City Council Workshop

WORKSHOP MINUTES OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 26, 2025 The City Council held a workshop on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 5:00 PM. Present: Mayor Kevin Zabel Council Members: Andy Morcomb Kari Moore Gary Severson City Staff Members: Christina Volkers, City Administrator Sara Ludwig, City Clerk Brian Bachmeier, Consulting City Engineer Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director Kristina Handt, Interim Finance Director Luke McClanahan, City Planner Nick Newton, Police Chief Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager Emma Roeller, Community Development Intern Cory Tietz, Public Works Director Others Present: Mike Prosser, Parks and Recreation Commissioner OAKDALE GATEWAY SITE CONCEPT (REGAN SITE) PRESENTATION Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff provided background on the site, noting that the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan identifies the property for development. City staff worked with HKGi to prepare a presentation outlining site concept design alternatives accompanied by precedent images of proposed land uses. Community Development Intern Emma Roeller presented three concept designs with varying land use mixes such as residential, medical, office, and light industrial. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about the distinguishing factor between light industrial and office especially as it relates to the proximity to the interstate, Mr. Gitzlaff stated that these concepts aim to diversify the uses with the proposed office spaces getting higher visibility from the interstate. City Planner Luke McClanahan added that the layout in Concept C plays off the existing land uses to the north of 4th St N. In response to Council Member Morcomb’s question about the costs associated with the potential future infill bus rapid transit station on 4th St N, Mr. Gitzlaff explained that the Metropolitan Council would need to support the project, but at this point it is unknown if there would be a local cost share or how the project would be funded. WORKSHOP MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 PAGE TWO Council Member Moore inquired about which concept plan is most realistic. Mayor Zabel stated that all concepts are possible, but the final concept plan will be based on Council’s intent. Mr. Gitzlaff added that the market is more favorable for light industrial than office in the near-term. Council Member Severson was not supportive of rezoning the site to accommodate uses not specified in the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan. City staff was asked to review the current zoning for this site given the updated Zoning Code and clarify what is allowed. The Council was in agreement that they would not support residential on this site. The Council generally preferred Concept C, and was okay with staff sharing with prospective developers knowing that additional zoning changes may be necessary. Related to the proposed concept layouts, Mayor Zabel was concerned about the access off of 4th St N, but Mr. Gitzlaff clarified that it would be full access. HELMO STATION PARK Mr. Gitzlaff reviewed the approved Helmo Station project and requested Council feedback on the concept design of the park and playground, noting that the Park System Plan helped to identify community needs and determine amenities to be included. Public Works Director Cory Tietz explained the advantages on an operational level of using the same playground vendor across City parks. Mayor Zabel preferred to remain with the same vendor for consistency. Mr. Tietz went over the recommendation provided by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission preferred Concept A given the variety of activities and flow of the layout. Council Member Moore was supportive of the separation of play structures by age group. She was interested in additional swings for older children. Mr. Tietz noted that adding swings will incur additional costs due to the shift in the poured-in place rubber surfacing base, unless the net climber or similar is removed and two swings are put in instead, which would result in a net neutral cost. Council Member Morcomb was interested in researching the addition of three or four swings. Council Member Severson suggested compressing the younger children’s play area to make room for the swings. Mayor Zabel recapped Council’s interest for the playground which include: • exploring the addition of four swings for the older children • staying within the existing footprint, but being open to a cost estimate if the surface base needs to be expanded • additional shade structure over younger children’s play area • benches around the playground for adult seating WORKSHOP MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 PAGE THREE Mayor Zabel inquired if the dog run could be smaller. Council Member Morcomb suggested moving the pickleball courts closer to the interstate. The slides and the accessible carousel from Concept B were two amenities the Council was interested in as an added possibility to Concept A. The Council agreed to use the same playground colors as Willowbrooke Commons. Council Member Morcomb pointed out the possibility of a pick-up/drop-off only zone somewhere around the park. 2026 ENTERPRISE OPERATING AND CIP BUDGETS Interim Finance Director Kristina Handt went over the proposed 2026 rate increases for the Water, Sewer, Street Light, and Surface Water Funds and the reasoning behind the 3%, 2%, 2%, and 2% increases, respectively. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about what the transfer from the General Fund will cover, Ms. Handt stated that this is a historical practice that may need some fleshing out in future years to more diligently identify the covered expenses. Ms. Handt reviewed the Water and Sewer Funds, noting the impact of discontinuing the senior discount program. It was requested that staff double check the projected increases related to the discontinuation as they differ significantly from what was presented during the initial conversation about this program back in February. Ms. Volkers will follow up with the Council via email. Moving on, Ms. Handt reviewed the Street Light, Surface Water, Utility System Replacement, and Drinking Water Settlement Funds. The Council requested that the Drinking Water Settlement Fund only contain projects receiving funding from the 3M Settlement. Ms. Handt pointed out that the Water Availability Charge (WAC) and Sewer Availability Charge (SAC) utilize projections from the 2024 long range financial management plan. Mr. Gitzlaff indicated that current development projects align with these projections. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about the unassigned fund balance of the Water and Sewer Funds factoring into the General Fund, Ms. Handt confirmed that they do not. Regarding the unassigned fund balances as of 12/31/2024, Ms. Volkers pointed out that a water main replacement is on the horizon and these funds will help offset the cost. There was general Council support for small incremental increases year-over-year until the utility rate study results come back. Therefore, the Council was supportive of a 3% rate increase for Water and 2% rate increase each for Sewer, Street Light, and Surface Water. WORKSHOP MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 PAGE FOUR Ms. Volkers noted that the utility rate study will kick off later this year. ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE Ms. Volkers reported that the Recreation Division will be moving under the Public Works Department. Ms. Volkers shared that the new Finance Director will be starting Tuesday, September 2nd. She encouraged the Council to reach out if they have time next week to welcome him during his first week at the city of Oakdale. Ms. Volkers stated that Washington County has requested a letter of commitment for the Behavioral Health Coordinated Response Model within the Oakdale Police Department for future budgeting purposes. Funding, staffing, and timeline for this program were then discussed. Staff was asked to verify whether Washington County’s cost share is strictly per calendar year or on a 12-month rolling period. Ultimately, the Council was supportive of Ms. Volkers signing and sending the commitment letter knowing that staffing and funding for this program will be finalized later this year. As a follow-up to the New Willowbrooke Parks Naming discussion on July 8, 2025, the Council determined a third name option for Willowbrooke Park North as Otuhu Park was removed from consideration. The Council agreed on Prairie Trails Park as the third name for Willowbrooke Park North. COUNCIL TOPICS Mayor Zabel was pleased with the Touch-a-Truck event this year especially having it coincide with the Washington County Back-to-School event. He noted the sensory hour was a nice addition and should continue next year. Council Member Moore mentioned that a yard sign for the Touch-a-Truck event is still out near Hadley Ave N and 50th St N. Also, from a public information standpoint, she noted that it was hard to tell that the City’s event and the County’s event were coinciding. Mayor Zabel stated that he will discuss the County’s communication of the event with City staff at his next meeting with Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski. Regarding the Zoning and Subdivision Code Update, Mayor Zabel inquired whether townhomes are appropriate in the R-2 District. The Council was open to revisiting this designation and language. Mr. Gitzlaff added that staff has a list of a few minor edits that can be included in one larger ordinance amendment. City staff will reach out to legal counsel on the appropriate steps to make these changes. WORKSHOP RECESSED FOR THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:50 PM WORKSHOP RECONVENED AT 7:28 PM after the Regular City Council Meeting WORKSHOP MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 PAGE FIVE The Council discussed the revised Police Department and City Hall remodel site plan based on the feedback provided at the July 29, 2025 Workshop. The Council requested other public parking configuration options that would reduce the number of public parking spots or utilize the dead space to the east versus taking over additional parkland. Referencing the proposed retention pond, Ms. Volkers indicated that it is a requirement for the site and she will have City staff provide an explanation for its necessity. The Council requested alternative options for the retention pond than the one that is currently proposed. Mayor Zabel pointed out that the elevation of the driveway would make it so cars exiting the parking lot at night would be shining their headlights into residents’ homes. Council Member Morcomb was supportive of the public meeting spaces within the remodeled City Hall building. Ms. Volkers offered to send elevation diagrams so the Council has a better understanding of the layout in terms of first floor versus second floor. Regarding the remaining dedicated parking spots for Walton Park, Ms. Volkers will send that information to Council via email. Mayor Zabel inquired about repaving of the City Hall parking lot as there are efficiencies to doing so alongside the remodel project. Council Member Severson asked if the advisory body meetings that are now held in the Hadley Conference Room are live broadcast via YouTube. Ms. Volkers indicated they are not, but there will be specific meetings that are held in Council Chambers and live broadcast. The Council confirmed that when advisory bodies hold their annual elections, approve their final work plan, and discuss items that likely have a public engagement component those will be live broadcast from Council Chambers. Of note, the Planning Commission will continue to meet in Council Chambers with live broadcasting for each meeting. Council Member Moore brought up the MN Paid Leave law that takes effect January 1, 2026 and how it will impact the City’s budget moving forward. Ms. Volkers provided the monetary cost to the City and indicated the City is still researching how this program will be administered. Council Member Morcomb noted that Tartan High School has installed metal detectors. He inquired if Police Chief Nick Newton has data to share about the School Resource Officer confiscating weapons from students. In reference to resident emails sent to the Council as a whole, Council Member Morcomb requested a follow up from Ms. Volkers to indicate that the resident has received a response WORKSHOP MINUTES AUGUST 26, 2025 PAGE SIX from the Mayor and/or City staff. The Council suggested a single City Council email address that the public can use if they want to email the entire Council. The inbox could be internally monitored by City staff. Ms. Volkers offered to add the email address to the City Council page on the City’s website, as well as pull reports of emails received by that email address and the responses that are provided, but she will work out a method to do this with city staff. Council Member Morcomb suggested adding an additional public engagement piece to the development project timeline for those projects that receive strong resident feedback to ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity to have their voice heard, and the developer and/or Council have time to process the stakeholder feedback. Mayor Zabel noted that there is a given statutory timeline of 60 days for development projects, but was curious about changing the public notification deadline from 10 days to something longer. Additionally, Mayor Zabel was interested in discussing the entire development project approval process especially as it relates to the voted upon actions (i.e., separating rezoning approval from plat approval, etc.). The Council agreed that education about the City’s role and what is legally required would be helpful both internally and externally, possibly creating a tangible one-page resource and providing ongoing training for Planning Commissioners. Further, the Council requested that the scope of the Planning Commission and City Council be clarified within the presented Staff Report for each development project. The Council discussed the City Council vacancy and next steps in the appointment process. ADJOURNMENT The workshop was adjourned at 8:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Sara Ludwig, City Clerk