City Council

SPECIAL MEETING OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL April 7, 2020 ATTENDANCE A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul Reinke at 5 PM. Present: Mayor Paul Reinke Council Members: Jake Ingebrigtson Susan Olson Colleen Swedberg Kevin Zabel Also Present: Jeff Anderson, Fire Chief Brian Bachmeier, Public Works Director/City Engineer Susan Barry, City Clerk Craig Dawson, Interim City Administrator Alyssa MacLeod, Communication Specialist Chelsea Petersen, Administrative Services Director Bill Sullivan, Chief of Police Jim Thomson, City Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE Mayor Reinke announced that per authority granted by the designation of a local emergency on March 20, on April 6, he enacted a mayoral directive that took the following actions relating to park facilities: 1. Installing barricade gates at all fenced playgrounds. 2. Installing barricade perimeters at all unfenced playgrounds. 3. Removing or boarding basketball hoops at all basketball courts. 4. Removing nets from all tennis and volleyball courts. 5. Reducing the number of picnic tables to a maximum of two tables per picnic shelter. 6. Locking all hockey rinks, tennis courts, and the skate park. 7. Installing signage at each park advising of the restrictions. As such, he noted that the discussion relating to restricting access to park facilities had been removed from the agenda. Interim City Administrator Dawson provided an overview of current City operations: minimal staffing levels at City Hall and Public Works, Building Inspection took receipt of several applications relating to commercial development, and COVID-19 advisory signs posted at parks on April 3. He added that it was anticipated that the governor would be extending the Stay at Home directive to April 30. Fire Chief Anderson reported that emergency services and fire run volumes have been lower than typical, the department’s personal protective equipment supplies were holding up, one staffer had tested negative for the virus, and personnel was beginning to see COVID-19 cases. SPECIAL MEETING April 7, 2020 Page Two Police Chief Sullivan reported that increased patrol of high-traffic areas, such as grocery stores, was continuing, that there is widespread concerns relating to a rise in domestic abuse situations, and that the department had been following up on social distancing concerns from the public. In response to questions about social distancing, Chief Sullivan indicated that most in the community comply; however, there had been a few issues with teenagers. He added that the department contacted the school district about concerns with the use of the basketball courts at Skyview School. Chief Sullivan also reported that tobacco shops were not allowed to conduct business, that there were currently no issues with personal protective equipment supplies, that a decision had been made to cancel the June 2 Safe Summer Night event, and the department had postponed hiring and promotional processes until the end of the peacetime emergency. Chief Sullivan noted that the department had assisted the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf with traffic control for their most recent food distribution. He commented on the substantial increase in the number of people utilizing the food shelf and the need for monetary donations. Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier reported that crews were conducting general maintenance, such as sweeping streets, patching potholes, and cleaning catch basins and that the Parks Division was working on the mayoral directive relating to recreational facilities. He added that they postponed their hiring process as well. Mayor Reinke thanked the Public Works Department for taking care of the mayoral directive items so promptly. Council Member Ingebrigtson thanked Mayor Reinke for enacting the mayoral directive. Council Member Swedberg commented on negativity in social media and asked that everyone work together as a community. Council Member Zabel inquired whether funds from the City’s charitable gambling fund, cable communication fund, or special revenue fund could be used to help the food shelf with the added demands from the COVID-19 situation. He also encouraged staff to look at some other ways the food shelf could be assisted by the City. Council Member Olson supported the comments shared by Council Member Swedberg and asked that council members share their concerns with one another when at work sessions. She added that her comments on social media were not directed at police but related to her principles of protecting liberty and individual rights. CONSENSUS MOTION A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENSUS MOTION: SPECIAL MEETING April 7, 2020 Page Three a) Grant temporary variances to churches requesting such to allow them to amplify sound during drive-up Easter services on April 12, during the hours of 8 AM and 1 PM, conditioned on all participants adhering to social distancing and other elements of the governor’s COVID-19 declarations. 5 AYES. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT a) City Administrator Search Update Interim City Administrator Dawson noted that the City Council selected five finalists on April 6, with interviews planned for April 29. b) Chief Building Official Search Update Interim City Administrator Dawson noted that the interview process for the four applicants was expected to begin soon. COUNCIL DISCUSSION Council Member Zabel asked for feedback on his idea of potential funding for the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf. Mayor Reinke supported the suggestion. Council Member Ingebrigtson supported using a portion of charitable gambling proceeds. Staff was directed to identify potential funding sources and report back to the City Council. Council Member Swedberg announced that the Landscape Revival, held at City Hall, had been rescheduled from June to September 19. Referring to the park recreational facilities matter that was part of the original agenda, Mayor Reinke reported that of the 13 comments received from the public: 3 Restricting use of park recreational facilities. 2 Close parks. 3 Keep parks open. 1 Keep trails open, with some limitations. 4 Keep trails open. Council Member Zabel announced that the Easter Bunny would ride through the city on a wagon on April 10, 11, and 12. SPECIAL MEETING April 7, 2020 Page Four Mayor Reinke shared a message for a happy and safe Easter. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 2, 2020 SPECIAL MEETING AT 5:34 PM. 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk