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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION - April 21,2008 <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />Mayor Harpstead requested discussion from the Council on whether the process of the <br />negotiating team is the desired process to continue with, whether there is an effective process of <br />interaction between the negotiating team and Council, and whether a developer negotiating with <br />the City to take over the land transfer is the right path for the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holden expressed concern regarding meetings with GSA that had been canceled <br />by the developer. She stated the importance of a commitment from RRLD to work together in <br />this area. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated his position that the process for the land transfer is right, but the <br />lack of progress from GSA is frustrating. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated he would hope the land transfer process will be completed, but <br />at this point he does not have confidence that it will be completed within the next couple of <br />years. <br /> <br />Mr. Bubul stated he understands well the limit of the negotiating team's role as negotiators <br />versus the Council's role as decision makers. There are times when this type of meeting is not a <br />bad idea. He stated if the negotiating team is not certain about something they can come back to <br />Council and do their best to communicate that. They are all aware that a lot of time has gone by <br />and something needs to be done to speed it up, and the negotiating team can works on ways to <br />improve that. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated his position that the developer should submit what they need to <br />the negotiating team who would evaluate it prior to presenting it to the Council. <br /> <br />Mr. Bubul indicated the requests Mr. Collins has made are fairly administrative and for the most <br />part relate to scheduling. The negotiating team will present Council with the schedule after <br />discussing it with the developer. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes requested Council discussion regarding whether to involve the TCAAP <br />Master Development Advisory Group (MDAG) in this process. She suggested writing the <br />Committee a letter thanking them for their involvement and informing them that their services <br />are not currently needed due to the interim phase, but that their service may be needed in the <br />future. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding the preferred timeframe to include MDAG in the TCAAP Project <br />process. <br /> <br />It was the consensus of the City Council to direct staff to draft a letter to be sent to the MDAG <br />under the Mayor's signature on behalf of the Council thanking the Committee for their service, <br />and informing them that the Committee will likely be convened again when the time is right if <br />they choose to continue serving. <br /> <br />Mr. Collins, Mr. Anderson and Ms. McJilton left the meeting. <br />