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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JANUARY 12, 2026 7 Councilmember Holden said one of the reasons why alcohol wasn't allowed was for the same reason we prohibited smoking. If we're going to allow alcohol we should probably allow cigarettes back in, too. The idea was to set examples for the youth who are playing at the parks. A lot of partying already takes place at the parks. She thought open it up through Labor Day. Councilmember Monson is fine with being selective. She would like to see what the concept that Councilmember Weber brought up would work. What would be allowed? What would that ordinance look like? What criteria could be used for non -City big special events? There is a distinction there. Councilmember Holden asked if we can just do this for now and revisit the rest later. Staff is busy. Councilmember Weber said it sounds like we're making policy right now. Mayor Grant said he has heard Cummings Park, by permit only and we can reevaluate that at some point in the future. Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson asked if Council wants language to be brought back to another work session, covering all of those scenarios. The ordinance could go into effect in May. There's still time to pull the pieces together. There are timelines and steps for publishing in order to amend ordinances. It can't be done at the meeting following the event. Council could decide to revisit at the end of the year. Mayor Grant said direction is to come back to a Council Meeting so it can be enacted. Don't bring it back to another work session. If we need to discuss it more, it will be from the Council bench. E. Affordable Housing Policy Discussion (Item 3.F on published agenda) Community Development Director Reilly said this discussion is on affordable housing. This isn't about subsidized housing. This is about everyone having a place to live and not paying more than they ought to. This presentation will also highlight that there are not enough homes for both the existing population and future expected population growth, nationwide. Community Development Director Reilly shared a graphic from the 2030 Comprehensive plan that shows the lifecycle housing chain and identifies that Arden Hills homes are mostly "move up" homes. There are very few places to downsize, without moving into a care facility or age specific communities. By 2023, the goal of supplying enough places for people who want to live here was not on track. The housing market, interest rates and the cost of development were all impacted by the pandemic and has negatively impacted our ability to achieve that goal. Community Development Director Reilly said when it comes to real estate, the cost of land plus the cost to build is the cost the developer has to pay. When the cost of land goes up, the costs to build may stay the same but the end result is a more expensive place to live. Arden Hills has a high value school district and limited developable land, excluding Rice Creek Commons, the combination of which results in a high cost land. People are willing to pay more to live here because of Arden Hills' proximity to all sorts of things and because the reputation of the school district. Community Development Director Reilly said our options need to address the supply of housing units. Supply is potentially the easiest way to address the stickiness of the housing market in places