Houlton Farm Planning Committee Meeting 2015-07-27

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-Houlton Farm Planning Committee Draft Minutes June 29, 2015 Present: Chair Wilson, Members Olsen, Anderson, Seeger, Benkofstke, Hecker, Mroz Wilson called the meeting to order at 5:40 pm. Anderson added 4.7 Island Sanctuary The minutes from the May 11 meeting were reviewed. Agenda item 4.1 Huntin E Plan Status Hunting plan was presented to City Council on June 1 by Committee Members Wilson, Anderson and Hecker. Council had some concern with the parking lot controlling the hunt. They felt that education would be important and that local ordinances would need to be reviewed and updated. Committee members discussed the possibility that utilities might decrease the size of their parking lot for security reasons. This could affect fishing access to the Elk River. The Committee discussed the need for a fishing plan. This should be on the agenda for the July meeting. 4.2 Naming Status and Update The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the naming of the property to the William H. Houlton Conservation Area. Since the winning name came from a Committee member who wishes to stay anonymous the $100 prize will go to the second place winner. This happens to be Eric Toth who came up with the name William H. Houlton Nature Preserve. Eric wishes to donate the prize money back to the property for an educational plaque regarding the history of farming on the property. 4.3 Building Disnositions The House should be removed in July. The Committee reviewed some of the costs to remove the buildings on the site. It can be expensive and up to $49,000 to take away the newest barn. The Committee discussed the expenses it would take to bring the barn up to building code and that could be a problem since it does not fall within the scope of the property. Michael will check if the fire department might be interested to burn any of the buildings. Michael will prepare an RFP to remove the buildings. The Committee will be able to review it by the end of the summer. It was decided that all of the buildings would be included in the RFP except for the Quonset building. The RFP would include both taking away the buildings and demolitions. 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. N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Parks\William H Houlton Conservation Area\Committee Agendas-Packets\Minutes\Minutes 6- 29-15.docx