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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 13, 2011V NL6 Y O F © OVE R; 16 85 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 April 13, 2011 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —February 9, 2011 4. Joint Meeting with Park and Recreation Commission 5. Status of 2011 Site Selection Process © 6. May -June Newsletter Article 7. Other Business a. Next meeting 8. Adjournment �J REGULAR ANDOVER OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING April 13, 2011 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Kim Kovich, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Jody Keppers Also present: Ted Butler, Valerie Holthus, Tony Kowalewski, Jim Lindahl, Andrew Melberg, Mark Miskowiec and Shaun Van Vark RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission APPROVAL OFMINUTES j February 9, 2011 Motion by Olson, Second by Perry to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 -0 ( Keppers absent). JOINT MEETING WITH PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION a. Maintenance of park land adjoining Martin's Meadows open space Chairperson Sabel summarized the items to be discussed by the Park and Recreation and Open Space Advisory Commissioners. She added that a management plan for Martin's Meadows had been prepared and put out for public comment. Some items in the plan are maintenance of nature trails and removal of invasive species. Commissioner Miskowiec stated that the City Code may need to be modified to allow removal of invasive species. Commissioner Lindahl stated that Andover football and other groups had participated in spring cleanup work in Kelsey Round Lake Park and that there are a number of groups that could help with projects. Commissioner Kowalewski stated that he could contact the head coach to see if they would be interested. Commissioner Sabel asked if the city was pursuing a DNR grant this year. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 13, 2011 Page 2 Mr. Bednarz stated that Kameron Kytonen had identified a grant for removal of undesirable trees and recycling of the material but that more work was needed to document the trees to apply for the grant. Chairperson Butler stated that he liked the idea of Martin's Meadows and Grow Oakview Park being integrated. He added that their Commission would be working on the comprehensive plan for parks and they could discuss some improvements to Grow Oakview Park such as nature trails that would connect with those in Martin's Meadows. Commissioner Lindahl stated that there are legacy grant funds available for trails but no organized effort to obtain them. Valerie Holthus stated that the state is having difficulty giving these funds away. Commissioner Lindahl asked if a boardwalk had been considered for access across the wetland. Chairperson Sabel stated that a trail was included in the management plan and shared a map with the group. Chairperson Butler stated that boundary signs between the open space and park land may not be necessary. Commissioner Flores stated that they may help to show areas that need to be treated differently from active park use to open space. Chairperson Butler stated that may be the case in some areas but that Grow Oakview Park was not the typical park due to the topography. Commissioner Flores asked if they should consult with the University of Minnesota Extension Service or experts in trail construction and management. Mr. Bednarz stated that parks maintenance staff have this expertise and experience and serve the city well in this regard. Commissioner Lindahl stated that ADA requirements are also a concern and suggested the attorney review what the requirements would be for open spaces. Mr. Bednarz stated that this had been reviewed and nature paths are not subject to these requirements. Commissioner Kowalewski asked if allowing snowmobiles had been considered. Chairperson Sabel stated that they were not allowed, although there had been issues over the past © winter. Commissioner Kovich stated the top priority for Martin's Meadows is improving access. He stated the Luedtke family has maintained a trail through the property and this could be continued by the city. ® Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 13, 2011 Page 3 Mr. Bednarz stated that parks maintenance staff would be completing boundary signage and maintaining nature trails through the site. He added that the City's Natural Resource technician would be doing more analysis of the features of the site and the types of stewardship projects that are needed. Commissioner Kowalewski stated this spring was a good test case for where trails can be with the high water. Chairperson Butler stated that Grow Oak View Park and the open space could be used to establish a mowed trail and boardwalk where necessary as well as a joint sign and trail maps at the entrance. He added that this could be discussed for inclusion in the comprehensive plan for parks. Commissioner Van Vark stated this is an opportunity because they have been encouraging other uses of parks besides ball fields so that more people could enjoy them for things like hiking, snowshoeing and other non traditional activities. Chairperson Butler added that these sites provide opportunities for geocaching as well. ® Commissioner Lindahl stated that there may be grant opportunities available. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if benches should be included in the plan. Commissioner Melberg stated the scenic overlook identified on the trail plan would be a good location. Mr. Bednarz stated they may be also able to use less formal approaches by utilizing fallen trees. Commissioner Melberg asked if there were invasive species in Grow Oakview Park. Mr. Bednarz stated there were some invasive species in the wetland that is shared by both sites identified in the management plan. Commissioner Holthus stated that she had difficulty finding Martin's Meadows and that access was not ideal for runners. She asked if switchbacks or other means could be employed to address the slope at the entrance. Commissioner Sabel stated there may not be enough width at the access for switchbacks. She added that access through other properties was still being considered. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if it would be possible to use the utility corridor to widen the entrance as that area was already maintained. © Mr. Bednarz stated they do not have the right to use the property as it is privately owned and the easement is for the transmission line, not public access. Commissioner Olson asked if the city had approached the neighbor to see if that area could be used. Q Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 13, 2011 Page 4 Mr. Bednarz stated he had not and the plan currently was to establish access in the area owned by the city. The group believed that this access should be explored with the property owner. b. White Pine Wilderness Commissioner Sabel stated this site has a more managed feel with the different types of trees that were planted by the owner over the years. Chairperson Butler stated this is another opportunity for parks to complement open spaces by being located nearby and sharing access. Commissioner Sabel asked if there was an update on the second phase of residential development at White Pine Wilderness. Mr. Bednarz stated that the owner is considering a second phase but is trying to get commitments © to buy the lots first. He added this is difficult when there are other lots currently available. Commissioner Butler stated he remembered a park location further north was also discussed and that this would need to be reviewed with the open space in mind as the park is planned. He asked if a trail was planned along 161 Avenue NW. Mr. Bednarz stated the Anoka County plan shows a future trail along that route which would likely be constructed when the road is widened at some point in the future. C. Information/education on Andover's recreational opportunities Commissioner Sabel stated the commission had previously discussed ways to provide information and education opportunities to residents as wanted to revisit that discussion on how best to communicate these ideas. Chairperson Butler stated Anoka County has a web site that is continually updated with new information and the city should be able to include information there. He added the Park and Recreation Commission have been having a similar conversation about the skate park, geocaching, running routes, building bluebird houses, etc. Commissioner Holthus stated that Burnsville published a pocket sized water proof map for runners that shows routes throughout the city. She added that a grant could be pursued for © something similar in Andover. Commissioner Kowalewski described a project to involve people in constructing bluebird houses and establish a bluebird trail. He added the houses are mounted on conduit so they can be removed and stored in the winter. He stated a date would be set, advertised and whoever could make it could participate. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 13, 2011 Page 5 Commissioner Butler stated this was an example of how this could work in other areas as well by offering best management practices as part of an organized event. Commissioner Flores stated that Facebook was another outlet that is frequently used by young people. Information can be shared by friends or groups in this way. Commissioner Holthus stated that in past experiences she has been involved in creating an ecolology trail where interesting features are identifed by signage and mapped for visitors to find. Commissioner Flores stated they would need to find a way to route trails so as not to disturb the wildlife. Commissioner Van Vark stated he had recently seen something similar in a Stearns County park which had interpretive signs that described the features. Commissioner Sabel stated that they could easily walk around and identify the features to focus on. She added that a walk in the park type event was previously coordinated by Andover resident Lyle Bradley and this was something she thought would be successful. She stated that providing advice to homeowners on private stewardship activities was another goal. Commissioner Van Vark stated that the University of Minnesota Extension Service and other environmental groups such as the Anoka Conservation District have handouts and this type of assistance. Commissioner Olson stated that there was some interest in a high school field trip to White Pine Wilderness. Commissioner Sabel stated that she was interested in programming that would bring people together and allow these materials to be shared. Chairperson Butler stated that events would need to be well organized to be effective and asked who would do this work. Commissioner Miskowiec stated there are graduate students, community college students, high school students and others that need to perform public service that could be involved. Commissioner Van Vark asked if there is any source that coordinates all the different types of volunteers that could provide assistance. Commissioner Olson stated that the 4H group he is involved in volunteers for outstate projects regularly. Mr. Bednarz stated that the management plans identify project areas and that work by parks Q maintenance staff and the Natural Resource Technician this year will identify specific projects that volunteers could help complete. Commissioner Van Vark asked whether dog training with decoys in open space areas had been discussed. He stated this could become an issue if people see this as a place for that type of activity. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —April 13, 2011 Page 6 Commissioner Lindahl stated they may have to review the ordinance to address that issue. Commissioner Flores stated dogs can be a temporary invasive species if they do damage to the natural features. Chairpersons Sabel and Butler agreed that mutual review and comment on plans going forward was a good idea. STATUS OF 2011 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Mr. Bednarz summarized the staff report updating information on the three sites most recently discussed by the Commission and Council. Commissioner Miskowiec asked if the sites under consideration are coordinated with park locations. Chairperson Sabel stated that connectivity is one of the review criteria. She added that the © Commission looked first at the highest quality natural areas remaining in the city. Commissioner Kovich stated that a willing seller was the determining factor of whether a property could be considered further. He added that with the decline in property values there has been an opportunity to purchase more property than there would have been in the past. The Commission discussed the forested area north of 161 St Avenue and East of Hanson Boulevard, conversations with property owners, valuation and the potential to provide public access to interior properties. Commissioner Kovich asked if the Commission could visit the Aasness property. Mr. Bednarz stated he would contact the property owner and follow up with the Commission. MARCH -APRIL NEWSLETTER ARTICLE Mr. Bednarz stated the article in the newsletter has been updated with the link to Facebook where the video was posted. Chairperson Sabel asked that the link also be posted on the city web site. a OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Bednarz stated he would let the Commissioners know if they could visit the Aasness property as part of their next regular meeting, that they would discuss ongoing management efforts of the two open space sites as well as any updates on properties on the list or new ones. Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — April 13, 2011 Page 7 Motion to Adjourn Kovich, second by Olson. Motion passed 6 -0 (Keppers absent). The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz U X