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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-24-26-RApproved: September 14, 2026 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 24, 2026 7:00 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Mayor David Grant called to order the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor David Grant, Councilmembers Brenda Holden, Tena Monson, Emily Rousseau and Kurt Weber Absent: None Also present: City Administrator Jessica Jagoe; City Attorney Cynthia Kirchoff, Public Works Director/City Engineer David Swearingen; and Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Monson requested Item 7C be pulled from the agenda for consideration at the September 14, 2026 City Council meeting. MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the meeting, agenda as amended. The motion carried 15-0). 2. TCAAP/RICE CREEK COMMONS UPDATE City Administrator Jagoe stated the JDA Advisory Committee met on August 13th. Staff shared information on a grant opportunity for the JDA that is being considered for the Rice Creek Commons project from the Congress for the New Urbanism that would provide for professional design assistance on public realm amenities including landscaping, the natural resource corridor, areas of Town Center, and parks. This design assistance is intended to provide a plan that will renew and affirm through facilitated community engagement and discussions the vision and strategies for connecting all these public amenities within the project. On August 18th the Energy Advisory Committee met. JDA staff and consultants reviewed discussions with Xcel Energy about options for electricity and natural gas service to the site, ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 2 given the implementation of the Sustainability Design Guidelines. The EAC will be bringing forth a recommendation to the next JDA meeting about natural gas installation as part of the Rice Creek Boulevard road project to further advance clean energy initiatives. In addition, the EAC discussed and plans to recommend an edit to the Sustainability Design Guidelines to clarify how energy efficiency should be measured. Staff provided updates on Rice Creek Boulevard's alignment with LEED for Communities and Micro Control Company's sustainable development outcomes. The next Joint Development meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, September 15th at 5:30. Mayor Grant asked how large of a grant the JDA was seeking for the design assistance. City Administrator Jagoe explained the design service assistance grant could provide up to $150,000 and requires a $7,500 match. Councilmember Rousseau discussed the open house that was held for the Rice Creek Trail and questioned when this trail would begin. City Administrator Jagoe reported the open house was held by Ramsey County. She indicated the site prep work for the road and trail would begin this fall and noted this was a two year project. Councilmember Rousseau requested the JDA keep the City updated on the trail construction timeline. Councilmember Holden inquired who the grant opportunity was with. City Administrator Jagoe stated the grant was being pursued with the Congress for New Urbanism. Councilmember Holden asked if a gas line would be installed along with the spine road. City Administrator Jagoe commented the Energy Advisory Committee received an update from staff on the discussions that have occurred with Xcel Energy. She indicated further discussion would occur at the staff level and a recommendation would be brought forward at the next JDA meeting. She discussed the options that would be considered in further detail with the Council. Councilmember Holden recommended a gas line be installed at the time the spine road is installed so the spine road does not have to be ripped up at a future date if the gas line is needed. She inquired when the spine road project would be bid by the County. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported the preliminary work has been bid and contracts were being routed for signature. He indicated the larger project would be bid in January or February of 2027. Mayor Grant hoped that the remaining telephone poles would be removed as part of the spine road project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 3 Councilmember Monson discussed how the grant was a great opportunity for the JDA. She explained the JDA wanted to delineate parks within the project and discussed having a steering committee should the JDA receive the grant. She thanked Ramsey County for hosting an open house and noted for those who could not attend, the County would be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. She stated she looked forward to hearing more about the gas line. 3. PUBLIC INQUIRIES/INFORMATIONAL Michelle Long, 5014 Lexington Avenue North in Shoreview, explained she spends 30 minutes in the AHATS wildlife viewing area every morning watching birds fly back and forth. She noted she serves on the St. Paul Bird Alliance and was a Minnesota Naturalist. She cared greatly about the health of habitats and ecosystems. She discussed how the proposed project on AHATS would impact wildlife habitat. She commented on how all the new lighting would impact the birds on the property and asked that the Council take this into consideration. Ann Maslansky-Takahaski, 1570 Hillview Road in Shoreview, noted she has been in contact with the MPCA and she had a copy of the scoping. She indicated no roads were shown on the plan and it was unclear how trucks would go in and out of the site. She discussed how anything used on within this development would have to be included in the EIW. She reported there are children that walk to school in her neighborhood and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department has been called to assist with traffic control. She commented on the power surges that have been occurring in her neighborhood since Micro Controls opened for business. She stated she has serious concerns for her neighborhood and recommended all stakeholders be brought together in order to discuss the plans for TCAAP and the Hillview development. Shaina Christen, 5793 Fairview Avenue, explained she lived adjacent to the proposed Hillview business park. She reported this property was located in Arden Hills but would have impacts on the Shoreview. She indicated she was not opposed to development but rather wanted the City to consider if this development at the proposed scale was the right use for this piece of land. She stated the Hillview development would place one million square feet of industrial development next to an established residential neighborhood. She commented on how the adjacent families would have to endure additional truck traffic noise, lighting, air pollution and increased pressure on the roads. She discussed how difficult it has been for the neighbors to get clear information regarding this project. She commented on the neighborhood meeting that was held on July 15. She stated the neighbors in Shoreview may not vote for Arden Hills Councilmembers but these individuals were still neighbors. She reported the decisions made by the City Council would greatly impact the homes, roads, children and quality of life for the existing neighbors in Shoreview. She requested the Council not rush this project, to create a transparent process that brings together all stakeholders before major decisions are made and to consider the best use for this property that protects the existing residential neighborhood. Katie Christensen, 1739 Hillview Road in Shoreview, explained she was before the Council because she will be impacted by the Hillview Business Park development. She stated she handed the City Clerk a formal notice of procedural non-compliance to ensure that specific statutory violations located within the final scoping document are on record. She discussed how the adequacy of the environmental review process rests on the City Council's shoulders and she urged the City Council to pay attention to this project and to correct three legal gaps before approving this scoping document. First, she indicated the study must evaluate a smaller scale ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 4 project alternative. She noted this option was excluded because the developer has stated this type of project would not be profitable. She urged the Council to not let a private entity dictate a public process, which damages State environmental rules and creates serious legal risks for the City. Second, the City's statement regarding the deed restriction for industrial use only is a direct contradiction to the City's public record. She noted the scoping text claims the City cannot study alternative land uses because of a federal deed that restricts the site. However, a private deed restriction does not strip a City of its inherent power to zone land. She commented on how this property was guided as park reserve within the 2030 and 2040 City's Comprehensive Plan. Third, when bordering municipalities, like the city of Shoreview submit warnings regarding truck traffic and infrastructure strain and severe noise, simply cataloging these comments without properly incorporating them into the EIS is a major procedural failure. She stated the neighbors want to work collaboratively and transparently with the City on this project. Edith Bajema, 5541 Fairview Avenue North, noted she lived yards from the proposed entrance of the Hillview development. She explained she spent a great deal of time walking through this property and it was dear to her. She indicated she has made great improvements to her home and she was concerned about her property value being impacted by the proposed project. She requested a separate property value analysis for the Shamrock Park neighborhood from County Road I to Sherwood be completed. She stated she was retired and she wanted to better understand how her home value would be impacted. She discussed how the traffic would increase if this development were approved, bringing both cars and semi -truck traffic through her neighborhood, which was a concern to her. She recommended a traffic study with long term air emission modeling be completed for this project, along with an advanced sound modeling and lighting study. Kiki Sonnen, 1758 Hewitt Avenue in St. Paul, explained she was the president of the St. Paul Bird Alliance. She discussed how this project was in the beginning phases of the EIS. She discussed the meeting that was held in Shoreview, noting the developer had the land bulldozed and fences installed because there were trespassers on the site. She asked if this was true. Mayor Grant stated it was his understanding the developer could not move any dirt on the property until the EQB allows it. He asked if staff was aware of any equipment or dirt being moved on the Hillview property. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated he was not aware of any dirt being moved on this property. Ms. Sonnen recommended the City not issue any permits for work on this property until biologists were able to visit the site to look for endangered species. She reported the Arden Hills training site has a ghost tiger beetle that was discovered by St. Paul Bird Alliance individuals. Tom Lemke, 5577 Schutta Road in Shoreview, stated the residents in Shoreview were asking the City of Arden Hills to work with them. He encouraged Arden Hills to put together a multi -agency discussion for this development. Once the neighbors hear from all of the stakeholders, he wanted the neighbors to be able to speak about the oversized development. He reported he has lived in his home for the past 40 years and he was concerned that his property value would be adversely impacted by the proposed development. He stated there were 565 houses in his neighborhood that would be impacted by this project. He recommended that as the TCAAP site is developed that a site be set aside for a museum in order to protect the artifacts from TCAAP. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 5 Phil Herzog, 5595 Schutta Road, explained he has witnessed two small backhoes and a large backhoe active at the building site two weeks ago. He indicated he supported the City putting aside land for a museum on the TCAAP property, noting his grandfather worked on the property during the war making ammunition. Ronald Markham, 5628 Aldine Street, stated the people behind him are his friends and neighbors. He explained he understood development and traffic along County Road I. He indicated his big concerns were how the developer would be building a road up County Road I which would put a large amount of additional traffic onto County Road I. He asked that the City require the developer to find another route into the Hillview development. Alyssa Kruzel, 5554 Arona Street, commented on how there may not be an alternate access point into the Hillview property. However, she would like the City to consider an alternative access point, such as County Road H. She noted she attended the Rice Creek Boulevard open house stating she appreciated the great visuals that were created by the County. She asked that the City remain transparent and engaged with the neighbors as this project moves forward. Amber Brookman, 5790 Fairview Avenue, explained she was in agreement with all of the comments being made by her neighbors. She stated she was also speaking on behalf of an unincorporated association of like minded individuals whose goal was to educate and protect the blandings turtle. She reported blandings turtle were a protected and threatened species that can live for over 70 years. She indicated their numbers were going down because adult turtles do not begin laying eggs until after the age of 20. Due to habitat loss, only 1 % to 2% of all blandings turtles reach the egg laying age. She encouraged the Council to protect the robust population of nesting blandings turtles on the TCAAP property. Alex, a resident of Minnesota, commented that the Ramsey County Sheriff has implemented Flock cameras in the County and they were in Arden Hills. He reported these cameras were being used to survey Arden Hills residents. He encouraged the City Council to have the cameras removed from the community. Mayor Grant clarified the City Council did not approve the installation of Flock cameras in the community. However, this does not mean the cameras have not been installed on freeways within the community. Sharon Ehrreich, 5561 Schutta Road in Shoreview, noted she has lived in her home for the past 31 years. She commented on how traffic was diverted to County Road I while work was being done on County Road 96. She discussed how the County Road I was not designed for a constant flow of trucks. She recommended the Hillview development be accessed from County Road H. Charles Sheridan, 1769 Terrace Drive in Shoreview, explained he was concerned with how his neighborhood would be impacted during construction of the Hillview property. He indicated a great deal of dust would be stirred up by construction traffic. He noted he has spoken with someone from the EPA and stated he has a test well on his property. He questioned if the City would be conducting further testing on the property for contaminants in the soil and water. Jessica Fernandez, 1705 Terrace Drive in Shoreview, indicated she and her neighbors have concerns given how her neighborhood was landlocked. She discussed how parents have to pay for bussing or their children have to walk to Pinewood Elementary School. She commented on how ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 6 many accidents have occurred on County Road I, noting her vehicle was totaled at the crosswalk. She stated once children are going to Edgewood or Irondale, children have to walk or ride their bikes along County Road I. She feared the children in her neighborhood would be at an increased risk at the roundabout because it was dangerous, especially if the traffic in the area was increased. Cecelia Soriano, 1669 Hillview Road, stated she agreed with many of the previous statements. She indicated she was a mom and the safety of children was a primary concern for her. She commented on the number of walkers and bikers on County Road I noting there was a large potential for fatal accidents along this roadway. She believed this developer has disappointed the neighbors by not being fully transparent and for not hearing the concerns of the neighbors. She expressed concern with the fact the developer was not taking into consideration the comments raised prior to the development beginning and that this would put the neighbors' safety at risk going forward. She commented she was also concerned with how her property value would be impacted by the proposed development. She asked that the Council hold the developer accountable to ensure the neighbors are properly protected. Amado Moreno, 2215 Oak Wood Terrace, explained he has lived in his home since 1984. He noted he raised three children in his home. He urged the City to require the developer to follow the rules that were in place. 4. RESPONSE TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES None. 5. PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS None. 6. STAFF COMMENTS A. Transportation Update Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported Xcel Energy was progressing with the installation of a 20" gas main along Highway 96. He noted the directional drilling under Trunk Highway 10 was completed and now drilling had begun under I-35W. He explained the project would last into the fall and would continue to have impacts along Highway 96. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated the 2026 PMP contractor was preparing the streets for the final lift of pavement within the Karth Lake neighborhood and on Cummings Drive. He reported this work would begin this week. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained Highway 51 has a southbound right lane closure at Old Snelling to Lydia Avenue. He indicated Highway 51 would be open to traffic for the State Fair and work would continue on this project after the State Fair throughout the fall. Councilmember Rousseau asked who her neighbors were supposed to contact regarding broken sprinkler heads. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 7 Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen encouraged the neighbors to speak with Site Inspector Jon Andrys of Bolton & Menk or himself regarding.this matter. Councilmember Holden inquired when Karth Lake Circle would be completed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained Karth Lake Circle was scheduled for mill and paving on Wednesday, August 26. Councilmember Weber stated the traffic on Highway 96 was exceptional at this time. He asked that staff speak with Xcel Energy about ways to alleviate traffic backups during rush hour. Councilmember Monson asked what the timing was for the sidewalk within the Platinum development. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen reported the Council just approved the professional services agreement for the design work and noted the sidewalk would be constructed next year along with the Old Highway 10 trail project. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. July 13, 2026, City Council Work Session B. July 27, 2026, City Council Work Session C. July 27, 2026, Regular City Council — TABLED to September 14, 2026 City Council Meeting MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to approve the Jule 13, 2026. Citv Council Work Session minutes as amended and the Jule 27, 2026. Cite Council Work Session minutes as presented. The motion carried (5- 8. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Item - Claims and Payroll B. Motion To Approve Resolutions 2026-039 And 2026-040 Appointing Tom Linn And Michael Yu To The Economic Development Commission (EDC) C. Motion To Approve Authorization Of Highway 96 Storm Sewer Repair MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Weber seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar as presented and to authorize execution of all necessarN documents contained therein. The motion carried (5Z 9. PULLED CONSENT ITEMS None. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 11. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolution 26-041 Adopting The Scoping Decision Document And Authorizing Preparation Of A Draft Environmental Impact Statement For The Hillview Business Park Project Angie Smith, Bolton & Menk, stated the Council should discuss information related to the Final Draft Scoping Decision Document and related attachments, including the Environmental Assessment Worksheet, for the Environmental Review process underway for the "Hillview Business Park" light industrial development proposed by Maplewood Development. The Hillview Business Park is a proposed light industrial business park located on approximately 62 acres of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) property in Arden Hills, south of County Road I, east of the future Rice Creek Commons development area and surrounded on the north and west by the Arden Hills Army Training Site and related Minnesota National Guard facilities. Ms. Smith reported the site is being evaluated for future redevelopment. A mandatory Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required before development applications can be considered by the City. The scale and nature of the proposed project — more than 500,000 square feet of light industrial space — requires an Environmental Impact Statement, under state statute. In 2023, the Federal Government auctioned the 62-acre "Primer -Tracer" property "as -is." Maplewood Development was the high bidder for the property, and the purchase was completed in 2026. Maplewood Development is responsible for all environmental reviews, demolition, remediation, and future land use approvals for the proposed Hillview Business Park. Ms. Smith explained Bolton & Menk is under contract to support review of the mandatory environmental documents following the project proposer's submittal. The first step — publication of the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and Draft Scoping Decision Document (SDD) — occurred June 16, 2026. A 30-day public comment period followed, including a public scoping meeting on July 8, 2026. All scoping process agency and public comments have been reviewed, responded to, and incorporated into the Final Scoping Decision Document, which defines the scope of analysis for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The project proposer and City staff agreed that, while not required, a response to comments document was needed. She commented in detail on the studies and documentation that would be completed through the EIS/EAW process. The tentative project schedule was reviewed with the Council along with the next steps for this project. Councilmember Weber stated it appears Ms. Smith is uniquely qualified for this project and he was grateful Ms. Smith was working with the City on this project. Councilmember Rousseau requested further information on the proposed conceptual project layout. Ms. Smith reviewed the proposed concept plans noting the maximum potential impact would be the one million square feet with five buildings on the site. She indicated the developer may not proceed in this manner, but the maximum impact had to be studied for the site. Councilmember Rousseau inquired if Ms. Smith would be coordinating with Ramsey County Parks on this project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 9 Ms. Smith reported the parks would be part of the review process. Councilmember Rousseau indicated she has heard from neighbors there was a lack of coordination on this project. She stated she had concerns with how this project may be a sampling of the larger Rice Creek Commons project. She supported the City establishing relationships with the JDA in order to create templates on how to communicate in order to ensure the best possible outcomes are created for these projects. Councilmember Holden inquired if the developer could have requested an assessment on 1.5 million square feet for this site. Ms. Smith reported this could have been requested by the developer. Councilmember Holden stated because an analysis was being requested on one million square feet of space for the site, the project that is brought forward could be no larger than this. Ms. Smith indicated this would be the case. Councilmember Holden questioned if this would be a transferrable document from one developer to another. Ms. Smith commented this would depend on the future concept for the site. Councilmember Holden asked where the road was located that would connect with County Road I. Ms. Smith reviewed the location of the proposed roadway. Councilmember Holden explained this was a landlocked property and stated it was her understanding Ramsey County was allowing this property to be accessed via County Road I. Ms. Smith commented she would have to review the traffic impact study further before she could answer this question. Councilmember Holden stated the reason she was bringing this up was because she wanted to make the neighbors aware of the fact the County was granting the property owner access to County Road I and this was not a decision made by the City. She discussed how the National Guard would be removing a number of the Siberian Elm trees on the site and noted this was being done because this was an invasive species. She explained the backhoe that was working on the National Guard property was uninstalling and reinstalling a fence along the wildlife corridor. She asked if the Primer Tracer has been delisted. Ms. Smith reported this property has been delisted. Councilmember Holden commented on the rules that would have to be followed for the removal and disposal of the pollutants on site. She questioned what agencies Bolton & Menk would be working with on the EIS. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 10 Ms. Smith explained she would be working with PCA, DNR, Met Council, Department of Health, Ramsey County, the watershed district and MNDOT. Councilmember Holden addressed the comment that was made regarding how this property was not guided for industrial use within the last two comp plans. She noted the Council has changed the zoning or properties many times for developments. City Administrator Jagoe reported the Council has approved comprehensive plan amendments and rezonings for developments. Councilmember Holden questioned what type of sound modeling would be completed. Ms. Smith explained no sound modeling was proposed within the draft EIS, but once a final tenant is identified, should there be additional noise concerns, noise modeling can occur. Councilmember Holden requested further comment on how the traffic impact would be considered, given the fact a final tenant had not yet been determined. Ms. Smith indicated there would be a range of information provided through the traffic impact study for industrial, warehousing or commercial projects. Councilmember Holden questioned what information would be provided regarding lighting. Ms. Smith stated information would be brought in regarding the proposed downcast lighting. She noted there were opportunities to abide by dark sky requirements while still providing safety and security for the proposed facility. Councilmember Holden inquired if the endangered species study has to be completed again or could the previously gathered information be used. Ms. Smith reported she would be working closely with the DNR on this portion of the project and any existing information with be brought in for analysis. Councilmember Holden understood the residential neighbors were concerned about their property values being impacted. She discussed how this property was not valued as open green space. She explained she looked forward to the site being cleaned up so people are not harmed on the site. Councilmember Monson asked what a VIC was. Councilmember Holden stated this was a voluntary investigative cleanup. Councilmember Monson questioned if air emissions from tracks would be included in the scope of this project. Ms. Smith reported truck emissions and construction traffic would be addressed in the greenhouse gas portion of this project. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 11 Councilmember Monson inquired if this study would take into consideration particulate matter from truck traffic. Ms. Smith commented the EIS would have an air quality section where particulate matter would be considered. However, she noted once a final tenant is determined a formal air quality study could be required by the City Council. Councilmember Monson stated she would like to see the study include both greenhouse gas and particulate matter in the air quality study. She requested further information as to why the Phase 1 ARC study was not included. Ms. Smith indicated the State Historic Preservation letter dated July 2025, stated no additional study was required. Councilmember Monson reported this stretch of County Road I was challenging for bikers and children walking to school and the roundabout has made this situation even more difficult. She questioned how this would be analyzed in the study. Ms. Smith stated bike and pedestrian safety will be addressed in the traffic section of the study. Councilmember Monson recommended Ms. Smith reach out to the school district in order to address the safety concerns along County Road I. She asked that Ms. Smith speak to how the City has followed the rules for this project. Ms. Smith explained the Minnesota rules outline how an EIS moves forward. She reported the rules are very prescriptive and reported she has been working very closely with the City to ensure the Minnesota rules are being followed. Councilmember Monson requested Ms. Smith speak to the fact the scoping document improperly excludes the mandatory study of a reduced scale project layout based purely on the developer's private financial preferences. Ms. Smith stated the scoping document doesn't get into that level of detail of that analysis but that will come forward in the alternatives analysis. Councilmember Monson explained she would like the County to be involved in taking a look at the condition of the road (County Road I) to ensure this roadway was built to the proper level. Ms. Smith reported she would be working with County transportation on this portion of the project. Mayor Grant explained these 62 acres were not included in the Rice Creek Commons project and therefore the JDA would not be making decisions on how this property develops. He stated he understood this project would scale the project from doing nothing all the way up to one million square feet of industrial development. He discussed how all of the different scenarios that could develop on this site would have different parking requirements and asked that this be incorporated into the study. He asked if building height would be taken into consideration within the study. Ms. Smith indicated building height would be taken into consideration. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 12 Mayor Grant appreciated the fact dust would be taken into consideration within the study. He stated he looked forward to hearing how sewer and water would be provided to the site. He discussed how routing traffic to County Road H would require traffic to cross over Rice Creek. Ms. Smith stated this option would be evaluated within the study. Mayor Grant clarified for the record the City has provided the scoping document to Ramsey County and the city of Shoreview. Ms. Smith reported this was the case. City Administrator Jagoe explained that the City of Shoreview submitted comments are part of the review and these comments included in the packet. Mayor Grant indicated the City has adequately incorporated adjacent municipalities and other governmental units. Ms. Smith stated this was the case. Mayor Grant commented the legal right for Ramsey County to grant an easement to this property along County Road I was not something Ms. Smith would analyze. Ms. Smith explained she was not a City Attorney and she would look to the City Council for legal requirements for this matter but noted this was not an environmental matter. Mayor Grant inquired if the current road conditions of County Road I would be considered as part of this study. Ms. Smith stated the existing conditions and build to conditions for County Road I will be included in the traffic impact study. Mayor Grant questioned when document findings would be finalized for the public to view. Ms. Smith anticipated the documents would be finalized in late October or November. Mayor Grant reported that the Council supports the removal of the existing bunkers and buildings on this property. He was of the opinion supported this action as well so long as the removal was done in coordination with all MPCA and EPA requirements. Councilmember Holden indicated she would like a list of the items that would be added to the scope of the project so these items could be included in the Council's motion. Ms. Smith reported she would be looking at land use compatibility, air quality emissions and particulates, threatened and endangered species would be analyzed along with review of previous studies, lighting will be analyzed, bird species will be studied, coordination with State and local agencies including the school district, bicycle and pedestrian safety was to be considered within the traffic impact study, haul roads and direction of travel was to be considered, the existing condition of County Road I was to be considered, parking needs within the concept plans was to ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL —AUGUST 24, 2026 13 be considered, visual impacts and building heights are to be considered, water and sewer infrastructure services, and traffic concerns are to be addressed. MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Weber seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-041 Adopting the Scoping Decision Document and Authorizing Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Hillview Business Park Proiect with the additions as discussed bv the consultant. A roll call vote was taken. The motion carried !LLL 12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None, 13. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Rousseau requested an update on the Freeway Park fence. Councilmember Holden stated this � fence would not be installed until the utilities issues were resolved. She anticipated the fence would be installed in 2027. Councilmember Holden reported that former Councilmember Nick Tamble passed away. Councilmember Holden presented Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Julie Hanson with a trophy and thanked her for her efforts in planning the 75tb Anniversary Celebration and drone show. A round of applause was offered by all in attendance. Councilmember Monson reported the Financial Planning and Advisory Commission has open seats at this time. Councilmember Monson stated the Bark Bash would be held in Perry Park on Saturday, September 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Councilmember Monson thanked everyone who attended the Rice Creek Boulevard open house. She thanked City and County staff for all of their efforts on this event. Mayor Grant stated he attended the open house for the spine road that was put on by Ramsey County. He indicated an online discussion would be held regarding the spine road on Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and information regarding this event could be found on the City's website. Mayor Grant reported the pickleball nets had been deployed and were available for resident use. Mayor Grant explained he received two thank you notes, the first was from Arden Hills Precinct 3 noting the election judges wanted to thank the City for the pastries and honey baked ham that the City provided during the preliminary election. He commented the second thank you was from Arden Hills Precinct 1 thanking the City for the food that was provided during the preliminary election. He thanked all of the election judges for their service to the community. ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — AUGUST 24, 2026 14 ADJOURN MOTION: Councilmember Monson moved and Councilmember Holden seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried (5-0). Mayor Grant adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 9:37 p.m. ' 'tt ' Juli Hanson ADavid Grant Cit Clerk Mayor