05-16-22-WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — MAY 16, 2022 6 Councilmember Holden said she is more concerned about New Brighton Road or Pine Tree Drive where there are no sidewalks or trails. But Highway 96 was fine. Mayor Grant instructed staff to have it placed where it will have the maximum impact where you are making a left hand turn onto Old Highway 10. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said he will work with the Ramsey County engineer for placement eastbound on Highway 96 between Holiday and Highway 10. E. City Hall Layout Reorganization City Administrator Perrault said this was discussed by the Personnel Committee as part of the potential need to add staffing when TCAAP develops and reorganizing now for better efficiency and effectiveness of departments working together. There were three different scenarios discussed; moving a department upstairs, transforming the upstairs area into a c-suite for department heads and city administrator, or making changes to the lobby, basement or both to build out additional office space. The third option would impact public access and be the most costly. City Administrator Perrault stated the preferred option is Option l; to move a department upstairs and build out offices there. Public Works makes the most sense to move upstairs, they will have potential additional staff and the least amount of public contact at City Hall. That would involve building out two to four offices, retaining some cubes and maintaining some collaborative work space. Timing -wise they could start right away or wait six months to a year. There has not been a budget identified yet, but they could be looking at around $10,000 per work space. This could be done in two phases, moving a department upstairs and the communications person downstairs in the first phase, and reconfiguring the first floor after additional staff is hired as phase two. City Administrator Perrault said the advantage of moving staff includes having department staff close together to work more effectively and for ease in supervising. Councilmember Holden said she wants the cubes to be a set size for everyone. She wondered if there were enough conference rooms. She wanted the upstairs to be lit. Mayor Grant said his concern was there be enough room for staff to run TCAAP, and not come back to make more room. If they start building walls and use up floor space and decide later they need floor space they won't be taking down walls to recover it. And they may need a small conference room. City Administrator Perrault said they are projecting the need for 6 additional staff. If the Council desires, he could start the planning process with Fluid Interiors or another contractor to talk about what is possible. Councilmember Holmes felt that people upstairs aren't as efficient as they could be and it's a disservice to the staff that are upstairs by themselves.