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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 7 Councilmember Holden asked if the cost participation rate will be County -wide. John Mazzitello said it applies to all Cities the same way. He included the County's pre-scoping preliminary cost figures in the handout. A relief policy would be massive to the City of Arden Hills. If they are not successful in getting that policy, the City is looking at $3 million over three years, not including the construction cost for the last piece. They intend to make every effort to obtain grant money to keep cost down for the City and the County. It could be a joint effort and that may be more clout with review committees. John Mazzitello began the discussion on the Spine Road proposed cost share/funding strategy. He said the County's cooperative agreement for cost share will be sent to Staff and have the City Attorney and Council look at it. The County will pay costs related to non -participating Arden Hills city utilities. The County plans to recover these costs from the developer at the time Rice Creek Commons is developed. The City doesn't have a cost share for the Spine Road. The County will cover it all. Mayor Grant said that will simplify the project and it becomes a County -led project. City Staff will have a fair amount of input. The timing and minor details are for the County to deal with. Councilmember Holden said when they are putting in the Spine Road she assumes there will be mass grading. John Mazzitello said they have activated an unused task in the consultants contract to design the mass grading for the California parcel, based on the concept plan that was approved by the JDA. The consultant will design the mass grading so we know where the Spine Road will tie into, outside the right-of-way. Who does the mass grading has not been decided yet but there will be a designed mass grading plan and a designed piece of infrastructure ready to go whenever the green light is given. Councilmember Rousseau said there are a lot of steps between now and then but once people hear there is a funding source for this they will want to know when activity will begin happening. She asked what the timeline is. John Mazzitello said there are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of regulatory agencies to get through. They are targeting the Spine Road construction for 2027 in the TIP. Any grading activity necessary to build the Spine Road would happen in 2026. Mayor Grant said there are trunk utilities, booster stations, lift stations and associated items that go along with the road. He assumes they are included. John Mazzitello confirmed. He said the only component of the municipal utilities that isn't included is the water tower. The booster station is necessary when ever development happens. The water tower isn't needed until the site reaches a certain percentage complete. Councilmember Weber asked if the Roseville connection is being funded by the County. John Mazzitello confirmed.