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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 27, 2026 10 <br />Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen said May is the timeline when Finance <br />Director Yang sends notice to start CIP discussion. So we will be dialing in the 10-year CIP for <br />equipment over the next month. The first budget discussion will have those projections. <br />Councilmember Weber said he recognizes the need and he can support this. He hopes we can find <br />a way to use it more often. <br />Mayor Grant said the only other option would be to find a used vehicle with low hours. <br />Public Works Superintendent Frid said he did look into that. He added we do get cooperative <br />contract pricing, which is $100,000 off the list price of the loader. <br />Councilmember Holden said the street sweepers we ordered caused physical issues. She asked if <br />this is ergonomically correct for Staff. <br />Public Works Superintendent Frid said this loader is leaps and bounds better than the 1993 <br />model. <br />Council supported this approach to CIP Equipment. <br />C. Adopt -A -Park Discussion <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said the City has a long history of residents doing a lot <br />of great volunteer work in our parks and natural spaces. The 2026 Strategic Plan calls for expanding <br />our current Adopt -A -Park program. The Rotary has adopted Floral Park as a pilot. We want to <br />create a formalized way for individuals and groups to adopt both parks and amenities. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she researched Adopt -A -Park programs in the <br />Twin Cities and across Minnesota. Most programs recruit volunteers for trash pick-up. The <br />commitment is one hour, once a month. There are a few cities that have more robust programs. <br />Many call them Adopt -A -Spot. There are opportunities for people to adopt fire hydrants, storm <br />drains, streets, rain gardens and different amenities. She didn't see anything with the intensity of <br />what the Rotary is doing at Floral. They are there multiple times a week for multiple hours. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said in developing the Arden Hills program she aims to <br />align with best practices used by peer cities by also creating a program the reflects the existing park <br />stewardship efforts. She wanted to clarify the rolls between the City and the responsibility of the <br />adopters. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Skalicky said she doesn't want the packet provided to be the <br />public facing document. We can keep it if it serves as a backup for volunteers who want to apply <br />in person or don't have convenient access to a computer. She points that out so tonight's <br />conversation can avoid discussion of fonts and colors. The best practice will be to get this <br />information on the website. It is easier to update the website vs. a printed PDF. The most robust <br />programs have a comprehensive web page that outlines the expectations and responsibilities for the <br />adopters, an integrated online registration system that outlines everything people need to know <br />when they are going to adopt, gives rules for what they are going to do and has a GIS that shows <br />what is available to adopt. She is hoping to outline opportunities for a trash pick-up, have <br />