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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 10, 2023 <br />have Alatus act as the master developer for the California piece. He noted this has not been <br />approved by the County or Alatus. <br />Mayor Grant questioned when this would be decided. <br />City Administrator Perrault anticipated this would occur before a decision was made on the <br />thumb property. <br />Mayor Grant stated the initial intention of the JDA was to have a master developer over the <br />entire development. He explained the JDA did not want a developer to come in an select only <br />certain sections to develop. He feared this would now occur through the development of the <br />thumb property, noting he understood this would be a County initiated project. He asked that staff <br />request a letter from the County requesting information as to their intention on the thumb <br />property. <br />City Administrator Perrault asked if this was the consensus of the Council. <br />Councilmember Holden explained the JPA states the project would have one master developer. <br />She questioned how the thumb property could be sold separately. She feared Alatus could sue the <br />City if this parcel was removed from the TCAAP development. <br />City Attorney Jamnik advised the JPA allows flexibility for the parties to change transactional <br />details, goals and objectives. He reported there would be flexibility, if the JDA wants to proceed <br />or modify the transactional details. He explained any lawsuits brought by the developer would be <br />levied against the JDA and not the City or the County, although the County could be named as a <br />separate parry based on the real estate transaction. He indicated the JDA has insurance in place to <br />address any litigation that would arise with the master developer or any other party. <br />Mayor Grant commented he would still like a basic letter from the County that states they would <br />like to move forward with the thumb property. <br />Councilmember Fabel indicated this letter would not be at the request of the City Council, unless <br />there was consensus. He stated one commitment that was being made by the new JDA members <br />was that they would not be pursuing a contentious relationship with the County. He explained the <br />City would not be confrontational with the County, but rather would move forward as a <br />cooperative partner. He did not support the City demanding a letter from the County at this time. <br />He reported the County was strapped for cash because this project has been delayed for six years. <br />He stated the County could not do anything on this project until they had some cash in hand. He <br />explained the JDA would be working on a new agreement with the developer in a cooperative <br />manner. He suggested the Mayor attend a future JDA meeting and ask the County representatives <br />why they were doing what they were doing. <br />Mayor Grant stated the County told the JDA they wanted to develop the thumb property and the <br />JDA offered their support. He reported the development of this property was being done outside <br />of the JDA. <br />