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cityofardenhills.org • Dec. 2024 • 3 cityofardenhills.org • Dec. 2024 • 3 <br />City Council Election Results <br />Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s <br />City Council election. After a close race, a publicly <br />funded ballot recount was conducted at the Ramsey <br />County Elections Office at the request of candidate David <br />Radziej. The recount, led by Ramsey County Elections <br />Manager David Triplett, took place on November 19 and <br />20 and was open to the public. <br />The recount confirmed the final vote totals: Brenda <br />Holden (2,561 votes), Kurt Weber (2,045 votes), David <br />Radziej (2,041 votes), Richard Priore (1,794 votes). <br />Congratulations to Brenda Holden and Kurt Weber, <br />who will each begin serving four-year terms on the City <br />Council starting January 2025. <br />For more information and detailed election results, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at sos.state.mn.us. <br />City Council Governance <br />In Arden Hills, the City Council works to ensure the City runs smoothly and meets the needs of its residents. Arden <br />Hills operates as a statutory city, and the City Council plays an important role in making decisions, setting policies, and <br />representing residents’ interests. Learn more about the City’s governance structure and how the Council works to <br />serve the community effectively. <br />What is a Statutory City? <br />Minnesota law provides for two basic types of cities: statutory cities operating under the statutory city code and home <br />rule charter cities operating under a local charter. Most Minnesota cities are incorporated as statutory cities. Although <br />all statutory cities have the same basic powers, the code allows them to select one of several forms of organization, <br />which include the Standard Plan, Optional Plan A, and Optional Plan B. Arden Hills, along with 649 other cities, <br />operate under Optional Plan A. <br />Features of Plan A Governance <br />A Plan A Statutory City is a form of government that emphasizes professional management and provides the City <br />Council with expanded administrative authority. Key features of Plan A include: <br />• Council Structure: Arden Hills has a five-member council, consisting of the mayor and four council members, all of <br />whom are elected. The structure follows a weak mayor-council plan, the most common plan in Minnesota, where <br />the mayor may not veto council legislation and serves as the presiding officer at council meetings. Each council <br />member, including the mayor, has an equal vote and by majority can add or remove duties. Under this plan, the <br />Council holds ultimate responsibility for both administrative and legislative authority. <br />• Appointed Officials: The Council is responsible for appointing all city personnel, including the Clerk and Treasurer <br />(Finance Director) for indefinite terms. Arden Hills City Council also appoints a City Administrator. <br />• Advisory and Boards: The Council has the authority to appoint advisory boards and commissions, such as the <br />City’s Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, Parks, Trails, & Recreation Committee, and <br />others. <br />To learn more about Statutory City code, plans, and more, please visit the League of Minnesota’s dedicated webpage <br />at cityofardenhills.org/Statutory-City. <br />Council Meetings and Public Participation <br />The Arden Hills City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Council <br />Chambers at City Hall. Residents are invited to attend meetings, which are also live-streamed and archived for viewing <br />online. Agendas and minutes are also available online to help residents stay informed about Council decisions. Both <br />can be found on the City’s homepage at cityofardenhills.org. You can also visit cityofardenhills.org/723/City-Council for <br />more information or to contact the Arden Hills City Council. <br />Brenda Holden Kurt Weber