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Joint Development Authority <br />Monday, October 2, 2023 <br />Arden Hills City Council Chambers <br />Minutes <br />5:30 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Roll Call <br /> <br />Joint Development Authority: Chair Jon Wicklund, Commissioner Nicole Frethem, <br />Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt, Commissioner Tom Fabel, Commissioner Tena Monson <br /> <br />Also present: Dave Perrault (Arden Hills); Jessica Jagoe (Arden Hills); Kari Collins (Ramsey <br />County), Rachel Tierney (Kennedy & Graven) <br /> <br />Roll call taken. <br /> <br />Approval of Agenda <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Frethem seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the agenda <br />as presented. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Approval of Minutes <br /> <br />Motion by Commissioner Fabel seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the August 7, <br />2023 and September 5, 2023 JDA meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. <br /> <br />Public Input <br /> <br />Brad Bjorklund, 3550 Ridgewood Court, stated George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis Police <br />and it brought to life the term institutional racism. He believed the City of Arden Hills has <br />practiced institutional racism for years by not encouraging but discouraging meaningful low <br />income housing. He stated compared to neighboring communities, Arden Hills was a standout <br />dismal failure, showing just how institutional racism works. He explained if the JDA moves <br />forward with the 1,960 units on Rice Creek Commons this would help Arden Hills be more <br />human. He believed this plan speaks well for the City doing the right thing. <br /> <br />Mary Henry, 3521 Ridgewood Court, provided the JDA with an article from August from the <br />Pioneer Press. She explained this article discussed how the metro area was the first <br />metropolitan area to fall below 2% inflation in May. She noted this article attributed this result <br />to building housing in the metro area, while also pumping $320 million into rental assistance. <br />She indicated there was still a need for more housing in the metro area, but the Twin Cities was <br />not facing the same struggles as other metropolitan areas around the country. She urged the