Laserfiche WebLink
well on this development and feared the City was going to get nailed for expenses. She stated <br />there was a misunderstanding as to how the increased tax base will impact Arden Hills. She <br />explained that a 60% increase in the tax base does not mean the City will have a huge cash <br />inflow. Rather, the City’s responsibilities to maintain, provide public utilities and emergency <br />services only go up as this development is constructed. She indicated the revenues from this <br />project will not meet the expenditures for years. She expressed frustration with the <br />“partnership” the County has had with the City. She reported the County has cut the City out of <br />the negotiations process and commended the County Commissioners for putting the screws to <br />the little City of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Fran Holmes, Arden Hills City Councilmember at 1804 Venus Avenue, stated she had a <br />neighborhood picnic at Valentine Park on Labor Day. She reported many residents were asking <br />about TCAAP and was told by the residents to protect the City’s interests. She understood the <br />residents’ wanted this project to move forward but they feared how the expenses from the <br />new development would impact the City. She reviewed the revenues that would be gained <br />from the TCAAP project and noted the County’s revenues were 100 times that of the revenues <br />projected for the City. She reported the City Council does not want to put uncertainty on its <br />taxpayers. She encouraged the County to be more transparent about their negotiations with <br />the developer and to stop rushing the approval timeline. She explained it was very clear the <br />City of Arden Hills has been committed to TCAAP and has met all County deadlines. However, <br />at this juncture, the ongoing maintenance and financial decisions for TCAAP were being <br />negotiated by the County and the developer with no feedback being considered from the City. <br />She explained the JDA was now being asked to vote on an Executive Summary of the MDA with <br />key provisions missing that has not been reviewed by the Arden Hills City Council. She <br />encouraged the County to work more closely with the City to rebuild trust in order to complete <br />a successful redevelopment project on TCAAP. <br /> <br />Steve Scott, Arden Hills City Councilmember at 4286 Norma Avenue, stated he works for the US <br />Department of Veterans Affairs. He commented on the importance of transparency, <br />stakeholder input and full disclosure for all parties involved in major redevelopment projects. <br />He explained the County has not abided by these three tenants which has put this project at <br />serious risk. <br /> <br />Keith Baker, Association of ____ Contractors, commented on the State employment rules along <br />with the importance of the contributions small businesses can make in this project. He <br />encouraged the JDA to consider business incubation opportunities within this project. <br /> <br />Amanda Cass Peterson, representative of MICAH at 824 Princeton Avenue in Shakopee, <br />explained she started out life as a young mom in college and had to apply for Section 8 housing <br />in Brainerd. She reported she was given a full-time job offer prior to graduating from college <br />and noted she has lived in apartments throughout her life. She stated all communities had to <br />provide housing for community members at different phases in their life. She encouraged the <br />JDA to provide additional housing options for those living below 80% AMI. She commented on <br />the housing needs for seniors in the community.