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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JANUARY 3, 2023 8 Mayor Grant provided further history on the TCAAP project noting the County had agreed to the proposed density for the project in December of 2016. Councilmember Rousseau requested further information on how the JDA would function. Mayor Grant explained the JDA was a legal entity of its own. He reported the JDA’s function was to oversee the development of the TCAAP property and would act similar to a Planning Commission. City Attorney Jamnik advised the JDA allowed for joint action. He stated the City and the County make up the joint development board. He indicated the Joint Powers Act was a mechanism by which the JDA could be formed and the Joint Powers Agreement outlines the authority conferred to the authority by the City and the County. He stated the JDA gets its own insurance rather than being insured by the City or the County. He indicated this group could also have its own attorney as well. Councilmember Monson questioned if the JDA could make its own decisions. City Attorney Jamnik reported the JDA can make the decisions the City and County specify it can make. He noted other matters have to be referred back to the City for formal integration into the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Grant explained without the JDA, matters would be reviewed by the City because only the City has zoning authority. He indicated the JDA was a way to share certain authority with the County. He stated if the JDA were to reengage, the group would have to hire an attorney and purchase insurance. He did not believe it would be onerous for either party to meet the requirements within the JDA documents. It was his hope that both sides would work together to make sure all requirements are being met. Councilmember Monson asked if there was anything on the City’s side that had to be done prior to reengaging the JDA. City Attorney Jamnik noted the JDA was still in place and viable. He stated notice would have to be made for hearings, but legally there was nothing impeding meetings starting up again. Mayor Grant explained the County told the City to negotiate with Bob Lux. He stated the City met with Bob Lux in order to come up with a plan that was acceptable to the City. He reported the City did not previously meet with Bob Lux because he was the County’s buyer. However, after the court proceedings were finished, the City was told to meet with Bob Lux. He anticipated the first issue that would have to be addressed by the JDA was affordable housing. He indicated the affordable housing aspect was one where the County would say no to the City. He stated it would be good to figure this aspect of the development out first. He understood Bob Lux wanted to build a first class, exceptional development. He commented further on how the affordable housing would play into the financial models for the project. Councilmember Holden encouraged each of the new Councilmembers to meet with Stacie Kvilvang in order to better understand the financial models for the project.