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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — APRIL 24, 2023 5 <br />more detailed minutes online and upload materials that are presented at the meetings. She stated it <br />would be nice to know what information or conclusions they would be providing to the full JDA <br />ahead of their next meeting. She stated if the advisory committee chooses to have observers or <br />video that would be fine, but she did not support public input or public comment period. She <br />suggested this only be done at JDA meetings. She was glad to see the JDA and advisory <br />committee moving forward in a sincere, non -confrontational manner. She hoped the JDA would <br />come up with a wonderful plan that brings businesses, jobs and affordable/middle housing that <br />fosters community and will be environmentally friendly. She believed Mayor Grant's statement <br />was misleading that he wants public input. She was of the opinion this was the proper place for <br />public input regarding TCAAP and a separate agenda item was not necessary. <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, commented on the TCAAP Public Hearing item. He <br />noted this was d6ja vu after a TCAAP item appeared on the February 13 Council agenda. He <br />stated in both cases, the Mayor made unilateral decisions to embellish the agenda without <br />consulting the Council. He reported in both cases, there was no Council action pending, no <br />proposal to consider. He noted in both cases, there was no staff memo. He stated at the February <br />13 meeting and tonight, the Council wisely removed those items. He was of the opinion the <br />Mayor has found religion for his abrupt push for public participation on TCAAP. He indicated it <br />was ironic the Mayor and previous Council never sought public participation in the year and half <br />after the district court dismissed both the County and City claims in June of 2021. Surely that <br />would have been a time to seek resident reactions on the City's next steps. But then, the Council <br />took the step and approved a term sheet agreement with the TCAAP developer at their May 9, <br />2022 meeting. He explained this term sheet provided 20% of the 1460 units would be affordable <br />and the City agreed to $17 million in TIF. He reported this was a significant approval that was <br />worthy of public reaction, but the approval came at the end of a meeting with no opportunity for <br />public comment and when he tried to make comment he was ruled out of order. He suggested the <br />Council adopt a meeting agenda policy. He recommended agendas be built by as a Council <br />function and not a mayoral function. <br />Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated based upon an April 13 JDA advisory committee <br />meeting, it became obvious the only reason the JDA advisory committee was formed was to keep <br />information a secret from the Arden Hills residents. She reported during the April 10 Council <br />meeting, at which time Councilmember Fabel was present, Mayor David Grant asked the City <br />Attorney if the JDA advisory committee could conduct open meetings at which time the City <br />Attorney said the JDA advisory committee could conduct open meetings. She commented on <br />April 13 a few Arden Hills residents and the Mayor met at the Arden Hills office intending to <br />attend the JDA advisory committee meeting. She was told at that time that the advisory committee <br />members refused to open the meeting to the public and Mayor. After the meeting, Dave Perrault <br />posted the meeting summaries as well as other advisory summaries. She explained when the <br />County sued the City, the number of units stood at 1460 units. Although the meeting summaries <br />don't provide all information, discussion about the number of units on TCAAP was proposed to <br />be 1,700 to 2,200 units. She questioned where this number of units came from. She noted this <br />number did not come from a City Council or JDA meeting. She asked if the JDA advisory <br />committee was withholding pertinent and relevant information, and are they making decisions that <br />should not be made. She questioned if this was why the JDA advisory committee meetings were <br />being held under the cloak of darkness. She believed it was appalling that this information was <br />being withheld. She explained she sent an email to Tom Fabel and encouraged him to remember <br />