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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 10, 2019 2 <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported she had been speaking with the <br />County and noted a solar powered variable speed sign would be posted on Lake Johanna <br />Boulevard. <br /> <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, stated he has asked some questions of the Council <br />in the past regarding affordable housing and density within the TCAAP development. He <br />explained these questions have not been answered. He commented on a recent article which <br />discussed the comparisons between TCAAP and the Ford plant. He noted TCAAP was three <br />times larger than the Ford plant project yet has two times less housing. He questioned what was <br />wrong with higher density within TCAAP. He explained 20% of the units on the Ford plant <br />redevelopment project were affordable while TCAAP would have only 10% affordable units. He <br />asked why the TCAAP development could not have more affordable units. He stated the <br />affordable housing on the Ford plant would serve families making 30% to 60% of the area median <br />income; however, TCAAP affordable housing would serve families making 80% of the area <br />median income. He inquired why the City was setting the bar so high. He requested the City <br />respond to his questions. He stated he feared that people would begin to conclude that Arden <br />Hills and this City Council wanted to discriminate against certain groups. He expressed <br />frustration with the fact the Council would not agree to mediation and instead have led the City <br />into litigation. He asked how much the City has spent on TCAAP litigation to date. He <br />encouraged the Council to own the situation that has been created with Ramsey County and to <br />provide the public with better answers. <br /> <br />3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />4. STAFF COMMENTS <br /> <br />A. Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) and Joint Development Authority (JDA) Update <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault provided an update on TCAAP stating the City was in ongoing <br />litigation with the County. He explained the City attempted to hold a JDA meeting on Monday, <br />June 3 and a quorum was not present due to the absence of the County representatives. <br /> <br />B. Transportation Update <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka reported the Old Snelling Bridge project <br />final wear course would be taking place next week. She explained the bridge will be closed for <br />one day to complete this work. <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated the bridge over 35W at County <br />Road I would be removed this weekend as part of the MnPASS project. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden requested the barriers from County Road E be removed. <br /> <br />Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Polka stated she would speak with the Public <br />Works Superintendent to get these removed.