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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 12, 2024 3 <br />years ago, but this didn't happen. She asked when the City began looking at the neighborhood <br />infrastructure funding and when will the Council better understand this matter. <br />Councilmember Holden stated she had so many questions and she did not have answers to these <br />questions. She expressed concern with the fact the City would be put at financial risk through the <br />TCAAP project. She indicated a resident spoke about the community land trust and how <br />mortgages are done through the community land trust. She hoped that this project would not back <br />away from providing affordable housing through this development. <br />Councilmember Monson explained she did not have knowledge regarding the $1,000,000 that <br />was borrowed from the general fund and she could not speak to this matter. She stated she agreed <br />the proforma was a City function, but the project was not there yet. She indicated the project was <br />working towards horizontal grading and infrastructure and then further discussions could be held. <br />She reported the proforma would be brought back once there were updates. <br />Councilmember Monson reported nothing has been decided behind closed doors. She indicated <br />all discussions have been done out in the public and there were no promises that have been made <br />that the City Council does not know about. <br />Councilmember Monson explained the cost for a geothermal system would have additional <br />costs. She stated decisions were still being made regarding the tradeoffs between a geothermal <br />system versus natural gas. She believed there were grant funds available to assist with the cost for <br />a geothermal system, which would greatly assist with moving this development forward in a <br />sustainable manner. <br />Councilmember Monson commented she agreed with Councilmember Holden and hoped that <br />this development would have more than 10 affordable homes. She stated the project was working <br />to have as much affordable housing as possible and noted she had not heard any objection from <br />the developer or the County on this matter. She anticipated the amount of affordable housing on <br />the site would depend on the funding that was available from the County, State and federal <br />government. <br />Councilmember Monson explained the County and developer were discussing a land purchase <br />agreement. She reported the risk tolerance across all three parties, but in the end, the agreement <br />would be between the landowner and the developer. She stated the City's role in this was TBD. <br />Councilmember Monson agreed the City's special assessments bonds need to have a solution. <br />She stated if this deal were to move forward, the land would be owned by the developer versus <br />the County. <br />Councilmember Monson indicated the JDA has not discussed a civic space to date. She <br />explained she had not reviewed the RFP for the spine road and she was uncertain what the <br />reference to "Save Arden Hills" was. <br />Councilmember Monson reported the County would be covering the cost to move the well <br />system. She stated Building 116 still has to be addressed. <br />Councilmember Monson explained the developer would be requesting TIF, but she did not have <br />an understanding as to what the ask would be. <br />