06-09-25 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JUNE 9, 2025 11 Councilmember Monson thought we could decide that based on how many applicants there are. Councilmember Holden thought we should decide on a general event time. Is this a summer or fall celebration? Mayor Grant said in the fall, people are around and kids are back in school. That could be advantageous. Councilmember Rousseau would like the committee to look at times, but we need to take MEA and activities in surrounding communities into account. She's open to it being any time from summer through early October. Mayor Grant thought this can be left up to the committee. Councilmember Rousseau is open to using the Gateway funding but she wants an understanding of how much of that money will be used. Is it sending a save -the -date flyer to all residents? What is the marketing strategy? Councilmember Holden said she isn't sure. But we can't plan anything if there's no money. Mayor Grant estimates that we can expect right around $19,000 for 2026. Councilmember Rousseau said as far as Staff being on a committee, she feels like City Administrator Jagoe is already spread pretty thin. She thinks the City Clerk and the Senior Communications Coordinator would be sufficient. Mayor Grant said we may want to have the Community Development Director involved, once that position is filled. Councilmember Holden said for the 50th Anniversary, there was a parade that ended in a park. She wondered if there is any interest in a parade. Mayor Grant said the intent of this discussion is to decide on the committee, not plan the event. Councilmember Holden agreed, but she said they need some parameters to begin with. Councilmember Monson thinks they should create a budget and then come back with a marketing amount to use the Gateway funds for. Councilmember Weber agrees. He suggested the sponsorship program that was discussed earlier may be a source for funding this event. This is a big deal and he thinks Arden Hills businesses will recognize that. Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen wanted to address the parade idea. He said Ramsey County is cracking down on the required traffic control for an event like this. It is way more expensive than it has been in the past to close or shift traffic on a County Road. Traffic control would be a cost that needs to be factored in.