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