City Council

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL July 22, 2025 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on July 22, 2025 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Zabel at 7:00 PM. ROLL CALL On a call of roll, the following were present: Mayor Kevin Zabel Council Members: Kari Moore Andy Morcomb Gary Severson 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 Cory Tietz, Public Works Director Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Others Present: Tong Xiong, Owner of Double Shotz Liquor PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED FOR THE MEETING OF JULY 22, 2025. 4 AYES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, July 8, 2025 Regular Meeting, July 8, 2025 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 8, 2025. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 8, 2025. 1 4 AYES PUBLIC HEARINGS a) New Liquor Sales License Approval – Xiong Family Enterprise LLC dba Double Shotz Liquor Mayor Zabel opened the public hearing and welcomed comments from the audience. Tong Xiong, owner of Double Shotz Liquor, introduced himself and his business. No other comments were heard. Mayor Zabel closed the public hearing. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF A NEW OFF-SALE INTOXICATING LIQUOR LICENSE TO XIONG FAMILY ENTERPRISE LLC DBA DOUBLE SHOTZ LIQUOR AT 1021 HELMO AVENUE N FOR THE CURRENT TERM WHICH EXPIRES ON MARCH 31, 2026. 4 AYES OPEN FORUM Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council approve the renewal of a Secondhand Goods Dealer license to Buy Store #15 at 8301 3rd Street N. b) Request that the City Council approve the issuance of a temporary on-sale liquor license to Transfiguration Church for their Smoker Poker Night event that will take place on August 22, 2025 at their location, 6133 15th Street North. c) Request that the City Council approve the Massage Therapist License for Olha Mahilda, valid through the current licensing term of September 30, 2025. d) 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 Emily Allgeyer and Lucas Peterson as full-time probationary Utility Maintenance Workers effective July 30, 2025, and July 28, 2025, respectively, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. e) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2025-76, Designating 2025 Polling Locations, per Minnesota Statutes 204B.16. f) Request that the City Council approve the group 11 Police Lexipol policies as presented. g) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter the Reciprocal Fire Services Agreement with the Capital City Regional Firefighter’s Association, effective until termination. 2 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-G AS PRESENTED. 4 AYES Mayor Zabel thanked Independent School District 622 for offering Tartan High School as a polling location for Precinct 2. ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) Planning Commission (met on 7/10/25, Council Liaison Severson) Council Member Severson reported that the Planning Commission held two public hearings. The first was to allow residential development on certain property within the 4Front Technology and Office Campus. The second was to allow a horizontal mixed-use development located within the Oakdale Marketplace Planned Unit Development. Public comment was received on the second request only, and the Planning Commission recommended approval of both requests. Parks and Recreation Commission (met on 7/15/25, Council Liaison Morcomb) Council Member Morcomb thanked former Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Steve Meyer for his service as he did not seek reappointment at the end of his term. Because of this, an election was held with Jen Schorr being elected Chair and Mike Prosser being elected Vice Chair. Council Member Morcomb reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission is currently reviewing and providing feedback on the Park System Plan ahead of the City Council’s formal adoption at their August 12, 2025 regular meeting. Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) AWARD OF BIDS a) Awarding the Bid for City Project R2023-05 (Willowbrooke Trail Improvements Phase II) Consulting City Engineer Brian Bachmeier explained that pursuant to Council authorization, quotes were collected for the above-noted project. Two contractors submitted quotes for the work, with Sunram Construction, Inc. submitting the lowest bid of $159,480.00. The project specifications include certain grading work that will be completed by Lennar, which will reduce the total contract amount. Mr. Bachmeier noted that it is anticipated that the overall project, upon completion, will remain within the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget previously adopted by the Council; therefore, no amendment to the CIP budget is being requested at this time. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-74, AWARDING THE BID FOR CITY PROJECT R2023-05 (WILLOWBROOKE TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II). 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN THE CONTRACT WITH SUNRAM 3 CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS ACCORDING TO THE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS THEREFORE APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL 4 AYES STAFF REPORTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Local Climate Action Planning Grant Acceptance Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that this item is for the acceptance of a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Local Climate Action Planning Grant. This particular grant provides $50,000 in funding for design work on the 50th Street trail gap project and requires a $25,000 local match. Washington County has agreed to fulfill the match requirement as part of its overall design contract. Mr. Gitzlaff continued, acceptance of the grant will allow the design phase to proceed and meet all associated grant obligations. A future discussion will be required between the County and the City regarding cost-sharing for construction; however, no commitment to construction funding is being made at this time. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-75, ACCEPTING 2025-2026 LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50,000 FROM MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY TO THE CITY OF OAKDALE. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING GRANT AGREEMENT. 4 AYES CITY ATTORNEY No report. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT No report. COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Morcomb shared that he has received overwhelming positive feedback on the newly completed water tower design. He gave special recognition to the Communications Division for their work on the project. Mayor Zabel echoed these sentiments, noting the investment into this prominent community feature is worthwhile. He thanked the neighbors for their patience while the work was being completed. Related to the approval of all Police Department Lexipol policies, Council Member Moore thanked Police Chief Nick Newton for his patience and diligence throughout the review process. She also thanked staff for their work in organizing and managing the process to ensure it stayed on track. 4 Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • The Oakdale Farmers Market is held every Wednesday through October 8th from 2 to 6 PM in the City Hall parking lot. • Moana 2 will be showing at the Walton Park Bandshell on Friday, July 25th beginning at dusk. • Oakdale’s Summer Concert Series continues Wednesday, July 30th at 7 PM at the Walton Park Bandshell. • Night to Unite will be held on Tuesday, August 5th. If you plan to host an event, please register on the City website, www.oakdalemn.gov, by Friday, July 25th. New this year, for residents and neighborhoods not organizing a Night to Unite party, come to Walton Park on Tuesday, August 5th from 5 to 7 PM for a Night to Unite gathering hosted by the Oakdale Police and Fire Departments. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD JULY 9, 2025 TO JULY 22, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,033,842.57. 4 AYES CLOSED SESSION Mayor Zabel noted that there is one final regular City Council agenda item – a closed session to discuss matters protected by the attorney-client privilege pursuant to Minnesota Statues, Section 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) relating to pending litigation in the matter titled “In the Matter of Amendments to Various Water Appropriation Permits.” A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO CLOSE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS PROTECTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 13D.05, SUBDIVISION 3(B) RELATING TO PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER TITLED “IN THE MATTER OF AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS WATER APPROPRIATION PERMITS.” 4 AYES THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS CLOSED AT 7:18 PM. THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS REOPENED AND ADJOURNED AT 7:45 PM. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 22, 2025, AT 7:45 PM. 4 AYES Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk 5