City Council

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL January 28, 2025 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on January 28, 2025 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Zabel at 7:01 PM. ROLL CALL On a call of roll, the following were present: Mayor Kevin Zabel Council Members: Kari Moore Andy Morcomb Gary Severson Susan Willenbring Staff Present: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Sara Ludwig, City Clerk Jim Thomson, City Attorney Brian Bachmeier, Consulting City Engineer Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director Nick Newton, Police Chief Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager Kyle Stasica, Finance Director Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Others Present: Michael and Peggy Dobbins, Oakdale Residents Danielle Leis, Oakdale Resident Brian Rominski, Oakdale Resident Brad Swanson, Project Manager, SEH PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED FOR THE MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2025. 5 AYES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, January 14, 2025 Regular Meeting, January 14, 2025 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2025. 1 5 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2025. 5 AYES PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Improvement and Assessment Hearings for City Project R2025-01: 2025 Street Reconstruction Consulting City Engineer Brian Bachmeier explained that there will be two public hearings. The first is the public improvement hearing to discuss the why, what, and when of the particular project. The second is the public assessment hearing to describe project financing. Mr. Bachmeier laid out the objectives of the improvements which include increased safety, the containment of maintenance expenditures, and elimination of unreasonable load limits. Mr. Bachmeier went on to review several graphics highlighting the road conditions, street improvement history, and water main infrastructure. SEH (Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc) Project Manager Brad Swanson presented various photos of the condition of the streets that will be part of the 2025 Street Reconstruction project. He then went through a detailed list of the proposed improvements for all of the streets affected by this project. Mr. Swanson also explained the detailed construction process, and reviewed site maps for the designated street improvements. Mayor Zabel provided information and ground rules for the public hearing process. City Attorney Jim Thomson explained the public improvement and assessment hearing processes. He noted that anyone who would like to appeal the special assessment must submit a written assessment appeal form to the City Clerk before the end of the public assessment hearing. Attorney Thomson added that anyone wanting to appeal the assessment once it is passed by Council must file an appeal in court within 30 days of that decision. Mayor Zabel opened the public improvement hearing and welcomed comments from the audience. Brian Rominski, 142 Greystone Ave N, raised concerns about the streets included in the project especially given his perception of their quality. Mr. Bachmeier explained that the City uses a range to address pavement conditions. Although some streets may have slightly better pavement ratings, the project addresses a concentrated area as it is more cost-effective to do the improvements on neighboring streets rather than piecemeal repairs in different parts of the City. The goal is to improve the streets for a long period (typically 30 years), as the last improvements in this area were done in the mid-90s, roughly 30 years ago. Mayor Zabel closed the public improvement hearing. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about the cost to repair a water main break, Mr. Bachmeier stated that it can cost between $5,000 - $10,000. 2 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-05, ORDERING CITY PROJECT R2025-01 (2025 STREET RECONSTRUCTION). 5 AYES Mr. Bachmeier explained the difference between special assessments and property taxes, the different assessment rates used by the City, and how the entirety of the project is being financed. He went over how special assessments are like a 10-year loan with the ability to prepay without interest before October 15, 2025. If payments are not made by October 15, 2025, the assessment is added to property taxes starting in May 2026. Mr. Bachmeier indicated that financial hardship deferrals are available through a process within the Finance Department. Mayor Zabel opened the public assessment hearing and welcomed comments from the audience. Danielle Leis, 154 Gresham Ave N, expressed frustration about the financial burden that is placed on residents for a project they did not request. Brian Rominski, 142 Greystone Ave N, asked about how the assessment is calculated given the differing frontages. Mr. Bachmeier explained that the special assessment is based on the "frontage" of the property, which refers to the width of the lot at the building setback line, which is capped at 80 feet. The assessments differ due to the fact that, in some areas, the curb and gutter are not being replaced. Michael Dobbins, 79 Greystone Ave N, requested that the financial hardship deferral option be expanded upon for those who may need it. Finance Director Kyle Stasica explained that the City’s assessment policy includes a hardship deferral option for those facing financial difficulties. To qualify for a deferral, certain criteria must be met, including age, disability, income, and/or other extraordinary circumstances. He noted that the deferral form must be submitted within 30 days of the assessment's approval, as required by State statute. Peggy Dobbins, 79 Greystone Ave N, inquired about how the special assessment will affect her mortgage payment and escrow account moving forward. Mayor Zabel explained how the mortgage payment will adjust annually to account for changes in the escrow balance, particularly if there is a shortfall due to the special assessment. Mayor Zabel reminded the audience that anyone who would like to appeal the special assessment must submit a written assessment appeal form to the City Clerk before the end of the public assessment hearing. Mayor Zabel closed the public assessment hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-06, ADOPTING THE ASSESSMENT ROLL FOR CITY PROJECT R2025-01 (2025 STREET RECONSTRUCTION) IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,089,240.00. 3 5 AYES OPEN FORUM Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council appoint Keegan Anderson to the Environmental Management Commission to fill a vacancy for the period of January 29, 2025 to June 30, 2025. Request that the City Council appoint Shawn Michael Prosser to the Parks and Recreation Commission to fill a vacancy for the period of January 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026. b) Request that the City Council approve the renewal and issuance of Twin Cities Pawn’s Pawnbroker License for the license term of February 15, 2025 – February 14, 2026. c) Request that the City Council approve the group 4 Police Lexipol policies as presented. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-C, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Economic Development Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Severson) Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) Planning Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Willenbring) Parks and Recreation Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Morcomb) Tree Board (met on 1/21/25, Council Liaison Moore) Council Member Moore reported that the Tree Board discussed their 2025 Work Plan and annual events. AWARD OF BIDS None STAFF REPORTS None CITY ATTORNEY No report. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT No report. 4 COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Morcomb clarified that members of the Oakdale City Council are Oakdale residents. Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • Public Works is still disposing of natural Christmas trees for residents through January 31st. The disposal cost is just $3 per tree. Drop off hours are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 3:30 PM at 1900 Hadley Avenue N. • The Oakdale Indoor Market will be held on two Saturdays in February – the 8th and 22nd, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Discovery Center. • Rentals for Oakdale picnic shelters for the 2025 season, which runs April through October, can now be made online through the City website. Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for shelter locations, sizes, and availability. • Oakdale City Hall now offers free disposal of unused and expired household medications for Washington County residents. Two year-round drop boxes are located on the first floor near the Police Department and are available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 15, 2025 TO JANUARY 28, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,689,262.40. 5 AYES ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 28, 2025, AT 7:50 PM. 5 AYES Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk 5