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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 21, 2016 10 Councilmember Wicklund questioned if the budget was conservative enough to finish in the black. Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson reported this was the case. Councilmember Wicklund questioned if the 4.7% levy amount could be lowered Interim City Administrator/Director of Finance and Administrative Services Iverson recommended that the levy amount remain as is in order for the City to remain sustainable. Councilmember Holmes stated she supported the hire of another City Planner. Councilmember Holden asked if the Public Works Foreman position was necessary. Public Works Superintendent Novack commented a working foreman position was a great help to the community. Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Brotzler stated it would benefit both he and Ken to have a little more time to evaluate the staffing level of the Public Works Department. He believed it was reasonable to have eight staff members, one being the working foreman. He anticipated that as TCAAP came online another staff member may be necessary. Councilmember Holden wanted to address the Community Development Director position. She supported the City consulting with WSB versus hiring another planner. Councilmember Wicklund thought it would be in the City's best interest to have a Community Development Director on board when TCAAP begins to develop. Mayor Grant commented communities the size of Arden Hills don't typically have a Community Development Director. He was of the opinion that WSB would be able to provide the City with expertise in planning. Councilmember McClung believed the current system was working. He suggested the new City Administrator be allowed to provide input on the staffing model. For the time being, he recommended the current positions remain in the 2017 budget. Further discussion ensued regarding the City's staffing model. Councilmember Holmes believed the Public Works Department was adequately staffed but feared Senior Planner Bachler was totally overwhelmed and understaffed. She feared if the budget were adjusted too severely, the City would not have adequate funding to keep the same staffing level. Councilmember McClung appreciated Councilmember Holmes perspective and recommended the positions remain in 2017, along with the funding and requested contractors be paid until a time the City hired additional personnel.