Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2015-02-23

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-Houlton Farm Planning Committee Minutes January 26, 2015 On January 26thh, the Houlton Farm Planning Committee was convened. All of the members approved by City Council were present and introduced themselves. The members include City Council Member Jerry Olsen, Commission Member Dave Anderson, Resident Member Sue Seeger, Resident Member and Chairman Stewart Wilson, Student Member Nate Benkoftske, Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker and Community Operations Development Deputy DirectorJeremy Barnhart. Wilson reviewed the agenda. It was discussed that someone should be found to take minutes for the meetings. Hecker volunteered to take minutes for the January 26 meeting. Barnhart commented that he would take the minutes for the February 23 meeting. It was discussed that many citizens are interested to get involved with the planning of the Houlton farm conservation area. Some of the citizens who have called Hecker should be followed up by Planning Committee members It was decided that the standing meeting dates would be the last Monday of each month. The next meeting will be on Monday, February 23. It was decided that the meetings would start at 5:30 pm and be 90 -minutes in length until 7:00 pm. Hecker mentioned the handouts titled "Elk River Conservation Area" were used by the TPL (Trust for Public Lands) to describe and promote the Houlton farm planning area. This was successfully used and passed out at the Lessard -Sams Council to acquire the funding for the acquisition of the Houlton farm property. Hecker announced that a representative from the TPL will be attending the February meeting. Hecker commented that the handout "Planning for Houlton Property" is a draft timeline for objectives that the planning committee should consider. One of the main objectives for the committee is to develop a Natural Resources Management Plan. Hecker explained that the plan will be done in consultation with the FMR (Friends of the Mississippi River). A Memorandum of Understanding between the FMR and the City will be approved by City Council at an upcoming meeting. The city has budgeted $10,000 in the Park Improvement Plan to complete a Plan for both the Houlton Farm property and the Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Hecker announced that a representative from the FMR will be attending the February meeting to talk about the Natural Resources Management Plan. N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Parks\Houlton Property Elk River Nature Preserve\Committee Agendas- Packets\Minutes\Minutes 1-26-15.docx