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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUST 19, 2024 4 <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said that was great feedback. He stated it is <br /> not his area of expertise to know where to build that program. The idea will be that this position <br /> will come in and understand what the City is already doing and find where those programs need <br /> to be built up and facilitate those programs. He can make sure there is more of an emphasis on <br /> that as this position is being created. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau said during a meeting with Mounds View there ways a discussion <br /> about increasing some partnerships for some of the rec programs. There was also discussion of a <br /> mobile unit, and she thought that would be a great resource for Arden Manor. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated the City has always partnered with surrounding communities on <br /> these rec programs yet she is not satisfied with the level of programs. There are less programs <br /> now then there have ever been in the past. <br /> Mayor Grant stated the maintenance leads will be current employees. A few hours may be lost to <br /> the planning function we aren't losing the employee to the work function. He pointed out page <br /> two shows an additional maintenance worker. He wondered if that is a TCAAP maintenance <br /> worker. <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated it is proposed in Phase 2 to add a full- <br /> time maintenance worker. He reminded Council about the Fleet Lead position was established in <br /> 2021. While he was originally against the creation of that position, it has been a great addition. He <br /> has been able to track the person's time and about 30% of their time is focused toward <br /> maintaining the fleet. In prior years the county was utilized for that function. The addition of the <br /> maintenance tasks has taken 30% of time that position used to spend on general Public Works <br /> related tasks. He thinks the time that is spent on these lead positions justifies adding a full-time <br /> position to get that labor piece back. <br /> Mayor Grant asked if the county maintenance rate has gone down. <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said it's still a reasonable rate but spending <br /> $90 on an oil change is not ideal. <br /> Mayor Grant wanted to know what has made that program successful. <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated it is more organized. We have the <br /> data firsthand and we are able to manage the workload from maintaining the fleet more efficiently <br /> without having to reach out to the county for the data. There is one dedicated person to organizing <br /> all that information. Transfer of information and scheduling of the actual maintenance is easier to <br /> do. <br /> Mayor Grant asked why he was originally against the suggestion of a Fleet Lead. <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated it was new. He thought it might be <br /> easier just to go to the county. Staff ended up really liking the addition. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated the only issue she has is with the Parks Lead. She said it looks <br /> like the Park Lead will be doing a lot of the Public Works tasks, including natural resource <br /> management, forestry and the whole list of items. She would prefer the Park Manager be hired <br />