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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 12, 2009 0 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 0