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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MARCH 14, 2016 3 Staff also told residents that the City would partner with them on the maintenance of the gardens. Basic planting plans were described but residents were told that specific plans to each garden would be developed and shared before planting begins. Acting Public Works Director Anderson reported that in order to move forward with rain water garden planting, staff needs to assemble planting layouts, coordinate with residents, get quotes for plant materials, physically mark layout, and plant the plant materials. In 2015, staff had planned to do this work though the Assistant City Engineer as the lead. With the current limitations on staff time, staff needs assistance to complete the preparations for planting. Acting Public Works Director Anderson explained that once the plant material arrives, staff needs to coordinate the planting of the material. It is anticipated that the installation of the plant material will be done by a combination of residents, seasonal employees, and public works employees. Proposals for this work were solicited from nine vendors including the Ramsey Conservation District, greenhouse and plant supply vendors, and an engineering firm. Vendors not used previously were chosen from a list provided by the Minnesota DNR of Native plant nurseries that listed rain garden design as a service. Two proposals were received. Table 1 below shows the vendors contacted and their response. Table 1 -2016 Rain Garden Planting RFP Response No Company Phone Reply 1 Cedar Hill Natives 651-252-7598 not interested in providing a quote 2 Minnesota Native 763-295-0010 no response Landscapes 3 Native plant nursery 763-780-9717 not interested in providing a quote 4 Naturalshore technologies 612-703-7581 no response 5 Outback nursery 651-438-2771 not interested in providing a quote 6 Prairie restoration 763-389-4342 not interested in 612-708-9874 providing a quote 7 Applewood Nursery 651-462-5554 no response 8 Ramsey Conservation 651-266-7270 $ 9,800.00 District 9 Elfering and Associates 763-780-0450 $ 8,900.00 Acting Public Works Director Anderson stated that the cost for the design, plant materials, and other related costs would be funded by the Surface Water Management enterprise fund. Staff requested comment from the Council on how to proceed. Councilmember Holmes appreciated the cooperation that the City has received for the proposed rain water garden plantings. She supported the City hiring a firm to assist with this project. Councilmember Holden asked if the City had signed agreements with the homeowners regarding the rain gardens.