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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 17, 2023 2 residents and yet he was withholding information. She inquired what happened to his campaign promise for transparency and public participation. She asked if Councilmember Fabel would keep the next JDA advisory committee meeting closed or open. 2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES Mayor Grant asked if it was their intention to roll responses from questions asked at work sessions to work sessions, or if they roll to regular meetings. City Administrator Perrault said it was his understanding that questions raised would be addressed at the next public meeting unless otherwise directed. Council had not directed staff to bring back information from questions asked at the last meeting. Mayor Grant felt if members of the public are asking questions of their elected representatives they should report back. Councilmember Fabel said what he's heard are arguments, not requests for information, and he didn't see any point in arguing with citizens. If someone has a true question we should try to come up with the information to answer it. Councilmember Holden thought they should answer the questions or tell them we don't have an answer if we don't. Councilmember Rousseau stated her preference would be that if someone asks questions at a Council meeting it be addressed at the next regular meeting. She felt Council should provide better direction to staff about which questions to answer. Mayor Grant felt staff should review the previous Council meeting and answer the questions asked. Councilmember Monson said that's not what they were saying and she knew what the Mayor was trying to do. She thought if someone asks a question that Council directs staff to respond to that's what they should continue to do. But to just answer any question that comes up isn't how it's done, it's not effective to answer rhetorical questions; some are argumentative or political and that's just not how you run a council. Council should provide clear direction as to what questions are to be answered by staff but not just open it up to engage in political fighting and infighting is not something she would support. Councilmember Holden stated they've never not answered questions except TCAAP litigation questions. It blew her away that they were going to pick and choose which questions would be answered. Mayor Grant said staff can review questions from the last meeting and if they were viable requests they should respond. Councilmember Monson suggested they do that going forward and give direction at the bench.