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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 22, 2022 2 <br /> <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, reported recent Council comments regarding <br />TCAAP spending reminded him of Jimmy Breslin’s novel The Gang that Couldn’t Shoot Straight. <br />He stated in order to set the record straight this situation boils down to two fundamental questions. <br />He asked how much the City has spent on TCAAP planning and development and second, how <br />much of this spending has been recovered by the City. He reported the City Administrator <br />responded to questions from Arden Hills resident Mary Henry regarding TCAAP spending and he <br />learned that from 1995 to 2012 TCAAP spending totaled $2.3 million dollars and from 2013 and <br />2021 TCAAP spending totaled $1.7 million dollars. He indicated these were City figures and not <br />resident figures. He reported Ms. Henry then asked the City Administrator how much of this has <br />been recovered and was told the expenditures from 2013 to 2021 can’t occur until the project <br />begins. He believed the Council’s failure to reach a compromise hurts the Arden Hills taxpayers. <br />He explained the City Administrator stated a substantial portion of expenses from 1995 to 2012 <br />had been reimbursed, but no specifics were provided. Instead, Ms. Henry was encouraged to <br />search a website or pay City staff to provide the information. He explained it was his <br />understanding that a single agreement with Ryan Companies that covered seven of the 17 years <br />provided for some reimbursement. He believed it should be relatively simple to access any City <br />invoices and Ryan payments without having to ask residents to pay for public information. He <br />reported until the City provides this information, residents have no documentation regarding <br />offsets to the $4 million that has already been spent. He ended his comments by stating residents <br />have always wanted to accurately reflect accounting for City funds spent on TCAAP, which was <br />the reason Ms. Henry asked for this information. However, the City has not made this information <br />readily available. He indicated he was thrilled to learn of the Council’s enthusiasm for an accurate <br />accounting of taxes spent on TCAAP. He requested the Council provide a full disclosure of the <br />funds spent and recovered. <br /> <br />3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />4. STAFF COMMENTS <br /> <br />A. Transportation Update <br /> <br />Public Works Director Swearingen reported he has been told by Ramsey County that one lane <br />of north bound traffic along Lexington Avenue would open this week. He stated this was a <br />Ramsey County project and any questions or concerns regarding the project should be directed to <br />the County. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Swearingen stated final paving on the Old Snelling Avenue project was <br />complete and striping should occur in the next week or two. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Swearingen explained work continues in the Arden Oaks neighborhood. <br />He reported final paving was scheduled to be done next week. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Swearingen reported the Mounds View High School improvements <br />along Lake Valentine Road have begun and would require a two week closure of Lake Valentine