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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 13, 2024 10 <br />Mayor Grant summarized the natural resources priorities as being tree canopy, invasive species, <br />pollinator promotion, water quality, along with protecting plants and animals unique to Arden <br />Hills. <br />Councilmember Holden asked staff what else could be added to this list. <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen suggested he speak with the PTRC to see <br />what else should be included on the natural resource list. <br />Mayor Grant discussed his three main priorities for TCAAP which were to complete the master <br />development agreement, develop/construct and grow. <br />Councilmember Rousseau stated she would like to promote community and encourage <br />businesses within TCAAP as well. <br />Councilmember Holden believed the most important priority for TCAAP was getting the <br />agreement in place. She questioned what the City's next priority should be. She was interested in <br />learning what would happen with the stormwater pond because this was not part of the <br />development agreement. She was also interested in further discussing a civic space. <br />Councilmember Monson indicated having a discussion around the public space and civic space <br />would be beneficial, but she believed the project was just not there yet. She was of the opinion <br />this discussion would come after the horizontal infrastructure funding was determined. She <br />suggested the second bullet point read to have City Council alignment on civic and public space. <br />Councilmember Holden asked if staff had any recommendations for this language. <br />City Administrator Perrault commented the skeleton of the development agreement was from <br />2018 and a lot of the language would be copied, pasted and updated for today. He indicated the <br />natural resources corridor has yet to be discussed. <br />Councilmember Holden stated perhaps the best way forward would be to have only one bullet <br />point under TCAAP with that being to complete the development agreement. <br />E. Twin Cities Gateway Funding Discussion <br />Mayor Grant noted the City has $18,390 available to the City this year from the Twin Cities <br />Gateway Visitors Bureau. <br />Councilmember Holden stated she supported a portion of this funding be donated to Beyond the <br />Yellow Ribbon to assist with supporting the events they host in the community. <br />Councilmember Rousseau supported this recommendation. She suggested funding be provided <br />to the school district as well, given the number of events they host in the community. <br />Mayor Grant commented on the State Statute requirements on how the funding can be used. <br />Councilmember Fabel suggested funding be set aside for the rib fest. <br />