City Council Workshop

WORKSHOP OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL October 12, 2021 The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, October 12, 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 Brian Bachmeier, Public Works Director/City Engineer Susan Barry, City Clerk Nick Newton, Police Chief Kevin Wold, Fire Chief Jason Zimmerman, Finance Director Joe Ayers, Washington County Emily Jorgensen, Washington County Stan Karwoski, Washington County HIGHWAY 36 CORRIDOR TRANSIT FEASIBILITY STUDY Emily Jorgensen, Washington County, provided an overview of the Highway 36 Corridor Transit Feasibility Study that reviewed the scope and goals, public engagement, transit scenarios, challenges, and recommendations for the next eight years. In response to a question from Council Member Ingebrigtson, Ms. Jorgensen explained that one recommendation would be to look at on-demand public transit to serve areas in the county not already served by transit services. In response to a question from Council Member Swedberg, Ms. Jorgensen noted that the corridor plan would occur after improvements have been made to the Highway 36 and 120 intersection. Washington County Commissioner Karwoski commented on the desire for public transit to assist Stillwater residents to access the metro area and for employees of businesses, like Anderson Windows, to use public transit. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION POLICY Finance Director Zimmerman reviewed a proposed Federal Awards Administration policy to provide internal controls for when the city receives any federal funds, such as CARES Act and other funds relating to COVID. He added that the city’s auditors strongly support the policy. After some discussion, but no changes, the City Council supported formally adopting the policy at the October 26 Council meeting. WORKSHOP October 12, 2021 Page Two CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN: PARKS The City Council reviewed proposed park projects for the next five years. Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the capital improvement plan for parks and ranked the projects and maintenance “needs” and also “wants.” He added that the commission supported addressing one to two maintenance items and one to two new projects each year. In response to questions relating to renting portable warming houses for Eastside Park and Walton Park skating rinks, Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier indicated that a permanent structure cannot be placed at Eastside Park due to an underground pipeline and funds to pay rental costs were available in the operating budget as fewer seasonal staffers were hired over the summer. City Administrator Volkers asked staff to get estimates to install improved lighting at the band shell and for the installation of additional netting at the band shell to discourage birds from nesting. Finance Director Zimmerman recommended transferring funds from the Communication and Broadcasting fund and from the Charitable Gambling fund. In response to a question from Council Member Zabel, Finance Director Zimmerman noted that Oak Marsh Golf Course revenue to the city in 2020 was one of the highest years ever. Finance Director Zimmerman reviewed the new reporting pages for the capital improvement program. The City Council briefly discussed park planning at Willowbrooke. Council Member Ingebrigtson suggested putting in numerous pickleball courts in one location. Council Member Zabel supported focusing on maintenance and repair projects in 2022. Council Member Olson agreed. She asked staff to look into installing motion activated lights in the Gateway Trail tunnel under Hadley Avenue. Public Works Director/City Engineer Bachmeier noted that the tunnel is owned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Mayor Reinke asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission identify playgrounds needing repair or replacement. Council Member Ingebrigtson supported scheduling the Walton Park Skate Park repairs in 2022 rather than in 2023 and moving the Eberle Park Pickleball Court and Eastside Park Volleyball Court projects from 2022 to 2023. WORKSHOP October 12, 2021 Page Three Staff was directed to have the Parks and Recreation Commission identify projects that focus on safety improvements, such as the Walton Park Skate Park, and for staff to bring back a revised list to the City Council. TAX INCREMENT FINANCING MANAGEMENT PLAN PROPOSAL Finance Director Zimmerman provided an overview of a request to hire BakerTilly to provide a tax increment financing review for all districts in the city. The City Council supported this endeavor and to include the Tanners TIF district. NAMING OF EVENTS/OTHER IN MEMORIAM The City Council directed staff to amend Policy MIS-019: Donations to Parks, Memorials in Parks, to include language pertaining to naming events, facilities, and parks after a deceased person. The workshop recessed at 6:45 PM. The workshop reconvened at 7:42 PM. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR City Administrator Volkers asked the City Council to provide her with nominations for Volunteer of the Year. COUNCIL TOPICS Council Member Olson provided copies of the Council Code of Conduct for the City of Edina and asked that a similar document be drafted, discussed, and adopted by Oakdale. City Administrator Volkers indicated that she was working to continue the city’s strategic planning process. Council Member Swedberg expressed concern with birdhouses being placed in the Oakdale Nature Preserve without authorization. Mayor Reinke commented on the extraordinary work done by the Oakdale Police Department relating to their response to a mental health issue on 10th Street on October 10. ADJOURNMENT The workshop adjourned at 8 PM. Respectfully submitted, Susan Barry, City Clerk