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3 April 26, 2016 • Authorized City staff to begin summer work hours on May 31, 2016, and conclude on September 5, 2016 (5-0). • Authorized the City of Arden Hills to participate in the Minnesota Greenstep Cities program (5-0). • Approved Planning Case #16-003 Master and Final PUD for 1160 County Road E with Conditions (5-0). See minutes for details. • Approved the Lift Station 11 Equip- ment Procurement and Reconstruction Bid (5-0). Note: other minor agenda items were approved. View online minutes from meet- ings for details. Benchmarks: A review of City Council action Call Sara Grant at 651-792-7845 to register for the following events: Backyard Games Club (Free) – Wednes- day mornings in June and July at Cum- mings Park. Enjoy the company of other active adults while playing classic back- yard games such as bocce, croquet, and ladder golf. Pickleball Demonstration Class (Free) – June 20 at Cummings Park. Learn more about this popular sport and test out the newly-added pickleball facilities now available at Cummings Park. Stillwater Summer Cruise ($30) – July 18. Riverboat cruise on the St. Croix River including lunch, followed by a walk through downtown Stillwater. Senior spotlight-- Parks and Recreation newsOn February 9, 2016, the Board of Ramsey County Commission- ers passed a resolution to declare Ramsey County “pollinator-friendly.” The County has since undertaken efforts to educate residents on the importance of pollinator-friendly best practices and gar- ner support of this designation in munici- palities within the County. In response to the County’s efforts, the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee (PTRC) collaborated with residents and the University of Minnesota to install three bee habitats on City park and civic property. Arden Hills is now an active part of this County-wide environmental effort to increase pollinator habitat and forage, decrease toxicity, and raise awareness of these important environmental issues. Key volunteer expertise The knowledge and generosity of volun- teers figures directly in the City’s participa- tion in this initiative. Arden Hills resident Mike Noonan, along with his cousin Andy Murray, who raises bees on a farm in Rice County, worked with the PTRC to bring two honeybee hives to City property. One hive has been installed in Floral Park to provide natural pollinators for the gar- dens that Dr. Robert Mullin cultivates. It is set in a clearing among trees and bushes approximately 20 feet off the walking trail north of the pollinator gardens. A second hive has been installed at City Hall to promote growth of local bee popu- lations and natural pollinators. The hive is located in the grassy area on the north side of the building and is visible from the windowed lobby area and parking lot. The City plans to install signage at both hive locations to make residents aware of the installations and provide additional educa- tional information. Murray expects to make visits to Arden Hills throughout the summer to check on the bees and maintain the hives. At the end of the summer, he plans to harvest any honey produced and donate a portion of the harvest to the City to do with as they choose. The bees and their hives will then be removed in the fall to their winter home in Arkansas. University bee project In May, a bee nesting block was installed in Crepeau Nature Preserve and is being observed and maintained through the sum- mer by the Minnesota Bee Atlas, a citizen project of University of Minnesota Extension. Signs will be posted at the site. The nesting block will provide a place for wild bees to lay their eggs. The block will be collected in September. The larvae will be raised to adults, and the species will be identified and entered in a state database. According to Program Coordinator Britt Forsberg, “We chose Crepeau for a bee block because it has a large area of high- quality natural habitat and a volunteer who is interested in monitoring the block. We wanted to choose locations where there would be strong existing bee populations as well as having plenty of wild flowers for bees to forage. The native bees will use pri- marily native plants, although some non- native plants like dandelions and clover are important resources for bees.” The study will cover three field sessions (2016-2018), but project staff has only asked sites to commit to one season. “We’d certainly be open to installing a block at Crepeau again next year!” Forsberg said. Bee habitats installed to support County resolution by Tina Kulzer Three City Council seats are up for election this fall—two are four-year terms and one is a two-year term. Anyone interested in filing an Affidavit of Candidacy may do so beginning August 2, 2016. Candidate filing packets will be available at City Hall or at the Ramsey County Elections Office (90 W. Plato Blvd. St. Paul) during the filing period. The last day to file is August 16, at 5 p.m. The cost to file is $2 and must be paid with cash or check. Thinking about running for City office?