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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – DECEMBER 9, 2024 14 <br /> <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said Bolton and Menk provided a few <br />options. The first is a simple native planting on the hillside area. The second option would be to <br />plant trees, such as evergreens or arborvitaes. Option three would be to install some type of split- <br />rail fence. He asked which direction Council would like to go. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rousseau likes Option 2. She thinks a split rail fence is fun to climb and having <br />some closed evergreens would be more of a deterrent to keep kids away from that area. She also <br />likes the more natural barrier. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden had the same thought regarding the split fence. She asked how close it <br />would be to the on ramp. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said it would be on the lower portion of the <br />hill. There is MN-Dot Right of Way there so it would be more on the City’s property line. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden said some residents have expressed concern about kids chasing a ball. It <br />would be great to have evergreens, but that won’t stop a kicked ball. She thinks a fence will offer <br />more safety. <br /> <br />Councilmember Fabel said split rail fences are a lot of work. He strongly recommends against <br />that type of fence. <br /> <br />Councilmember Monson asked why they didn’t propose chain link. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said these are the options Bolton and Menk <br />provided. It could be a different kind of fence. <br /> <br />Councilmember Monson would love to have native planting or trees but she thinks a chain link <br />fence is a better option. She thought maybe some trees could be planted in front of the fence. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said that when the donation was made, there <br />was direction to put it towards landscaping, natural barrier. There could be a combination. <br /> <br />Councilmember Monson would like to see those options. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rousseau asked if they can install the chain link fence that could be removed <br />when the trees mature. Like a 10-year plan. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden said there will still be kids kicking balls. Two-year-olds can walk under <br />pine trees. <br /> <br />Councilmember Monson thinks there could be a plan to decommission the fence if repairs are <br />needed and the trees are sufficient for the barrier. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden said a vinyl fence would last longer. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said that would add to the expense. A chain <br />link fence is at or above what the split rail fence is.