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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — FEBRUARY 10, 2025 5 Bryce Shearen said he would be happy to answer any questions. If Council is ready to give directions, they will prepare a proposal for Arden Hills. Councilmember Holden asked if they collect school district information to learn what the upcoming demographics are. Bryce Shearen confirmed. He said they will collect school district information as well as census data. Councilmember Holden asked if he was talking about state or federal dollars when he is discussing funding sources. Casey Byers said there is a funding team at Bolton & Menk that tracks grants. They communicate with Project Managers to align potential grant opportunities with current projects. The plan will include a funding matrix that has a list of recommendations and a list of funding sources that may align with those projects. They outline the application timelines. They can't guarantee those grants will be awarded, but they make the City aware of potential sources. Councilmember Holden asked for confirmation that Bolton & Menk will provide a list of funding sources. She asked if they require there be a contract with them to keep receiving those sources. Casey Byers said it isn't required. They identify what the process is and give the City the resources to find that information. Councilmember Holden asked if they consider that we aren't really a standalone city. There are a lot of recreational activities in surrounding communities. She wondered if they take that into account. Casey Byers said as part of the proximity mapping they look at recreational facilities in surrounding communities. As part of the survey they can look at surrounding recreational facilities that are popular or generate a lot of business. From the list of parks in Arden Hills, and surrounding communities, they ask people which parks they go to and why. That helps them identify what amenities that particular park has that a resident would go there as opposed to a park closer to their home. It's another data point to study. They do look at surrounding communities, specifically for communities that are land locked and surrounded by close neighbors. Councilmember Holden wondered if they include monetary information in the resident survey. People will say yes to anything but she wants to know if residents have the cost piece to help in their decisions. Casey Byers said that is done carefully with consideration from the steering committee. They try to avoid questions that will only cause problems. They don't want to put in a lot of wish list items that aren't even a possibility. Those survey options are crafted very carefully. Councilmember Holden asked how they reach residents that aren't using the parks when there is a face-to-face event happening, other than the community survey.