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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Approved: October 10, 2016 <br /> <br />CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA <br />CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION <br />SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 <br />5:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS <br /> <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL <br /> <br />Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council <br />Work Session at 5:02 p.m. <br /> <br />Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Fran Holmes, Dave <br />McClung and Jonathan Wicklund <br /> <br /> Absent: None <br /> <br /> Also present: Interim City Administrator Sue Iverson; City Attorney Joel Jamnik; Interim <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Andy Brotzler; Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers & <br />Associates; Senior Planner Matthew Bachler; and Deputy Clerk Jolene Trauba <br /> <br />1. AGENDA ITEMS <br /> <br />A. University of Northwestern – 1265 Grey Fox Road <br /> <br />Senior Planner Bachler stated the University of Northwestern has requested to meet with the <br />City Council to discuss the property at 1265 Grey Fox Road. Smiths Medical previously occupied <br />the site and it includes approximately 165,000 square feet of office and lab space. Northwestern <br />plans to acquire the property and remodel the existing facilities for classrooms, labs, and <br />administrative offices for their engineering, biology, and health services programs. Higher <br />education schools are currently not a permitted use in the I-Flex District and a Zoning Code <br />amendment would be required for Northwestern to proceed with their proposal. <br /> <br />Al Cureton, President of University of Northwestern, thanked the Council for their time and for <br />considering his presentation. He discussed the three major functions of a University, noting the <br />focus should be teaching, research and community service. He explained Northwestern was <br />working to advance the needs of the State and was proposing to purchase the property at 1265 <br />Grey Fox Road in order to enhance the college and its engineering/technological programming. <br />He commented on the number of baby boomers that would be retiring in the next five years and <br />the growing need for highly trained individuals. He indicated Northwestern was interested in <br />creating an incubator type environment that would attract and retain talent in the community. <br />