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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — NOVEMBER 27, 2023 4 did not have spare cash laying around, but was proposing a large amount of affordable housing within this project. He stated he wasn't saying the City shouldn't help people, but he feared too many people were asking for help from the City, County and State. He questioned where money would come from to take care of the proposed affordable housing. He anticipated there would be a breaking point. He commented on how his property taxes would be going up 23% in 2024. He believed that adding 500 additional units to Arden Hills would be a crushing blow to the community and the City would not be able to afford the bill for the additional police, fire, infrastructure and maintenance. Linda Swanson, 1124 Ingerson Road, reported she still has not received a response to her questions made to the Council on September 11 and October 1. She spoke to the Council regarding transparency and commented on the discussions she has had with staff regarding JDA Advisory Committee meetings. She expressed concern with the fact there was no record of when the JDA Advisory Committee would be meeting. She was of the opinion, this was not transparent. She urged the Councilmembers who serve on the JDA to be more transparent. She recommended these meetings be accessible to the public and that the meeting schedule also be made available to the public. Mayor Grant requested staff prepare answers to the list of questions that were brought to the City from Ms. Swanson. City Administrator Perrault stated he would work with Ms. Swanson to draft answers to the questions. Councilmember Monson indicated she did not agree with staff responding to these questions until she knew what the questions were. Councilmember Holden recalled that at the September 11 and October 1 meetings the Council requested staff to respond to these questions. She recommended staff review the minutes to see what direction was provided. She did not support the Council changing their action from the direction that was given at these meetings. Ms. Swanson addressed the Council again and reviewed the two questions she provided to the Council on September 11 and October 1. The first question she asked was that a full verbatim report from City Administrator Perrault be placed on the City's website or in the Council minutes. Councilmember Monson indicated she could support the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons update being posted on the City's website. She asked why this report was not already included in the City Council minutes. City Administrator Perrault explained a summarized statement was written into the minutes, but a verbatim statement was not provided. Councilmember Monson supported a verbatim statement on TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons being included in the minutes going forward.