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New Business <br />a. Approve 2026 Budget <br />Director Mitchell stated the proposed 2026 JDA budget is presented for adoption, consistent <br />with the budget processes outlined in the Joint Power Agreement. The budget has been <br />updated since it was originally drafted to include a preliminary estimate for legal costs related <br />to litigation. For informational purposes, an overview of JDA expenditures for 2023 and 2024 is <br />provided. Preliminary expenditures for January 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, are also <br />provided, though note that these numbers are subject to change due to potential future <br />reimbursements and anticipated invoices. <br />Commissioner Jebens-Singh asked if the budget could be revisited if the JDA were to shift <br />anything within the budget in the coming year. Director Mitchell reported the budget could be <br />revisited by the JDA as amendments were always welcome. <br />Motion by Commissioner Jebens-Singh seconded by Commissioner Monson to approve the <br />2026 Budget. Motion carried. <br />b. Communications Update <br />Director Mitchell stated Goff Public worked with Ramsey County on promotional <br />communications to support the Request for Information (RFI) extension and the November 13 <br />sustainability webinar. The webinar was promoted via the Rice Creek Commons website, <br />Ramsey County and City of Arden Hills social media platforms, and three emails to the Rice <br />Creek Commons newsletter list: <br />•October 29: Join our November 13 webinar to learn about sustainability at Rice Creek <br />Commons <br />•November 4: Don’t miss our November 13 webinar on sustainability at Rice Creek <br />Commons <br />•November 12: Tomorrow, November 13: Learn about sustainability at Rice Creek <br />Commons <br />Director Mitchell explained the emails were sent to 3,177 subscribers and had open rates <br />between 16-18%. The click rate across all messages was 1%. There were 33 total attendees at <br />the November 13 webinar. A recording of the webinar is available on the Rice Creek Commons <br />website for community members who were unable to attend. <br />Director Mitchell reported there has not been recent media coverage of Rice Creek Commons. <br />Goff Public responded to an initial inquiry from Bill Lindeke at MinnPost in October regarding <br />the development status; we are still waiting for a response from Bill regarding next steps. There <br />have been two recent inquiries through the Rice Creek Commons microsite contact portal