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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 15, 2024 8 Mayor Grant stated in terms of education and trends that were out there, the Council could invite the League of Minnesota Cities and Met Council in for presentations. He explained when it comes to strategic goals this should be determined by what the community wants. He questioned if these should be determined by a consultant that was brought in from outside the community. It was his hope these goals could be set by the Council. He suggested each Councilmember come up with a list of five strategic goals and that they then be ranked. Councilmember Monson indicated she wouldn't generally be opposed to the Council trying to do this themselves, but the Council has had a difficult time scheduling a retreat and meeting with the LMCIT. She hoped the goals could be in place prior to June when the Council began addressing the budget for 2025. Mayor Grant proposed each Councilmember write up their top five strategic goals for the City and staff could then compile the list for the Council to review at its next worksession meeting. He understood the citizens of Arden Hills wanted the Council to work together and he hoped the Council could come together on this. Councilmember Rousseau stated she supported the Council holding a goal setting session with a consultant. Councilmember Holden indicated the retreat did fade away, rather two Councilmembers voted it down. Mayor Grant believed the Council could come up with strategic goals without bringing in a consultant. Councilmember Fabel explained someone from the Met Council or LMCIT could come in and provide broader visions. He stated the Council needed to consider being leaders while also being responsive. He supported the City bringing in ideas from outside. Councilmember Holden questioned why the Council needed someone to come in and tell them what leadership was. She indicated she read the LMCIT newsletters and there were thousands of ideas on their website. She commented on how Councilmember Rousseau was interested in land management and Councilmember Monson was interested in energy and sustainability. She didn't believe the Council had to bring in someone else to point this out. Councilmember Monson indicated the question before the Council may not be just about the content, but rather was about the process and putting what should be followed in order to put the goals into action. She discussed how a professional would help the Council determine what the community wants and how to implement this into a plan. She stated her concern about doing the goal setting without a consultant was that this would put more work on staff, while a third party would take this work off of staff. Councilmember Holden suggested the Council pursue a hybrid by coming up with its criteria first and that a consultant then be brought in to assist with moving a plan forward. Mayor Grant stated this would make sense.