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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — JULY 22, 2024 5 plan for the Public Works Department went to the Personnel Committee and not the entire City Council. Mayor Grant reported the Personnel Committee reviewed the matter and recommended the entire Council review this matter on August 19. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained he had included consulting services ($90,000) within his budget which could be used to supplement a portion of the costs for the parks plan. City Administrator Perrault indicated he would forward the potential restructuring plan for the Public Works to the entire City Council. After further discussion, the Council supported putting aside $75,000 for the master parks plan for 2025. Mayor Grant requested further information on the hours on the front end loader. He stated he was surprised that this loader had that many hours. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen explained this reading was from the panel on the front end loader. He reported this was a necessary piece of equipment for the Public Works Department. Mayor Grant stated he did not support the purchase of a new front end loader at the cost of $300,000. Councilmember Monson requested further comment on why staff believes this piece of equipment should be replaced. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen indicated this piece of equipment has been scheduled within the budget for replacement. He reviewed the list of parts and repairs that have occurred. He stated he could continue to monitor this piece of equipment and the purchase could be pushed off another year. He explained he could do more research on this piece of equipment and could report back to the Council at their next worksession meeting. Mayor Grant stated he would be interested in learning the number of hours per year this piece of equipment was being used. City Administrator Perrault questioned what the lead time was for this piece of equipment. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen anticipated this would be at least a year. Councilmember Holden commented on how the front end loader, if replaced, would be backing up a truck that was purchased in 2022. She questioned if maintenance on the loader was increasing. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated all preventative maintenance on the loader was done inhouse. He explained with large pieces of equipment, the Public Works Department was not suited to do inhouse.