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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—APRIL 15, 2024 8 <br /> Councilmember Holden anticipated a lot of this could come from the Met Council. She <br /> indicated she was uncertain what would happen with public works, their building or equipment. <br /> She commented on how she fought for maintenance of the equipment, streets and trails. She was <br /> uncertain if the Council had to split its goals between basic needs versus wants and changes. <br /> Mayor Grant stated in terms of education and trends that were out there, the Council could invite <br /> the League of Minnesota Cities and Met Council in for presentations. He explained when it <br /> comes to strategic goals this should be determined by what the community wants. He questioned <br /> if these should be determined by a consultant that was brought in from outside the community. It <br /> was his hope these goals could be set by the Council. He suggested each Councilmember come up <br /> with a list of five strategic goals and that they then be ranked. <br /> Councilmember Monson indicated she wouldn't generally be opposed to the Council trying to <br /> do this themselves, but the Council has had a difficult time scheduling a retreat and meeting with <br /> the LMCIT. She hoped the goals could be in place prior to June when the Council began <br /> addressing the budget for 2025. <br /> Mayor Grant proposed each Councilmember write up their top five strategic goals for the City <br /> and staff could then compile the list for the Council to review at its next worksession meeting. He <br /> understood the citizens of Arden Hills wanted the Council to work together and he hoped the <br /> Council could come together on this. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau stated she supported the Council holding a goal setting session with a <br /> consultant. <br /> Councilmember Holden indicated she did not believe the retreat faded away, rather at a <br /> worksession two Councilmembers voted it down and Councilmember Rousseau looked at her and <br /> asked what she wanted to do and she replied she wanted to go home. So it didn't fade away, it <br /> was voted down. <br /> Mayor Grant noted the vote was sort of a quasi-vote at 3-2. <br /> Mayor Grant believed the Council could come up with strategic goals without bringing in a <br /> consultant. <br /> Councilmember Fabel explained someone from the Met Council or LMCIT could come in and <br /> provide broader visions. He stated the Council needed to consider being leaders while also being <br /> responsive. He supported the City bringing in ideas from outside. <br /> Councilmember Holden questioned why the Council needed someone to come in and tell them <br /> what leadership was. She indicated she read the LMCIT newsletters and there were thousands of <br /> ideas on their website. She commented on how Councilmember Rousseau was interested in land <br /> management and Councilmember Monson was interested in energy and sustainability. She didn't <br /> believe the Council had to bring in someone else to point this out. <br /> Councilmember Monson indicated the question before the Council may not be just about the <br /> content, but rather was about the process and putting what should be followed in order to put the <br /> goals into action. She discussed how a professional would help the Council determine what the <br /> community wants and how to implement this into a plan. She stated her.concern about doing the <br />