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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—FEBRUARY 9, 2026 4 <br /> explained this was a very large project and staff had to evaluate if the hybrid approach would <br /> balance the risk of moving the project forward. <br /> Councilmember Holden reported a master developer was proposed to ensure Ramsey County <br /> did not have to assume all the risk. She supported someone completing research because now the <br /> Army was being blamed for delaying this project. She indicated the Army has always been clear <br /> about needing a five-year timeline for planning and budgeting purposes. She was concerned that <br /> there were communication failures when it came to working with the Army. <br /> Mayor Grant concurred this was previously known. <br /> Councilmember Monson stated a Councilmember may have asked staff for information <br /> regarding what the County was doing with the Army. She indicated she was a developer and she <br /> understood how the federal government operated. She reported this project was targeted for <br /> sustainability and noted the Army has been a point of frustration for herself. <br /> Councilmember Weber noted a question came up at the last meeting and comments were made <br /> about the desire to work with the Army. He explained he asked how far along the County was <br /> with the Army and it sounds like they were pretty far along and progress was being made. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked that the City's JDA representatives ask to see this progress. <br /> 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL <br /> Patrick Burlingame, 3590 Snelling Avenue North, thanked the Council and staff for the work on <br /> the proclamation, resolution and letter that was sent to federal delegates. He noted in the last <br /> several weeks he met with staff and listened to residents. Through these interactions he has <br /> learned residents were feeling the effects of federal immigration enforcement agents and that the <br /> tools available to the City were limited. He appreciated the fact the City Council would be taking <br /> concrete steps to put the City's position on the record and to escalate the City's concerns to <br /> federal leaders. He asked how and when the City would be sharing the response the City receives <br /> from the federal delegation with residents. <br /> 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES <br /> A. Public Inquiry Response from January 12, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting <br /> City Administrator Jagoe provided a verbal response to the inquiries that were raised at the <br /> January 12, 2026 City Council meeting. <br /> Councilmember Monson asked that these comments be sent to the speaker from the January 12, <br /> 2026 City Council meeting. <br /> Councilmember Weber commented he would have appreciated seeing this response prior to the <br /> meeting since it was a response from the City Council. <br /> 5. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS <br /> None. <br />