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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—APRIL 22, 2024 5 Mayor Grant thanked the representatives from Kimley Horn for the detailed presentation. B. Park Habitat Management with Great River Greening Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated at the April 24, 2023 Work Session, this topic was first presented to the City Council. Direction was received to partner with Great River Greening to apply for state funding to go towards buckthorn and general habitat management projects at selected parks in Arden Hills. Some of the parks discussed were Hazelnut Park, Chatham Open Space, Floral Park and Perry Park. Since then, Great River Greening has been successful at attaining available funds for the City of Arden Hills through the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant program. On April 16, 2024, the PTRC discussed the project proposals from Great River Greening. The PTRC voted to approve the projects as proposed and move it to the City Council for discussion and further direction. A presentation will be given by members of the PTRC and Great River Greening. It is the understanding of Public Works that there is a minimum 10-year maintenance requirement through the Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant program. Staff commented on the Invasive Species and Noxious Plant Management Protocols guide provided by Great River Greening. What is required for long-term maintenance of these specific spaces (26.03 acres) is beyond the Public Works Department's current standard procedures. If the project is approved to move forward, City staff will need to determine supplemental resources and create new maintenance programs. Becca Tucker, Great River Greening, introduced herself to the Council and noted she has been working with the PTRC for the last year on several different park projects. She commented on the habitat restoration work her organization does all throughout the State. She stated this work includes the removal of invasive species and the reestablishment of native species. Mayor Grant stated he understood Arden Hills had $270,000 available for parks projects. He asked how this funding could be utilized by Great River Greening. Ms. Tucker discussed the grants that were available to the City and noted she was proposing to do work at Hazelnut Park and Chatham Park. She explained if given approval by the Council, she had grant funding in place for these two parks and could move forward with these projects. She stated the project would provide habitat enhancement at Hazelnut Park which would include removal of invasive species and the reestablishment of native species. In July, similar work would be completed in Floral Park. Mayor Grant questioned what the City's obligation would be financially and long-term for these projects. Ms. Tucker outlined what the Outdoor Heritage funding would cover. She explained the financial request to the City would balance or provide for a cash match for the labor budget. Councilmember Holden stated when this was originally presented to the Council, the City could use volunteer hours to offset the labor costs. Ms. Tucker commented she could provide a more definitive answer on this as she works through the cooperative agreement. She indicated there was an in-kind match that could assist with this project, but this does not balance their labor funds.