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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – MAY 26, 2015 3 Councilmember McClung recommended that the business be encouraged to remain in Arden Hills. City Attorney Jamnik requested that the Council provide staff with direction on how to proceed. Councilmember McClung opposed staff proceeding with the tax abatement. Councilmember Holmes feared that the proposed tax abatement or other incentives would not work and, in the end, the City would be giving up tax revenue. Councilmember Holden supported the City offering the business tax abatement in order to keep them in Arden Hills. She valued the jobs that this business offered to the community. Councilmember Woodburn was opposed to the 20-year tax abatement length. However, he could support it in order to keep the company in Arden Hills. Mayor Grant was in favor of offering the tax abatement and hoped that the County would be assisting with the offer. He provided comment on the importance of business retention and feared how Arden Hills would be impacted if this business were to move out of the community. It was his opinion that it was in the City’s best interest to move forward with offering incentives for them to stay. Councilmember McClung questioned what would keep this business from coming back to the City and requesting further abatements. He expressed concern with how the City could be impacted by additional tax abatement requests. City Administrator Klaers stated that the City would be setting the bar very high by keeping this business in the community. This may assist the City in pulling other large companies to TCAAP. Based on the direction from Council, staff would continue to work on this matter with the City Attorney. 2. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES None. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the special City Council work session at 6:55 p.m. __________________________ __________________________ Amy Dietl David Grant City Clerk Mayor