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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—MAY 16, 2016 10 E. Questions for Metropolitan Council Member Marie McCarthy Community Development Director Hutmacher stated Metropolitan Council Member Marie McCarthy would be attending the June 20, 2016, City Council Work Session. Metropolitan Council staff has requested that the City submit its questions in advance so that Council Member McCarthy can be fully prepared to discuss issues of interest to the City Council. Mayor Grant suggested a question be formulated regarding grants for the Comprehensive Planning process. He also wanted to receive an update on the BRT extension. Councilmember Holden requested an update from Met Council on I&I along with if there would be any Met Council requirement changes. She would also like know why Arden Hills did not quality for numerous grants. Councilmember McClung recommended the City receive comment from Met Council on unfunded mandates. He also wanted to learn how the City could get itself properly aligned regional funding for trail connections. Mayor Grant thanked the Council for their input and recommended that any additional comments or questions be forwarded to staff. F. State of the City Community Development Director Hutmacher stated that the State of the City event has been held in four of the previous five years. During the last two years, two separate events were held: one at Flaherty's Arden Bowl on a weekday morning to be convenient for the business community, and the second at City Hall on a weekday evening to be more convenient for residents. Feedback for State of the City events has been positive, although 2015 attendance was less than in previous years. Flaherty's City Hall Total 2013 75 -- 75 2014 70 60 130 2015 40 35 75 Community Development Director Hutmacher explained the total cost of the 2015 events including advertising, food, and beverages was $2,261. Funds are budgeted for a 2016 State of the City in the EDA budget. The EDC recommends that the State of the City be held again in 2016, but that the event format be changed. For the business-focused morning event, the EDC suggested that the City ask Land O'Lakes, Boston Scientific, the TCAAP Master Developer, and MnDOT to each provide a short presentation. The EDC felt that local businesses are interested in hearing about business plans for large business—both because it could affect their own business plans and as inspiration for small businesses with growth ambitions. In the past,the morning event has been held on a Wednesday or Thursday in the second or third week of September. The EDC recommended that the morning event be held at Flaherty's again. Potential dates for the morning event include: