City Council Workshop

WORKSHOP OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL July 13, 2021 The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 5:02 PM. Present: Mayor Paul Reinke Council Members: Jake Ingebrigtson Susan Olson Colleen Swedberg Kevin Zabel (participated virtually) Also Present: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Susan Barry, City Clerk Linnea Graffunder-Bartels, Senior Community Development Specialist Alyssa MacLeod, Communications Specialist Nick Newton, Police Captain Emily Shively, City Planner Bob Streetar, Community Development Director Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Jason Zimmerman, Finance Director GREENWAY STATION BUS RAPID TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PLAN City Planner Shively reviewed a request to implement the Greenway Station Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development (BRTOD) plan for the area of Helmo and Greenway avenues. She explained that the process would be the same as was used for Helmo Station, Tartan Crossing, and Oakdale Village and that the Greenway Station BRTOD would also be made part of the zoning code. Community Development Director Streetar added that permitted businesses identified for the Greenway Station site are those that offer retail or services that would frequented by residents in the vicinity and by those utilizing the Gold Line transit system. He added that the comprehensive lists in the zoning code were developed by former councils. In reviewing the list of prohibited businesses, Council Member Olson suggested allowing secondhand stores and tattoo parlors. Council Member Swedberg agreed and asked that the lists be revisited by the current council. Community Development Director Streetar reviewed the list of prohibited businesses and noted those that would not fit the size of the Greenway Station site and asked the City Council to identify businesses to add or remove from either list. In response to a question from Council Ingebrigtson, City Planner Shively noted that one adjacent parcel is currently for sale. WORKSHOP July 13, 2021 Page Two In response to a suggestion from Council Member Swedberg to use a broad statement, such as size of parcel, to describe businesses rather than to list them, City Planner Shively explained the benefit of identifying specific business types. Community Development Director Streetar noted that the city also considers requests from developers for uses that are not listed. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, City Planner Shively explained that the zoning code defines permitted and prohibited businesses. Council Member Zabel suggested the City Council also review the list of permitted businesses for Greenway Station and identify those that would not meet the criteria of frequently used businesses and he noted some inconsistencies with what is allowed and what is not. In addition to secondhand stores and tattoo parlors, Community Development Director Streetar invited the City Council to identify businesses that should be allowed or prohibited for the Greenway Station site. After some additional discussion, Mayor Reinke summarized the City Council’s direction for the following businesses to be permitted: tattoo parlor and secondhand goods business In discussing whether to allow other businesses, such as indoor kennels and game rooms, Community Development Director Streetar stated that any requests from the prohibited list would be brought before the City Council for consideration. On another matter, Council Member Zabel asked that the city reconsider permitting only one pawnshop in the city. Council Member Olson asked that the City Council discuss the similarity in appearance of commercial buildings in the city. Council Members Ingebrigtson and Swedberg agreed. Community Development Director Streetar explained that the city has minimum design standards for details such as building height, setbacks, parking, and circulation and that building design is a function of the developer and architect. .GOV DOMAIN Communications Specialist MacLeod reviewed a request to change the city’s domain from ci.oakdale.mn.us to oakdalemn.gov. She added that there would be no cost for the conversion and no disruption to service as both domains would continue to function and that the new domain would provide added security and would be easier to use/communicate. WORKSHOP July 13, 2021 Page Three The City Council supported the change. PLANNING COMMISSION INTERVIEW: Thomas Willenbring Council Member Olson recused herself from participating in the interview. The City Council interviewed Thomas Willenbring for consideration to appoint to the Planning Commission. COUNCIL TOPICS ISD 622 - Council Member Olson noted that she would not be meeting with the ISD 622 Superintendent as previously mentioned. 2022 BUDGET The City Council continued its discussion of the 2022 Budget. Chris Volkers, City Administrator introduced updates to the budget since the last work session. Jason Zimmerman, Finance Director reviewed the memo attached to the agenda. In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson on the potential of significantly reduced property tax revenue, Finance Director Zimmerman reviewed the city portion of property tax and explained how the City is approximately 1/3 of property taxes. In response to a comment from Council Member Zabel, Council Member Swedberg noted that organizations selling pull-tabs did well at years’ end. City Administrator Volkers indicated that staff would provide the City Council with details on charitable gambling revenue and the associated fund. She also indicated that staff would provide details on franchise fee revenue and the associated Fund. In discussing the Ambulance Fund, City Administrator Volkers noted that staff was reviewing collection services and current rates and that staff would provide details on the city’s uncollected debt to the City Council. Finance Director Zimmerman reviewed the capital equipment requests. City Administrator Volkers added that Finance Director Zimmerman would develop a five-year equipment replacement plan. Fire Chief Wold provided an overview of future equipment needs for the Fire Department, including a fire engine needed now, which is one year overdue, as well as trade-in and salvage value. WORKSHOP July 13, 2021 Page Four Finance Director Zimmerman reviewed the city’s current bonds and annual payments. Council Member Zabel suggested paying off the $110,000 bond with reserves. City Administrator Volkers replied that staff would bring back strategies on future bonds. COUNCIL TOPICS (cont.) Hadley and 36 Roundabout - Council Member Swedberg expressed concern with the appearance of the landscaped areas at the Hadley Avenue and Highway 36 roundabouts. ADJOURNMENT The workshop adjourned at 6:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk