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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – April 16, 2024 Page 6 Becca Tucker, Twin Cities Metro Program Manager with Great River Greening, explained they are a non-profit habitat restoration organization based in St. Paul that works on lands that they do not directly own, but rather they work with the affected communities. She stated they facilitate funding, coordination, contracting and volunteering. She noted she had met with Kerri and Mark (Kelliher) last spring to discuss potential projects and briefly discussed the various projects that were contemplated. Ms. Tucker recapped the meeting from the previous spring. She discussed the grants that are available as well as potential options for projects at various city parks. She explained that any work done at Perry Park would be coordinated with Ramsey County as the County park is adjacent to Perry Park. Ms. Tucker referred to the outline of funding that is available on the budgets page of Great River Greening. She said the current metro Great River Greening grant is online and the metro Great River’s 14 grant which has $250,000 from a State Grant and is earmarked for the project at Floral Park would be coming online in July. She noted that grant is a 5-year grant, was comprehensive in nature, and would leave the park in a manageable state for the City to continue into the future. Ms. Tucker explained that Great River Greening does not own any of the property that they perform work on, rather they facilitate the work when they have the funding with the intent that the land owner will maintain and sustain the property in the future. Chair Anderson stated she wanted to make sure she understands the timeline. She asked if the process for tonight was for the PTRC to approve a plan and then bring it to the Council for consideration. Ms. Tucker said the funding that is currently online is available now through June 2027, noting this was the time sensitive piece. She indicated there was time to coordinate with the City, but the next steps would be to bring a proposal to the City Council after which the City would enter into a cooperative agreement with Great River Greening. She further explained details of the process. Chair Anderson asked if they had heard from Public Works Director Swearingen and what his feedback was. Ms. Tucker stated Public Works Director Swearingen saw the proposal and had questions, which were addressed. She noted he had asked for clarification about volunteer engagement, community communications, the matching of grant funds, and the City’s responsibility for future maintenance. Committee Member Johnson asked if Great River Greening has performed similar work in another city that the PTRC could look at. Ms. Tucker recommended reviewing the Great River Greening website. She noted the group has worked with the City of Fridley and Dakota County, specifically the Lebanon Hills Regional Park, and this was the first time they have ever worked with Arden Hills. She stated she would send examples of other parks. Committee Member Jacobson asked for clarification if online meant accepted or ready to go.