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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 15, 2024 3 Councilmember Monson stated there was a problem trying to get through all the meeting topics on the agenda. She indicated she would rather keep worksessions at 5:30 p.m. and pick up the slack with a special worksession when necessary. Councilmember Fabel explained he was hearing the worksessions would be moving to 5:00 p.m. for the summer months and if the work does not get done a special worksession would be scheduled for that month. He stated this schedule would be fine for him. Mayor Grant questioned if the Council would support holding worksessions during the summer months at 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Monson indicated this would generally work for her. She stated all of these changes were not generally good for the public. However, she noted she could make this work for the summer months. Mayor Grant asked if staff could support holding worksessions at 5:00 p.m. for the months of June, July and August. City Administrator Perrault stated he could make this work. Councilmember Holden reported it would be difficult for her to attend a special worksession without having at least a three week notice. She indicated she would be unable to find an aide in a week and suggested the special meetings be scheduled with at least a three week notice. Council agreed to hold the June, July and August worksession at 5:00 PM B. Legislative Priorities and Goal Setting City Administrator Perrault stated the City Council should discuss how to approach future legislative priorities. For 2024, the City has two bonding requests for consideration, these were worked on by different Councilmembers and Staff. This legislative session is expected to end late Spring. It is not anticipated that the State will accept funding requests for 2025 this year; the next typical request would be for 2026 but would start in late Spring of 2025. Prior to this year's requests, Staff worked with members of the Council on existing capital projects, such as the Lexington Avenue Watermain or the County Road E Utility replacement. Council may want to consider planned capital projects, such as, water meter replacement ($1,500,000) or water/sewer force main work ($240,000). Council could also consider projects that we have discussed, but may be waiting on a funding source, such as the Old Highway 10 Trail ($2,800,000). Should Council want to refine this process, Council should direct how it wants to approach the process, either by designating one or two Councilmembers to work with Staff to bring back a recommendation for Council consideration or discussing the priorities with the full Council at a worksession. Council may also want to consider outside assistance to guide Staff and the Council through the process, i.e. utilizing a lobbyist. Councilmember Monson supported the Council having a process in place when considering how the Council decides MMB. She wanted to hear from Councilmember Holden and Mayor Grant on how the Council addressed lobbyists.