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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 13 4. COUNCIL/STAFF COMMENTS City Administrator Jagoe gave her Staff Comments at 6:50 asking Council to discuss the Gateway Funding until the work session is recessed prior to the council meeting. The 2026 CIP & Operating Budget Discussion will resume after the regular meeting. City Administrator Jagoe said she reached out to Al with Twin Cities Gateway on use of the funds. He said they give the City the authority to determine the recipient of the funds, as well as the amount of funds to be granted. It does not need to be a 501 c3. He confirmed the $20,182 is the amount allocated to Arden Hills in 2025. Of that amount, we are able to carry over 10% of that into 2026, which is $2,018. The City needs to spend $18,100 in 2025. Previously Council had given direction to use $2,000 towards the Norwegian Foot March and $4,000 to Ribfest. The Foot March would occur in April of 2026. That would be the carry over. The other $18,000 would need to be disbursed in 2025. If we do the $4,000 to Ribfest, it would leave the City about $14,100 remaining to spend in 2025. Staff reached out to Snow Globe Public Relations to see if there were different marketing strategies for Ribfest or the Foot March. Council can change the allocation dollars. Staff has not heard back yet. Last year the City granted Ribfest, almost $10,000. Mayor Grant said the Norwegian Foot March is transitioning from the ROTC University of Minnesota to the National Guard. It will be an event for the National Guard, in addition to Ribfest. City Administrator Jagoe agreed. The event will be in April 2026 so we can only put $2,000 of this year's dollars towards that for next year. Councilmember Monson wondered if they might start marketing it in 2025. City Administrator Jagoe said she would have to ask the organization. Gateway has confirmed that when it comes to the 75th Anniversary, it must be used towards advertising, marketing and promotional efforts that increase participation and attendance at an event. It's intended to bring people into the community. He said we can use the money to hire a graphic designer to produce a commemorative logo, as well as purchasing items with the logo on it, to promote the event. It could be a reusable bag but it would have to specify the actual date of the event, rather than just the City's 75th Anniversary, in general. Staff is looking for direction from Council on how to allocate the funds differently or to come up with ideas on how to use the funds for the 75th Anniversary planning. Mayor Grant asked if we can grant it to the Norwegian Foot March in December, knowing the event is coming up in April. City Administrator Jagoe said you have to show receipts that the funds have been spent in the calendar year. Councilmember Holden said we could print postcards. We can get things ready for marketing. It can be a save the date mailing to zip code 55112, which would include New Brighton. That would reach people outside of the boundaries of Arden Hills. There are different ways to spend the money for the 75th Anniversary.