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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—NOVEMBER 13, 2018 2 Mayor Grant explained he did not want the City to feel like the County could push them around. He stated he looked forward to holding this meeting. Councilmember Scott agreed. Councilmember McClung cautioned the City from continuing to hold meetings and spend money on TCAAP items that would not be reimbursed. Councilmember Holmes encouraged the Council to consider how many questions could be raised about what was going on. She indicated the residents know the County has put a halt to everything. She reported the Council had to address this issue. She commented the City also had to understand what the County meant by putting this project on hold for the next six months. Councilmember McClung explained the City of St. Paul was a willing partner with the County for the core plant project. Mayor Grant supported the City moving forward with the meeting on Thursday. Councilmember Holmes agreed but questioned how the City was going to address the questions that will be raised at this meeting. Blois Olson, Fluent Media, explained the idea for a meeting was brought about after speaking with the public about TCAAP. The premise of the meeting was to provide the public with a platform to provide the City with input regarding TCAAP. He commented the County has a couple of obstacles in place given the fact they have two projects there were trying to manage at the same time and for this reason, sent a letter to the City as a piece of leverage. He was of the opinion the density issue was the main concern for the County. He reported there were advocacy groups in place that were pushing the issue of affordable housing throughout the County and Twin Cities metropolitan area. For this reason, the County Board may be pushing each other to get more density out of the TCAAP development. Councilmember Holmes stated the biggest hang up for the County right now was 161 units. Councilmember McClung indicated the number of affordable housing units may be a moving target. Councilmember Holden explained the project will not make any money if TIF has to be offered for a higher percentage of affordable housing units. Mr. Olson commented affordable housing was a regional issue that the Met Council was stressing at this time. He noted affordable housing would be addressed at a State level in 2019. Councilmember Holmes questioned if the TCAAP site could absorb more density. She supported the City asking the residents of Arden Hills if they wanted more density in TCAAP. Mayor Grant feared that too much density may be placed on this site as well and questioned how the development would support itself.