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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JULY 8, 2024 2 voted to approve the projects as proposed and move it to the City Council for discussion and further direction. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported on April 22, GRG gave a presentation for the full project proposal and background. Council direction was to bring back estimated costs for long-term maintenance needs and exact minimum City cash match requirements and an example of a Natural Resource Management Plan. The estimated maintenance needs costs and cash match requirements were reviewed with the Council. The example Natural Resource Management Plan was sent to Council for review prior to the meeting. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained GRG notes that volunteer labor cannot be counted towards in-kind City match, in previous discussions it was believed that it could be. Examples of in-kind City labor or contracted services are, but are not limited to, staff time or Arden Hills contracted activities that accomplish a management task within the acres of the project that is required for the completion of the project which otherwise would have been paid for by the grant, such as prairie mowing or woody material removal or disposal. Council should keep in mind when this project was first introduced, it was under the assumption that Public Works would be involved very minimally or not at all during the actual remediation process but would need to plan for the long-term maintenance. If it is Council direction to utilize Public Works as in-kind labor match during remediation, staff will need to schedule this work within the annual Public Works Maintenance Plan and will likely cause more items to be backlogged for repair or maintenance. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen indicated long-term maintenance of the 26.03 acres will increase the annual maintenance and operations budget. GRG has provided an estimate for each project site over a span of the first 5 years, the actual amount is not known at this time. If all project sites are approved and completed, the estimated maintenance costs would be $12,830 per year on average or $64,150 total over 5 years. The required activities for long- term maintenance is beyond the Public Works Department's current standard procedures. Public Works staff also believes that in order to adequately manage this program, it should be by a person specialized in natural resources. Arden Hills does not currently have a position specifically for natural resources. Becca Tucker, GRG, stated she met previously with the Council to discuss potential projects. She explained after that meeting she met with City staff to address questions that were brought up. She indicated the dollar match for the projects was discussed, along with the budgets for future park management. She asked if the Council had any further questions. Mayor Grant stated it was his understanding the maintenance agreement would remain in place for 10 years. Todd Rexine reported this was the case, noting the maintenance agreement would run for 10 years after the grant was done. Councilmember Fabel asked if the maintenance agreement was part of the contract with GRG. Mr. Rexine stated the City would have to maintain the property in good faith at the same level, with buckthorn removed for 10 years.