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ARDEN HELLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 14, 2022 2 Kristine Poelzer, 1870 Indian Place, stated she had concerns with the fact the Council would be decommissioning two committees (Communications Committee and Financial Planning and Analysis Committee (FPAC)) this evening. She discussed these two committees and states she believed both should remain in place for transparency purposes. She commented on how the FPAC should be reviewing how the City allocates the ARPA funds the City received from the federal government. She proposed the Council table action on this vote for 90 days to allow for a concerted effort to recruit residents that would be able to serve on these committees. Steve Erler, 1704 Chatham, stated at the City Council meeting on January 10 staff read a statement for the City Council in response to a question he had at the December 13 Council meeting. His question was what information the council has to support the assertion that increased housing density in Rice Creek Commons would result in tax increases for current Arden Hills residents. In the Council's response, it was noted tax rate increases were not the issue. He thanked the Council for this clarification. He indicated the Council's statement goes onto assert that increased density in Rice Creek Commons will adversely impact the quality of life throughout the City, and in particular, increased density on TCAAP could result in worsened traffic patterns throughout the remainder of the City. He discussed the City's AUAR and noted that the study said the City could support the increased traffic even in a maximum buildout scenario. He asked what information the Council has that suggests a higher density within Rice Creek Commons would create worsened traffic patterns throughout the City. Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, encouraged the Council to update the agenda format to ensure residents know meetings are now being held virtually instead of at City Hall. He then discussed an updated report on TCAAP stating he still doesn't know why the Council opposed more density and affordable housing. He indicated the Council has suggested this will create traffic congestion or add taxpayer costs. However, the AUAR determined that traffic was not a problem, even with 2500 units. He stated the City Administrator acknowledged last month that the issue with increased market rate housing density is not that taxes would increase throughout the City. He explained he learned that over $4 million has been spent on this project since 1995, including the $300,000 that the Council wasted defending the City in the Ramsey County lawsuit. He questioned when the residents would start to see a payback on the $4 million investment in this development. He anticipated this would not occur until new Councilmembers were elected that cared about this development. 3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 4. STAFF COMMENTS None. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. January 10, 2022, Regular City Council B. January 18, 2022, City Council Work Session