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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—JULY 24, 2023 6 Councilmember Monson stated she found this conversation interesting because she was neutral about the State of the City event. She indicated this topic has garnered a great deal of interest that was disproportionate, but this was the dynamic of the Council. She explained she could flip a coin on whether the event should be held in September or January. However, in the end, for the sake of not flipping a coin, she believed it was best to hold the State of the City in January when the Council would have more feedback to provide on TCAAP. Councilmember Fabel thanked the Mayor for making his case for him. He explained the Mayor has defined a planning meeting, which was important. However, he believed the State of the City address was something different where the City should tell where it has been and where it will be headed. He was of the opinion it would be great to report on what has been done collectively for Rice Creek Commons at the State of the City. He noted the State of the City should not be a planning session, but rather he believed the meeting should be a report on what has been accomplished. Mayor Grant thanked Councilmember Fabel for trying to twist his words. He explained he never said this was a planning meeting. Rather, he said he wanted to inform residents of what has been done and what the City was facing going forward. He encouraged Councilmember Fabel to go back and view previous State of the City events to see that all recent developments were discussed, along with covering topics that were relevant. He reported these events were not planning meetings, nor did he want to hold a planning meeting. He indicated this was a clever attorney trick where Councilmember Fabel was refraining an argument. He stated the last State of the City was held in September, which gave the Council a chance to look back 12 months. He explained for the past 12 years, the City has held its State of the City in September. He clarified for the record that the City was not delaying the TCAAP project, but rather the City defended itself and worked to move this project forward. He reviewed what has occurred from September of 2022 through September of 2023. He indicated he would continue to favor holding the State of the City in September and noted this event could be held on a Saturday. Councilmember Fabel called the question. The motion to have the State of the City on a Saturday in January carried 2-1 (Mayor Grant opposed). 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 13. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Fabel stated he was hopeful the Council would be able to participate in the Ramsey County food scrap collection program. He explained this was a wonderful program where people can collect their food waste for environmentally friendly collection. He had hoped a collection bin could be placed at Arden Hills City Hall, but after speaking with the County he has learned this would be too costly. He commented on how the County hoped to move towards collecting food waste from all residents at some point in the future. In the meantime, he would like to see the City finding a way to collect food for Ralph Reeder at City Hall for those in need.