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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — AUGUST 19, 2024 2 Coordinator. That position would be under the direct supervision of the Assistant Public Works Director. To help understand what the City's needs are today, and into next year, consulting services will be used. They will vary and change year to year as the needs fluctuate. The budget needs will be evaluated year to year. The proposed budget needs are for next year and that would likely change in 2026. The first year with the consultant there will be time needed to build these programs. Once the programs are established, they will be managed by city staff in future years. So, the need for consulting services will be reduced after the first year. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen provided some primary duties for the Parks and Recreation Manager. This would give the City a true Parks Department. He provided the duties for the maintenance lead positions. A maintenance plan was attached to help understand the amount of work in each division. The division would work together to coordinate and determine how best to get the tasks completed. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said staff is asking for direction to implement Phase 1 in 2025. The recruitment process for the Parks and Recreation Manager would begin in September to have them start in January. Year 2025 looks to be a parks heavy capital project year, along with the Parks Master Plan. He would like to have that position filled at the beginning of that process. He would like to see the maintenance lead positions filled by the beginning of the year, too. This would give ample time for training and getting everyone up to speed before the projects will start up in the spring, as weather permits. Councilmember Fabel asked if the two lead positions would be promotions from within the current employees. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen confirmed. Ideally, existing staff would be moved into those lead positions. The number of full-time employees would not increase. Councilmember Fabel clarified the Parks and Rec Manager position is a new position. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen confirmed. Councilmember Fabel stated that in order to move forward with the visionary parks program that Council has recommended you need those people. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen confirmed. The City will benefit from having someone who is very enthusiastic about parks. Councilmember Rousseau thought the presentation was thoughtful to set the City up for success for the projects we're looking at, for next year. She stated several years ago there were two people in a Park and Recreation role. She asked what that role used to be. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen didn't think those roles had the same responsibilities that he is seeking for this position. This position would take the lead on park improvement projects, budgeting and planning for parks. Councilmember Rousseau stated there are a lot of residents who are passionate about trails. She wondered what he envisions happening with the trails development and improvements.