Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2015-10-26ver
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Regular Meeting
Houlton Farm
Planning Committee
AGENDA
2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW SECRETARY AND STAFF
3. CONSIDER AGENDA
4. CONSIDER AUGUST MINUTES
5. DISCUSSION ITEMS
No action to be taken now. Action may be taken in the future.
5.1 Hunting Plan Status and Update
5.2 Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) Update
5.3 Farm Buildings Removals Update
5.4 Utilities
5.5 Fishing Plan
5.6 Property Rules and Signage Committee Report
5.7 Friends Group Committee Report
5.8 Tour of Cedar Creek Conservation Area
6. ACTION ITEMS
6.1 None
7. ADJOURNMENT
Monday, October 26, 2015
5:30 p.m.
Elk River City Hall
Meeting Protocol
■ No sidebar discussions
■ No interruptions
■ State your concern
■ Ensure you understand
■ Don't take things personally
■ Adhere to time limits
■ Come prepared
■ Ensure all are heard
This agenda is available in alternate formats upon a 72 hour advanced notice. Auxiliary aids and services are also available upon a 72 hour
advanced notice. Please contact the City Clerk at 763. 635. 1000 to make a request Examples of alternate formats may include. large print,
Braille, audio tape, etc. Examples of auxiliary aids may include a sign language interpreter, assistive listening device, etc.
F I I F I I I 11
NATURE
-Houlton Farm Planning Committee
Draft Minutes
August 31, 2015
Present: Chair Wilson, Members Olsen, Anderson, Seeger, Hecker, Mroz.
New Student member Isabella Dusbabek, new member Michael Schroeder and Friends of the
Mississippi River (FMR) representatives Tom Lewanski and Alex Roth were also present.
Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:43 pm. Wilson added to agenda 4.9 Student Seat
The minutes from the July 27 meeting were reviewed.
Agenda item 4.1 Hunting Plan Status
The hunting plan was sent in mid-June to Tim Marion with DNR but it was never forwarded to
the DNR Commissioner. Tim Marion has now confirmed that it has been sent to the
Commissioner.
4.2 NaminE Status and Update
The official name of the property is the William H. Houlton Conservation Area. It was approved
by City Council on July 6, 2015.
4.3 Building Dispositions
It was discussed that the barns and buildings be bid in an RFP as component parts and
aggregate. The RFP should be to buy, demolish and/or acquire. The large barn was discussed.
It has dimensional wood and no large beams. It was discussed that the property would be
better off with no barn since it should not have a purpose. Using the barn for public purposes
such as environmental education could be problematic of the funding source. It was discussed
that the bids should be due by October 1, 2015
4.4 Friends of the Mississippi Update
The attached report from Alex Roth of the FMR was handed out to Committee Members. The
FMR has been working with staff on funding for the conservation plan on the property.
Committee members requested that Tom Lewanski be invited to the August 31 meeting to
discuss the next steps, funding, etc...
4.5 Agricultural Lease
The agricultural lease agreement was discussed. A new lease between the City and the farmer
Sherman Lehn was approved by City Council on July 6, 2015. The new lease outlines that the
city will receive $12,600 for rent on 168 acres. The rent money will go back to the property for
improvements. Staff will work with the farmer later this fall on a new lease for 2016. The
amount of farming acres will probably decrease each year.
N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Parks\William H Houton Conservation Area\Cotmnittee Agendas-Packets\Minutes\Minutes 7-
27-15.docx
4.6 Trails
The Committee discussed the need to map the trails with GPS this fall. The current trails map is
inadequate for the property. It will be important to have a map of the trails that were in
existence at the time the property was acquired by the city.
4.7 Island Sanctuary
Anderson requested the Committee discuss keeping the 80 acre island on the property an island
sanctuary for wildlife. The idea is to leave it undisturbed. It has been a sanctuary for over 15 -
years. The idea is no public access from January through July. McGillivray commented that this
would need to be amended in the hunting plan and could become an issue. Members discussed
that the access to the island is already limited with the river. It was discussed that the idea of an
island sanctuary will not be pursued at this time. The could be an agenda item in the future
after the property is open to the public.
4.8 Fishing Plan
The Committee discussed if a fishing plan is needed for the property. We can use current DNR
regulations so it might not be needed. No decisions were made and it will be discussed at the
August meeting.
4.9 Replacement for Student Seat (added to agenda)
The current student representative on the Committee Nate Benkofstke resigned because he is
starting college on August 20. It was discussed that another student representative should be
recruited to replace Nate. Staff and Committee members will work on a name to replace Nate.
It was also discussed that another seat on the Committee should be added. This would be an
amendment to the current committee size of 8 to 9 members. Jerry Olsen was going to pursue
this with City Council. Michael Schroeder who is a visitor for his second consecutive meeting
expressed interest to serve on the Committee as a citizen representative. The committee was
approved by City Council in January.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm
K
Summary of the William H. Houlton Conservation Area sign subcommittee discussion from
10/12/15
The following is a list of signage categories that the sign committee came up with for
consideration by the full committee. After finalizing this list, we will begin to work out the
details for each sign.
Entrance sign
Informational signage or kiosk
1. Map
2. Historical info
3. Hunting regulations
4. Fishing regulations
Conservations area rules
1. No dogs, except...
2. No horses
3. Permitted fires only
4. No camping
5. No motorized vehicles, except...
6. No target shooting
7. No indiscriminant shooting
8. No pistols, rifles or muzzle loaders
Firearms hunting boundary signs
Conservation Area boundary signs
Firearms hunting boundary
Archery hunting only, notification sign
Linear human powered recreation signage and 'you are here' mpas\Special fishing regulations
Canoe/kayak launch area
Sensitive shoreline area
Name:
• Friends of William H. Houlton Conservation Area
definition:
• An independent group that is organized to support and promote the mission or activities of the William H.
Houlton Conservation Area. Two areas of focus include:
o Assistance in hands on restoration work
o Development of fund support
Tasks/ Duties:
• Officers
• Recruit group members
• Social Media — Isabella will start this and group can take over (discuss at WHHCA committee meeting)
• Fundraising
• WHHCA Events
o Restoration help/Prairie Management
o Invasive Species/Weed Removal
o Seed Collecting
o Trash Cleanup
o Report violations, concerns, other needs to city staff
o Wildlife counts
o Plant Species Inventory
o Bird House construction and/or maintenance
• Create Bi -Laws
Timeline:
• Silently promote the need until March 2016
• Winter 2015/2016 — Friends Subcommittee meets with Sue Hicks — Friends of Sherburne Wildlife Refuge
• By March 2016, have a President/ organizer selected
• March — July — Recruit group members
• March —July — Begin Fundraising, Project Planning
• May 1— Kick off (bonfire, tours, etc.) TBD
Resources:
• Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota
o Guides
o Site Visits with groups
o Fiscal services
9
Kick Off Event
Date: Sunday, May 1
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Events:
• Bonfire
o Begin at dusk (Sunset at 8:21 pm)
o Firewood from?
o Caretaker?
o Smores? (Graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, napkins, sticks/roasters)
■ Cost? Donated?
o Seating?
• Tours
o Short Hike (20 minutes) - ?
■ 8:00— 8:20
o Long Hike (45 minutes) - ?
N 7:15 — 8:00
o Garbage Collection Hike (30 minutes) — Kristin
t
7:30— 8:00
■ Garbage Bags
■ Vests, Gloves, Stakes
o Create Maps
o Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult
o Walkie talkies?
• Music
o Band? DJ?
■ Cost? Donated?
• Refreshments
o Coffee? Juice? Water? Pop?
■ Cost? Donated?
o Napkins, Cups
■ Cost? Donated?
• Invitations
o Mail to everyone who was invited to open house (#?)
o Press Release/Newspaper Ad
o Cable Ad
o Current Ad (Spring Issue)
o Request Volunteers — through Parks or RSVP?
o Parking Map/ Encourage walking from home
o Bring chairs, coffee mug, marshmallow roaster (Smore materials to share?)
o Wear weather appropriate clothes, hiking shoes