Resident urges greater transparency for EDA appointments; council asks staff to provide materials

During public comment at the May 11 meeting, resident Lynn Diaz (1143 Ingerson Road) asked the City Council for more transparency about Arden Hills’ appointed representatives to the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority. Diaz asked whether each applicant was interviewed, whether notes or video were taken during interviews, whether council members were invited to attend interviews, and why appointments were placed on the consent calendar rather than brought forward as council business. She also questioned whether EDA appointees were Arden Hills residents and asked if six‑year terms could be shortened to four years.

Councilmember Tena Monson requested that staff’s data response address all of Diaz’s questions and that the response be posted under the city’s Responses to Public Comments for transparency. Mayor David Grant said the questions were directed to him, and that he would listen to the meeting tape and provide his answers, noting that his answers would be his own and not necessarily represent the entire council. Jagoe confirmed the mayor had turned his ranking notes over to staff and asked that staff share relevant materials with the full council for review.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; councilmembers agreed to have staff compile and share the requested information and to consider whether changes to appointment procedures or term lengths should be discussed at a future meeting.