Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 11, 2018 10 <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented staff could work to receive consent from Xcel Energy as they were a <br />third party. <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler recommended the amendment be reworded to note this was contingent <br />upon receiving consent for the easement from Xcel Energy. He reported if Xcel Energy were to <br />not grant consent the City could not proceed with the gateway sign. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated the gateway sign could move forward but the City would have to <br />work within the easement area that remained. She commented it would serve no purpose to move <br />the gateway sign away from the corner. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden offered a friendly amendment that only low-level shrubs be planted by <br />the gateway sign. The consensus of the Council was to support this friendly amendment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated she would be voting against this amendment as she was against <br />the gateway sign. <br /> <br />The amendment carried 4-1 (Councilmember Holmes opposed). <br /> <br />The amended motion carried (5-0). <br /> <br />B. Community Development Block Grant Program <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler requested the Council discuss the City’s participation in the Community <br />Development Block Grant entitlement program with Ramsey County. He described the history of <br />the CDBG programs, highlighting the two main programs and noted Ramsey County receives an <br />annual allocation based on the population of the suburban communities participating in this <br />program. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked how much funding Arden Flats received to create four affordable units. <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler reported this project received $365,000 from the HOME Program to keep <br />these units affordable. He explained the City did not play a role in these units becoming <br />affordable, rather this was worked out between the developer and the County. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes questioned if Arden Flats would have been ineligible to receive these <br />funds if the City had opted out of this program. <br /> <br />City Planner Bachler stated he was uncertain and would have to investigate this further. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the County’s ability to grant funding to City projects. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked why the Council was considering opting out when there was no <br />fee for this program. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated the Council was just doing a health check. <br />