City Council

REGULAR MEETING OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL September 14, 2021 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on September 14, 2021, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul Reinke at 7:04 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 David Anderson, Assistant City Attorney Susan Barry, City Clerk Linnea Graffunder-Bartels, Senior Community Development Specialist Nick Newton, Police Captain Emily Shively, City Planner Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Jason Zimmerman, Finance Director PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING OF AUGUST 24, 2021, WITH THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATION: MOVING THE APPOINTMENT OF NICHOLAS NEWTON TO CHIEF OF POLICE FROM UNDER “ADMINISTRATOR REPORT” TO THE BEGINNING OF THE AGENDA IN CONSIDERATION OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE 5 AYES. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF OF POLICE City Administrator Volkers reviewed a request to promote Police Captain Newton to Chief of Police. She reviewed the comprehensive recruitment process that began with 30 applicants and concluded with four finalists meeting with three interview panels and a final interview with Captain Newton. Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Two Council Member Ingebrigtson thanked the members of the interview panels: community leaders, public safety leaders, Oakdale Police Department representatives, management team members, and the City Council. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE PROMOTION OF POLICE CAPTAIN NICHOLAS NEWTON TO CHIEF OF POLICE, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 15, 2021. 5 AYES. CHIEF OF POLICE – OATH OF OFFICE Mayor Reinke administered the Oath of Office to new Police Chief, Nicholas Newton. PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUATION: CODE AMENDMENT – CHAPTER 13 – OFFENSES- MISCELLANEOUS, ADDING ARTICLE 6 – TEMPORARY STORAGE (Hearing continued from August 24).The City Council considered amending the code book to include regulations pertaining to temporary storage devices, commonly known as PODS. Mayor Reinke invited comments from the public. No comments were heard. Mayor Reinke closed the hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE 875, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 13 – OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS, ADDING ARTICLE 6 – TEMPORARY STORAGE. 4 AYES. 1 NAY – INGEBRIGTSON. PUBLIC HEARING: OAKDALE LIQUOR – LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST The City Council considered issuing an Off-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License to Oakdale Liquor Inc., dba as Oak Liquor, 1801 Geneva Avenue. Mayor Reinke opened the hearing and invited comment from the public; no comments were heard. Mayor Reinke closed the hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF AN OFF-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO OAKDALE LIQUOR INC., dba OAK LIQUOR, 1801 GENEVA AVENUE. 5 AYES. Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Three PRELIMINARY LEVY Finance Director Zimmerman provided an overview of the preliminary property tax levy for 2022. He reviewed budgetary principles, timeline, levy and budget highlights, calculations, and relief programs. Finance Director Zimmerman indicated that the preliminary levy would be set at the maximum amount allowed and adjustments could made to lower the amount prior to its adoption by the City Council in December. The presentation is attached to the council agenda. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-82, ADOPTING THE PROPOSED TAX LEVY OF $14,478,952 AND ESTABLISHING THE TRUTH IN TAXATION PRESENTATION FOR DECEMBER 14 AT 6 PM. 5 AYES. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Workshop, July 27, 2021 Regular Meeting, July 27, 2021 Regular Meeting, August 10, 2021 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MINUTES OF JULY 27, 2021, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 27, 2021, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 10, 2021, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES. OPEN FORUM a) Proclamation – Patriot Day – September 11 Mayor Reinke proclaimed September 11 as “Patriot Day” to mark the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. b) Proclamation – I.T. Professionals Day – September 21 Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Four Mayor Reinke proclaimed September 21 as “I.T. Professionals Day.” Mayor Reinke opened the meeting up for comments from the public; no comments were brought forth. CONSENSUS MOTIONS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING CONSENSUS MOTIONS: a) Authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into an agreement with Center-Based Planning & Urban Design to organize and facilitate the Greenway Station Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development open house. b) Approve issuance of a Tobacco Sales License to Oakdale Liquor Inc., dba, Oak Liquor, 1801 Geneva Avenue. c) Authorize Communications Specialist Alyssa MacLeod be paid a lump sum payment calculated on a per day basis, in addition to her base pay for work performed dating back to 6/29/2020. 5 AYES. ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS a) Economic Development Commission: Minutes of August 4, 2021 The City Council acknowledged receipt of the Economic Development Commission minutes of August 4, 2021. b) Planning Commission: Minutes of August 5, 2021 The City Council acknowledged receipt of the Planning Commission minutes of August 5, 2021. STAFF REPORTS a) Livable Communities Demonstration Account Grant Application: Bethesda Senior Community Development Specialist Linnea Graffunder-Bartels reviewed a request to from Bethesda to sponsor a $565,000 grant application to the Metropolitan Council relating to the Bethesda Cornerstone Village Oakdale project at Helmo Station, 4th Street. Council Member Ingebrigtson stated that the city was not aware that it would need to administer the grant. Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Five Mayor Reinke noted that it would be a “pass through” grant. In response to a question from Council Member Swedberg, Senior Community Development Specialist Graffunder-Bartels noted that this would not be the largest grant the city has been involved in. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Senior Community Development Specialist Graffunder-Bartels noted that the Metropolitan Council determines the amount grants issued. City Administrator Volkers added that the Metropolitan Council can increase grant amounts. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-83, IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL FOR GRANT FUNDS RELATING TO THE BETHESDA CORNERSTONE VILLAGE PROJECT AT HELMO STATION. 5 AYES. b) 4Front – Site Plan Review – Single Building and Two-Building Scenarios City Planner Shively provided an overview of the proposed 4 Front Technology and Office campus, 122 acre site on County Road 14, from I-694 to Ideal Avenue. She noted that, due to the size of the site, the developer was requesting approval of two site plan scenarios, one for single buildings and one for two buildings, to provide flexibility in marketing the property. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, City Planner Shively noted that she was not aware of any other instances where the city approved two scenarios prior. After further discussion, Mayor Reinke supported placing the following conditions on the approval due to the uniqueness of the process and to assure that the Public Works Director/City Engineer’s comments have been addressed. City Planner Shively noted that the project went through the site plan review process and that easements would be identified on the final plats brought forth for approval. She reviewed the access for the site and explained that the one-way access to County Road 14 pertaining to the difficulty of trucks getting up to speed. In response to a question from Mayor Reinke, Scott Peterson, United Properties, representing the project, indicated that Washington County approved the access with plat to show wider right-of- way for a future signalized intersection. Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Six Council Member Ingebrigtson was open to bringing the request back to the September 28 meeting to allow time to discuss the mayor’s suggested conditions. Council Member Zabel indicated that the conditions would be part of the platting process and, thus, did not need to be attached to the request before them. Mayor Reinke noted that he had reviewed his proposed conditions with the applicant earlier in the day and the applicant supported the conditions. Mr. Peterson supported the conditions provided they would be approved as part of the plat approval process. Council Member Zabel would have preferred that each councilor had been made aware of the proposed conditions ahead of time. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR REINKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-84, APPROVING THE SITE PLAN FOR A SINGLE- BUILDING SCENARIO AT THE 4FRONT OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF A PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT FOR THE SINGLE- BUILDING SCENARIO; PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS IN THE I-O INDUSTRIAL OFFICE ZONING DISTRICT AND THE DESIGN STANDARDS IN SEC.25-175. 2. APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE NEW ACCESS ON COUNTY ROAD 14. 3. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE SEWER, WATER, AND SANITARY SEWER UTILITIES AND ANY REQUIRED EASEMENTS. 4. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE CIRCULATION ON THE NEW ACCESS ROAD (INCLUDING ONE-WAY TRAFFIC AS APPLICABLE). 5. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS FOR ANY PUBLIC STREETS. 5 AYES. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR REINKE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER OLSON, TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-85, APPROVING THE SITE PLAN FOR A TWO-BUILDING SCENARIO AT THE 4FRONT OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. APPROVAL BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF A PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLAT FOR THE SINGLE- BUILDING SCENARIO; PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS IN THE I-O INDUSTRIAL OFFICE ZONING DISTRICT AND THE DESIGN STANDARDS IN SEC.25-175. 2. APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE NEW ACCESS ON COUNTY ROAD 14. Regular Meeting September 14, 2021 Page Seven 3. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE SEWER, WATER, AND SANITARY SEWER UTILITIES AND ANY REQUIRED EASEMENTS. 4. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF THE CIRCULATION ON THE NEW ACCESS ROAD (INCLUDING ONE-WAY TRAFFIC AS APPLICABLE). 5. APPROVAL BY THE CITY ENGINEER/PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR OF SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS FOR ANY PUBLIC STREETS. 5 AYES. Mayor Reinke noted that permitted uses for the 4Front site are included in the associated ordinance. In referencing the existing development in 4Front, property owner Mr. Larson, owner, indicated the building was 85 percent leased. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Swedberg thanked staff for their efforts relating the Touch A Truck event, held September 7. Council Member Swedberg thanked members of the community who attended the Greenway Avenue Station Area Planning Open House, held September 13. Council Member Ingebrigtson offered well wishes to City Planner Emily Shively and Communications Specialist Alyssa MacLeod, both leaving for new opportunities outside the City.. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD OF AUGUST 21 TO SEPTEMBER 10, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,501,372.77. 5 AYES. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SWEDBERG, TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2021, AT 8:24 PM. 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk