Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2015-11-30Regular Meeting
Houlton Farm
Planning Committee
ver
AGENDA
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
2. CONSIDER AGENDA
3. CONSIDER OCTOBER 25, 2015 MINUTES
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
No action to be taken now. Action may be taken in the future.
4.1 Hunting Plan Status and Update
4.2 Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) Update
4.3 Utilities
4.4 Fishing Plan
4.5 Property Rules and Signage Committee Report
4.6 Review of Building Removal Proposals
4.7 2016 Meeting Dates
5. ACTION ITEMS
5.1 New Student Representative
6. ADJOURNMENT
Monday, November 30, 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
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Adhere to time limits
■
Come prepared
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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.
fi�EiEl IY
INATUREI
-- Meeting of the Houlton Farm Planning Committee
iVer Held at the City of Elk River
Monday, October 26, 2015
Members Present: Chairman Stewart Wilson; Dave Anderson, Michael Hecker, Kristin
Mroz, Councilman Jerry Olsen, See Seeger and Michael Schroeder
Members Absent: Isabel Dusbabek
Staff Present: Tim Sevcik — City of Elk River Park Superintendent
I . Call Meeting to Order
Chairman Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
2. Introductions of New Staff
Mr. Hecker introduced Laura Wetch and Tim Sevcik. Ms. Wetch is the new part-
time recreation assistant that will be taking the minutes for this Committee from this
point forward and Mr. Sevcik is the new park superintendent for Elk River Parks and
Recreation.
3. Consider 10/26/15 Agenda
There were no additions made; the agenda was accepted as presented.
4. Consider 8/31 /IS Minutes
There were no changes recommended; the minutes were accepted as presented.
S. Discussion Items
5.1 Hunting Plan Status and Update
Mr. Hecker reported the hunting plan is in legal review at the DNR and should be
finalized soon. There are two ordinances that may need to change to accommodate
hunting at the Houlton property; one regarding hunting within 1,000 feet of Elk
River and Orono Lake and the other about hunting with a bow. Mr. Hecker has
been in conversation with Peter Beck, City Attorney, about these ordinances. The
plan is for the hunting plan and the ordinances to be approved at the same time:
Houlton Farm Plannuig Committee Page 2
October 26, 2015
-----------------------------
5.2 Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) Update
Mr. Hecker reported that FMR facilitated another grant award in the amount of
$430,000 for prairie restoration at the property. Once the grant is awarded, the City
will have four years to use the grant. Mr. Hecker will put together a RFP to define
the where and how of the restoration and clarified that these grant funds do not
include any prairie restoration at Bailey Point Nature Preserve.
Mr. Sevcik will begin staking out the 50 foot buffer required along the river and will
meet with the land lessee, Mr. Sherman, to calculate his reduction in crop area. Mr.
Sherman also plans to continue growing beans for the duration of his lease and will
be adding pot ash in the fall of 2015; both help the soil for future prairie grass.
Mr. Hecker also noted all revenue received from Mr. Sherman's land lease goes back
to the property.
5.3 Farm Buildings Removal Update
Ms. Mroz reported that the open tour was last Wednesday and 10 interested parties
attended. Mr. Hecker stated that he has received a few phone calls of interest from
out of state parties.
The deadline for proposal submission is November 5, 2015 at 2 p.m.; the bid states
that all building removal must be complete by July 31, 2016. The Committee asked
to review the proposals at the November 30, 2015 meeting, prior to Council review,
which Mr. Hecker agreed to.
Mr. Hecker reported the home has been removed with no incidents.
Mr. Anderson stated that he has heard of several people campaigning to keep the
white barn.
5.4 Utilities
Mr. Hecker asked if the Committee thought power should be kept at the site to the
Quonset building and if so, should it be buried? After discussion, Mr. Hecker and
Mr. Sevcik will assess the need for power at the Quonset building and will talk to the
Utility department if they feel it is needed to get a quote on the cost to run it
underground. Mr. Hecker will provide an update at the November meeting.
There might be two wells at the site that need to be capped; the natural gas line is
flagged and there is a septic system on site.
polEat r rr
NATURE
Houlton Farm Planning Committee
October 26, 2015
5.5 Fishing Plan
Page 3
Ms. Seeger reported that the subcommittee has not met at the site yet but will set a
date. The subcommittee agreed to stay after the meeting to set a meeting date and
time.
5.6 Property Rules and Signage Committee Report
Mr. Anderson provided a list of categories the subcommittee came up with and
asked the full Committee to flush out the ones to remove. From there the
subcommittee will work on the details.
Mr. Anderson noted that property owners bordering this property are concerned
about hunting, so the Committee needs to make the signs as clear as possible.
Discussion ensued about the various proposed signs. It was noted that there are
specific signs that need to say "funding provided by Lassard grant"; any hunting and
fishing signs are specific to this property only; and conservation area boundary signs
need to be like Elk River's park signs, highly visible and placed every 500 feet.
The subcommittee will meet again after touring the Cedar Creek Conservation Area
and viewing their signage.
5.7 Friends Group Committee Report
Ms. Mroz and her subcommittee met and defined the purpose of the Friends group
into two areas: recruitment of members to help work the property and raising funds.
To do this, they developed a draft plan to hold a kick-off/pre-grand opening at the
property with a bonfire, tours with short or long hikes, music and refreshments to
recruit Friends members. Different dates and various plan details were discussed but
nothing was finalized
Ms. Mroz will meet with Sue Hicks, former President of the Friends of Sherburne
County Nature Preserve for ideas.
5.8 Tour of Cedar Creek Conservation Area
After discussing availability, it was decided the tour will be on Wednesday,
November 4s' at 10:OOam. Mr. Sevcik will send a map to all committee members and
anyone wanting to ride with Mr. Sevcik and Mr. Hecker needs to meet them at City
Hall at 10:OOam. Anyone else needs to meet them at the gate at about 10:15am.
6. Action Items
There were no action items presented for discussion.
�IfEAEI �r
INATURE
Houlton Farm Planning Committee
October 26, 2015
7. Adjournment
Page 4
There being no further business, Chairman Wilson adjourned the meeting of the
Houlton Farm Planning Committee at 7:15 p.m.
[NATURE]
Summary of the William H. Houlton Conservation Area sign subcommittee discussion from 11/24/15
The following is a list of signage catagories 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 'LL
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1. Map
2. Historical info
3. Hunting regulations
4. Fishing regulations �(L% '`5 r 0,0+ Sj'l;t� 'UA1S
S. Volunteer contact info
6. Open to the public year round Sam until 60 minutes after sunset CiG(i;U.'S �&t
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7. Environmental education signage?
Conservations area rules
Exact wording will be worked, out this coming month and presented at the next meeting. This sign will
be patterned after Cedar Creek. Iff
1. No dogs, except... -LrN'1�ui2.
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
9. Archery hunting only except in designated areas '
Firearms hunting boundary signs — every 150' LJ �U ' �`y
Two sided signs �`'J �'��
A u nli N L`
Side 17 No firearm discharge beyond this point SD lob (Wtw G�L� llit
Side 2 —Waterfowl firearms hunting boundary t kA)
Need two additional signs, one at each end of the waterfowl hunting area at the river's edge
Side 1—Entering Firearms Waterfowl Hunting Area f1te,O'��
Side 2 - No firearm discharge beyond this point
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Conservation Area boundary signs — 250 feet along Mississippi and Elk Rivers, 150 along waterway
around the island and private property, each lot corner along private prperty
Two different two sided signs
Side 1A&B —William H Houlton Conservation Area ... (facing water and private property)
Side 2A — Private Property Beyond This Point (facing private property)
e �,7 ide 2B Conservation Area Boundary at Waters Edge (facing rivers) — r U%a*(,ck
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mal fishing regulatiorts — 1
?Canoe/kayak launch area? 1
Uy kid 7,
Sensitive shoreline area —details being worked ou. by the fishing group ��lS
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for Mort InfoiM4iM.
Arwk., County Parks and Itrcrodtion Dep#rtment (763) 757.3926
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CEDA EEK CONSERVAl I N A EA_
HUNTING REGULATIONS- �:
This conservation Ama was acquired with funding provided by the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Legacy
fund and is open to the public for hunting and fishing during the regular open seasons, as designated by
the State ral Minnesota and In accordance with current state Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Anoka
aunty Ordinances.
Principle regulations for your use of this area are listed below. further information is available by calling the
Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department at (163) 757-3920.
3924.
-This Conservttlpn Area Is surrounded by private residential property, therefore, exercise extreme
caution when discharging all firearms and bows. Under no circumstances shall projectiles fall outside
of the designated conservation area boundary.
Discharging of all firearms and bows Is prohibited within 500 feet of a building.
• Conserv-at[on Area Is open from 6:00 am until 30 minutes after sunset.-
• When designated parking lot Is full (approximately 15 vehicles), the hunting capacity of the
Conservation Area Is full and no further access Is allowed. The parking lot capacity determines the
number of hunters that are allowed to hunt.
• Camping Is not permitted.
Horses, AIV%, and other motorized vehicles are not allowed, except snowmobiles during designated
tImes.
-Target or promiscuous shooting Is net permitted.
Tree stands, boats, decoys, and other equipment, except traps, must be removed daily.
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Houlton Farm Planning Committee
Purpose: To discuss the Houkon Farm
Meetings, with the noted exceptions, are scheduled for the last Monday of every month at
5:30p.m. at the City of Elk River:
January`
February 29, 2016
March 28, 2016
April 25, 2016
v
r May 23, 2016*
May 30`" is Memorial Day
June 27, 2016
July 25, 2016
August 29, 2016
September 26, 2016
October 24, 2016*
Oct 31" is Halloween
November 28, 2016
Tuesday DecembP,�, 0'!6*
*December 26 is4rrr-o-bserved City holiday
111'I11
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