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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 22, 2024 4 <br />Councilmember Rousseau questioned if the City had been underbudgeting for playground <br />structure replacements. <br />Finance Director Yang indicated she could provide Councilmember Rousseau with historical <br />information on playground expenditures. <br />Councilmember Monson stated it would be wise to account for inflation and increased costs for <br />playground equipment. <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained the City would be hosting an open <br />house for Freeway Park in August. <br />Councilmember Fabel requested further information regarding the annual payments for the new <br />fire station. <br />Finance Director Yang explained the City would be responsible for paying $375,000 annually <br />for 20 years. <br />Mayor Grant commented on how this payment may be different if the City were to receive <br />additional State or federal funding. <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the potential restructuring of the Public Works Department. <br />Councilmember Rousseau supported further discussing this topic in order to properly plan and <br />set budget aside for Phase 1 of this plan. <br />Mayor Grant indicated the Council would be addressing this matter further on August 19. <br />Councilmember Rousseau asked where a master parks plan would fit into the budget. <br />Finance Director Yang stated this would most likely come from the CIP Fund. <br />Councilmember Rousseau and Councilmember Monson supported placing a master parks plan <br />in the 2025 budget. <br />Councilmember Holden stated she would like to know more about the scope of the master parks <br />plan. She commented the plan could be greatly impacted if TCAAP were to begin to develop. <br />Councilmember Monson commented on the master parks plan that was completed by Mendota <br />Heights, noting they spent around $80,000. She suggested the City set aside $100,000 for this <br />plan. <br />Councilmember Holden supported putting aside $50,000 until more was known about the scope <br />of the project. <br />Mayor Grant indicated he could support $50,000 for this project as well. <br />Councilmember Rousseau recommended $100,000 be set aside for the plan, noting this number <br />could always go down. She then expressed frustration with the fact the proposed restructuring <br />