City Council

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL March 26, 2024 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on March 26, 2024 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Zabel at 7:03 PM. ROLL CALL On a call of roll, the following were present: Mayor Kevin Zabel Council Members: Noah Her Jake Ingebrigtson Andy Morcomb Susan Willenbring Staff Present: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Sara Ludwig, City Clerk Jim Thomson, City Attorney Luke McClanahan, City Planner Nick Newton, Police Chief Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager Kyle Stasica, Finance Director Julie Williams, Recreation Superintendent Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Others Present: Brian Arrigoni, Co-President, East Metro Stars Youth Hockey Association & President, Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association Laura Kirchoff, Treasurer, East Metro Stars Youth Hockey Association PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Zabel stated that the agenda was slightly amended, with the addition of a few items. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HER, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2024. 5 AYES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, March 12, 2024 Regular Meeting, March 12, 2024 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024. 1 5 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 12, 2024. 5 AYES PUBLIC HEARING None OPEN FORUM a) Proclamation: Autism Acceptance Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of April as “Autism Acceptance Month”. b) Proclamation: Parkinson’s Awareness Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of April as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month”. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. Brian Arrigoni, 3014 Hemingway Ave N, thanked the Public Works staff and the City Council for their service and dedication to the community. Additionally, he shared concerns with the proposed charitable gambling premise permit that is on the agenda tonight. Laura Kirchoff, 6768 Upper 38th St N, echoed Mr. Arrigoni’s sentiments. No other comments were heard. CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into the purchasing agreement between Minnesota’s Cooperative Purchasing Venture and the City of Oakdale for road salt through May 31, 2025 plus up to 48 months extensions to be executed by City Administrator. b) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the amended agreement between Keys Well Drilling Company and the City of Oakdale for City Project U2024- 04; Well 3 Inspection & Reconditioning. c) Request per Oakdale MN City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article IV, Sec. 2-36 (c) and per City Personnel Policy PE-031, Section 5.0, that the City Council appoint Judie Maas, Miranda Williams, and Jackie Knutson as probationary positions noted above effective April 1, 2024, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule. d) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the quote from Fresco, Inc., in the amount of $39,552, and from J.H. Larson, in the amount of $131,886, for City Project R2024-01 (Street Reconstruction) for decorative concrete streetlight poles and collector streetlight poles and fixtures, respectively. 2  e) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2024-32, approving the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement and Court Services Amendment with the City of Oakdale on behalf of its City Prosecuting Attorney and Police Department and authorizing the City Administrator and Mayor to execute such agreements. f) Request that the City Council approve the renewal of liquor licenses to the listed businesses herein for the period April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025. g) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolutions 2024-33 and 2024-34, authorizing the interfund transfers and closure of City funds for the fiscal year 2023, and amending the 2023 and 2024 budgets for uncompleted projects and specific items. h) Request that the City Council approve the amendment to the City Administrator’s employment agreement and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the amendment. i) Request per Oakdale MN City Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article IV, Sec.2-36 (c) and per City Personnel Policy PE-031, Section 5.0, that the City Council appoint Elizabeth Belisle as a probationary Firefighter/Paramedic effective April 3, 2024, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HER TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-I, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Economic Development Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Her) Environmental Management Commission (met on 3/18/24, Council Liaison Zabel) Mayor Zabel reported that the Environmental Management Commission heard a presentation from Washington County about the Food Scraps Pickup Program that will be rolling out April 1, 2024. Planning Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Ingebrigtson) Parks and Recreation Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Morcomb) Tree Board (met on 3/19/24, Mayor Zabel filled in for Council Liaison Willenbring) Mayor Zabel reported that the Tree Board finalized their events for 2024 and brainstormed public awareness ideas. AWARD OF BIDS None 3 STAFF REPORTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) Henrichs Conditional Use Permit – Second Garage at 4030 Granada Ave N City Planner Luke McClanahan explained that the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) request is for a second garage, up to 1,000 square feet in size, at 4030 Granada Ave N. Staff determined that the CUP meets the review criteria of the Zoning Ordinance, and recommended approval with conditions listed in the resolution. Mr. McClanahan read the conditions listed in Resolution 2024- 31. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about the use of the garage, Mr. McClanahan confirmed it is for personal use. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-31, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A SECOND GARAGE AT 4030 GRANADA AVENUE NORTH, WITH CONDITIONS INCLUDED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION. 5 AYES b) Lee Conditional Use Permit – Home Occupation Hair Salon at 4423 Helena Way N Mr. McClanahan explained that the CUP request is for a home occupation (hair salon) at 4423 Helena Way N. Staff determined that the CUP meets the review criteria of the Zoning Ordinance, and recommended approval with conditions listed in the resolution. Mr. McClanahan read the conditions listed in Resolution 2024-30. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-30, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A HOME OCCUPATION (HAIR SALON) AT 4423 HELENA WAY NORTH, WITH CONDITIONS INCLUDED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION. 5 AYES CITY ATTORNEY No report ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT a) Approve Naming of New Park in Willowbrooke Neighborhood as Willowbrooke Commons City Administrator Chris Volkers provided background about the newest park in the Willowbrooke neighborhood. She explained that the City held a naming contest for the park and received many submissions from the public. Over two workshop meetings, Council reviewed and discussed the park name submissions. Several submissions included either the name Willowbrooke or Commons. Ms. Volkers said because of those multiple submissions for those particular names, the Council selected Willowbrooke Commons as the new park name. 4 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER HER TO APPROVE THE NAMING OF THE NEW PARK IN THE WILLOWBROOKE NEIGHBORHOOD AS WILLOWBROOKE COMMONS. Mayor Zabel thanked the residents for their submissions. 5 AYES b) On-Site Gambling Request – White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association – Oakdale Burrow Ms. Volkers explained that the White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association (WBLAHA) has applied to conduct lawful gambling at the Oakdale Burrow. Staff confirmed that the Oakdale Burrow is supportive of WBLAHA’s request. Ms. Volkers noted there is not a staff recommendation, but there is a draft resolution of support if the Council votes to approve the premise permit. On the contrary, if the Council does not support the request, they should state their intent and staff will bring back a formal resolution for denial at the subsequent meeting. Mayor Zabel suggested making a motion and a second for Resolution 2024-28 which will allow for Council discussion. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about a premise permit denial prohibiting WBLAHA from conducting lawful gambling at another establishment or prohibiting the Oakdale Burrow from allowing another charitable organization to conduct lawful gambling at their establishment, Ms. Volkers and City Attorney Jim Thomson confirmed that a denial will not have a negative impact on either organization. In response to Council Member Her’s question about the applicant meeting all requirements to be eligible for approval, Ms. Volkers confirmed that they do per the City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances and State Statutes, Chapter 349. To follow up, Council Member Her asked how staff validated the statements from WBLAHA about the benefit it would have on the Oakdale Trade Area. Ms. Volkers stated that this determination is up to the Council. Attorney Thomson added that one of the qualifications is that the charitable organization can demonstrate reasonable benefit through service or financial contribution to organizations serving in the Trade Area of the City of Oakdale, noting that the Trade Area covers not only Oakdale, but all cities that border Oakdale in some way. Mayor Zabel again asked for a motion and a second to approve the premise permit so discussion can continue on this issue. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING, SECONDED BY MAYOR ZABEL TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2024-28, APPROVING A PREMISE PERMIT FOR WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING AT OAKDALE BURROW, 7053 10TH STREET NORTH. Council Member Morcomb stated that he would like Oakdale to benefit as this is the intent of the charitable gambling clause. In response, Mayor Zabel expressed concern about only focusing on Oakdale’s benefit and not the benefit of the entirety of the Oakdale Trade Area, which is outlined in State law. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about the due process for the applicant if the premise permit is denied, Attorney Thomson said they could challenge the Council’s decision in court. He 5  added though, that the determination of the applicant’s reasonable benefit to the Oakdale Trade Area is a discretionary decision afforded to the Council. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about the Council abstaining from the request, Attorney Thomson recommended that the Council act on the request in a reasonable time period. Council Member Ingebrigtson stated that a reasonable person would not question his decision to vote ‘no’ on this request. Council Member Her expressed his opinion that the request does not meet the threshold for demonstrating reasonable benefit to the Oakdale Trade Area, therefore, he would be voting ‘no’. Mayor Zabel brought back to the forefront the original motion to approve Resolution 2024-28. He asked if there are any final comments. No comments were raised. He then asked for a vote. 5 NAYS A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON TO DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING DENIAL OF THE PREMISE PERMIT FOR WBLAHA TO CONDUCT LAWFUL GAMBLING AT THE BURROW FOR PRESENTATION AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING. 5 AYES COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • The City will hand out 200 trees at the annual Pete Graske Arbor Day Tree Giveaway on Saturday, April 27th at Walton Park. The trees are free to Oakdale residents who register in advance for this drive-through event. Online registration opens this Monday, April 1st at 8:00 AM. For more information, visit www.oakdalemn.gov. • Winter parking rules – prohibiting on-street parking from midnight to 5:00 AM – end this Monday, April 1st. As a reminder, on-street parking is prohibited any time the City gets two or more inches of snowfall. • Residents can fill out a short online survey as part of the City’s Park System Plan Update. The survey can be found at the City’s website, www.oakdalemn.gov, and is open through Friday, April 5th. • The Indoor Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM at the Discovery Center. • In collaboration with the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Paul Area Chamber, City staff and officials visited Canvas Health and Marcus Oakdale Cinema this month as part of the Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction (BREA) program. Mayor Zabel summarized the performance evaluation of City Administrator Chris Volkers that occurred on March 12, 2024 as part of a closed session. The Council noted that Ms. Volkers is an effective communicator, has great work ethic, and has built up a strong leadership team. Mayor Zabel concluded that, despite an overwhelming workload, Ms. Volkers has met, and in most cases exceeded, the City Council’s goals for her. CLAIMS 6 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER HER, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 13, 2024 TO MARCH 26, 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,234,409.86. 5 AYES ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER INGEBRIGTSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2024, AT 7:42 PM. 5 AYES Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk 7