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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – OCTOBER 15, 2018 7 <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault read a statement in full for the record from Councilmember Holmes <br />noting she opposed the hiring of a negotiator. He explained Councilmember Holmes believes <br />City staff has the ability to negotiate on behalf of the City of Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden questioned what the purpose of the Wednesday, October 24 meeting <br />was. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated this meeting was being held to address the Council’s direction <br />to staff regarding moving forward with TCAAP. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden asked why the City was still discussing a Civic Site. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung commented he believed it was Alatus’ position to have the City <br />involved in the development of a Civic Site and that Alatus wanted the County to transfer this <br />property to the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden inquired if the City had heard from Ramsey County regarding the Civic <br />Site. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant indicated the City had not heard from the County. He suggested once Alatus owns <br />the Civic Site property that conversations between the City and the developer could begin. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott asked how staff wanted to proceed and if they felt like they needed a <br />negotiator. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault commented that after speaking with staff and its consultants that <br />staff was capable of handling this in-house. He stated he believed the meeting on October 24 <br />would be a session for the Council to provide staff with direction on how to proceed with <br />negotiations. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant questioned if staff would be prepared to work with the County after the gloves <br />came off and the negotiations were complete. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden inquired who would be taking the lead on the negotiations. She stated <br />she feared at this time that staff was not working together as a cohesive team. <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault indicated he was not aware of the fact that staff was having <br />missteps or was lacking in communication. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed frustration with the fact staff had not provided her with <br />information on the proposed Town Center maintenance expenses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Scott stated he supported staff continuing to act as the negotiator. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented he was concerned with the fact the Cooperative Agreement was not <br />moving forward at the same time with the County as the sale agreement. He feared that if this was <br />the last agreement that was reached with the County, it would not be under favorable terms.