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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 31, 2016 2 the City would be seeking public feedback. The Open House would begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Marsden Room and would run until 7:30 p.m. All residents were encouraged to attend this event. 2. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, discussed the recent article that was printed in the Star & Tribune. He found it ironic that the Mayor and Councilmember Holden were not supportive of the proposed plan but somehow supported a potential Vikings stadium, which would have been 20 stories in height. He expressed concern with the vacancies at City Hall and questioned when the Council would be hiring a City Administrator, Public Works Director and Community Development Director. He questioned why the Council was waiting to fill these positions until a City Administrator was hired. He understood that the Council was comfortable paying consultants and wondered if consultants should be brought in to act on behalf of Arden Hills Council stating perhaps these consultants would more properly manage the City. He recommended the Council make parks and trails a priority through an increased levy as was requested by the citizens of Arden Hills. It was his opinion the City Council lacked vision and leadership. Councilmember Holden reported she knew the Vikings stadium would never come to the City of Arden Hills. She stated the comment made by Mr. Larson regarding the stadium was totally false and explained the Council had never reviewed stadium plans. She cautioned the residents of Arden Hills from believing everything they read in the paper. She reported the majority of the cities the size of Arden Hills do not have an engineering department. She indicated the City was actually saving money by hiring an engineering consultant to assist with roads and parks on an as- needed basis. In addition, the consultants have fresh eyes regarding the City’s contracts and PMP projects. She understood that parks and trails were a priority for the City and encouraged the residents to be patient as efforts were underway with the County. Councilmember McClung requested that any further comments from the Council be made under Council Comments. 3. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS A. Leaders in Local Government Finalist Award Mayor Grant stated he was pleased to inform the Council and the public that Arden Hills was nominated in the Business Retention and Expansion category for the second year in a row. While the City did not receive the top award, Arden Hills was recognized as one of three finalists along with Ramsey County and the City of Mounds View. The City was nominated for the Land O’Lakes expansion. The program cited that the City worked closely with leadership from Land O’Lakes and in partnership with Ramsey County and the Mounds View Public Schools to retain the Fortune 500 Company and secure an $80 million expansion that promises 200 new jobs in the city. It was noted Mayor Grant and staff attended a luncheon on behalf of the City on Tuesday, October 18 to receive the award.