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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — MAY 8, 2023 12 <br />focus. He reiterated that in November the people of Arden Hills spoke and stated they wanted this <br />project to move forward and not backwards. <br />Mayor Grant commented in listening to the JDA worksession, Director Collins recommended <br />the group review where they are and what happened in the past. He stated in terms of having an <br />open house, he believed the City should do more than tell the public, and should interact with the <br />public to see what was important to them. He believed the JDA documents called for the creation <br />of an interactive process of involving residents. He hoped that feedback would be allowed because <br />this shouldn't be that the Council just shows the residents as it is their community. He commented <br />on the reference to 2016 and recalled that there was a legal battle that occurred thereafter that took <br />some time to be resolved. He stated it was terribly unfortunate that this matter ended up in the <br />court system and public funds were used to resolve the matter. He reported the County took this <br />action and gave up one of the best times for development. He agreed this project needed to move <br />forward. He discussed the history of this property and all ways in which he and Councilmember <br />Holden had worked to develop this site. He reiterated that he supported the City holding an open <br />house in order to inform and gain feedback from the public. <br />Councilmember Monson suggested the Council was in agreement an open house should be held. <br />She suggested the details for this open house be further discussed at a future worksession. She <br />supported further information being placed on the City's website or that links be created to the <br />Rice Creek Commons website. <br />Councilmember Rousseau asked if the City's new Communications Coordinator has met with <br />Goff Public. <br />City Administrator Perrault reported they had met but they had not discussed the project yet. <br />Councilmember Rousseau supported the Council having more conversations regarding <br />environmental concerns and also having further discussions with the school district. She also <br />supported this item be moved to the next Council worksession. <br />City Administrator Perrault stated he understood there were issues that were important to the <br />residents of Arden Hills, but he did not want the City to be stepping outside of its lane. For this <br />reason, he recommended he speak with the JDA Communications Coordinator and Advisory <br />Committee. <br />Councilmember Holden supported the City holding an open house. She stated she keeps hearing <br />things are moving, but she did not understand what was moving. She reported residents had a lot <br />of questions and it would be nice for the City to address these questions. She commented on how <br />important it was to reeducate the public on this development, given the high level of turnover <br />there has been in the community. She discussed how Councilmember Fabel keeps eluding to how <br />the City stalled this project, and noted she would clarify for the record each time he does this that <br />this was not a fact. <br />Mayor Grant stated Commissioner Rafael Ortega was a dedicated public servant. He did not <br />believe anyone should imply that discussions broke down because of County Commissioner <br />Ortega. He reported if you listen to the JDA discussions, one can hear Commissioner Victoria <br />