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. . . ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION - JULY 20. 1998 3 Discussion items, and proposed staff strategies, were as follows: . City Hall Facility Site Strategy: Identify who has the lease and determine what needs to be accomplished for final approval of the lease. If delays in transfer continue, no later than May I, 1999, meet with parties to determine whether additional resource allocation or outside assistance is necessary. Outside Assistance: Staff does not believe there is a need to establish a task force to assist with the transfer process. However, it may be necessary to receive legal and congressional assistance, dependent upon the timing of the transfer process. 1998/1999 Budget Impact: Outside of the funds already set aside in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), staff would estimate the need for approximately $10,000 to accomplish this task. Discussion: Mayor Probst reported that in his conversations with General LeBlanc, the General has instructed his staff to accommodate the lease to the City, and they have prepared the lease form for signature when the property becomes available. Mayor Probst had suggested the City may wish to become more actively involved in moving the process along, but the General had requested that the City continue their current process. Mr. Fritsinger stated he had been in contact with the National Guard's attorney, and he was familiar with the procedure since he had worked on the Army Reserve Center retrocession procedure. It is anticipated that the City will receive a long-term lease, with in-kind services as the payment condition. . Fox 29 TV Tower Strategy: The City should forward letters to its congressional delegates, adjacent cities and appropriate federal agencies indicating Arden Hills' opposition to the proposed tower. This letter would clarify that we believe better opportunities exist that need to be explored, and request that Fox 29 demonstrate why they can't construct the tower elsewhere. In the case that the City is informed that the location on TCAAP is likely, the city should request that Fox 29 demonstrate how their presence can be minimized on the site, how critical habitat is avoided, and how the proposal meets the goals identified in the re-use plan. Additionally, discussion should take place with appropriate federal agencies to ensure that this will not lead to a proliferation of undesirable uses on TCAAP. Outside Assistance: Staff does not find a need to create a task force to discuss this issue. Legal assistance may be necessary.