Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2015-05-11

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-Houlton Farm Planning Committee Draft Minutes April 28, 2015 Present: Chair Wilson, Members Olsen, Anderson, Seeger, Benkofstke, Hecker Other in attendance, Mitch Sladek from MN DNR, Fred Bengtson MN DNR Area Wildlife Manager and Bob McGillivray from the Trust for Public Land Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm. Wilson added 4.7 FMR Update to the agenda. The minutes from the March 30 meeting were reviewed. Agenda item 4.1 Introduction of City Environmental Technician Kristin Mroz Hecker told the committee that Kristin is being recommended to replace Jeremy Barnhart on the Committee. She could not make this meeting but will attend the next meeting in May. 4.2 Hunting Plan Proposed site maps and a draft plan were handed out to members. It was discussed that the East boundary should be moved back to line up with the site line of the nearby SNA Island. #7 in the hunting plan discussed that the city will build an unpaved parking lot to hold 12 —cars. The issue of over flow parking for additional hunters and non -hunters was discussed. It was agreed that over flow parking on city streets may occur and would be difficult to control. #5 in the plan archery hunting for deer will be permitted and administered by the city using the same framework currently being designed for archery hunting to reduce deer herd in city parks. McGillivray commented that with a permit system we need to be careful not to clamp it down or make it seem like it is limited. #4 in the plan mentored youth and handicap shotgun hunts would be organized, conducted and monitored by volunteer organizations experienced with the specifics for these types of hunts. These are special hunts closed to the public that could happen twice per year led by volunteer organization such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Capable Partners. The details of these hunts would be worked out with the volunteer organizations. Additional uses on the land were discussed. It was agreed that dogs on a leash in this type of wildlife habitat area do not work well because owners typically release the dogs from the leash Running dogs and nesting wildlife do not mix. Riding horses on the land would also not be permitted as horses can tear up the plants and soil with their hooves, especially in wet conditions. It was agreed that dogs and horses would not be allowed. However, dogs would only be allowed in the shotgun waterfowl zones for hunter's actively hunting waterfowl. When these dogs are coming to and from the property they need to follow the city's ordnances which currently require they be on a leash. N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Parks\Houlton Property Elk River Nature Preserve\Committee Agendas- Packets\Minutes%nutes 428-15.docx