City Council Workshop
Regular MeetingOakdale, MN · June 23, 2020
Minutes
WORKSHOP
OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL
June 23, 2020
ATTENDANCE
The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue
North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 5 PM.
Present: Mayor Paul Reinke
Council Members: Jake Ingebrigtson
Susan Olson
Colleen Swedberg
Kevin Zabel
Also Present: Brian Bachmeier, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Susan Barry, City Clerk
Alyssa MacLeod, Communications Specialist
Sheryl Mellgren, Chief Building Official
Chelsea Petersen, Administrative Services Director
Bob Streetar, Community Development Director
Bill Sullivan, Chief of Police
2021 Budget: Special Revenue Funds
Administrative Services Director Petersen provided an overview of the proposed special revenue
budget:
Communications and Broadcasting: Projected cable franchise and antenna rental revenue increased.
Potentially cover cost of utility software upgrade.
Council Member Zabel commented on reduced cable franchise revenue due to fewer cable
subscriptions.
Administrative Services Director Petersen explained that the projected revenue related to franchise
fees.
In response to a question from Council Member Olson, Administrative Services Director Petersen
commented on various transfers that are made out of the fund.
Charitable Gambling: Some reduced revenue due to pull-tab locations closed due to COVID-19.
$12,000 donation made to the Christian Cupboard Emergency Food Shelf.
In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Administrative Services Director Petersen
explained that transfers would still be needed to the Recreation and the Summerfest funds.
Forfeit Proceeds and Restitution Services: Purchased equipment needed by law enforcement.
Economic Development: Proposed increase to $55,000 to be used for Neighborhood and Strategic
Initiatives Fund ($15,000) and Community and Economic Development Fund (formerly Seed Fund)
($40,000).
WORKSHOP
June 23, 2020
Page Two
Community Development Director Streetar stated that the dedicated funds would offer long-term
funding strategies for the home and business improvement loans that are administered by the city.
He added that the loans are in much demand; as such, additional funding is needed.
In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Administrative Services Director Petersen
explained that fund balances in the Seed Fund are being deciphered.
Summerfest: 2020 Event Canceled due to COVID-19. Able to transfer minor expenditures/deposits to
2021 event.
Council Member Zabel inquired about recouping lost revenue from canceling the 2020 event.
Administrative Services Director Petersen noted that Summerfest does not typically produce much
revenue. She added that savings in 2020 resulted from not paying overtime to police and public works
staff.
Council Member Zabel recounted past discussions about a one-time cash infusion into the fund.
Administrative Services Director Petersen noted that the Summerfest Committee has been looking at
other revenue sources, such as sponsorships.
Mayor Reinke added that the committee is discussing transforming Summerfest.
Recreation
In response to questions from Council Member Zabel, Administrative Services Director Petersen
explained that accounting for the Recreation Department has one regular staff person and benefits for
all staffers under the General Fund and two regular staffers and seasonal staff under the Special
Revenue Budget.
Council Member Zabel noted that the Special Revenue budget does not offer the level of detail for staff
expenditures.
Staff was directed to bring back information on why the Recreation budgets are arranged as they are.
Building Inspection Department Overview
Newly promoted Chief Building Official Mellgren provided an overview of her background and tasks as
well as that of staff in the Building Inspection and Code Enforcement Department. She commented that
the department continues to be quite busy, particularly with permits relating to home improvements as
more people have been home and the need to hire an additional administrative assistant.
Council Member Zabel commented on past discussions relating to modifying the rental housing
licensing process to allow property owners to skip a year when their rental property has no issues.
WORKSHOP
June 23, 2020
Page Three
Chief Building Official Mellgren noted that the process would likely would require developing custom
software due to the high number of rental properties in the city.
In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Chief Building Inspector Mellgren noted that the
department conducts an average of 2,000 inspections each year.
In response to a question from Mayor Reinke, Chief Building Inspector Mellgren noted that interviews
for Building Inspector would be held in the next few weeks.
County State Aid Highway 13 – Phase 2
Also Present: Andrew Giesen, Project Manager, Washington County
Stan Karwoski, Washington County Board Chair
Project Manager Giesen reviewed the next phase of the County State Aid Highway 13 project: 34th
Street from CSAH 14 to 44th Street, on border of Lake Elmo and Oakdale. He reviewed design
alternatives and cost estimates for a turn-lane and for a roundabout and stated that the County was
seeking consensus from the City Council on the preferred alternative.
In response to questions from the City Council Mr. Giesen explained the differences in the estimated
projects costs for the three agencies (County, Lake Elmo, Oakdale) for the two alternatives. He
explained that costs for the roundabout are higher for Oakdale due to distance.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier added that that the developer of the Willowbrooke
would cover the majority of the construction costs associated with the intersection and that the
reminder of the city’s share could be covered with gas tax proceeds.
Community Development Director Streetar added that the city’s share would be paid by the developer;
the city will sells bonds and assess the property. He further added that the developer has not
expressed a preference on the two alternatives.
In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, Mr. Giesen indicated that the City of Lake
Elmo reviewed the alternatives a few weeks ago and expressed concerns with cost.
County Commission Chair Karwoski stated that the project was advanced on the county’s priority list.
In response to a question from Mayor Reinke about tree preservation, Mr. Giesen replied that it would
depend on the final design.
The City Council unanimously supported the roundabout alternative.
Local Emergency for COVID-19 Pandemic
Administrative Services Director Petersen reviewed a request to keep the local emergency in place
during COVID-19 to be able to response quickly to circumstances that could arise.
The City Council supported keeping the local emergency in place.
WORKSHOP
June 23, 2020
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Council Discussion
Council Member Zabel asked that the 2020 Budget be re-reviewed to identify non-essential
expenditures and discuss “big ticket” items in light of COVID-19.
Council Member Ingebrigtson agreed.
Mayor Reinke asked that the financial forecast be updated.
Council Member Zabel also asked that staff review commercial property values.
Council Member Swedberg shared that the Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association (TAYHA) expressed an
interest in renting the city’s ice rinks and asked staff to look into possible fees. She added that TAYHA
asked to advertise registrations on the city’s electronic message board.
Communications Specialist MacLeod noted that she would provide the City Council with a copy of the
city’s posting policy.
Police Chief Sullivan suggested that City Attorney Thomson review the posting policy.
Council Member Swedberg asked for consideration to modify the hours of the farmers market from 2 to
6 PM to 2:30 to 6:30 PM.
Council Member Zabel asked about livestreaming City Council meetings.
Communications Specialist MacLeod noted that livestreaming has been offered on the city’s website.
She recommended against livestreaming meetings on Facebook as it allows comments to be posted.
Staff was directed to look at options for livestreaming and report back to the City Council.
Council Member Zabel inquired whether the Hadley Room could be outfitted to allow broadcasting.
Mayor Reinke announced that a farewell reception would be held for Interim City Administrator Dawson.
Adjournment
The workshop adjourned at 6:52 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Barry,
City Clerk
Agenda
AGENDA
City Council Workshop
June 23, 2020
Council Chambers
5 PM 2021 Budget: Special Revenue Funds
5:30 PM Building Inspection Department Overview (Mellgren)
6 PM Country State Aid Highway 13 Phase 2 (Giesen)
6:30 PM Local Pandemic Emergency
6:45 PM Council Discussion
6:58 PM Recess for Regular Meeting
WORKSHOP CONTINUES FOLLOWING REGULAR MEETING
7:30 PM
(estimated time Topics TBD
If necessary)
COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Craig Dawson, Interim City Administrator
Date: June 23, 2020
Subject: Building Inspection Department Overview
BACKGROUND
Per the request of the City Council, Building Inspector Mellgren will attend the June 23 work session to
provide an overview of the future of the Building Inspection Department and to answer questions.
COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Craig Dawson, Interim City Administrator
Date: June 23, 2020
Subject: County State Aid Highway 13 Phase 2
BACKGROUND
Andrew Giesen, Engineer for Washington County, will attend the June 23 work session to provide an
overview of Phase 2 of the County State Aid Highway 13. Mr. Giesen’s presentation is attached.
6/12/2020
County Highway 13 (Ideal Ave.)
Phase 2 - Improvement Project
City of Oakdale
Council Workshop
June 23, 2020
Project Update
•Tonight’s Presenter:
• Andrew Giesen, Washington County
Project Manager
•Why are we here?
• Update on the County Highway 13
Phase 2 Pedestrian and Safety
Improvement Project
2
1
6/12/2020
Topics
• Project Overview
• Project Schedule
• Project Goals
• Public Engagement
• Design Alternatives
• Cost Estimates
• Things to Consider
• Next Steps
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Project Location
• 34th St./CSAH 14 to 44th St.
• City Border for Lake Elmo and Oakdale
• 50 mph posted speed limit
• Current traffic volumes of 2,800 - 4,600
vehicles/day
• Forecasted 2045 traffic volumes of 4,500 –
13,000 vehicles/day
• Proposed 200 acre housing development
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2
6/12/2020
Project Schedule
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Fall 2020 –
Summer Fall 2019 – Summer/Fall Winter
Summer Fall 2021 2022
2019 Spring 2020 2020 2021/2022
2021
Public Select Project
Final Design
Project Kick-off Outreach and Preferred Final Plans Advertisement Construction
and Row Offers
Prelim. Design Alterative and Award
We are here
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Project Management Team
• Representatives from:
• Oakdale
• Lake Elmo
• Washington County
• Design Consultant
• Meet Monthly
• Created:
• Project Goals
• Project Website
• Community Engagement Plan
• Reviewed/Commented:
• Design Alternatives
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3
6/12/2020
Project Opportunities
• Improve Safety
• Improve sight lines
• Analyze intersections for potential improvements
• Widen shoulders
• Address the lack of pedestrian/bike
accommodations
• Strengthen roadbed
• Mitigate erosion/runoff/drainage concerns
• Consider future developments and growth in
traffic volumes
• Coordinate with future development
• Be sensitive to project effects on residents
• Improve corridor safety for all roadway users
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4
6/12/2020
Public Engagement
• Goals of public involvement process:
• Information sharing
• Gather input/comfort levels with design alternatives
• Answer questions
• To date:
• Corridor Study Feedback
• Public Open House – Cancelled due to COVID-19
• Virtual Open House – over 100 views
• Project Flyer and Survey – Over 60 responses to survey
• Mailed, posted on social media, and included in city newsletter
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Design Alternatives
• Four design alternatives were evaluated by the project management team
• All alternatives include:
• Trail on west side of Ideal Ave
• Shoulder widening
• Curb and gutter Matches Phase 1
• One retaining wall along Ideal Ave
• Trail on south side of 50th Street
• Differences between the alternatives
• Intersection improvements (Turn lanes vs. roundabouts)
• Design speed (40 mph vs. 50 mph)
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5
6/12/2020
6
6/12/2020
Intersections
Turn Lanes Roundabouts
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Public Feedback
• Liked that the roundabouts helps reduce speeds
• With these lower speeds, felt that pedestrian crossings would be safer
• Impacts to private property should be reduced as much as practical
• A small percentage of residents did not like the proposed housing
development, therefore did not like either alternative
• Appreciated that the design team shared project info and asked for
resident input into the project
• Excitement to see these improvements made and the trail extended
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7
6/12/2020
Estimated Project Costs
Agency Washington County City of Oakdale City of Lake Elmo Total
Turn Lane Alternative $ 5,525,000 $ 375,000 $ 725,000 $ 6,625,000
Roundabout Alternative $ 5,850,000 $ 775,000 $ 1,000,000 $ 7,625,000
• City of Oakdale costs are drawn from a
portion of: • Overall costs of the roundabout
• Side streets connections alternative are more than the turn lane
• Contributing flow of surrounding storm alternative due to:
water • Additional amount of concrete needed for
• Curb and gutter the two roundabouts
• New trail • Need to go further back on city streets at
• Retaining Walls roundabouts
• Right of Way Acquisitions
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Things to Consider
• Accommodate pedestrian crossings
• Traffic Calming/Speeds
• Sight lines
• Intersection lighting
• Initial and Future Costs
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8
6/12/2020
Next Steps
• City of Lake Elmo City Council Workshop – June 9th
• Come together to one preferred alternative by August
• Return to city councils, seeking Council support of preferred
alternative
• Move into Stage 2, final design and right of way acquisition
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Questions?
Contact Information
• Andrew Giesen
• (651) 430-4336
• andrew.giesen@co.washington.mn.us
• Project Website
• https://www.co.washington.mn.us/County13Phase2
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