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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 4 <br />the City of Arden Hills. She questioned if an alternate should be attending the JDA meetings, if a <br />Councilmember is unable to attend. She believed it was necessary to have full City representation <br />at these meetings. She asked what the status was for the number of units for TCAAP. <br />Kathy Sukke, 1286 Karth Lake Circle, stated she has lived in her home for the past 38 years. She <br />reported at a recent worksession the Council discussed its budget shortfalls and that they were <br />unsustainable. She believed the City's budget for 2024 looks challenging and the tax increases <br />were necessary. She anticipated this would impact Arden Hills residents and this was even before <br />the TCAAP project began. She indicated she disagreed with the Councilmember Monson <br />completely. She questioned where the money would come from for the spine road. She believed <br />the JDA should be wise and pursue real concrete numbers for this project. She recommended the <br />JDA further consider how large big box proposals will impact the northern part of Arden Hills. <br />She questioned why a traffic study had not been completed by the County in order to assist with <br />better understanding how this project will impact the City. However, she asked if anyone would <br />trust a traffic study that was completed by an entity that sued the City over density. She asked how <br />much Ramsey County spent to sue the City. She noted Arden Hills spent twice for this lawsuit. <br />She believed the JDA meeting last week was filled with propaganda noting the panelists were <br />talking about a development that did not need zoning and would not have cars in 10 years. She <br />recommended this development have transportation, especially for the low income people living <br />on the site who hope to live and participate in the community. She indicated the no car scenario <br />ignores the disabled, people with small children, elderly and those who care for them. She <br />indicated the City already had dense housing that was not filled. She recommended the City not <br />build a highly dense development because people may not come. She stated there was noting <br />progressive about overspending or bonding residents endlessly due to the new Councilmembers <br />inexperience with City government. <br />4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br />A. Public Inquiry Response from August 28, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting <br />City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with a response to public inquiries from the <br />August 28 City Council meeting. He commented on the questions Ms. Swanson brought up at the <br />August 28 meeting noting the density scenarios changed after a discussion was held between City <br />staff, County staff, the developer and consultants based on a fit test. He noted the developer said <br />1,960 was the correct high end for this site and this recommendation was then made to the JDA <br />Advisory Committee and would be further discussed at the September 27 JDA meeting. He <br />explained the JDA would be coming forward with a Term Sheet by the end of the year. <br />Councilmember Holden requested further information on how staff defined Term Sheet. <br />City Administrator Perrault explained the Term Sheet would not be binding, but would be a <br />validation of where the development was headed. He noted the Term Sheet would be approved by <br />the JDA. <br />5. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS <br />None. <br />