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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 25, 2019 2 <br /> <br />Mayor Grant commented this was not a budgeted expense for 2019. He requested staff refer this <br />matter to the PTRC for further consideration. <br /> <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, explained that it was his position that the <br />cooperation between the City and the County for TCAAP was on life support. He stated Arden <br />Hills has earned the reputation that it does not play well with others. He commented he has seen <br />this both on the Council and off the Council. He reported this was the reason developers have <br />walked away from the City, such as Rehbein, Ryan Companies, Royal Oaks Realty and now <br />Ramsey County. He stated Section 2311 of the Joint Powers Agreement provides for dispute <br />resolution. He indicated the County has proposed non-binding mediation and the City objects for <br />two ingenious reasons. The first reason being the City does not know what the County wants. He <br />encouraged the Council to read the letters from the County. He reported the issues were all <br />spelled out as being increased density, affordable housing, and allocation of development costs. <br />Second, the Council obsesses about any change in the density or affordable housing numbers. He <br />understood these numbers were agreed upon years ago, but questioned why a change was non- <br />negotiable. He commented on the language within the JPA that addressed how time and market <br />changes may require amendments to the plan for TCAAP. He stated he understood why the <br />County was taking a break on this project in order to try a new approach. He encouraged the <br />leaders of this City to lead with vision, problem-solving skills, and a social conscience. He <br />recommended the City Council change, move on, and stop with the excuses for the development <br />of TCAAP. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant referred this issue to staff. <br /> <br />3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br />• Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue <br />• Don Wahlberg, 1451 Arden Place <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes summarized the response to public inquiry from Gregg Larson from the <br />last Council meeting. She discussed the concerns Mr. Larson raised regarding the Civic Site on <br />TCAAP. She commented on the weight the Council put on the survey results noting this was <br />simply a starting point. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden commented a Civic Use was proposed for the TCAAP development by <br />the County and developer to bring vibrancy to the Town Center. She reported the Council was <br />doing its due diligence by creating a Task Force to explore this opportunity. She commented <br />further on the feedback the Council received from the public at an Open House. <br /> <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka summarized the response to public inquiry from <br />Don Wahlberg from the last Council meeting. She read a written response that was prepared by <br />the City’s Emergency Manager Matt Sather. She explained the siren was 250 feet from Mr. <br />Wahlberg’s home and reviewed the decibel levels that were being emitted by this siren. It was <br />noted the emergency sirens were part of the County’s emergency warning system. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant asked if additional testing should be completed on the siren. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden stated she did not support any additional testing.