03-13-23-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MARCH 13, 2023 2 something he will be request going forward, but rather he would ask speakers to keep their comments to three minutes and would manage this situation with the gavel. Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, explained there was a misunderstanding by some of the citizens about the use of the term "the slate". She reported at the last Council meeting a citizen stood up saying that they found it offensive to call the new Councilmembers "the slate". She stated the phrase "the slate" originated from the new Councilmembers during their campaign. She encouraged the public to visit their website where they ask residents to elect "the full slate" of candidates and that the new candidates were running on a "slate" entitled Advance Arden Hills. She stated Councilmember Monson states in her bio on the City's webpage that Gregg Larson, Emily Rousseau and Tom Fabel were running as a slate. She indicated she was surprised and disappointed that the new Councilmembers did not remind the concerned citizens that they were the ones that originated the term "slate". George Winiecki, 4175 Old Highway 10, explained he has lived on his property for the past 74 years and has watched Arden Hills change over the years. He noted he was not at the January Council meeting, but he had read through the minutes. He indicated at the February meeting he listened to residents express displeasure against the Mayor and Councilmember Holden. He noted he understood where the Mayor and Councilmember Holden stood on the TCAAP property, but he did not know where the new Councilmembers stood on this property. He indicated he would be calling each of the new Councilmembers in order to gather this information. He explained he did not understand why TCAAP was an issue when the City and County signed a document for this development, Ramsey County then sued the City and the City won. He questioned what the problem was. He feared there was some hidden agenda behind this project because it was not moving forward. He commented on how he was impacted by big government (MnDOT) when I- 694 was reconstructed. He encouraged the new City Councilmembers to not believe everything Ramsey County was telling them, but rather they should be doing their due diligence on behalf of the residents of Arden Hills. Donna Wiemann, 1406 Arden View Drive, explained Arden Hills residents would be more financially impacted by the TCAAP development compared to Ramsey County as a whole. She noted Arden Hills residents will shoulder most of the front end costs and City staff will put in the most hours for this project. She reported if TIF was used for this project this will also impact Arden Hills residents. She commented on how Arden Hills residents will be impacted by the traffic that is generated from this project. She asked that Arden Hills residents be involved in the planning of this project because of the impact it will have on the community. She asked that the new City Councilmembers remain transparent throughout the entire planning process. Mary Henry, 3521 Ridgewood Court, reported she read the minutes from the last work session and she supported the City holding open houses for the Rice Creek Commons development. In addition, she suggested a survey be conducted by a consultant of all Arden Hills residents. She feared that not enough residents would attend the open house meetings and the survey would provide the City Council with greater information. Kathy Sukke, 1286 Karth Lake Circle, explained she has lived in Arden Hills for the past 37 years. She thanked Mayor Grant for chairing this meeting in a professional manner. She indicated she was very disturbed by the last Council meeting. She indicated the February 13 Council