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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — APRIL 27, 2026 9 Councilmember Holden said we have had incidents of receiving a lemon for a piece of equipment and had to replace it really soon. That would blow the whole budget and you can't get anything else. She asked how long it would take to get the case loader, once it's ordered. Public Works Superintendent Frid thought about six months. Councilmember Holden asked how much time is added to a project if we use the smaller loaders. Is it twice the time? Public Works Superintendent Frid said the issue he is running into is the backhoe we are looking to phase out is also up for replacement. That is the only other machine with a bucket, other than the loader. Councilmember Holden asked what we're doing on the backhoe for maintenance vs. repairs. Public Works Superintendent Frid said the backhoe has seen minimal use because operations shifted toward the mini excavator. For that to work, we need to replace the loader. Councilmember Holden asked why we are getting rid of the backhoe. Public Works Superintendent Frid said there are hydraulic hose issues. It's at the age where once you replace one hose, the next week something else will go. That's the issue with the loader, too. Mayor Grant said this is a piece of equipment we have talked about for a few years. Staff has come back with an idea. He thinks this is a better solution. Councilmember Holden asked if the equipment approved for 2026 has been ordered. Staff confirmed. Councilmember Holden asked if those orders were under budget or over budget. Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen thought we were under by almost $30,000. Councilmember Weber asked why Ramsey County doesn't load the salt into our vehicles anymore. They used to. Public Works Superintendent Frid said they had staff rollover with their operators and they only have one operator. They prioritize getting their trucks filled. Councilmember Weber asked if we are storing salt separately from them. Public Works Superintendent Frid said there are two large salt sheds. We have the back corner of the west salt shed. We buy that material and load our trucks from that supply. Councilmember Weber said the fund is healthy, even after this, but it does get to a low point after the roof and these proposed items. He would like to see budget projections a little further out than 2031.