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<br /> ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES <br /> August 15, 2005 2 <br /> . <br /> Councilmember Holden recommended that members of the City Council review the ClP and <br /> determine whether or not this project is feasible. <br /> Councilmember Larson askcd if the selected plants could survivc without an irrigation system. <br /> Kathy Ryan said that selected plants could survive, but they may not look very good if they do <br /> not receive enough water. <br /> Mayor Aplikowksi suggested that the City leave the medians as grass areas. If not, we should <br /> plan on installing an irrigation system along the Highway 96 medians in order to provide water <br /> and protect the plants in the future. <br /> Councilmember Larson said that he believes the irrigation system is necessary to maintain the <br /> plants. <br /> Councilmember Grant asked if an irrigation system was installed, would this change the type of <br /> plant that were selected for this project. <br /> Kathy Ryan said that all of the plant materials were selccted because they are drought a11d salt <br /> tolera11t. She wound not recommend that the plant selections be changed at this time. <br /> . Couneilmember Grant asked URS staff members if this would be an attractive projcct for a <br /> landscape firm. <br /> City Engineer Greg Brown thought that this would be a good project for a landscaping firm. The <br /> projected project cost the City approximately $195,000. <br /> City Administrator Michelle Wolfe asked if the City Council was in agreement to plan for this <br /> project in 2006. <br /> Members of the City Council were in agreement and rcquested that the projectcd be bid in 2006. <br /> 2006 Budl!:et Update <br /> Finance Director Murtuza Siddiqui provided the City Council with a brief overview of the <br /> budget guidelines for 2006. City staff is seeking City Council guidance on the following items: <br /> . COLA Salaries-2.75%; <br /> . Inflationary Increases for Routine Operations; <br /> . Projected 15% Increases in Employee Medical Premiums; <br /> . Proposed 4% levy. <br /> The 2005 State Legislature did not enact any legislative rcstrictions regarding levy limits. In <br /> 2004, the average levy increasc for Ramsey County cities was slightly under 8%. Thc 2005 levy <br /> . for the City of Arden Hills was $2,426,670. The City must certify a levy amount to Ramsey <br /> County for 2006 by September l5th <br /> 2 <br /> --------- <br />