11-13-23-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—OCTOBER 23, 2023 4 Councilmember Rousseau thought it would be a really desirable community to live in and they should insure the homes being purchased were primary homes and not purchased to be used as Airbnb's. Councilmember Holden stated they could do that for all of Arden Hills as she felt they had too many rental properties. Councilmember Holden said going along with net zero and wanting to make it all electric would cost about $30,000 more per house. She wondered what the cost of heating through the winter would be with electricity versus natural gas. Without ductwork, how do you air condition in the summer? Mayor Grant said the industry has made gains in cold climate air source heat pumps. They can be efficient to -15' and are getting better. They are gaining popularity in areas that don't have our temperature extremes. Councilmember Holden wondered if all homes were set up to be owned. Councilmember Monson said there are very intentional rental spaces. There was some discussion on rental for ownership, some of the affordable homes are rental for ownership. Councilmember Holden asked if what they were doing about bird migration and glass windows on buildings. City Administrator Perrault said there is already recommendations in the City Code for bird safety. Councilmember Holden stated that Councilmember Monson was in the energy business, and she was hearing that people think Councilmember Monson would get kickbacks or a bonus for selling solar panels. She felt that should be addressed. Councilmember Monson stated there was no kickback, and her company deals in huge solar complexes that are thousands of acres. C. Council Retreat Discussion Councilmember Holden said she would like to have a meeting with the League of Minnesota Cities before they have a retreat. Councilmember Monson was fine with that but would also like to have strategic direction and felt the retreat was important. If they can't schedule this in the next few weeks she will start pushing for an agenda policy they set here without other parties involved. Councilmember Rousseau would like to have a retreat in the first quarter of next year, but if they can't do the League of Minnesota Cities by the end of this year, she would still like to move forward with the retreat.