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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 12, 2011ANL6 Y © 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 • (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda January 12, 2011 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —December 8, 2010 4. Discuss Draft Management Plans a. Martin's Meadows © b. White Pine Wilderness 5. Update on Discussions with Property Owners 6. 2011 Newsletter schedule 7. Other Business a. Next meeting 8. Adj ournment E REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING January 12, 2011 © MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairman Deric Deuschle at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Gretchen Sabel, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry, Jody Keppers, and Kim Kovich Commissioners absent: Winslow Holasek Also present: City Planner, Courtney Bednarz, Kameron Kytonen, Natural Resource Technician RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission APPROVAL OFMINUTES ® December 8, 2010 Motion by Sabel, Second by Perry to approve the minutes. Motion passed 5 -0 ( Holasek absent, Kovich present). DISCUSS DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLANS a. Martin's Meadows Chairman Deuschle stated that draft management plans for both open space sites were include in the packet. He summarized the components of the plan and asked the Commission to share their comments. Commissioner Olson asked if the Council would want to review the plans. Mr. Bednarz stated that the Council was looking to the Commission to prepare the plans and they would have a chance to review them once the Commission made their changes. Mr. Kytonen provided a general summary of the management tasks recommended for the Martin's Meadows site. These included insect /pest management, removal of buckthorn, overseeding and expanding the prairie area of the site. He added that bare root trees could be obtained at relatively © low cost and volunteers could help install them to enhance areas of the site. Chairman Deuschle stated that the area of reed canary grass near the river needed to be documented and clarified the numbering of priorities on page seven of the plan. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting © Minutes — January 12, 2011 Page 2 Commissioner Kovich asked what signs are on the site. He added that during a recent visit he observed two snowmobile trails leading from the river into the site. He suggested that signs be posted at these locations to make it clear that this was not allowed. Mr. Bednarz stated that this would be done. Commissioner Keppers clarified that the trail into the site has not yet been completed but was going to be completed this winter. Commissioner Sabel asked what other uses there were for red cedar. Commissioner Olson stated there are a number of other uses due to the fact that it does not decompose very quickly. Mr. Kytonen added that there is potential for a DNR grant to remove some the red cedar and provide it for others to use off the site. Chairman Deuschle stated that the Commission may want to consider adding a long term goal of © blocking the ditch that enters the river along the west side of the site to increase the hydrology of that wetland. Commissioner Sabel noted that may conflict with the trail or boardwalk through that area. Chairman Deuschle stated that this could be part of a future grant where wetland restoration and the boardwalk could be considered at the same time. Commissioner Sabel asked to be involved when staff meets with the Luedtke Family to discuss the history of the site. b. White Pine Wilderness Chairman Deuschle introduced the draft management plan for White Pine Wilderness and asked for comments from the Commissioners. Commissioner Sabel asked if they would be able to see plans for development adjacent to the open space before it occurs. Mr. Bednarz stated that they would receive copies of the plan once an application is received. ® Chairman Deuschle stated that an updated aerial photograph and land cover map would be needed to show the wet meadow at the north end of the site. Commissioner Keppers stated that Mr. Emmerich had mentioned a desire to use innovative design for drainage to allow more trees to be preserved. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting ® Minutes —January 12, 2011 Page 3 Chairman Deuschle stated that typically they would not want drainage onto the open space property, but noted that it would need to be treated and then may actually benefit the wet meadow area. UPDATE ON DISCUSSIONS WITH PR OPER TY 0 WNERS Mr. Bednarz provided an update on properties that were discussed by the Council and Commission at the November workshop. He noted that the owners remained interested in working with the city. The Commission discussed negotiations with the land owners. Commissioner Sabel asked if there had been any response from the owners that expressed interest near the Martin's Meadows site. Commissioner Perry stated that he had recently spoken with one of the owners who is interested in discussing offering the city the right of first refusal to purchase his property in a few years when they decide to sell. ® Mr. Bednarz stated that he would update the Council on the Commission's discussion. 2011 NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE Chairman Deuschle stated there was a schedule for upcoming newsletter deadlines in the packet. Mr. Bednarz stated that this was provided so the Commission could have a regular article in the newsletter. Commissioner Sabel stated that the next article should ask for public input on the management plans. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Bednarz noted the next meeting would be on February 9, 2011. Motion to Adjourn Kovich, second by Keppers. Motion passed 6 -0 (Holasek). The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz