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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 23, 2024 4 <br /> Councilmember Monson said no. <br /> Councilmember Holden said the portion each city paid was supposed to be adjusted as the <br /> population changes. She wondered if it will be a flat 25%. <br /> Councilmember Monson said previous discussion was regarding one bond or three bonds. North <br /> Oaks and Shoreview both prefer a single bond. That would provide them with some <br /> administrative cost savings. Arden Hills looked at that and the savings wasn't substantial. They <br /> have a three-year rolling average to decide what proportion of the share the City pays. There is <br /> concern that today it's 25%but in 5 to 10 years Arden Hills may owe a higher percentage,but the <br /> bond would reflect just the 25%. The discussion is whether or not the cities need to come up with <br /> a separate agreement that outlines if one of the cities' share swings X% above or below, would <br /> we have a payment plan to true up our portion. It's more complicated by going to three bonds. <br /> Councilmember Holden said the building is going to cost $25 million. It will be done. She wants <br /> to understand how the rolling average works. Why would our cost go up, when it was already <br /> built. <br /> Councilmember Monson said these are preliminary discussions. There are not agreements yet <br /> and negotiations are forthcoming. The argument for having three separate bonds so there are no <br /> issues with hitting the qualifying cap. We want to have a positive relationship with the fire board <br /> and with the partnering cities. <br /> Mayor Grant agrees with Councilmember Holden that the cost is $20-$25 million and we <br /> finance it, however it makes sense. We build it. It doesn't take that long to build. The proportional <br /> share to build the building is whatever the cost is that particular year. What if Shoreview puts up a <br /> bunch of apartments, or if North Oaks built up or if TCAAP moves forward?You have the <br /> financing in the year the building is built. He would not want to be subject to how the partnering <br /> cities want to run their bond. The longer you run it, the more expensive it will be. <br /> Councilmember Monson said that's why they want to go to one bond. A single bond outlines <br /> who has what share, there are no questions about timelines. A single bond is simpler, and it <br /> retains a positive relationship with our partners at the fire board. That is not to say that having <br /> three separate bonds will not retain those partnerships. <br /> Mayor Grant said if we finance the $4.5 million, we have the bonding and the building gets <br /> built; he doesn't understand why we're looking forward 10 years where our percentage will be <br /> more. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau asked if it is considered a fixed asset. She asked if it is typical for the <br /> repayment to be fluid and subject to change. <br /> Finance Director Yang said she hasn't typically seen that in the past. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau said she would like to see the bond paid off as soon as possible. She <br /> thought if TCAAP is developed, there could be up to 1,900 new homes. She wondered if the <br /> franchise fee will make a difference for Council to go to the 20-year bond. <br /> Mayor Grant said his preference would be l0years. <br />