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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—NOVEMBER 12, 2024 <br /> The City held a Special Work Session on November 7'to review and discuss the 2022 Term <br /> Sheet, the Parks MOU as well as the Option Agreement for the Civic site. The City Council <br /> discussed some of the previously considered uses for the Civic Site and there was a general <br /> consensus on continuing to negotiate the purchase the 1.6 acre site as previously agreed upon in <br /> the MOU with the Developer. Another work session was scheduled for Monday, November 181' <br /> at 5:30 to review the Parks MOU and park amenity needs and trail connectivity within Rice Creek <br /> Commons. Staff will be working with Alatus and our consultant to bring back visuals and <br /> additional information relevant to the parks. <br /> Councilmember Holden requested the JDA review the new study from Vancouver where an all- <br /> electric area had to be dumped. She questioned if gas pipes would be installed within this all- <br /> electric development, in the event a waiver was needed. <br /> Interim City Administrator Jagoe reported some of these discussions will still need to be had <br /> by the Energy Advisory Committee. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked if the utilitydetails will be worked out prior to the grading work <br /> P 1�' g <br /> beginning. She commented she did not want to turn down good anchor businesses because the <br /> utility details were not worked out. <br /> Interim City Administrator Jagoe stated she could not speak to when the utilities would be <br /> installed, but it was her understanding the right of way would be sufficient to accommodate for <br /> either option. <br /> Councilmember Holden explained she wanted the public to know the City would be moving <br /> forward with the purchase of the civic site for$1. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned why the Vancouver all-electric community was dumped. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated the project was dumped because it didn't work. She indicated she <br /> would send this study to Interim City Administrator Jagoe. <br /> Interim City Administrator Jagoe indicated she could forward this study to the City Council <br /> and JDA. <br /> Councilmember Monson commented the JDA discussed how to balance the ambitious goals of <br /> having an all-electric community in Minnesota, while also balancing the types of users that come <br /> into the community to ensure walkability and sustainability within itself. She indicated this has <br /> always been her view given the carbon reduction goals for the site. She described how the waiver <br /> process would be followed for users that would need an offset for their carbon footprint. She <br /> understood the JDA's goals were ambitious, but she did not want to give up before the project <br /> even began. <br /> Councilmember Fabel discussed how the language for Rice Creek Commons was changed from <br /> it "will" be an all-electric community to Rice Creek Commons seeks to be an all-electric <br /> community. He stated there was an aspirational desire to be an all-electric community while also <br /> recognizing there may be exceptions to this. <br /> 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL <br />