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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—APRIL 14, 2025 3 <br /> Mayor Grant indicated he has not heard any information relative to either the developer or the <br /> County requesting TIF on this project. He questioned if the County will be funding the affordable <br /> housing component. <br /> City Administrator Jagoe stated in terms of the December 2023 term sheet that the JDA <br /> approved, one of the elements that will go into the development agreement is the financing for the <br /> project. She explained that the County has noted they expect to have a role in investment <br /> opportunities for affordable housing on this site, but explained the final commitment for TIF from <br /> the County has yet to be determined. <br /> Mayor Grant reported if there was supposed to be substantial progress by June 30 and if the <br /> County was considering a certain level of TIF, he believed the County needs to be working with <br /> the City in order to make the City aware of what portion they would be responsible for. He <br /> explained the deadline of June 30 was rapidly approaching and the JDA only meets once a month. <br /> Councilmember Monson indicated this was the biggest challenge that the JDA was grappling <br /> with at this time. She said there was substantial progress in the purchase agreement, noting the <br /> purchase agreement and development agreement were moving hand in hand. She explained it <br /> was her understanding the purchase agreement was coalescing, which was why the JDA was <br /> working to see what kind of progress can be made by June 30. She reported it was a very large <br /> mountain to climb by June 30. She explained she had the same concerns regarding TIF and the <br /> fact that the project would be phased instead of a full takedown. <br /> Mayor Grant commented he understood the County and the developer needed to negotiate the <br /> agreements privately, but he did not want the agreements to land at the City at the 11`h hour. He <br /> hoped the City could be included in the process in order to be made aware of what would be <br /> expected of the City. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated this was what happened last time. The County and developer <br /> came to the City stating the City owed an extra $1 million. It was her hope history would not <br /> repeat itself. She questioned who would be completing the mass grading for the spine road and <br /> neighborhoods. <br /> City Administrator Jagoe commented the County will be doing the design plans and <br /> construction of the spine road and the developer would be completing the mass grading for the <br /> private neighborhoods. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked why Alatus was not completing all of the mass grading. <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported Alatus' engineers are coordinating <br /> with the County's engineering in order to complete the grading in one motion. He explained the <br /> bulk of the material would be moved for the spine road and the development would then be <br /> spread out to the different neighborhoods. <br /> Councilmember Holden inquired why the County was now allowing Alatus to take down the <br /> property in phases versus one large buy down. <br /> Councilmember Monson commented in 2024 there was a lot of talk about who was going to pay <br /> for the mass grading. She indicated the developer stated they would never pay for it, but then <br />