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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — JANUARY 9, 2023 23 (Chair) and David Grant (Commissioner) to the Joint Development Authority for two years. This action would rescind that action, opening the Chair and Commissioner roles for appointment. Councilmember Monson thanked the public for making their comments. She explained the goal was to get an agreement with the County. She noted the goal would be to redevelop TCAAP. She stated this goal has not been reached for years and it was clear previous attempts have failed. She reported in her line of business she has completed hundreds of developments over the past decade. She understood this is what happened with some deals and she believed there needed to be a new strategy. She reported these actions were not personal, but rather were tactical because it was clear the County was not interested in negotiating with the previous Council. She was not saying this was all the City or the County's fault, but rather was a transactional matter that needed a new strategy. She hoped that everyone would be able to put their egos aside and noted the City Council would ultimately have the vote. She indicated there was nothing standing in the Council's way, except their egos. She reported she could work with all four Councilmembers and was willing to take input from everyone. She believed Gregg Larson was a great choice for the JDA but noted she would support the City going through an application process. Councilmember Holden stated every December the Council has appointed people. She discussed what an asset Mayor Grant was to the JDA. She reported Mayor Grant was in place to represent all of the residents of Arden Hills. She commented on the institutional history and experience Mayor Grant had with this project, which was vital to keep this project moving forward. She believed this was the matter at hand. She feared the placement of Gregg Larson on the JDA was simply pay back because he was defeated in the Mayoral election. She stated by removing the Mayor from the JDA, the new Councilmembers would be taking away the Mayor's responsibilities as the administrator and spokesperson for the City. She indicated the City has not had a lack of will and mission regarding this project, rather the County has not met with the City even after an agreed upon agreement as in place. She discussed how the County was trying to turn into a developer for this project. She believed it was wrong that the Council was voting to consider taking away the Mayor's responsibility to govern the City. She reiterated that the Mayor was an asset to this project and noted he has worked diligently for years to move this project forward. Mayor Grant echoed Councilmember Holden's comments. He stated he created the JDA along with Councilmember Holden. He noted he met with the County, worked out agreements, zoned the property, and held meetings with the public. He believed the City needed to do more of this going forward. He explained the County cleaned up the property per the agreement. He reported in December of 2016 the density and design of the TCAAP project was agreed upon by both parties. He indicated the City has continued to work to move this project forward after being told by the County the City was to move this project forward. He stated the City met with the developer earlier this year and structured an agreement that was supported by both the City and the developer. He explained this agreement was presented to the County by the developer and the County did not offer their support. He reported he wanted to move TCAAP forward and he has been working for the past 10 years to do just this. Councilmember Holden asked what the big fear was if Mayor Grant was on the JDA. She stated there would be two Councilmembers on the JDA and two County Commissioners. She encouraged the new Councilmembers to see what a valuable resource Mayor Grant would be.