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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETTl'\G MINUTES APRIL 8, 2002 12 Mayor Probst updated Council on various correspondence received since the last COll1lcil meeting. Mayor Probst stated, as a Council, they had never attempted to offer advice to the School Board, but askcd if the other Council members had opinions regarding some of the proposed cuts as offered by the School Board. He stated he was not sure he wanted to support this proposal. Councilmember Rem suggested having a joint meeting with the School Board to discuss these typcs of issues. She stated it would make sensc to have some fonn of communication with them. Mayor Probst suggested to they meet with the School Board at the next Council Meeting at 6:00 or 6: 15 p.m. Councilmember Aplikowski suggested thcy draft a letter to the Superintendcnt expressing the Council's nonsupport of the busing proposal due to safety issues. Councilmcmber Grant stated the City did not have sidewalks, which would force children into the streets, which wcrc not safe. He pointed out they had many busy County Roads, that placed the City at a disadvantage. He also pointed out that there wcrc many open areas in the City and this was a safety issue as well because some of thosc open areas were remote. He agrccd they should take a strong position regarding this issue and send a letter to the School Board, as well as have a joint mceting. Councilmember Larson stated he was agreeablc to meeting with them, but he did not bclieve they would be responsive. Mayor Probst updated Council on TCAAP meetings he had attended. He statcd there was clearly a perception about not inviting the public into talk to Council about the arsenal. He suggested the Design Center at the University of Mimlesota get involvcd and conduct public meetings so they had more than just a developer team's views. He stated they may also need to engagc a firm that would help the City with thc lobbying efforts as well as the political process, and asked if Council would be willing to have staff explore these possibilitics, as well as the cost regarding both of these proposals. Councilmember Grant agreed they needed to take input from thc public. He stated this would be the appropriate time to start this process. Councilmember Aplikowski requested they contain the public mccting part to the sunounding cities only, but to certainly invite the local busincss community. She stated transportation was going to be onc of thc issues and she asked if they wanted to invite MnDOT also. Councilmcmber Larson stated both idcas wcrc good, but they might be better idcas after they have a clearer sense as to what the consultants could offer. Councilmember Gratlt stated there were a lot of new residents since the 1996 Vento Plan was creatcd and this could be an educational proccss for the public by presenting the Vento Plan and taking input.