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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — JUNE 24, 2024 11 Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated he reached out to Kerri Seemann who had been overseeing this project. He noted Ms. Seemann had been working with Bob and Steve to coordinate with the goat herding company. He clarified for the record that he was not aware of the finer details of this project. Councilmember Holden requested City staff follow up on this project. City Administrator Perrault indicated Public Works would be keeping a closer eye on this project as it wraps up. He explained a larger discussion could be held the role of volunteers in the future. Councilmember Holden questioned if the seed could still be spread this year. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated the benefit of spreading the seed before the goats arrive was to allow their hooves to push the seed into the ground. He indicated seed could still be spread manually. Councilmember Rousseau reported she was not plotting to keep buckthorn. She stated what has been happening was the PTRC member working on this project has received constant communications from one individual and this was helping her to lose interest in this project. She understood the PTRC member reached out recently and provided feedback on the grass seeding. Councilmember Monson stated she would have assumed City staff would manage these projects instead of a volunteer. She explained she supported the City having a parks master plan in place to assist with laying out how the City would address the management of buckthorn. Councilmember Holden indicated she wanted clear procedures in place for future parks projects in order to ensure the proper course of action is followed. Mayor Grant asked why seed was not put down. Councilmember Rousseau stated she was uncertain why seed was not put down. Councilmember Monson commented while it was disappointing seed was not put down, there were other options for the City. Councilmember Monson reported she and the Mayor met with Xcel Energy to discuss the Partners in Energy program. She stated more data would be provided to her and the mayor in the coming weeks. Councilmember Monson discussed the great work being done for the community by Arden Hills Greening. She noted this was a volunteer based resident group. Councilmember Monson explained she would be interested in reopening the discussion on the chicken keeping ordinance. She reported this ordinance was highly restrictive, required neighbor approval and expensive screening. She suggested the Council readdress this ordinance at a future worksession.