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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 9, 2024 16 Councilmember Rousseau explained she would not support a further reduction to the FTE. She recommended the hire take place on April 1, nor was she willing to compromise on the parks master plan. She supported the Council having a strategic plan discussion in 2025 in order to assist with making better decisions going forward. She indicated she could support the Cummings Park building and Hazelnut Park parking lot being cut. Councilmember Holden commented she visits Cummings Park quite often and asked how the building at this park was utilized. Councilmember Rousseau indicated parents sit in this building and noted groups use the space. She explained she was not opposed to eliminating this expense, but she noted the residents have not had input on this matter. Councilmember Holden reported a concrete base would remain in place and the City could place benches or a table in the concrete area that would remain in place, but the covered shelter would be removed. She asked what size the current shelter was. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen indicated the current size was 16 feet by 20 feet. He noted the proposed estimate was based on the shelter replacement at Floral Park. He commented on how the concrete slab was not able to be reused at Floral Park because six-foot footings were required. Mayor Grant asked if the Cummings Park shelter would be good for another year. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen recommended this shelter be taken down sooner rather than later because it was showing rusting and deteriorating on the legs of the structure. He indicated the shelter at Hazelnut could be pushed out. Councilmember Holden questioned if the removal of the shelter would come in as a park maintenance expense. Councilmember Fabel asked how much the budget had to be reduced to reach a 13.5% levy. Mayor Grant stated $106,000 had to be cut to achieve a balanced budget. Councilmember Fabel recommended the Hazelnut Park parking lot expenditure be reduced by $106,000. Mayor Grant indicated he had proposed cutting $300,000 between the park building and the Hazelnut Park parking lot. Councilmember Fabel reported he did not support pushing back the hire of the Public Works employee. He noted if there were other levy related cuts, he would consider them. Councilmember Holden stated it made more sense to her to have the new Public Works employee completing the parks master plan in order to learn about the City’s parks and their current condition versus paying an outside consultant to complete this work.