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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 12, 2024 14 <br /> Councilmember Monson reported she believed the State of the City event was very well done. <br /> She thanked the City Councilmembers for providing excellent presentations and thanked staff for <br /> all of their efforts in planning this event. <br /> Councilmember Monson commented she toured the Ramsey County waste processing plant in <br /> Newport where all of the garbage from Ramsey and Washington County's were received. She <br /> discussed how the site would be piloting an organics recycling program. <br /> Councilmember Monson stated the Lake Johanna Fire Department held its first meeting of the <br /> year and noted a new firefighter was serving on the board. She explained the six new captains <br /> have been hired and would begin service in February. She reported the big focus for this group <br /> was on the fire station noting construction would begin this year in hopes of having the facility <br /> complete in 2025. She indicated this group would also be working to update the bylaws. <br /> Councilmember Monson indicated she attended the bonding tour with Councilmember Holden <br /> stating she learned a great deal at this event. <br /> Mayor Grant stated he was taken aback by the vile comments that were made at the last Council <br /> meeting. He indicated the comments were made via Zoom and he appreciated the fact City <br /> Administrator Perrault cut them off as soon as possible. He noted the comments were made by <br /> people who do not live in the community. <br /> Mayor Grant explained he received calls regarding the Arden Hills "Naturalist". He stated he <br /> does not know much about this flyer and he lives in the Chatham neighborhood. <br /> Mayor Grant stated the Twin Cities Gateway Bureau met and he was happy to report the City's <br /> hotels were doing very well. <br /> Mayor Grant thanked staff for all of their efforts on the State of the City event. He stated he <br /> received several comments after the event noting there were concerns with the fact the JDA had <br /> tried to continue to have open communication with the County and the County had not shown up. <br /> He believed the City did everything they could to keep communication lines open. <br /> Mayor Grant indicated the other question he received after the State of the City was about the <br /> City's tax rate. He described how the City's tax rate was calculated and noted Arden Hills' tax <br /> rate was 24.49%. He explained Arden Hills had the lowest tax rate in Ramsey County. He <br /> commented further on how the City's tax rate impacts Arden Hills' taxpayers. He suggested the <br /> slides created to assist with this explanation be posted on the City's website. <br /> ADJOURN <br /> MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a <br /> motion to adiourn. The motion carried (5-0). <br /> Mayor Grant adj urned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:5 p.m. <br /> Juli anson David Grant <br /> Merk Mayor <br />