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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JUNE 20, 2016 5 Metropolitan Councilmember McCarthy discussed the importance of building strong relationships with her cities. She encouraged the Council to call on her with questions or concerns at any time. She then addressed the questions provided by the City Council. Mr. Wojchik discussed the training the Met Council would be providing to City staff in preparation for the Comprehensive Plan updates. He indicated the Met Council was working to make themselves more available to cities. He described why Arden Hills was not eligible for planning assistance grants from Met Council, stating this was because the City’s net tax capacity was too high. Further discussion ensued regarding the funding provided to Arden Hills in 2008. Mr. Wojchik provided the Council with a contact name for Metro Transit and discussed the A- line extension. He stated at the moment, funds were not available to extend the A-line and that if extra revenues become available, an extension may become possible. He explained it would cost $7 to $9 million to create this extension. He believed that TCAAP would be a great BRT environment as it would be well connected and pedestrian friendly. Councilmember Wicklund questioned how Alatus felt about mass transit for this development. Mayor Grant stated mass transit was definitely on their radar and that they were pro-BRT. Metropolitan Councilmember McCarthy stated TCAAP would have to have enough ridership in order to support a BRT line extension. Councilmember Holden commented the current residents of Arden Hills were also looking for mass transit options. Further discussion ensued regarding bus ridership and the future redevelopment of Arden Hills. Metropolitan Councilmember McCarthy stated the ridership would have to justify the cost in order for additional routes to be added. Mr. Wojchik provided further comment on the grants that had been available from the Met Council for I&I. Metropolitan Councilmember McCarthy understood cities were working to address I&I. Mayor Grant understood the Met Council did not want to build another treatment facility. He discussed how the City of Arden Hills, like other cities in the metro, has been working to reduce I&I. He qu estioned what had been achieved and if any goals or desired outcomes had been met. Mr. Wojchik stated communities have invested $136 million in I&I since 2005, which has saved over a billion dollars in infrastructure expenses. He explained the benefit to cities addressing their I&I issues, noting this would lead to reduced expenses long term.