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ARDEN HILLS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETNG—NOVEMBER 28, 2011 2 open space; remediation of the site to productive use; addresses Superfund status on the site within the $28.5 million purchase price; adds 170 acres to the tax rolls; creates thousands of new jobs in the area and transportation improvements. Additional benefits he cited included: one developer willing to invest $400-$500 million is an opportunity of a lifetime; increased potential for mass transit to the north metro area; he suggested this be the first electric vehicle transport hub in the metro area; offers the largest growth potential for the north metro area for jobs and taxes that benefit local, county, and state; puts unproductive land to use; complements the AHATS development; the Vikings have proposed LEED design which enhances competitiveness to the total area and incorporates ecology and open space planning to create a model for sustainable community design; the Army, USEPA, MPCA, MDH, RAB, Land Use Controls, land deeds and the City will assure safe future use of the land; no other developable land has that much scrutiny. Gregg Larson, 3377 N Snelling Av., stated the Resolution of Support is full of half-truths and stilted history. The private development for TCAAP fell apart because the developers could not partner with this Council. He stated that stadium discussions were secret for six months until the media caught on and then there was insufficient opportunity for public input. He stated that the Arden Hills City Council refused to go on record opposing the proposed tax for Ramsey County residents. He did not believe the claims that the stadium will bring permanent jobs to Arden Hills and the City will never collect taxes on a stadium site. He also stated the development of the adjacent property is speculative and that the stadium has nothing in common with this community as it is a facility for 72,000 people in a city of 10,000. He believed that the stadium will decrease adjacent residential property values and that he would prefer to see homes, parks and schools on this site. He also stated the resolution contains no guarantee of payment in lieu of property taxes, property value guarantees, planning and zoning controls, or recovery of the $1,200 per week of City money the Council is paying a lobbyist. Thomas Steele, 3570 Ridgewood Road, stated he is a 27 year resident of Arden Hills. He stated Arden Hills is a wonderful community which is well run and financially sound. He referred to the fact that Money Magazine named Arden Hills in the top 100 most livable cities. He stated that if the stadium is built in Arden Hills, the City will no longer be in the top 100. He believed that the stadium and the surrounding development will ultimately lead to higher taxes for Arden Hills residents which he opposes. He further stated that the stadium is money and money attracts crime; the stadium will create an increased burden on municipal services; and it will reduce property values. He stated he hopes the Council will not pass the Resolution of Support for the stadium. Larry Stark, 1460 Arden View Dr., stated his concern that the stadium proposal has gotten so far along with very little public input. He was also concerned about who is going to "run the Arden Hills City Council"if the Vikings move into town. Tamara Winden, 1292 Nursery Hill Lane, spoke in opposition to the stadium stating she is concerned it will severely, negatively impact property values; traffic levels on event days; traffic control; impact on local roads; serious impact on the quality of life for Arden Hills and surrounding areas; there will be events beyond Vikings games; residents will be forced to plan their lives around stadium events and traffic; there has been insufficient opportunities for public input; the Met Council report's reference to congestion on local roads; the stadium proposal is only"half baked"; and she would like Arden Hills to continue to be a desirable place to live.