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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 16 is in really good shape. The Karth Lake neighborhood will be taken care of in 2026 and the rest of the city is in a maintenance period. Councilmember Holden would like staff s input on the Comp and Class Study. She is concerned that Council discussion was one thing and that it seems the direction has changed. She noted some employees are at the top of their range and other cities are looking for good employees. She asked if there are any dangers in changing course now. Public Works Director and City Engineer Swearingen stated that the first option doesn't feel like there is any immediate benefit. In the past two to three years, the COLA increase has not met inflation costs. Staff is hopeful that the market study will, at minimum, address the inflationary piece. With Option 1, Staff will have to wait at least three years before seeing the full benefit. Option 2 makes the market adjustment. City Clerk Hanson said she has heard from other cities that have recently been through this process and some of them feel they are already behind after two years. The question is if this change will be outdated in two years. Finance Director Yang said when staff originally saw the proposal there was some excitement over the possibility of room to grow. She agreed changing to the other option now will not be as much as they originally expected. The $155,000 amount is adding/dropping three steps and reclassification based on the market analysis. Using the $124,000 amount defeats the whole purpose of having a market adjustment because you're being reclassified but then you're being bumped down steps. Councilmember Holden was not originally in favor of the $155,000 option but she thinks it's wrong to pull that back now. Mayor Grant asked Councilmember Holden if she is in favor of the $155,000. Councilmember Holden replied no, she isn't. However, that is what was proposed at the last work session. Mayor Grant asked if the levy has been reduced by 4%. Councilmember Monson summarized the changes discussed. Removing the street maintenance program saves 2%. Removing the permit software would lower the levy by 1%. The change to the Equipment budget would be another 2%. She said total cuts are 5% and if Council chooses to move forward with implementing the Public Works staff mid -year, instead of at the first of the year, there would be additional savings there. Councilmember Holden asked if the Public Works staff savings was worth it. She said staff already doesn't have the capacity. A member of the public will have to negotiate the Great River Greening contract. She doesn't think that's appropriate. She didn't vote to approve the $2 for a lead position but she wants to discuss that tonight. That person could oversee this contract. It should not be a member of the public. She would propose the Lead Parks position be approved now.