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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 6 Councilmember Holden asked if the fence could be installed at the same time. Assistant Public Works Director Miller thought that was a possibility. Councilmember Holden asked how the drainage is at that location. Assistant Public Works Director Miller said there are a couple of low spots. There has been a little bit of improvement,but not a lot. Councilmember Monson summarized what she heard. Council will green-light Arden Oaks, as defined in the survey, with a possible color change. The City will move forward with the hard court rehab. The play structure at Freeway will be put on hold until the residents can weigh in on if they even want a nature-based structure and then seeing their thoughts after they see what the proposals include for that amount of money. Mayor Grant said there needs to be neighborhood engagement. They have been given the options and they made their selection. The City can't just move forward with installing something completely different. He wondered if the vendors can share some concept designs of other locations where they've done these. Then the public could see examples before having a complete redesign of current proposals. Bryce Shearen said he could ask for examples. A lot of times the vendors want to go through the process of designing something specific to the space. We wouldn't want residents seeing another park concept, using similar features but it cost $300,000. He will reach out to ask the vendors for examples. Mayor Grant said the eventual play structure install will need to be completed without damage to the hard-court surface. Councilmember Monson would be open to Council exploring examples. Then they can determine if it's even worth it to request public opinion if Council determines a suitable nature- based option can't be built for the $150,000. Councilmember Rousseau agreed and would like to have some examples brought to the next work session for Council to discuss. Mayor Grant agreed Council should see examples. His concern is the residents selected a design for Freeway Park that is multi-age and well thought out. He thinks the natural parks cater more to younger children. Councilmember Monson thought that was a good point. She thought the concept experiment they are conducting at the Council level may help determine if another location might be a better fit. Mayor Grant thought maybe the answer is Sampson Park. Councilmember Monson agreed Sampson Park would be a great location for a nature park. She is discussing this because the residents specifically requested something completely different between the two locations.