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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 21, 2020 7 <br /> <br />has identified four potential locations for new benches if there is a desire to install additional <br />benches along City trails and within park property. Staff is seeking Council direction on the <br />proposed locations. Park benches cost approximately $700 each. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported during the same meeting the <br />Council asked if the Foundation could potentially contribute in acquiring additional GreenStep <br />Cities participation signage. The City of Arden Hills is currently recognized as a Step Two <br />GreenStep City. Once named a GreenStep City, the municipality has the opportunity to purchase <br />participation signs to be added at any state highway, County or City road entrance to the city. <br />Signs are not permitted to be located on freeways. Any signs located in MNDOT and County right <br />of way require approval from the specific agencies prior to placement. The signs cost $52.00 each. <br />Generally, GreenStep City participation signs are attached to the green city identifications signs. <br />When the City of Arden Hills was named a GreenStep City the City purchased one sign. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla commented the City currently has <br />one existing identification sign that can accommodate a GreenStep City sign. The sign is located <br />on Cleveland Avenue adjacent to New Brighton. The City can acquire additional signs and place <br />standalone GreenStep Cities signs. However, according to the MNDOT Traffic Engineering <br />Manual, the population figures must be on city identification signs and use the population figure <br />of the last official Federal or State census. If a community requests the population figure to be <br />updated, MNDOT will update the population figure at the cost of the community. The 2020 <br />Census count is now complete, and the Census Bureau is currently processing the data. It is <br />anticipated that within the next year the City will have the opportunity to work with MNDOT and <br />update the identification signs. At that time there may be an opportunity to purchase and locate <br />additional identification signs at the direction of the City Council. At Council direction staff can <br />identify potential locations for signs. Council and staff can determine how many GreenStep Cities <br />signs to purchase. <br /> <br />The Council supported the City pursuing four additional park benches. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant questioned what the Council wanted to do regarding the GreenStep City signs. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes recommended the Council wait on this until the City receives new signs <br />with the population updates. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla asked if staff should identify <br />locations for GreenStep signs along County Road E or Highway 96 and report back to the <br />Council. <br /> <br />The Council supported this recommendation. <br /> <br />D. Twin Cities North Chamber Business Assistance During COVID-19 <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated at its November 23, 2020 <br />Economic Development Authority meeting the Commissioners recommended staff review Twin <br />Cities North Chamber suggestions on how cities can assist businesses impacted by COVID-19. <br />According to the Chamber, cities are offering the following assistance to businesses: