City Council

TRUTH IN TAXATION AND REGULAR MEETING OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL December 8, 2020 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on December 8, 2020, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul Reinke at 6 PM. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Mayor Paul Reinke Council Members: Jake Ingebrigtson Susan Olson Colleen Swedberg Kevin Zabel Absent: None Also Present: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Jim Thomson, City Attorney Susan Barry, City Clerk Alyssa MacLeod, Communications Specialist (participated electronically) Chelsea Petersen, Administrative Services Director (participated electronically) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AGENDA MODIFICATION Mayor Reinke announced that an item was being added to the agenda under “New Business” that would provide rebates to be made for bars and restaurants holding on-sale liquor licenses for 2020 due to pandemic closures/challenges. Council Member Swedberg asked staff to look into whether other cities were issuing rebates for any other types of licenses. TRUTH IN TAXATION Mayor Reinke opened up the Truth in Taxation meeting and explained that the Truth in Taxation presentation was a statutory requirement to introduce, and take comments on, the proposed 2021 budgets and levy. He also explained the process for submitting comments and questions via Zoom. Administrative Services Director Petersen reviewed the city’s proposed budget and levy, the breakdown of revenue and expenditures, and provided examples of the property tax impact on a range of properties. She explained the breakdown of every dollar paid in property taxes and what amount comes back to Oakdale which provides property owners with a wide variety of services such as plowed and maintained streets, parks, recreation programs, and emergency police and fire services. MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Two Mayor Reinke announced that no comments or questions had been brought forth via Zoom. 2021 BUDGET ADOPTION A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-116, ADOPTING THE 2021 GENERAL FUND BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,512,075. 5 AYES. 2021 TAX LEVY RATE ADOPTION Mayor Reinke commented on the significant effort made by the City Council and staff to get the preliminary tax levy rate increase of 3.9 percent reduced to a 2.9 percent increase for the final tax levy rate. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-117, CERTIFYING THAT THE NOTED SUMS OF MONEY BE LEVIED IN 2020 FOR COLLECTION IN 2021 UPON THE TAXABLE PROPERTY WITH THE CITY OF OAKDALE: $13,532,996. 5 AYES. 2021 CAPITAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUND, AND SPECIAL REVENUE OPERATING BUDGETS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-118, ADOPTING THE 2021 CAPITAL FUND, ENTERPRISE FUND, AND SPECIAL REVENUE OPERATING BUDGETS. 5 AYES. OPEN FORUM a) Radio Drive Pedestrian Bridge Presentation: Washington County Commissioner Karwoski Washington County Board of Commissioners Chair Stan Karwoski presented a plaque to the City Council commemorating the completion of the Radio Avenue pedestrian bridge. b) Volunteer of the Year Announcement Mayor Reinke announced that Larry Eberhard had been named “Oakdale’s Outstanding Volunteer for 2020.” Mayor Reinke opened the meeting up to the audience; no comments or questions were submitted via Zoom. MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Three APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Workshop, October 13, 2020 Regular Meeting, November 24, 2020 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 2020, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 24, 2020, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES. CONSENSUS MOTIONS Council Member Ingebrigtson asked that item “d” be pulled. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENSUS MOTIONS: a) Approving the 2021 Fire Protection and Ambulance Services contract, in the amount of $552,250, between the City of Oakdale and the Oakdale Fire Department Inc. b) Waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-119, Designating Customer Services Specialist Jackie Knutson as a regular employee of the City of Oakdale, effective November 27, 2020. c) Waive reading and adopt Ordinance 864, Amending the Code of Ordinances for the City of Oakdale, Chapter 5 – Building Regulations; Fire Code, Article 1 – In General, Section 5-3, Building Permits Generally, to add subsection (f) regarding the demolition of in-ground swimming pools. e) Waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-120, Approving the 2021 pay plan for non- unionized employees, effective January 1, 2021. f) Approve the issuance of 2021 Solid Waste Hauler Licenses, as noted, contingent upon receipt of all required materials as listed in the ordinance. g) Approve the issuance of 2021 Sale of Firework Sales licenses, as noted. h) Approve the issuance of 2021 Sale of Tobacco Sales licenses, as noted. MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Four i) Waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-121, Approving the issuance of a Used Car Dealer License to Reflective Auto Sales, 4747 Geneva Avenue, subject to conditions; waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-122, Approving the issuance of a Used Car Dealer License to Oakdale Auto Sales,7500 Hudson Boulevard, Suite 410, subject to conditions; and waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-123, Approving the issuance of a Used Car Dealer License to Stillwater Auto Sales, 6014 Stillwater Boulevard, subject to conditions. j) Waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020--124, Approving the hiring of Ice Rink Attendants, as noted. k) Waive reading and adopt Resolution 2020-125, Adopting the 2021 Fee Schedule, including the modification to the ambulance service rates. 5 AYES. CONSENSUS ITEM “D” – CODE AMENDMENT – SUBDIVISIONS Council Member Ingebrigtson indicated that he had pulled the item to allow for a separate vote. Mayor Reinke explained that the code amendment would add subsection (f) to Chapter 21 – Subdivisions, Section 21-9 – General Provisions, regarding platting of land in an approved Small Area Plan especially for parcels that develop in phases to make certain all the components work together. Council Member Ingebrigtson felt that the amendment would “pigeonhole” the city. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE 865, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF OAKDALE, CHAPTER 21 – SUBDIVISIONS, SECTION 21-9 – GENERAL PROVISIONS, TO ADD SUBSECTION (f) REGARDING PLATTING OF LAND IN AN APPROVED SMALL AREA PLAN. 4 AYES. 1 NAY – INGEBRIGTSON. OLD BUSINESS a) 2021-2015 Capital Improvement Program Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier provided an overview of the 2021 to 2025 Capital Improvement Program and the projects identified for 2021: • Relocation/rehabilitation of lift station at Stillwater Boulevard and Ideal Avenue • Rehabilitation of Lift Station 11 (Northdale Park) • Granular Activated Carbon Treatment Plant at Well 7 MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Five • Oakdale Park Trail Repaving South Loop • Re-roofing Three Walton Park Shelters • Walton Park Shelter Kitchen Remodeling • Replace “Oakdale Park” Signs A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-126, ADOPTING THE FISCAL POLICY REFLECTED IN THE 2021-2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, ADOPTING THE 2021- 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND INITIATING THE 2021 PROJECTS, AS NOTED ABOVE, AS WELL AS THE RESPECTIVE TIMETABLE AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS. 5 AYES. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER a) City Project 2021-01 (2021 Street Improvements) – Feasibility Report Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier provided an overview of the proposed 2021 street improvements. In response to a question from Mayor Reinke, Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier affirmed that the project would proceed should less than 35 percent of property owners appeal the project. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-127, ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR CITY PROJECT 2021-01 (2021 STREET IMPROVEMENTS), AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS, AND CALLING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT HEARINGS ON JANUARY 26, 2021. 5 AYES. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) Community Development Update Community Development Director Streetar provided an overview of the following development projects: • Gold Line – Helmo Station: Two multi-family developers interested in the site, located south of 4th Street and west of Helmo Avenue. Staff to meet with each council member to review the project. • Plans for Willowbrooke Phase Two (villas and carriage townhomes) being submitted in January. MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Six • Schreier Property: Plans to build headquarters by Park Tool on Hadley Avenue. • Slumberland planning to develop the remaining five acres of their site on CR 14. • Emergency Animal Clinic expansion on Helmo Avenue to City Council January 12. • HOM Furniture considering building store in a portion of the Carmike Theater parking lot off 10th Street; will request zoning amendment to considerably reduce parking requirements. Community Development Director Streetar noted that the Schreier and Summerfest projects had not been included in the recent financial forecast but both would generate additional tax revenue. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT City Administrator Volkers thanked the City Council for adopting the 2021 budget and supporting the efforts to make it clearer and more concise. NEW BUSINESS a) On-Sale Liquor License Rebates City Administrator Volkers provided an overview of a proposal made by Council Member Zabel to issue eight month rebates to 22 bars and restaurants holding on-sale liquor licenses. She noted that the rebates would help offset the detrimental effects of the shutdowns caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. City Administrator Volkers further noted that a one month rebate had been issued to the businesses in May. Administrative Services Director Petersen explained that the $58,466.06 in rebates would be paid out the reserves fund. Council Member Swedberg asked that the same courtesy be extended to any other businesses that paid license fees to the city but were unable to operate during a portion of 2020. Staff will review and make a recommendation. Council Members Ingebrigtson and Olson agreed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-128, REBATING ON-SALE LIQUOR LICENSE FEES PAID TO THE CITY FOR THE 2020 LICENSE PERIOD IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $58,466.56. 5 AYES. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Ingebrigtson wished his daughter a happy birthday. MINUTES December 8, 2020 Page Seven Council Member Swedberg asked that Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier contact her to answer her questions on whether the city supplies water to the City of Landfall. Mayor Reinke asked that the city’s Truth in Taxation presentation be made available on the web page. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 18 TO DECEMBER 4 IN THE AMOUNT OF $570,097.34. 5 AYES. Mayor Reinke wished all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF DECEMBER 8 AT 7:24 PM. 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk