson, Winslow Holasek, Bruce Perry and
Kim Kovich (arrived at 7:32 p.m.)
Commissioners absent: Jody Keppers
Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz
Others
0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
July 8, 2009
There were no changes.
Motion by Peny, Seconded by Sabel, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
RECAP 2009 ANDOVER FAMILY FUN FEST
Commissioner Sabel updated the Commission on Family Fun Fest and what was accomplished. She
stated the Fun Fest was worthwhile even though not many people stopped by the tent.
CONTINUE DISCUSSION OF 2009 SITE SELECTION PROCESS
City Planner Bednarz updated the Commission on the Council discussion regarding the golf course
land.
Commissioner Olson asked where the funds would come from if they purchased the golf course
0 land. Mr. Bednarz stated it may come out of the open space funds but the City has an interest in an
outstanding assessment on the property. He stated any action will depend upon on how reasonable
the cost for public access would be.
Commissioner Sabel asked if anyone has talked to the Park Commission about this. Mr. Bednarz
0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - August 12, 2009
Page 2
stated they have not.
Commissioner Olson asked if the owners were still trying to develop some ofthe land. Mr. Bednarz
stated the owner is marketing the buildable area and that remains one of their goals. Commissioner
Olson wondered if the owner would need to get some variances from the City in order to develop.
Mr. Bednarz explained there would need to be several approvals the owner would need to get from
the City.
Chair Deischle asked if open space proceeds were used if they could use some of the wetland
banking for a portion of this land. Mr. Bednarz stated they would not. Chair Deischle thought it
may be a significant task to establish wetlands in there.
Commissioner Holasek thought it may make a better park than open space because it is centrally
located by residential homes.
Mr. Bednarz updated the Commission on the letters that were sent out for open space land.
0 Mr. Bednarz indicated they heard back in regards to both grant applications and they would not be
receiving funds from either one. He explained the reason why they did not get the grants. He also
stated the property owner was still interested in selling their property sooner than later.
Commissioner Perry stated even though they did not receive the grant they should go forward and
pursue the property that is interested in selling to the City.
Chair Deischle asked how interested the Council would be in purchasing the property even though
there are not matching grants. Mr. Bednarz stated it was hard to say. It may be a matter of going
back to the property owner and seeing if they could get the property for less money.
Commissioner Olson asked ifthere were any other sources out there for funding. Mr. Bednarz stated
state and federal funds are given to the DNR who determines how to disperse the funds through grant
programs.
Commissioner Sabel stated she would be in favor of pursuing the property as well. Chair Deischle
agreed and stated it is a great opportunity and without the grants they may want to see ifthe owner
will come down in their price.
Mr. Bednarz stated it might be worthwhile to sit down with the MN Land Trust and the owner ofthe
property to determine if there are any tax implications that may be avoided if the overall purchase
price were reduced.
0 Commissioner Kovich an-ived at 7:32 p.m.
The Commission discussed open space sites.
0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - August 12, 2009
Page 3
Commissioner Kovich indicated he talked to some people atthe Fun Fest who would not be happy if
the City was interested in purchasing the golf course for open space. Chair DeiscWe indicated he did
not know where else to look or what else to do. He suggested they wait until after the Council
Workshop to see what the Council would like them to look at and pursue.
Commissioner Olson thought they needed to spend the first one million dollars and get some open
space because two million is going to be even harder to spend looking at the list of interested
property owners. Commissioner Holasek concurred with the Commissioners stating they had two
good parcels that were interested in selling and they should pursue them.
Commissioner Olson updated the Commission on the Pheasants Forever and how they get land for
DNR protected wildlife areas and wondered if they wanted to check out to see how it could pertain to
open space area. Mr. Bednarz thought it would be interesting to see what the requirements are and
how they would be tied into the project.
Commissioner Sabel stated she would be interested to look into agricultural sites as open space. She
stated they have been looking at pristine wildlife areas and wondered if they should look at other
0 areas also. She thought it might be interesting to have a working farm that people could go and look
at. Commissioner Olson stated that would take City money to maintain where open space proceeds
would not.
Commissioner Olson thought they needed to let the City Council know that they are not finding a lot
of good parcels ofland that people are willing to sell to the City.
Commissioner Perry wondered where they are at in regards to the Russell Property. Mr. Bednarz
indicated the Russell's are no longer interested in selling to the City. He explained the reasons why.
Commissioner Holasek thought they should express their opinion to the Council to show them where
they are at in the process.
Commissioner Kovich thought they should make a formal recommendation to the Council so they
are not questioned why they are not doing anything to purchase open space property.
The Commission discussed how they should move forward.
Chair Deischle thought it should be discussed at the City Council Workshop so the Council does not
feel forced into a corner. Mr. Bednarz agreed and said it may be better to discuss it with the Council
before make a formal recommendation.
0 Consensus was to bring this forward to their Council at their next worksession and express their
VIews.
0 Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - August 12, 2009
Page 4
OTHER BUSINESS
a. Newsletter Update
Commissioner Sabel updated the Commission on the contents of the next newsletter explaining
she planned on including information ofthe Fun Fest, the grant denial, information from Mr.
Kytonen regarding cleaning out the City's Catch Basins and an update from the Watershed
District.
b. Website Resources
Commissioner Sable indicated she would like to have some resources put on the website for
public outreach.
c. Next Meeting
September 9, 2009
0 Motion by Kovich, Seconded by Olson, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting
adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Osbeck, Recording Secretary
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