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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 10, 2011x Andover Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Agenda August 10, 2011 Andover City Hall Council Chambers 7.00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Resident Forum 3. Approval of Minutes —July 13, 2011 4. 2011 Site Selection Process 5. Update - Maintenance of Open Space Sites © 6. September /October Newsletter Article 7. Other Business a. Next meeting: September 14, 2011 8. Adjournment 1685 CROSSTOWN BOULEVARD N.W. • ANDOVER, MINNESOTA 55304 . (763) 755 -5100 FAX (763) 755 -8923 • WWW.CI.ANDOVER.MN.US REGULARANDOVER OPENSPACEADVISORYCOMMISSIONMEETING August 10, 2011 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Andover Open Space Advisory Commission was called to order by Chairperson Gretchen Sabel at 7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall,1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Commissioners present: Drago Flores, Val Holthus, Jim Olson, Bruce Perry and Suzanne Van Hecke Commissioners absent: Kim Kovich Also present: Bill Sikora, Courtney Bednarz, City Planner RESIDENT FORUM No one wished to address the Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES July 13, 2011 Motion by Olson, Second by Perry to approve the minutes. Motion passed 3 -0 (Flores, Holthus present, Kovich absent). Q 2011 SITE SELECTION PROCESS Mr. Bednarz stated that the staff report provides information on two sites. He summarized the information and added that Bill Sikora was present to represent the Engelson property. Bill Sikora provided a history of the ownership of the property indicating that the 80 acre farmstead was purchased in the 1950's and 120 additional acres were later added. He stated that portions of the property had been used for grazing and growing alfalfa. He added that these areas have naturally restored and the majority of the property remains in pristine condition. He also stated that his family is not interested in development and would rather see the property preserved. Commissioner Perry asked how this property compares to the Dalske property to the north. Mr. Bednarz stated that there is more upland area and better access on the Engleson property. Commissioner Olson asked how the property would score with the evaluation criteria. Mr. Bednarz stated he believed it would score higher for the reasons stated above. Commissioner VanHecke asked why the Dalske property only scored three out of fifteen on criterion number eight. Mr. Bednarz stated the limited access, limited visibility and the difficulty in providing a public trail with the large amount of wetland were limiting factors. Commissioner Olson asked if there was access to the Dalske property © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — August 10, 2011 Page 2 Mr. Bednarz stated there was access at the northwest corner of the site. Chairperson Sabel stated she appreciated hearing some of the history of the Engelson property as that is something they document for open space sites. Commissioner Perry stated that the evaluation criteria should be applied to the Engelson property and added that he was more in favor of this property than the Dalske property in part due to the access. Commissioner Flores agreed that the Engelson property was a better candidate for preservation. He added that with the amount of wetland on the Dalske property it would likely remain as it exists in the future. Mr. Sikora stated that a DNR protected wetland runs through the properties. Commissioner Van Hecke asked the Commission if they agreed that the Engleson property should be considered ahead of the Dalske property. © Mr. Sikora stated that the Dalske property would allow continuity between the two sites and the 160 acres owned by the DNR to the north. He noted that the DNR land is presently landlocked. Chairperson Sabel asked the Commission if there was any more discussion on this property. There was not. She stated that they had discussed site visits for the September meeting and suggested they start at 6:OOpm. She asked if it would be possible to tour the Selmer property. Mr. Bednarz stated that he is still trying to get a response from the Kuiken Family so that they could get access. Mr. Sikora offered to guide the Commission through the Engleson property. The Commission thanked Mr. Sikora for attending the meeting and exchanged information relative to the upcoming site visit. Chairperson Sabel asked for a summary of the second property in the packet. Mr. Bednarz provided a summary of the site located west of Hanson Boulevard and south of 181" Avenue NW. He stated that the majority of the property is wetland with small pockets of upland area. © Commissioner Holthus stated that the property was considered for a gravel pit at one time and noted there was significant opposition. The Commission discussed the property and determined that it was not a strong candidate for preservation. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes — August 10, 2011 Page 3 Chairperson Sabel asked the Commission if they would consider the Engelson property and Dalske property potentially as a connected area for preservation. She noted that one negative of this area is that it is fairly remote at the northeast corner of the city. Chairperson Sabel stated that after speaking with Councilmember Trude she thought that if they believed strongly that the Aasness property should be preserved they should not give up on that recommendation. Commissioner Olson noted that the Commission had made a recommendation to the Council to preserve this property. He added that the Commission would need to more clearly explain their recommendation to the Council. Commissioner Van Hecke stated that she did not get the same feeling of history from the Aasness property as was presented at the meeting for the Engelson property tonight. Chairperson Sabel stated that she had discussed the Aasness family history with the owner during their site visit. © Commissioner Van Hecke asked at what point the city would consider making an offer to purchase the Aasness property. Mr. Bednarz related the discussions he had with the owner and stated that the city would not make an offer to purchase the property until authorized by the Council. Commissioner Flores stated that more owners continue to express interest in preservation and with less development activity time is on the city's side. Commissioner Holthus stated that she thought the Commission should continue to evaluate all the properties that express interest and all of the information as they move forward. Commissioner Olson stated that based on the assessor's values it may be possible to acquire several properties with the remaining funds. UPDATE - MAINTENANCE OF OPEN SPACE SITES Mr. Bednarz provided an update on the maintenance activities at the two open space sites. It was noted that the Council accepted the Commission's recommendation to name the newest site North Woods Preserve and that signs were being constructed and would be installed. © Mr. Bednarz stated that Councilmember Trude had asked if the Commission would consider a split rail fence to separate the access easement into North Woods Preserve from the residential properties to the west. © Regular Open Space Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes —August 10, 2011 Page 4 The Commission discussed adding a fence to the site. It was determined that the length of the fence should be determined and a cost estimate provided. Mr. Bednarz asked the Commission how they would like to orient the entrance sign for North Woods Preserve. He suggested the sign face west toward 161 Lane and be located at the northeast corner of the access easement. Chairperson Sabel asked if there would be additional signage to help direct people through the easement and site. Mr. Bednarz stated that the smaller four inch by four inch signs like those installed at Martin's Meadows would be provided. The Commission agreed with the suggested location of the entrance sign. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER NEWSLETTER ARTICLE Commissioner Van Hecke suggested that photos be added to the article as a regular feature. She added that photos she had taken were available through Shutterfly. Commissioner Flores stated that he would forward photos of wildlife that he had taken. He asked if the Commission would consider a Facebook page. He stated that while he was at FunFest this was a topic of discussion. He added that there are options for people to connect to the page and receive updates as things are changed. He stated this would help them get their message out. Chairperson Sabel asked if the city had a policy regarding this. Mr. Bednarz stated he was not aware of one and noted that the city has a Facebook page and the QCTV spot prepared by former Commissioner Keppers was linked to it. Chairperson Sabel asked if there was any other business the Commission wished to discuss. There was not. Motion by Flores, Second by Olson to adjourn. Motion passed 6 -0 (Kovich absent). The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Courtney Bednarz