Agenda - Council - 04/22/2025 - Laserfiche WebLink

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going well and what changes they would like to see. She added that the Labor Management Committee also discusses the full Staff surveys annually to determine how often a survey is needed. She said they have received feedback that a survey every two years was too often. Councilmember Specht asked if the City Hall landscaping improvements are still on the docket for the future. City Administrator Hagen shared that they are still reviewing options for this as it has presented itself as being a much bigger project than first thought. He noted they did a repair project that they should be able to get at least five years out of while they continue to save and plan for the bigger proj ect. Councilmember Riley noted that a lot of the action items for 2024 seem to be coming off for 2025. He asked for a report of why each item was being removed. City Administrator Hagen said he can bring back a detailed report at their next Strategic Planning session. Mayor Heineman asked about the trends towards native prairie grass over mowed turf in parks. He noted this was talked about when he was last on the Council. Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood explained that they had been mowing large areas of Rivers Bend Park and these areas were not getting any use. He said they added wildflowers in this area to reduce the amount of time they spent mowing. He added that they received funding from the Anoka Conservation District to pay for this. He noted they have seen people enjoying this new greenery and it has brought new value to the park. He shared that other parks have sandy areas that are currently underutilized that could benefit from this kind of planting. He said they are currently looking for funding for this at other parks. He explained that there is a resident who lives north of Central Park who has been requesting a playground in their area. He stated they are currently investing in a playground replacement at Center Park and it would not be efficient to add a playground so close to Central Park. He said they are trying to reduce programming every park space to help reduce maintenance costs and needs. Mayor Heineman stated Titterud Park has soccer and baseball fields that are wildly overgrown and an eyesore. He asked if they would be looking into prairie grass in these areas. Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood noted that this site is currently being looked at for a radio control toy park. Economic Development Manager Sullivan added that there is someone who is interested in this area and has been for a few years and hopes the City will work with him. Councilmember Stewart said she is not familiar with the current trail maintenance policy. She asked if they have a map for trail maintenance online similar to what they have for streets. City Administrator Hagen stated the map is available on the City website. City Council Special Work Session / April 1, 2025 Page 2 of 15