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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — OCTOBER 28, 2024 7 <br />Mayor Grant explained he took part in the Partners in Energy (PiE) meeting last week. He stated <br />in this meeting he learned the average manufactured home in Arden Manor pays $1,875 a year in <br />energy costs and the average assistance offered was $550 per year. He noted additional resources <br />are available to seniors. <br />Councilmember Monson also commented on how the City was partnering with Xcel Energy on <br />the PiE program to help provide additional energy reduction strategies in which the City's <br />residents can participate in. She indicated there were specific programs geared towards <br />manufactured home residents to assist with defraying energy costs. <br />Mayor Grant reported all manufactured homeowners qualify for a free home energy audit. He <br />was hopeful that as this program rolls out, those living in the manufactured home park could <br />participate in this program. <br />Mayor Grant opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. <br />Steve Scott, 4286 Norma Avenue, explained a prior Council floated a notion of a franchise fee to <br />cover unanticipated costs, but noted this was shouted down by the public. He commented <br />franchise fees were already being charged for cable services in the City. He stated his preference <br />was to defer the construction of the fire station until they have enough grant dollars in place. He <br />commented further on how expensive it was to borrow money at this time. <br />Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, commented the City's survey of 73 residents was <br />meaningless. He indicated this survey only reflected 1 % of eligible voters. He stated the vote <br />before the Council was a deja vu, noting a franchise fee to fund parks was denied by the City <br />Council in 2014. He reported Councilmember Holden and Mayor Grant opposed the previous <br />franchise fee at that time and now they want them. He encouraged residents and voters to listen <br />up. He was of the opinion the franchise fee was bad policy because this expense would be added <br />or hidden into residents' monthly energy bills. He indicated this tax was regressive because all <br />residents would be charged the same amount. He explained both AARP and the Chamber of <br />Commerce opposed this tax. He reported this tax would not be tax deductible like a property tax <br />increase would be and noted this would be a forever tax. He commented on how this tax would <br />adversely impact non-profit properties. He encouraged the Council to raise revenue in a <br />transparent manner and not through a hidden fee on an electric bill. <br />With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:52 p.m. <br />B. Planning Case 24-016 — Planned Unit Development Amendment and Site Plan <br />Review — Elegant Event Center — 3776 Connelly Avenue <br />Consultant Planner Hofer stated the Applicant previously submitted a land use application for a <br />Zoning Code Amendment, Master Planned Unit Development, Final Planned Unit Development, <br />Conditional Use Permit, and Site Plan Review to redevelop the existing approximately 11,000 <br />square foot commercial building on the property at 3776 Connelly Avenue. This application was <br />approved, with conditions, with Resolution 2024-038 on July 22, 2024. The Subject Property is <br />currently owned by Standout Properties, LLC and the building was most recently occupied by the <br />Northern Lights Bingo Hall and Bright Side Cafe. The Applicant's previous proposal was to <br />renovate the existing building and resurface the parking lot. The Applicant proposed a phased <br />development with the event center established in Phase I and restaurant and adult day care uses to <br />