HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 11, 2009
1
2
3 REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPA CE AD VISORY COMMISSION MEETING
4 FEBRUARY 11, 2009
5 MINUTES
6
7
8 The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by
9 Chairman Deric Deuschle, February 11,2009, 7:00 p.m., atthe Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown
10 Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
11
12 Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jody Keppers, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Kim
13 Kovich
14 Commissioners absent: Winslow Holasek
15 Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz
16
17
18 APPRO V AL OF MINUTES
19
20 January 14,2009
21
22 Motion by Kovich, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes as written.
23
24 Commissioner Olson asked to review the motion of the commission's recommendation on the
25 priority properties. He stated the ranking of the parcels in the materials for the joint work
26 session with the Council extended the amount of time spent on the Kuiken property and limited
27 discussion of other properties.
28
29 Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, O-present, I-absent (Holasek) vote.
30
31
32 REVIEW PROGRESS ON SELECTED SITES
33
34 Mr. Bednarz updated the Commission on discussions with property owners.
35
36 Commissioner Kovich asked why splitting properties was discussed at the joint work session with
37 the CounciL He stated that this would result in less than desirable land for one or both parties and
38 added that the Commission had always considered acquisition of full parcels.
39
40 Chairman Deuschle agreed that the north half of the Luedtke property in particular would not be the
41 best area to purchase because it was mostly floodplain and protected by existing regulations.
42
43 Mr. Bednarz stated that the direction from the Council was to pursue both full and partial acquisition
44 with property owners to explore all of the options.
45
46 Commissioner Keppers added that part of the benefit of the joint work sessions is that they allow for
47 an open discussion where ideas can flow freely.
48
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - February 11, 2009
Page 2
1 Commissioner Olson asked ifthe maximum grant amount for the Natural and Scenic Grant Program
2 is $500,000. Mr. Bednarz stated it was and added that he had recently learned that the Remediation
3 Grant Program could be used on more parcels that the one adjacent to the closed landfill.
4
5 Commissioner Kovich added that the recently approved constitutional amendment could also
6 provide funding for open space acquisition.
7
8 The Commission discussed the Russell property noting that partial acquisition may make sense as
9 part of a phased approach over time.
10
11 Commissioner Olson stated that there was not a lot of native vegetation and the site would be more
12 of a park.
13
14 Chairman Deuschle stated that it may be possible to re-vegetate the area with volunteers and other
15 resources. He asked if the Commission was OK with leaving the Mau property out of future
16 discussions.
17
18 Mr. Bednarz stated that he hoped to bring the entire list of properties back to the Council with the
19 update on the most preferred properties to give a more complete picture to the Council.
20
21 The Commission discussed the Mau property and concluded that they would want to see further
22 discussion about acquiring the property as the process moved forward.
23
24 Commissioner Kovich stated that the Commission needed to present the positive aspects of the
25 property for adequate consideration to be given.
26
27 DISCUSS WORK PLAN FOR 2009
28
29
30 Chairman Deuschle reviewed the 2009 work program with the Commission noting that it outlined
31 the current process of acquiring property through the 2009 grant cycle. He asked ifthere were other
32 activities the Commission would like to pursue in 2009.
33
34 Commissioner Kovich stated he thought the Commission should continue to identify properties for
35 acquisition. He stated it would be important to identifY more options and to look back and see if any
36 properties were overlooked.
37
38 Chairman Deuschle agreed that there could be an opportunity to build on the momentum created by
39 a successful purchase and it would be important to continue to use the publicity tools available to the
40 Commission.
41
42 Commissioner Sabel asked if the Commission would be involved in assisting a property owner
43 interested in a wetland restoration project.
44
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - February 11, 2009
Page 3
1 Mr. Bednarz stated that he saw the Commissions role as assisting the property owner in locating
2 resources to prepare a restoration plan and resources to implement the plan. He added that for
3 restoration projects it would be important for the property owner to have an idea ofwhatthey would
4 like to achieve so that in a one on one consultation the best methods to help them achieve their goals
5 could be identified.
6
7 Commissioner Sabel stated Recycling Day could provide an opportunity for the Commission to
8 make contact with residents.
9
10 Commissioner Kovich asked about a property previously discussed by the Commission on the Rum
11 River that was not included in the list of properties presently being discussed.
12
13 Mr. Bednarz stated that the property owner had indicated that they were not interested in selling the
14 property or in doing anything else with it at this time.
15
16 The Commission discussed the possibility of renewed interest by property owners as conditions
17 change. It was determined that properties should be kept on the list and periodically revisited to see
18 if opportunities may arise in the future.
19
20 Chairman Deuschle noted that the Commission's list of responsibilities was included in the packet
21 and added that the Commission had already been working on most of these items. He stated that the
22 schedule already outlines the current grant cycle and additional outreach opportunities should also
23 be kept in mind.
24
25 Mr. Bednarz stated that he thought the Commission should be involved in developing land use
26 policies for open space acquired by the city going forward. The Commission agreed.
27
28 The Commission discussed when such policies should be put on their agenda. It was determined
29 that the grant process would consume most of their time until the end of March and that April of
30 2009 would be a good time for this discussion.
31
32 Commissioner Perry asked what would happen ifno properties were able to be purchased in 2009.
33 He added that the Commission would need to re-identify properties and begin the process again.
34
35 Commissioner Keppers stated that another open house would be a good idea. It may not be as well
36 attended but would be an opportunity to promote their ideas with residents directly.
37
38 Commissioner Olson stated that there may be properties outside of the identified corridors that
39 would be worth pursuing.
40
41 Commissioner Sabel suggested that if a property is acquired, the city could host an event at the
42 property to build momentum for their efforts. She added that Earth Day would be another
43 opportunity for the Commission to have public contact.
44
Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting
Minutes - February 11, 2009
Page 4
1 Chairman Deuschle asked the Commission to bring ideas for their setup and materials for events to
2 the next meeting.
3
4 The Commission continued discussion on the 2009 work program.
5
6 Commissioner Olson asked if there would be grant dollars for properties outside of the identified
7 corridors. He noted that grants in general may not be available and added that the DNR has been
8 asked to sell property to help balance the budget.
9
10 Commissioner Keppers stated that the ranking criteria could be applied to any property, not just
11 those in the corridors.
12
13 The Commission determined that the corridors were a useful tool but should not exclude other
14 properties from being considered.
15
16 OTHER BUSINESS
17
18 Mr. Bednarz updated the Commission on acquisition opportunities being pursued by Anoka County.
19
20 Commissioner Sabel discussed the next Open Space Newsletter. Topics could include the current
21 grant cycle, a message that property owners should continue to consider working with the city if they
22 are interested and the potential to coordinate resources for private restoration efforts.
23
24 Motion by Sabel, Seconded by Keppers, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 6-ayes, O-nays, 0-
25 present, I-absent (Holasek) vote. The meeting adjourned at 8: 17 p.m.
26
27 Respectfully submitted,
28
29 Courtney Bednarz