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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MAY 28, 20134 will assist the committee in receiving input from the residents of Arden Hills on parks, recreation, and trails. She indicated that the Council consensus was to allow the PTRC the opportunity to create a survey for the Council to review. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson explained that the committee created a draft survey at st their May 21 meeting. The PTRC recommends the survey be a and in the newsletter and that a postcard mailing be sent to all residents. She indicated that the PTRC Committee Chair, , was present to discuss this further with the Council. , PTRC Chair, reviewed the potential survey with the Council. She explained that the last park survey was completed 10 years ago. She indicated that the PTRC is interested in receiving updated information regarding what residents of Arden Hills want in their parks as well as providing them a chance to be heard on this subject. She commented that the results will assist the PTRC in prioritizing their resources. She estimated that the expense for the postcard mailing to all residents will be approximately $300. Councilmember Holden suggested several language changes to the survey questions. She recommended a question be added to the survey regarding senior programming. Mayor Grant indicated that the last survey placed on the website only received 12 responses. He stated that there are many residents who have limited interest in not complete the survey. He questioned how the results will be used by the PTRC. commented that the results could be published in a future newsletter. In addition, the information will be reviewed and considered by the PTRC while planning for future projects. Councilmember Holden asked if the City had information on who is using the parks at this time. Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated that the City does not have specific numbers at this time. She is aware of those who sign up for City programs, but noted that the proposed survey could assist with providing this type of information. Mayor Grant proposed several other questions regarding the frequency of use of the various park facilities. He stated that as a decision maker it is important to him to know which facilities are being utilized and which are not in order to make informed decisions about park amenities in the future. He recommended adding a question to ask if residents like paved or natural trails. Councilmember Holden requested that the question regarding the number of trails be reworded. She recommended that the City put a note in an upcoming utility bill instead of sending out a separate postcard to each resident. She also suggested that the question regarding increased property taxes be amended to quantify how much more residents are willing to pay in taxes. Discussion ensued amongst the Council and staff regarding the wording of this question. The Council requested that the property tax question be removed. The Council directed staff and the PTRC to proceed with the survey based on the comments and suggestions made this evening.