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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 9, 2026 3 Lastly at the work session, the JDA discussed the hybrid developer approach and directed staff to identify and analyze the items needed to be addressed in a cooperative agreement and bring this topic back to the JDA in 90 days with an update. Under this hybrid approach, the City and County would need to negotiate and decide certain terms for a cooperative agreement prior to soliciting for development partners so that each developer would know the expectations before submitting a proposal. It is expected that the cooperative agreement would include issues surrounding timing, financing, operations, and maintenance of sitewide infrastructure and amenities such as parks, utilities, roads, natural resources corridor, and other common areas. Under a hybrid developer approach, some of these terms need to be agreed upon in advance to assure the City and County that critical infrastructure is properly accounted for and to set expectations for each development area, and therefore, for each developer. Next immediately following the Work Session, the JDA held a special regular meeting to approve the Chair and Vice Chair for 2026 along with the 2026 road map. Given the earlier updates from Ramsey County staff on Rice Creek Boulevard construction, the Commissioners agreed to move the timing of the next webinar to later in the year since Infrastructure was scheduled to be the next topic. Neither of the advisory committees have met. Then as an update to the JDA lawsuit against Alatus Arden Hills, LLC, there was an amended scheduling order issued and that order indicates the next benchmark for court activity would be in June with all discovery needing to be completed. At this time, the JDA litigation attorneys are in the discovery phase. The next JDA meeting will be held on Monday, March 2nd. Councilmember Holden explained she had concerns with the fact the trail width would be reduced by two feet. She noted this trail was supposed to manage pedestrian and bike traffic and she supported the trail remaining 12 feet wide. She questioned if the County would have better results if negotiating with multiple developers, given the County did not have success negotiating with a single developer for the Rice Creek Commons project. City Administrator Jagoe reported through the hybrid approach the items that were being looked at by the City and County would come to terms. She explained the City and County would address these items specifically so the developers would know what the expectations were going into the solicitation phase when it came to land sales, fees, etc. Councilmember Holden stated if multiple developers were selected, she had concerns that the overall flow of the development would be compromised. City Administrator Jagoe commented in terms of flow the phasing would be discussed with County staff. She reported a real estate expert is being considered to help with phasing. She indicated the TRC zoning would assist with keeping the design guidelines consistent throughout the development. Councilmember Monson reported the hybrid approach was not a foregone conclusion. She indicated she was not fully sold on this being the right choice for the project. She noted staff was gathering more information and would be reporting back to the JDA at the March meeting. She