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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 11, 2016 6 Councilmember Wicklund questioned how many members were in the Land O’Lakes co-op. Mr. Glass stated that the co-op currently has 3,000 individual farmers and 850 cooperatives. Councilmember Holmes requested further information from Land O’Lakes on where they were looking to relocate if the City did not consider providing assistance. Ms. Droege explained that Land O’Lakes evaluated several potential sites in the Twin Cities metro area, along with a site in Wisconsin. Based on the information gathered, Land O’Lakes wanted to remain in Arden Hills for the benefit of its current employees. This led Land O’Lakes to contact the City, County, and State to seek assistance in getting over the financial hurdle of building a new facility. Councilmember Holden asked what the process would be for Land O’Lakes to receive the MIF money from the State. Mr. Glass reported that this was a very complicated process but noted that the State has been very supportive of Land O’Lakes. He indicated that the State wants to keep these jobs not only in Arden Hills, but also in Minnesota. Councilmember Holden inquired how much money Land O’Lakes will be putting into the new facility. Ms. Droege stated that Land O’Lakes will be investing $80 million. Mayor Grant reported that Land O’Lakes is a Fortune 200 company and discussed the importance of having this company in Minnesota and in Arden Hills. He reiterated that the proposed tax abatement will be applied only to the new building and not on the existing facility. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Holmes seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2016-013 Approving Property Tax Abatement for Certain Real Property in the City pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.1812 to 469.1815, approving a Minnesota Investment Fund Grant and Loan and Specifying the Terms Thereof. Councilmember Holmes understood the importance of having more mass transit in the City of Arden Hills. She discussed how the City is working to get additional public transportation routes in the City given the fact that TCAAP will be developing as well. Mayor Grant hoped that the new jobs from Land O’Lakes will assist the City in gaining additional transit routes to the area. Councilmember Holden understood that tax abatement could be construed to be corporate welfare. She explained that she did not like TIF or tax abatements. However, she believed it was important for the City to work to keep its growing companies with high paying jobs in Arden Hills. For this reason, she would be supporting the request.