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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 14,2002 6 would have to participate financially. He added they did not know what that dollar amount would be. He stated stafTknows that amount staff would have to bring it back for approval to the City Council. Councilmember Rem asked for some assurance on what the City was committing. Mr. Parrish responded the financial considerations have been made in a broad statement to increase the comf011level. He read the statement. He stated ifthc City was not comfortable later with the amount required for design build, it could back off the project. Mayor Probst statcd one reason to avoid a dollar amount at this point was that it created a target to come back to. He noted the intention of the letter is to say they would contribute financial1y. He added they do not have a choice. He statcd if they take out the commitment, the City would not be a player. He noted he was comfortable with submitting a letter and then seeing how the negotiations would play out. He added since the City has a place at the table, it would be able to somewhat control that. Councilmember Rem stated her concern about what they would be spending as the process goes on and other players become involved. Mayor Probst stated the fundamental purpose of the letter was not to encumber the City financially. He noted it is broad enough to allow the City room to negotiate. Hc added it is specific enough to let the County know not to allow the consultant to takc off in a certain way without considering the City's issucs. Councilmember Aplikowski stated thc City needs to be involved with the design process. She notcd if the City builds its own facility, it would put money into the design process. Councilmember Rem stated she agreed that they would have more control if they were part of the planning process. Mayor Probst askcd if the City Council wished to approve the proposed letter and directed it be submitted under the Mayor's and the City Administrator's signature. Councill1lember Aplikowski stated the Councilmember names should be copicd so the County knows they are all on board. Councilmember Grant stated that as Councilmembcrs they might view this as their participation in the project. He noted they could also view it as input into a facility that will be here within the City. He added they also want it to work well since it is on a major highway in the area. He stated that it is not just the City's facility they are concerncd about. Mayor Probst concurred.