City Council

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL March 25, 2025 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on March 25, 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 Luke McClanahan, City Planner Nick Newton, Police Chief Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager Kyle Stasica, Finance Director Cory Tietz, Public Works Director Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Others Present: Estifanos Alemu, Senior Pastor, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Minnesota (EECM) Chuck Bichler, Attorney representing EECM Matt Pacyna, Architect representing EECM Don Theisen, Owner’s Representative, Don Theisen Consulting PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED FOR THE MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2025. 5 AYES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting, March 11, 2025 1 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2025. 5 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2025. 5 AYES PUBLIC HEARINGS None OPEN FORUM a) Proclamation: Autism Acceptance Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of April as “Autism Acceptance Month”. b) Proclamation: Fair Housing Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of April as “Fair Housing Month”. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolutions 2025-22, 2025-23, 2025-24, and 2025-25, declaring the intent to reimburse certain expenditures from the proceeds of bonds to be issued by the City for the 2025 Street Reconstruction, Willowbrooke Park West and North, Willowbrooke Trails – 2025 Phase, and Willowbrooke Open Space – 2025 Phase projects. b) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2025-20, approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Oakdale on behalf of its Police Department regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the Joint Powers Agreement between the State of Minnesota ICAC and the City of Oakdale. c) Request that the City Council approve issuance of 2025 Solid Waste Hauler Licenses for waste haulers listed in the attached, contingent upon receipt of all required materials as listed in the City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Article III, Sec. 6-20. d) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2025-21, accepting grant funds in the amount of $5,000 from TJX Companies to the City of Oakdale. e) Request that the City Council approve the renewal of liquor licenses to the listed businesses herein for the period 4/1/2025 – 3/31/2026. f) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2025-26, supporting the application made to the Minnesota DNR for the Local Trail Connections Program. 2  g) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolutions 2025-27, 2025-28, and 2025- 29, authorizing the interfund transfer and budget amendment for the Public Works Building project, the closure of City funds for the fiscal year 2024, and amending the 2024 and 2025 budgets for uncompleted projects and specific items. h) Request that the City Council approve the group 7 Police Lexipol policies as presented. i) Request per City of Oakdale 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 Megan Fossland as full-time probationary Administrative Assistant: Community Development & Engineering effective April 7, 2025, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background checks. j) Request per City of Oakdale 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 Brian Beahan as full-time probationary Data Analyst, effective April 9, 2025, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background checks. k) Request per City of Oakdale 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 Sam Webber to the position of full-time probationary Facilities Maintenance, effective April 9, 2025, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background checks. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-E and G-K, AS PRESENTED. 5 AYES ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Economic Development Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Severson) Environmental Management Commission (met on 3/17/25, Council Liaison Zabel) Mayor Zabel reported that the Environmental Management Commission worked through their 2025 Work Plan, received a recap of the 2024 Fall Clean Up, and continued to work on the upcoming Eco Fair scheduled for April 26th. Planning Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Willenbring) Parks and Recreation Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Morcomb) Tree Board (met on 3/18/25, Council Liaison Moore) Council Member Moore reported that the Tree Board discussed revisions for City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article 6, and continued preparing for the Pete Graske Arbor Day Tree Giveaway also scheduled for April 26th. AWARD OF BIDS None 3 STAFF REPORTS ENGINEERING a) Ethiopian Evangelical Church in Minnesota – Conditional Use Permit – Place of Worship at 7360 33rd Street North City Planner Luke McClanahan went over the CUP request which involves converting the former LA Fitness site at 7360 33rd St N into a church. The building is 45,000 square feet, with a main assembly hall that can accommodate up to 915 people. The current congregation is approximately 700 people. With 300 parking spaces, the site meets the Zoning Code requirement of 247 parking spaces. Mr. McClanahan continued, the site has an existing access off Hemingway Ave, though the intersection of 34th St and Hemingway Ave is tricky to navigate. The developer’s traffic study concluded that neighborhood traffic would not be negatively affected by the change; however, staff suggested implementing additional recommendations from the traffic study and consider having volunteers direct traffic during the Sunday service. Lastly, the Planning Commission held a public hearing at their March 6, 2025 meeting and recommended approval. Staff also recommended approval with one required condition – to add wayfinding signage at the intersection of Hemingway Ave N and 33rd St N, and along 32nd St N. In response to Council Member Moore’s question about a plan for overflow parking, Mr. McClanahan indicated that the adjacent tenant has an additional 80-90 parking spaces, with the possibility of the church working out a cross-parking agreement with that property owner. Mayor Zabel asked about a specific timeframe for implementing the recommendations found within the traffic study. Mr. McClanahan clarified that staff is only requiring one condition – to add wayfinding signage at the intersection of Hemingway Ave N and 33rd St N, and along 32nd St N; all other recommendations from the traffic study are at the discretion of the applicant. Mayor Zabel inquired if there should be additional required conditions given there are limited opportunities to add conditions after permit approval. Mr. McClanahan stated that from staff’s perspective, no other recommendations rose to the level of needing to be a required condition. Consulting City Engineer Brian Bachmeier added that the recommendations identified in the traffic study could be implemented at a later date through the City’s Code of Ordinances. Chuck Bichler, the attorney representing the EECM, spoke to the number of congregates which is actually closer to 400-440 adults meaning only about 200-250 cars would utilize the parking lot for the single Sunday service. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about what would trigger the need for a special event permit, Estifanos Alemu, Senior Pastor for the EECM, verified that his church does not hold special events. City Administrator Chris Volkers and City Attorney Jim Thomson added that anything related to a special event is outlined in the City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, which staff could refer to if needed. Council Member Moore expressed excitement and gratitude for the EECM choosing Oakdale as their new home. Mayor Zabel raised general concerns about the traffic patterns along Hemingway Ave, specifically about cars going north despite being a “right-out only” area. He suggested looking into making Hemingway Ave a one-way street, and directing drivers to the stoplight at Market Place. 4 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-19, APPROVING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A PLACE OF WORSHIP (CHURCH) AT 7360 33RD ST N, WITH THE CONDITION INCLUDED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION. 5 AYES CITY ATTORNEY No report. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT a) Progress Update on the New Public Works Facility Ms. Volkers welcomed Don Theisen, Owner’s Representative, and Eric Quam, Project Manager with Kraus-Anderson, who were in attendance to provide an update on the new Public Works Facility project. Mr. Theisen began by providing background on the project. He shared many progress photos from the last year, and touched on a few weather-related issues that occurred along the way. At present, approximately 30% of the construction cost has been paid out so far, and 10% of the contingency fund has been used, but the project is on track to meet budget expectations. Mr. Theisen noted that the target opening date for the building is late 2025. Ms. Volkers expressed her gratitude for the successful collaboration with key partners, including Kraus-Anderson and HCM Architects. She acknowledged the hard work of the Public Works staff and everyone involved in the project, including the Council for providing the funding for this project. Mayor Zabel added a special thank you to the residents for approving the original sales tax and sales tax amendment, which is helping to cover the project’s costs. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • City crews began street sweeping this week to clean up debris from the winter thaw. • Online registration for the Pete Graske Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will open on Tuesday, April 1st at 8 AM. More information about registration can be found at www.oakdalemn.gov. • Winter parking rules – prohibiting on-street parking from 12 AM to 5 AM – end on Tuesday, April 1st. A reminder that on-street parking is prohibited any time the City gets two or more inches of snowfall. • The Indoor Garage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 5th from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Discovery Center. • The Eberhard Group will be hosting its annual free Community Paper Shredding Event on Saturday, April 5th from 9 AM to 12 PM in the City Hall parking lot. • METRO Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit opened last Saturday, March 22nd. A reminder that free Gold Line rides are offered through Friday, March 28th, courtesy of Ramsey and Washington counties. Mayor Zabel thanked everyone involved, particularly the residents who provided feedback, as well as the past and present mayors and city council members who contributed to this project over the years. He highlighted the significant benefits to Oakdale and all communities along the Gold Line. 5 Council Member Moore touched on the large turnout consisting of elected officials, transit riders, and other interested parties. Council Member Severson echoed Council Member Moore’s comments. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WILLENBRING TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 12, 2025 TO MARCH 25, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,822,884.62. 5 AYES ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 25, 2025, AT 7:48 PM. 5 AYES Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk 6