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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION— SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 14 Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen said they will. They haven't provided the exact amount yet. Councilmember Monson would like to look at the baseline numbers. She understands the permit software conversion is included. She wondered if that can be pushed. She would like Staff's opinion on what else could be pushed. She would like to get the baseline amount lowered and then discuss what else could be swapped around, within these scenarios. Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen said the street maintenance program could be flexible. Those projects could be scaled back because they already have the initial chip seal layer down so it wouldn't affect the life of the road. The proposed project is a sealant over that initial chip seal. He could reduce the amount by $75,000 and feel comfortable. Councilmember Holden asked if everyone has reviewed the Master Park Plan. She wondered what could be postponed. Councilmember Monson had considered bringing in the proposed Parks Manager position later in the year. Interim City Administrator Jagoe said the current permit system is functioning. The customer support for that program is nonexistent. The concern is, if something happens to the system, there is no support department to help work through that. Mayor Grant asked if the software we have is an old version that is no longer supported. Interim City Administrator Jagoe this would be change to an entirely new vendor because the program we use doesn't have an option to upgrade. We must switch. She noted the program we have functions. Councilmember Holden said she thinks permitting/licensing is one of the basic services provided to residents. She would not want to give that up. Councilmember Monson asked what the impact would be if the loader for Public Works was pushed. Finance Director Yang said the levy could be reduced by $110,000 for 2025 but it would have to be revisited in future years. Councilmember Holden thought Staff was going to look at purchasing something else. Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen hasn't had time to do that research yet. Councilmember Monson calculated the items discussed would be a 4%reduction. She wondered if that could be applied across the scenarios. Finance Director Yang confirmed. Councilmember Holden asked if the street maintenance amount could be lowered to $25,000. Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen thought that is possible and he can look at a scenario where that won't need an increase at all, this year.