City Council

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL August 12, 2025 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on August 12, 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 Hannah Dunn, Community Development Specialist Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director Kristina Handt, Interim Finance Director Max Lohse, Community Development Specialist Nick Newton, Police Chief Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager Cory Tietz, Public Works Director Others Present: Vishal Dutt, AVIC Development Michael Larson, 4Front Office & Technology Campus COO Rick Rubbelke, 7807 18th St N Dan Zimlich, 7532 31st St N 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 AUGUST 12, 2025. 4 AYES APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, July 22, 2025 Regular Meeting, July 22, 2025 Special Workshop, July 29, 2025 1 A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2025. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 22, 2025. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 29, 2025. 4 AYES PUBLIC HEARINGS None. OPEN FORUM Mayor Zabel announced the winners of the 2025 Acord Award in two different categories: • Business/Commercial: 4Front Technology & Office Campus • Residential: Rick Rubbelke Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. Dan Zimlich, 7532 31st St N, would like the City to continue to commercially develop the area around Target by adding businesses. He asked the Council to vote against the Oakdale Marketplace Apartments (The Harlan) Phase II. CONSENSUS MOTIONS Mayor Zabel pulled consensus item e). Council Member Moore pulled consensus item g). A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-D, F, H, and I, AS PRESENTED. a) Request that the City Council approve the charitable gambling via raffle for Pheasants Forever Ramsey County Chapter 0909 for their annual fundraiser event to be held on the date of September 6, 2025 at the Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center, located at 526 Inwood Avenue North. b) Request that the City Council reschedule the City Council Workshop and Council Regular Meeting from November 11, 2025 to November 10, 2025. c) Request that the City Council appoint Brett Berfeldt to the Parks and Recreation Commission to fill a vacancy for the period of August 13, 2025 to June 30, 2028. 2 d) Request that the City Council approve the noise variance requested by Washington County Public Health and Environmental Services for their Back-2-School event which will be held at Richard Walton Park, 1584 Hadley Avenue N on August 21, 2025, for the hours of 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. f) Request that the City Council cancel the City Council Workshop and Regular Meeting scheduled for December 23, 2025. h) 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 Daniel Concha as full-time probationary Firefighter/Paramedic effective September 15, 2025 or earlier depending on completion of pre-employment screening, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. 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 Ivan Stepanov as full-time probationary Finance Director effective August 14, 2025 – August 27, 2025, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. 4 AYES CONSENSUS ITEM E): REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE THE NOISE VARIANCE FOR JW’S BIERSTUBE’S OKTOBERFEST TENT PARTY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE PARKING LOT OF BERGEN PLAZA, 7121 10TH STREET NORTH BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 5-7, 2025 FOR THE HOURS OF 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM. Mayor Zabel expressed concern about the request for amplified noise on a Sunday night until 11:00 PM. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO APPROVE THE NOISE VARIANCE FOR JW’S BIERSTUBE’S OKTOBERFEST TENT PARTY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE PARKING LOT OF BERGEN PLAZA, 7121 10TH STREET NORTH BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2025 FOR THE HOURS OF 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM, AND SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 FOR THE HOURS OF 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM. 4 AYES CONSENSUS ITEM G): REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REPEAL CITY POLICY FR-016: PREVAILING WAGE PROVISION IN ITS ENTIRETY. Council Member Moore requested that Consensus Item g) be tabled to allow the Council to discuss this proposal more thoroughly during a Workshop meeting. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO TABLE CONSENSUS ITEM G): REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL REPEAL CITY POLICY FR-016: PREVAILING WAGE PROVISION IN ITS ENTIRETY. 4 AYES ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) 3 Planning Commission (met on 8/7/25, Council Liaison Severson) Council Member Severson reported that the Planning Commission held two public hearings. The first was for the rezoning and preliminary plat for Oakdale Glen. The second was for the rezoning and preliminary plat for 9th Street Landing. Many residents came and spoke at both hearings. The Planning Commission did not recommend approval of the first request, but did recommend approval of the second request. Parks and Recreation Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Morcomb) Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) AWARD OF BIDS None. STAFF REPORTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) 4Front Multi-Unit Residential - Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Planned Unit Development Amendment Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that this request is for a Comprehensive Plan amendment and a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for the 4Front multi-unit residential project, which proposes up to 220 units made up of apartments and townhomes. Mr. Gitzlaff noted that sewer capacity concerns were addressed through engineering analysis, which confirmed adequate capacity. Mr. Gitzlaff noted that the Planning Commission held the required public hearing at their July 10, 2025 regular meeting and recommended approval. Staff also recommended approval of the request subject to conditions outlined in Resolution 2025-78 and Ordinance No. 952. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-78, APPROVING A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE 4FRONT TECHNOLOGY AND OFFICE CAMPUS AND AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO SUBMIT THE AMENDMENT TO THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL. Council Member Morcomb expressed appreciation for the sewer capacity study, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the City can keep up with water and sewer needs as density increases. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 952, PERTAINING TO THE 3M/IMATION PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN PROPERTY, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS. 4 AYES b) Oakdale Marketplace Apartments (The Harlan) Phase II – Planned Unit Development Amendment, Preliminary Plat, Final Plat, and Site Plan 4  Community Development Specialist Max Lohse explained that this is a request from AV Development for approval of a PUD amendment, preliminary and final plats, and site plan for a horizontal mixed-use project in the Oakdale Marketplace area. The amendment would allow residential and commercial uses in separate buildings on the same site instead of requiring ground-floor commercial in the apartment building. Mr. Lohse noted that the Planning Commission held the required public hearing at their July 10, 2025 regular meeting and recommended approval. Staff also recommended approval of the request subject to conditions outlined in Resolutions 2025-79 and 2025-80, and Ordinance No. 953. In response to a couple of Council Member Morcomb’s questions about the proposal, Mr. Lohse confirmed the horizontal mixed-use site plan was presented to the Planning Commission versus the tuck-under vertical mixed-use site plan as discussed at the February 5, 2025 Council Workshop. Additionally, the commercial building shall be at least 10,000 square feet in size. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about the original estimate of commercial square footage in the tuck-under vertical mixed-use site plan as discussed at the February 5, 2025 Council Workshop, Vishal Dutt with AV Development recalled that it was roughly 8,000 square feet. Additionally, Mr. Dutt verified that there would be adequate parking for the horizontal mixed-use configuration. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 953, AMENDING THE OAKDALE MARKETPLACE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT TO ALLOW A HORIZONTAL MIXED-USE CONFIGURATION ON A PORTION OF OUTLOT A OF OAKDALE MARKETPLACE THIRD ADDITION. Council Member Morcomb shared that although the developer’s past work (The Harlan Apartments) is beautiful, he is in favor of more commercial development in the City, citing a demand for it. Due to this, he will be voting “no” on this request. 3 AYES 1 NAY – MORCOMB A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-79, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY AND FINAL PLATS FOR OAKDALE MARKETPLACE SEVENTH ADDITION WITH CONDITIONS INCLUDED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION. 3 AYES 1 NAY – MORCOMB A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-80, APPROVING THE SITE PLAN FOR OAKDALE MARKETPLACE SEVENTH ADDITION WITH CONDITIONS INCLUDED IN THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION. 3 AYES 1 NAY – MORCOMB c) Park System Plan Approval Community Development Specialist Hannah Dunn explained that over the past 18 months, City staff and SRF Consulting Group developed a comprehensive Park System Plan to guide park 5  improvements for the next 20 years. The process included reviewing past studies, analyzing demographics, inventorying parks, and gathering input from the City Council, advisory bodies, stakeholders, and the community. Through design sessions and public engagement, preliminary concepts were refined, cost estimates created, and a prioritization matrix developed for future capital planning. The final Plan, included in the meeting packet, outlines background information, recommendations, and implementation tools, and is the result of broad collaboration and community feedback. Ms. Dunn thanked all those involved as the comments and direction received were invaluable. Mayor Zabel reflected on the long process of creating the Park System Plan, noting the initial recognition of the need for a cohesive parks strategy. He praised the extensive resident input, which shaped the Plan’s vision for the next 20 years. Finally, he expressed gratitude to City staff, SRF Consulting Group, and the community for their efforts to help make Oakdale a better place. The Council echoed Mayor Zabel’s sentiments. A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO APPROVE THE OAKDALE PARK SYSTEM PLAN. 4 AYES ENGINEERING a) Ownership, Operation, and Maintenance Agreement for Signal Systems Installed with the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Consulting City Engineer Brian Bachmeier introduced a three-party agreement between Washington County, the Met Council, and the City of Oakdale for maintaining seven traffic signals installed for the Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Washington County will maintain the system, with costs shared among the parties. Mr. Bachmeier explained, based on a “but for” approach, the Met Council will fund four signals installed solely for the BRT, the City will fund one signal that it solely owns, and the remaining two will have shared costs between the City and Met Council. In response to Council Member Severson’s question about remaining negotiations related to the Gold Line BRT, Mr. Bachmeier indicated there are a number of other ownership and maintenance agreements that have yet to be finalized. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN THE OWNERSHIP, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. Mayor Zabel shared that although he appreciates the work done on the “but for” test, he does not support having City residents bear any financial responsibility for infrastructure created solely because of the Gold Line BRT project. Due to this, he will be voting “no” on this request, and likely any future related agreements. 3 AYES 1 NAY – ZABEL POLICE DEPARTMENT a) Agreement with ISD 622 – School Resource Officer 2025-2026 6  Police Chief Nick Newton introduced an agreement between the City of Oakdale and Independent School District 622 for a school resource officer stationed at Tartan High School. The agreement covers roles, responsibilities, and funding from the District, with a term running from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2027. Chief Newton confirmed that having a fully licensed peace officer during the 2024-2025 school year went extremely well. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN AND EXECUTE THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT WITH ISD 622 FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 TO AUGUST 31, 2027. 4 AYES CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney Jim Thomson noted that his office provided legal counsel on many of the agreements before the Council this evening. ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT a) 2025 Fee Schedule Revision Related to Community Development (Building Inspections) Mr. Gitzlaff explained that there are two proposed amendments to the 2025 Fee Schedule to correct two building inspection fees. The first change would revert re-roofing and siding permits for commercial applicants from a flat fee back to the 2024 valuation-based formula (contract × 1% + $23.00) to comply with Minnesota Building Code. The second change would reduce the fire suppression sprinkler head fee from $66 back to $6, aligning with industry standards. Mayor Zabel asked if Council can delegate authority to staff allowing administrative changes to be made without Council’s approval. Attorney Thomson confirmed this is possible for non-substantive changes and will be implemented into the ordinance approving the 2026 Fee Schedule. A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 951, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 942 OF THE CITY OF OAKDALE, MINNESOTA, RELATING TO REVISING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR 2025 TO UPDATE CERTAIN FEES RELATED TO BUILDING PERMITS. 4 AYES A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-77, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 951 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. 4 AYES COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Moore shared how much she enjoyed participating in the Acorn Awards, driving around the City to view nominated yards and commercial properties. 7 Council Member Severson said he enjoyed participating in Night to Unite for the first time, visiting several block parties and the City-hosted event at Walton Park. Council Member Morcomb encouraged community involvement in incorporating art and local history into parks. He suggested possibilities like murals, sculptures, or floral displays, and invited residents to share ideas and get involved. Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • Thank you to everyone that participated in Night to Unite last Tuesday, August 5th. • City Offices will be closed on Wednesday, August 13th from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM for staff training. • Two concerts left as part of Oakdale’s Summer Concert Series – Wednesday, August 13th at 7:00 PM and Wednesday, August 20th at 6:00 PM. • Mufasa will be showing at the Walton Park Bandshell on Friday, August 15th beginning at dusk. • Oakdale’s annual Touch A Truck event is on Thursday, August 21st from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the City Hall parking lot. A sensory-friendly hour will be offered from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM with no lights or sirens. • Also, on Thursday, August 21st, stop by Walton Park for Washington County’s Back 2 School event from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. • The City is conducting a housing study to identify housing needs within the community and potential strategies to address those needs. Oakdale residents are encouraged to take the survey available on the City website, www.oakdalemn.gov, through August 29th. CLAIMS A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD JULY 23, 2025 TO AUGUST 12, 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $5,220,720.51. 4 AYES ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 12, 2025, AT 7:58 PM. 4 AYES Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk 8