City Council Workshop

WORKSHOP OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL May 25, 2021 The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Paul Reinke Council Members: Jake Ingebrigtson Susan Olson Colleen Swedberg Kevin Zabel Also Present: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Jim Thomson, City Attorney Susan Barry, City Clerk Alyssa MacLeod, Communications Specialist Nick Newton, Police Captain Chelsea Petersen, Administrative Services Director (virtual) Emily Shively, City Planner Bob Streetar, Community Development Director Kevin Wold, Fire Chief PROPOSED ORDINANCE: CHAPTER 13, TARGETED PICKETING IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS City Administrator Volkers reviewed an ordinance requested by the City Council to address protesting in residential areas. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Captain Newton indicated that the city’s protest response document identifies a “First Amendment” gathering location in the north parking lot at City Hall and that other locations, if so needed, would be identified and communicated to the public. In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, Captain Newton noted that the document also addressed closing of City Hall if needed. City Administrator Volkers informed the City Council that at an upcoming work session, staff would review the city’s emergency management plan. Mayor Reinke reminded the City Council to call 911 should any situations feel threatening. The City Council supported bringing back the proposed code amendment to the June 8 regular meeting for adoption. TRANSITION TO CAREER FIRE DEPARTMENT WORKSHOP May 25, 2021 Page Two Fire Chief Wold provided an update on transitioning to a career fire department: currently 15 full- time firefighters plus Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief; 17 remaining volunteers are aware of the plan to transition; need to hire six more full-time firefighters; suggest hiring three in July of 2022 and the final three in January 2023; and then dissolve the volunteer corporation. He reviewed the financing for the additional firefighters and that the department applied for a SAFER grant that would cover salaries for the six firefighters for three years. In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, Fire Chief Wold indicated that he would work with an attorney on transferring assets (vehicles) from the corporation following its dissolution. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Fire Chief Wold explained pensions for the existing volunteers. Mayor Reinke suggested having a future discussion on holding off on dissolving the corporation if a member is close to a year of service mark. As an aside, Chief Wold noted that the department was returning to participating in community events but that the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce’s (OACC) Community Picnic held each June would not take place this year. Per comments from the City Council, Communications Specialist MacLeod stated that she would speak to the OACC about the possibility of holding the picnic later in the summer. The City Council and Chief Wold talked about voucher programs that could cover the cost for persons to utilize an Uber or similar or another mode of transportation to be transported to the hospital when an ambulance is not necessary. Chief Wold noted that staff planned to study Medicare reimbursement rates and unpaid ambulance bills. AV UPGRADES, VIRTUAL MEETINGS Communications Specialist MacLeod reviewed a recommendation to move forward with equipment upgrades in the Council Chambers to accommodate remote/hybrid meetings, to be financed primarily from an equipment grant from Suburban Community Channels to be used in 2021. Council Member Zabel added that the city would also receive around $20,000 at the end of the year. The City Council supported making the upgrades. WORKSHOP May 25, 2021 Page Three COUNCIL TOPICS ISD 622 Superintendent Council Member Olson noted that she would be meeting with ISD 622 Superintendent Osorio on June 1 and would ask about a meeting with the entire council. Mayoral Emergency Declaration Council Member Ingebrigtson requested that the Mayoral Emergency Declaration, established in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, be repealed. The City Council discussed whether or not the city’s advisory bodies could continue to meet virtually. The City Council supported amending the May 25 regular meeting agenda to include repealing the Mayoral Emergency Declaration. Helmo and Henslow Stop Sign Council Member Ingebrigtson shared a resident concern about the need for a four-way-stop at the Helmo and Henslow intersection as well as the need for additional Stop signs on Helmo between 10th and 34th streets, particularly at Eastside Park. He noted that he would like to discuss the matter with the Police and Public Works departments. City Administrator Volkers asked the City Council make sure that signs meet warrants before approval installation. Police Captain Newton commented on the long-term issue with traffic speeds on Helmo. Nuisance Trees Council Member Zabel shared a resident concern about overhanging tree branches. Staff replied that information is available on the city’s web page Council Member Zabel suggested that the summer issue of the newsletter include information about nuisance trees, watering, and other reminders such as to not blow grass clippings into the street. Contacted by Residents WORKSHOP May 25, 2021 Page Four In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, City Administrator Volkers asked that when a resident sends an email to all members of the City Council, the Mayor will respond to the resident saying it has been forwarded to the City Administrator; the City Administrator will respond to the resident, letting the resident know that all councilors have received a copy of her response, and also provide copies of her response to the City Council. Pickleball Court Request The City Council discussed a letter received from the Oakdale Pickleball Club about the need for additional courts. City Administrator Volkers noted that staff would respond. Willowbrooke Master Development Agreement Community Development Director Streetar provided an overview of an amended Master Planned Unit Development Agreement between the city and White Star Farms LLC (Maplewood Development) and US Home Corporation (Lennar Homes) relating to the Willowbrooke project. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Community Development Director Streetar noted that Table 1, Phase 3, Housing Types and Phasing, the asterisks represent when development is likely to occur in Phases 2 and 3 but total number of units are not determined at this time. In discussing 40th Street, City Administrator Volkers informed the City Council that the 2021 Capital Improvement Program might need to be amended to reflect the construction of 40th Street being moved to 2022, Community Development Director Streetar explained that that the developer was initially planning to construct 40th Street in 2022, then moved to 2021; current plan is to install the water and sewer in 2021 and the road and storm sewer in 2022. City Attorney Thomson explained that capital improvement programs serve as planning tools and the city has the option to amend it, but there is no legal requirement to do so. In response to a question from Mayor Reinke, Community Development Director Streetar discussed the location of private utilities on the site. Referencing projected $100,000 cost increase for the city’s share of 40th Street, Council Member Zabel asked that the developer, rather than the city, be responsible for any associated cost increases as it was their decision to delay construction of the roadway. WORKSHOP May 25, 2021 Page Four City Administrator Volkers provided an overview of the agreement notations provided by Attorney Thomson in an earlier email. Referencing Item Five on Page Four, Council Member Zabel reiterated that the developer be financially responsible should the project be delayed or building does not occur. Community Development Director Streetar noted that the assessments relating to 40th Street would be paid no matter the circumstance and added that the Master Development Agreement with the developers is very detailed. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel about park funding, Community Development Director Streetar explained that the assessment for the portion of 40th Street adjacent to the park would be split between city and the developer. Referencing improvements to Ideal Avenue, Community Development Director Streetar indicated that the Willowbrooke plat would be able to be recorded when the City of Lake Elmo approves the cooperative maintenance agreement for Ideal Avenue. In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, Community Development Director Streetar explained that grading would begin on the site and construction would take place over the next 48 months. City Administrator Volkers noted that the accelerated construction timeframe would also accelerate the need to hire additional building inspection staff. She added that staff would be updating the city’s financial outlook. COUNCIL TOPICS (continued Council Member Swedberg indicated that she would share information with the Parks Division on successful method used at her church to deter birds from nesting. ADJOURNMENT The workshop adjourned at 6:48 PM. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk