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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MAY 22, 2023 2 <br /> <br />Kathy Sukke, 1286 Karth Lake Circle, stated she was not happy with the agenda setting <br />discussion at the worksession last week. She noted the slate pushed to have their majority vote on <br />all agenda items six days before the City Council meeting. She reported the Mayor said he asked <br />if there were any other agenda items at the beginning of each meeting, and they are granted in a <br />timely manner. She indicated a majority vote so long before a meeting allows the slate to control <br />conversations in the City. She noted timely matters may not make it to the public, who are the <br />taxpayers. She indicated this has been done before when inexperienced Mayor Pro Tem Emily <br />Rousseau tried to intimidate those who made public comments by having a gun toting police <br />officer walk up behind speakers to note the time. She stated she will forever be offended by those <br />actions. She reported time was kept selectively at the February 14th meeting. She explained this <br />sinister behavior bodes ill for Arden Hills. She believed it was wrong for a majority vote of the <br />Council to be taken on items before they even reach the City Council. She feared the new <br />Councilmembers were confused about the proper running of government. She noted Tom, Tena <br />and Emily continue to use the term “we” as if they have already spoken before they come to the <br />meeting. She reported the “we” is not appropriate in a republic. Rather, this was a City of 8,000 <br />residents and the Council should be considering what was best for all current residents. She <br />believed the slate has shown they need lessons in civics, Constitution and open meeting laws. She <br />reported the new Councilmembers were not elected to make Arden Hills a City without a voice, or <br />subservient to another interest. She stated this would be a violation of due process both here and <br />at the JDA. She indicated it was nice that the Ramsey County Commissioners could finally attend <br />JDA meetings after four years of absence. She did not believe Nicole Frethem was representing <br />Arden Hills residents or the community well. She feared that by squashing agenda items before <br />they can reach an agenda, voices will not be heard and in taking this action the new <br />Councilmembers dishonor themselves. <br /> <br />Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, stated she her comments and questions were directed at <br />Tom Fabel only. She understood Ramsey County Commissioner Frethem left the decision to <br />whether the JDA Advisory Committee meetings would be open or closed to Councilmember <br />Fabel. She asked Councilmember Fabel why the JDA Advisory Committee meetings were closed. <br />She understood Councilmember Fabel was not an officer of the court, but she urged him to abide <br />by the principles of conduct. She questioned if Councilmember Fabel had discussed any <br />information discussed at JDA Advisory Committee meetings with anyone else. <br /> <br />3. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />4. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS <br /> <br />None. <br /> <br />5. STAFF COMMENTS <br /> <br />A. TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons Update <br /> <br />City Administrator Perrault stated the JDA Advisory Committee held meetings on May 11 and <br />May 18. He noted the committee discussed remediation of the site with Alatus on May 11 and the