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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-21-23-WS 'It "ENILLS Approved: September 25, 2023 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING AUGUST 21, 2023 5:00 P.M. -ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor Grant called to order the City Council Work Session at 5:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant; Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Emily Rousseau, Tena Monson and Tom Fabel Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Dave Perrault; Finance Director Gayle Bauman; Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe; and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson Others present: Mark Ryan, CEO Bolander, and Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers 1. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Gregg Larson, 3377 North Snelling Avenue, spoke to the Council regarding franchise fees. He stated in 2014 the Council wanted to impose franchise fees to pay for parks and trails. He read an article from the April 2014 Arden Hills Notes newsletter regarding discussions the Council had surrounding franchise fees. This article stated more than 30 people from the public attended this meeting and spoke regarding the propose fees. While some members of the public offered support, the majority did not. He discussed how utility bills were already on the rise and stated he believed franchise fees were bad City policy. He stated it was not wide practice for municipalities to impose franchise fees. He noted this was a losing proposition in 2014 and requested the Council not pursue this further. Don Wahlberg, 1451 Arden Place, explained he wanted to install solar panels on the ground in his backyard. He stated this was contrary to City policy. He reported Arden Hills was one of the few communities that does not allow ground mounted solar panels. He indicated his situation was unique noting the panels would not be visible to neighbors. He commented his backyard was surrounded by trees and lilac bushes making it nearly invisible. He requested the Council reconsider its current policy in order to allow ground mounted panels when they are not visible from neighboring properties. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 2 2. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 3. AGENDA ITEMS A. Primer Tracer Property Concept Review Community Development Director Jagoe stated the Subject Property is part of approximately 1,611 acres owned by the Federal Government and used primarily by the Minnesota National Guard as the Arden Hills Army Training Site (AHATS). The Subject Property is approximately 233 acres of which 62 +/- acres is the highlighted "listing area" to be considered for purposes of the concept review discussion. General Services Administration (GSA) is a Federal Agency that manages real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across the government. GSA Auctions facilitates the disposal of property owned by the Federal Government. The listing area also referred to as "Hillview" by GSA Auctions went live for bidding in June. GSA Auctions has indicated a soft close date notice being posted after Labor Day. This portion of the property was previously used as a manufacturing facility for the production of component primers and tracing compounds associated with small caliber ammunition production. Community Development Director Jagoe reported the Federal Government intends to sell the property "as is". The Buyer purchasing the property would be responsible for handling all of the processes associated with the future development of the site (i.e. land use approval, demolition, permitting, etc.). In completing their due diligence, the Applicant has submitted for a high-level concept review in order to present an overview of two future development scenarios. For the concept review, the Applicant wishes to engage in a discussion with the Council in order to gauge the City's perspective of potential future vision(s) for this site and willingness to consider a text amendment to allow exterior outdoor storage and the stockpiling/handling of aggregate material as an accessory use in the city code. Community Development Director Jagoe explained the Applicant has prepared two concept layouts both guided towards industrial land uses with accessory outdoor storage of equipment and materials. In both scenarios, the Applicant has identified an intent to seek rezoning of the 62-acres to 1-2, General Industrial Zoning District. The purpose of this zoning district is to be "an area where more intensive light industrial land uses may locate and to present the least deleterious effect to adjacent, less intensive land uses." At this concept review stage, staff does not have the details necessary to complete a preliminary analysis of development scenarios as it pertains to compliance with 1-2 District requirements or design standards. Based on an initial review, staff believes a future proposal would require the following land use requests: • Preliminary Plat and Final Plat for Subdivision • Comprehensive Plan Amendment to change designation of development site from Park Preserve to Light Industrial & Office • Rezoning of the development site from CD, Conservation District to 1-2, General Industrial District • Planned Unit Development ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 3 • Text Amendment to allow exterior storage, aggregate material handling/stockpiles, and a solar energy system (if ground mounted) in the I-2 District • Conditional Use Permit for land uses Mark Ryan, Bolander representative, explained Bolander was founded in 1924. He discussed how he worked with Wenck and Ramsey County on the TCAAP cleanup. He requested Bolander be allowed to use this property as I-2 with exterior storage. He indicated his business is currently located in St. Paul, but for growth potential he would like to see Arden Hills becoming another home for Bolander. He commented on the asphalt recycling work that was conducted by his business and noted this aggregate material could be used onsite as TCAAP redevelops. He reviewed the conversations he had with Alatus. He further reviewed the Option A and Option B scenarios for the Primer Tracer property in further detail with the Council. Councilmember Holden asked if material would be crushed on this site. Mr. Ryan stated this type of activity would occur. Councilmember Holden questioned what would be on the property if the site did not include a warehouse. Mr. Ryan indicated he was hoping to have a recycling site for asphalt. He explained the material would be watered as it was crushed. He stated the current operation was near Cretin-Vandalia in St. Paul and he does not get any dust complaints. He commented further on how the crushing operations are managed and how they have improved over time. He discussed how crushing operations were good for the environment. Councilmember Holden stated she does not see this as being the highest and best use for this property. Councilmember Monson asked if warehousing with a solar facility, excluding the recycling yard had been considered. Mr. Ryan indicated he has had discussions with certain people about solar. Councilmember Monson commented she wanted to support solar on this property. She indicated she was having a hard time supporting a crushing facility with outdoor storage on this site. She explained the County wanted to make the Building 189 area into a nature center, which would now be adjacent to a crushing facility. She noted she could support moving the Bolander headquarters to this site and stated this would be a better fit than the crushing operation. Councilmember Rousseau questioned what type of noise would be coming from this operation. Mr. Ryan stated the noise would be consistent with a construction site. He reported the closest residential development would be one-fourth of a mile from this property. He did not anticipate these homes would be able to hear the crushing operations. He noted the crushing would be intermittent and not constant. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 4 Councilmember Fabel asked how many employees would be working from this operation. He questioned why Bolander did not want to move their operation out of the metro area and inquired if solar panels would be a viable option for this site. Mr. Ryan explained Bolander has 250 employees. He noted five employees would be needed for the crushing operations. He discussed how placing a crushing facility on TCAAP would benefit the redevelopment of this site. He commented further on how much more expensive it would be to move the operation outside the metro area. Councilmember Monson asked if the concrete crushing operations would be short term on this site. Mr. Ryan stated these operations would not be short term. He commented further on how a solar field may be a possibility for this site. Councilmember Holden encouraged Bolander to speak with the US Fish and Wildlife about the proposed crushing operations. Mayor Grant questioned why Bolander wanted to move away from the Cretin Vandalia site given its central location. Mr. Ryan stated he would not be leaving that site but rather would be adding a second site. Mayor Grant noted New Brighton just got rid of a similar operation. While he appreciated the fact Bolander may be pursuing solar, he did not believe a crushing operation would be the highest and best use for this property. However, he noted the City could not control the high bidder for the sale of this property. Mayor Grant thanked Bolander for all of their work to clean up the TCAAP site. B. Smoking/Vaping and Cannabis Public Use Discussion Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson stated in light of the recent cannabis law, staff is requesting direction on whether or not the City Council wishes to address THC (lower potency edibles) and Adult Use Cannabis (full strength) product consumption on City park property as well as in public spaces (City-owned streets, sidewalks, parking lots, open spaces/outdoor gathering spaces, etc.). Council could choose to ban the smoking of cannabis in public spaces only or include edibles as well. As City Code is currently, smoking is prohibited within a park shelter itself and not on park property as a whole; however, it has been the City of Arden Hills' policy and practice to prohibit smoking/vaping on park property (the parks do have signage to this effect). Staff is requesting direction from the City Council regarding a potential ordinance amendment to further define smoking/vaping on City park property. Staff reviewed examples from the City of Maple Grove and the City of Northfield, both of which recently adopted ordinance amendments pertaining to prohibiting public use and requested feedback from the Council on how to proceed. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 5 Councilmember Monson stated she supported prohibiting the use of THC, adult cannabis and cigarettes in City owned spaces. She favored simplicity over complexity when it comes to regulating this topic. Councilmember Rousseau indicated she preferred Maple Grove's ordinance. She supported the City being smoke free in its parks. Councilmember Holden explained parks were to be smoke-free in order to keep the products away from youth. She supported parks continuing to be smoke free from cannabis and tobacco products. Mayor Grant favored prohibiting smoking cannabis and edible use in City parks. Councilmember Fabel recommended the smoking of cannabis be prohibited as well. He stated he did not know enough about edibles to make a determination on how they should be regulated. Mayor Grant was of the opinion people should not be under the influence while in City parks. Councilmember Fabel agreed with this but questioned how law enforcement would be able to enforce this matter. Mayor Grant indicated this would be difficult for law enforcement to enforce. He requested staff take the feedback from the Council and draft an Ordinance for consideration at a future meeting. C. Franchise Fees Discussion Administrator Perraultexplained at the last worksession, the City Council discussed the use of Franchise Fees to help support the Permanent Improvement Revolving (PIR) Fund. The City's financial advisor, Ehlers, has put together a memo on the topic and will be present to give an overview and answer questions. If the Council is supportive, further discussions will need to be had with Xcel, and the Council may want to consider what marketing activities need to take place to help inform and educate residents. Ms. Kvilvang requested the Council consider providing further direction on how to proceed with franchise fees. Mayor Grant asked if franchise fees could be used to pay off a bond. Ms. Kvilvang reported this could be done. Councilmember Holden questioned how residential taxpayers would be impacted by a $400,000 increase in the tax levy. Finance Director Bauman discussed the impact this would have on residential taxpayers and stated it would be cheaper for residents to have a franchise fee as this would be paid by more users in the community. Councilmember Fabel stated he would like to see a combination of gas and electric franchise fees. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 6 Councilmember Monson asked if franchise fees could be adjusted on a yearly basis. Ms. Kvilvang reported this would be managed by the City Council through an Ordinance. Councilmember Monson indicated she has mixed feelings about franchise fees. She discussed how flat fees on utility bills were not beneficial in changing user behavior. However, she did find it attractive to participate in this type of tax because all utility users in the community would pay in. She explained she could support this matter moving forward in order to learn more from about how the public feels about franchise fees. Councilmember Rousseau asked if the public could be presented with scenarios on how they would like to have funding raised for a new fire department whether that be through bonding, levy increases or franchise fees. Councilmember Holden stated this could perhaps be done through a survey. She understood when franchise fees were discussed previously, it was determined the fees should not be placed on gas bills. She indicated the City could consider pursuing franchise fees for electricity only. Mayor Grant reported the City could pursue a franchise fee that was a percentage and not a flat fee. Councilmember Monson explained one of the goals for TCAAP was to be electric only. Councilmember Holden indicated she could support a franchise fee for electricity because the City would be using the revenues for a dedicated or specific purpose, fire and trails. Councilmember Fabel asked how many times the Council has considered the adoption of franchise fees. Mayor Grant commented the only other time franchise fees were considered was in 2014. Councilmember Rousseau questioned how budget talks would be impacted if the Council were to not move forward with franchise fees. Councilmember Monson stated the fire station was not included in the 2024 budget, but this will be considered very shortly. Councilmember Fabel inquired if Arden Hills has ever looked at a local sales tax. Finance Director Bauman reported this would not be allowed, per State legislature, for the next two years. Councilmember Monson asked what the next steps would be. City Administrator Perrault explained this matter was brought forward after discussing the CIP and the Council determined there was a $400,000 shortfall. He indicated a franchise fee could be considered to cover this shortfall. He noted the $400,000 was for the existing CIP projections and ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 7 additional fees would be needed to cover the cost for the Lake Johanna Boulevard Trail and the Old Highway 10 Trail. Councilmember Monson inquired if franchise fees could be charged to cable users. Ms. Kvilvang stated franchise fees were only for gas and electricity. City Administrator Perrault commented cable franchise fees are negotiated and managed by the North Suburban Cable Commission, which relies on franchise fees and PEG grants for revenue. Mayor Grant questioned how the Council wanted to proceed. Councilmember Fabel indicated he was opposed to the franchise fees. Councilmember Holden stated she supported the City further exploring franchise fees. Councilmember Monson agreed noting she would like to see two different budget scenarios (one with and one without franchise fees) and how the future projects would impact the budget. She supported exploring franchise fees. Councilmember Rousseau also supported the City further exploring franchise fees. Mayor Grant requested staff prepare a two option scenario for gas and electric franchise fees for the Council to further discuss at the September work session. D. TCAAP Financial Overview City Administrator Perrault stated Ehlers, the City's financial advisor, prepared revenue and expenditure estimates for the TCAAP project and will give Council an overview. Stacie Kvilvang, Ehlers &Associates, reviewed the numbers for TCAAP and commented on how they were subject to change. She explained she prepared numbers for the 1460, 1789 and 1960 scenarios. She discussed how the home prices had been amended or bumped up to be more properly aligned with current market rates. She reviewed the summary sheet in further detail with the Council and asked for comments or questions. Mayor Grant asked if staff had spoken with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department regarding updated numbers for public safety costs. Ms. Kvilvang reported staff came up with a number. Councilmember Monson stated this was a unique way to develop a City given the fact it was a large development with build out assumptions. She believed this plan was a good exercise,but she anticipated some level of flexibility would have to be considered in the plans. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 8 Mayor Grant commented most cities grow organically or slowly overtime. He reported the financial models for TCAAP assisted with planning for tremendous growth given the fact the City would go from 3200 homes to nearly 5000 homes. He believed the financial models had value. Councilmember Monson indicated the Council would have to remember the models were based on assumptions and the build out schedule could change. Councilmember Holden stated these models were requested in the past. Ms. Kvilvang commented on how growth communities have development paying for itself, and explained development generally pays for the capital investment in a project not the operational side. She commended the City for having the developer pay for the parks. Councilmember Fabel asked if residential taxation was more beneficial to the City than commercial taxation. Ms. Kvilvang reported the City received more from residential taxes than commercial taxes. Mayor Grant inquired of the model had an absorption rate of 250 to 300 units per year. Ms. Kvilvang stated this was the case. Councilmember Holden asked what the impact would be from taking out the Commercial Flex property and adding more Residential. Ms. Kvilvang indicated she could do the calculations on how many jobs were lost per the square feet that were lost. Councilmember Monson supported TCAAP having more mixed use developments with retail on the lower level. She explained more people were working from home post-pandemic and residents may benefit from this type of development. Councilmember Holden expressed concern with the wages that would be paid at these retail establishments, noting it would not be a livable wage. She indicated the Commercial Flex properties would have provided better jobs for the community. Mayor Grant asked who would be funding the required infrastructure on TCAAP. Ms. Kvilvang reported all of the fees charged by the City would pay for the infrastructure expense. Councilmember Monson commented on the three density scenarios for TCAAP and discussed why the Office Flex space was removed. She reported because the buildings could no longer be built to 10 stories, it meant the residential units would have to be considered in other areas of the site. Councilmember Holden inquired if the lot sizes had been discussed for TCAAP. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 9 Councilmember Monson stated this level of detail has not been addressed yet. Ms. Kvilvang indicated Alatus would like to better understand the comfort level of the Council before getting down to this level of detail. She questioned if the Council could consider a development plan with 1789 or 1960 units. Councilmember Holden discussed how important home ownership was to the original plans for TCAAP. She expressed concern with how many more rental units would be included within development now. Ms. Kvilvang reviewed the plans for the Hill and Creek neighborhoods. She noted the affordable units would be within the Town Center. City Administrator Perrault explained Alatus was looking into constructing townhouses and affordable stack houses. Mayor Grant commented on the differences between the 1460 and 1789 density scenarios. He stated he was surprised that the value of the development would only increase by $14 million going from 1460 to 1789 units. Councilmember Monson indicated she would like to see the development ensuring a level of home ownership as well within TCAAP. She commented she would be open to looking at the level of Office Flex if more jobs were needed. Mayor Grant reported jobs and home ownership were important to him as well. He saw value in a resident owning their property/unit. He explained jobs were important in order to move the project forward. Councilmember Monson believed the Council was providing good visioning and starting point information. Councilmember Holden commented she was just provided with the financial numbers and data and noted she was not prepared to discuss visioning for this development. Mayor Grant stated in the past, Mr. Lux would attend meetings and provide visuals. Ms. Kvilvang anticipated this would occur, but the Council would have to decide on a density scenario. Councilmember Rousseau explained she supported homeownership within the development as well. She didn't want to cram people into the development for the sake of cramming people in, but rather wanted people to have the right amount of space for their home. Councilmember Holden indicated she wanted to know more about how CR96 would be impacted by TCAAP. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 10 Councilmember Monson stated this could be further addressed once a density scenario was selected. Mayor Grant asked if the AUAR had been updated. City Administrator Perrault stated this had not been done. Mayor Grant believed it would be beneficial to have a model or rendering of the site at each of the different density scenarios. City Administrator Perrault indicated it was too early to have this level of detail from the developer. He hoped the Council could land on one of the density scenarios at this meeting, either 1789 or 1960. Mayor Grant recommended the Council not overlook how this project, at the different density scenarios, would impact transportation and schools. City Administrator Perrault reported the County was looking further into the transportation impacts, but noted the adjacent roads were overbuilt in anticipation of this development. He explained he has had a number of conversations with the school district and noted they could handle the additional density. Councilmember Fabel stated it was his understanding the school district was anxious to get more students from Arden Hills into the schools. Councilmember Holden indicated she would support the Council further discussing this topic given the fact she was just provided these numbers at this meeting. Councilmember Monson stated she thought the Council would be trying to come to a consensus on the density at this meeting, but perhaps the Council was working to better understand the numbers. Further discussion ensued regarding the MOU with the developer. Ms. Kvilvang summarized the conversation of the Council noting she understood home ownership was important. E. Preliminary 2024 General Fund Budget Finance Director Bauman stated annually, City staff prepares and submits a preliminary budget to the City Council for review and feedback. Each department provided their respective forecasts for this budget. The proposed 2024 budget is $6,226,460, an increase of$696,280 or 12.6%. For the purpose of this discussion, there is a 13.2% ($621,270) tax levy increase reflected in the budget, all for the General Fund. As presented, the General Fund Budget is underfunded by $218,260 ($160,760 + $57,500), which is more than the budget shortfall projected in the 2023 budget of$160,760. This practice is not sustainable in the long term. Direction given at the July 2023 work session was to apply $57,500 of the 2022 fund balance to some one time operational ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 11 expenditures included in the 2024 Budget ($40,000 for ordinance updates and $17,500 for a comp study). This would cause the 2024 Budget to be underfunded by a minimum of$57,500. A tax levy increase of 16.6% ($782,030) would be needed to balance the budget in 2024. Staff provided further comment on the Preliminary 2024 General Fund Budget and requested feedback from the Council. Councilmember Monson asked where the surplus in the General Budget is transferred to. Finance Director Bauman reported these funds are placed in the PIR Fund. Councilmember Holden questioned if staff had pricing for the new City Attorney. City Administrator Perrault indicated it would depend on the chosen firm, but based on the proposals he did not anticipate they would increase the budget significantly. Councilmember Fabel expressed concern with the increased fees from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department. City Administrator Perrault reported it was his understanding the sheriff's department had added two positions and was passing along higher administrative fees to their contract cities. Mayor Grant supported the fire department pursuing the safer grant. Councilmember Monson explained this grant would be pursued as the department commits to hiring new personnel for the full-time model. Councilmember Fabel questioned when the step and grade model was adopted for personnel. City Administrator Perrault stated this was done in 2014. He reported a compensation study was completed in 2018. Councilmember Fabel asked what the cost of living adjustment would be for 2024. Finance Director Bauman indicated the COLA was set to be 3%. Councilmember Monson expressed concerns with how inflation was impacting the economy and inquired if the 3% increase would be sufficient to retain employees. She asked if the personnel committee has looked into this. Mayor Grant commented on how Staff would be receiving step increases along with COLA. Councilmember Holden indicated Arden Hills was a small city and there were not the same opportunities as large cities. Finance Director Bauman reported the preliminary tax levy had to be approved by the City Council on September 1 I or September 25. She asked if the Council would like to hold another budget worksession prior to considering the preliminary tax levy. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 12 Councilmember Fabel stated he was concerned with how personnel costs may need to increase in order to retain employees. Councilmember Monson reported she was concerned with the fact the budget was under funded because there was very little extra included. Mayor Grant discussed how much the fire and police increases were impacting the budget and tax levy. He questioned why the Fire Department was proposing a 6% increase in one year. He supported the City going back to them and proposing a 3% increase over the next two years or a 2% increase over the next three years. Councilmember Monson stated she could go back and discuss this further with the Fire Board. Finance Director Bauman indicated she could provide the Council with a range of levy options, because the union contract would not be settled by September. Mayor Grant stated it was 8:00 p.m. and the Council has met its three hour limit. He questioned how the Council wanted to proceed. Councilmember Monson stated she would like to receive an update from staff on personnel. City Administrator Perrault indicated he could get through the final three items in 15 minutes. F. South Tower Repairs and Security Improvements Discussion Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated within the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) the South Tower is planned for improvements in 2024. The MN Department of Health recommends that storage facilities for public water supply systems are inspected and maintained on a 5-year cycle. Public Works ordered an inspection of the South Tower that was completed Fall of 2022. The report recommendations include spot coating repairs, minor structural repairs, the addition of water stagnation system, and other improvements related to OSHA requirements. Along with the recommended repairs, it is desired to include security improvements to the South Tower with this project. Staff commented on options available to the City and explained staff will be pursuing the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program to assist in funding the selected security improvements. Staff is requesting any feedback to the proposed improvements from City Council. Provided direction, staff will work with a selected consultant to submit a proposal for plans, specifications and construction administration and bring it back to Council for approval at an upcoming regular meeting Councilmember Holden supported the City having a security fence with barbed wire at the top. She indicated this was recommended by national security people as the minimum standard. She commented on how detrimental it would be to the community if the City's water were to go down. Mayor Grant commented the City may have to look at what can be done in the budget in 2024, not the expense for the upgrades may have to be spread over the next few years. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 13 Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported he would speak with a design firm to learn more about the costs and would bring this back to the Council for consideration at a future meeting. G. LMCIT Meeting Planning City Administrator Perrault stated attempts to schedule a meeting with LMCIT Collaboration Services have not been successful, the same is true for the Council Retreat. Staff would like to know if Council would still want us to pursue a meeting with LMCIT Collaboration Services, ideally Council would be able to select a date at this worksession. Councilmember Holden supported staff continuing their efforts. Councilmember Monson agreed and noted she would like the Council to hold a retreat in early 2024. H. Personnel Updates City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with an update on personnel matters. He stated the personnel committee met last week and discussed employee retention. It was noted flexible work schedules were discussed. In addition, the City's dress policy was reviewed. He indicated another matter that was discussed was trying to move away from three official Council meetings and moving to two official meetings with worksession meetings held prior to the Council meetings. He stated the last item discussed was the City's PTO policy. Councilmember Rousseau explained she would be willing to consider the changed meeting schedule,but noted the Council was already holding very long meetings. City Administrator Perrault stated he understood this to be the case and commented this could be done on a trial basis. Councilmember Holden questioned when the worksession meetings would begin. City Administrator Perrault proposed the worksession meetings begin at 5:00 p.m. I. Council Tracker City Administrator Perrault provided the Council with an update on the Council Tracker. 4. COUNCIL COMMENTS AND STAFF UPDATES Councilmember Holden stated she has heard concerns about the road adjacent to the school. She commented on how the County was working on the trail to make it walkable when school starts. Councilmember Rousseau requested staff put information regarding the trail on Facebook. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 21, 2023 14 Community Development Director Jagoe commented on the code amendments that would be going to the Planning Commission in October. She asked if the Council supported further addressing ground mounted solar and accessory structure sizes. The Council supported these items waiting till 2024. ADJOURN Mayor Grant adjourned the City Council Work Session meeting at 8:17 p.m. It J e Hanson David Grant y Clerk Mayor