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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION FEBRUARY 18, 20147 <br /> <br />Mr. Trites <br /> indicated that the prairie grass restoration for the 4/10 of an acre at Lindey <br />cost approximately $3,000 for start up and $2,100 for maintenance over the next three years. If <br />the City would like to add wildflowers to the prairie grasses it would cost an additional $200. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> asked where the prairie grass would be located. <br /> <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Olson <br /> stated that the prairie grasses would be located in the <br />main middle flat area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> did not object to looking into this possibility, but noted that Lindey <br />park is used quite frequently by Bethel students. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> agreed stating that he did not fully support this conversion. He questioned if there <br />was another park or open space in the City that could be used for prairie grasses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden <br /> suggested that the triangle property be considered for prairie grasses. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> did not agree and stated that the triangle property should remain as is since it is an <br />entrance point into the City and because it was recently irrigated and sodded. He recommended <br />that staff investigate the level of use at Lindey <br /> <br />Mr. Van Valkenburg <br /> suggested the Council consider other park space that could be used for <br />prairie grass conversion. He reported that the conversion would have some up front costs, but in <br />the end, would reduce maintenance costs to the City. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> stated that the bigger issue is park use and he is not in favor of converting park <br />space that is being used by the public; even if it means reducing maintenance expenses. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung <br /> believed that the space at Lindeys actively being used. He <br />suggested the PTRC reevaluate if several compatible uses are proposed for the park. He stated <br />that he could support a prairie grass restoration project, but it would have to be in the right <br />location. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> questioned if there is room at Valentine Park for a prairie grass conversion in front <br />of the rain garden. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes <br /> believed that the PTRC is providing the City with a solution when it did <br />not have a problem. She does not see how the prairie grass conversion would fit at Lindey <br /> <br />Mayor Grant <br /> that the Council has reservations <br />about the prairie grass conversion at Lindeyd monitor <br />ark over the summer. <br /> <br /> reviewed the community survey analysis with the Council and noted that residents <br />have . The highest ranked initiatives the public is <br />interested in are trail connections and adding more trails. In addition, there was a repeated theme <br />that addressed safety within the trail system. She commented that the PTRC has been working to <br />