Minutes - Council Work Session - 09/25/2007

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spaces is an open space referendum. He stated that Andover, Plymouth and Washington County had an open space referendum question on their 2006 election ballots. He stated that in February, the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) amended their . work plan to include researching an open space referendum. Subsequently, the EPB invited the Trust for Public Land (TPL) to discuss and review the open space referendum process. He stated that the TPL has stated that it will take 12-18 months to coordinate a successful referendum campaign, He stated that the EPB is interested in gauging the City Council's willingness to place an open space referendum question on the 2008 ballot that would provide the funding mechanism necessary to begin preserving important natural open spaces. He stated that some members of the EPB, John Freeburg, Mike Madsen, Bob Sabiliski and John Ultz, were present to answer questions the City Council may have. EPB member Sabiliski stated that this issue has been discussed for a quite a while and the EPB really feels that this would be a benefit for the City. He stated that there seems to be a willingness among the residents to protect open space and natural resources. He stated that Cordelia Pierson from the TPL was also present at tonight's meeting and can answer questions the City Council may have. . Environmental Coordinator Anderson distributed information regarding the steps for putting together a referendum. Councilmember Strommen stated that, as a disclaimer, her employer is not the Trust for Public Land (TPL). Mayor Gamec stated that the City already has a wetland ordinance and asked if this preserved other types of areas. He asked if money would be reimbursed to land owners because preservation of this land may take away from development possibilities. Councilmember Strommen stated that she sees this as related, but separate from the wetland buffer ordinance. She stated that it is yet to be determined if this will take away from development rights. She stated that the proposal suggests the City handle this similar to how Andover approached the issue and look at how you can acquire additional important space and what pool of funding is available to do this. Mayor Gamec asked where the funding would come from to purchase this land. Councilmember Strommen stated that the funding would come from a property tax increase, which voters can vote to approve. Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that the funding would be tied very specifically to the language used on the ballot. He stated that if the question was worded asking residents to vote on acquiring open space, the money could not then be used for trail construction. Councilmember Strommen stated that she feels the EPB is asking for permission from the City Council to research this issue, find out how much money the City is looking for and how the money should be spent. City Council Work Session / September 25, 2007 Page 2 of 5