City Council Workshop

AGENDA City Council Workshop Meeting September 9, 2025 Hadley Conference Room 5:00 PM 5:00 PM Proposed Repeal of City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision 5:15 PM Strategic Plan Update for 2026 - 2027 5:50 PM Adopt-A-Wetland Program 6:10 PM City Council Vacancy Appointment Status Update 6:25 PM Administrator Update 6:35 PM Council Topics 6:50 PM Adjourn for Regular Meeting  COUNCIL MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Kristina Handt, Interim Finance Director Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: Proposed Repeal of City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision BACKGROUND Prevailing wage is the minimum hourly wage employers must pay certain workers who work on certain government-funded construction and public works projects. The prevailing wage includes the value of an employer's cost of benefits. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) sets the prevailing wage rates to be comparable to wages paid for similar work in the county where the construction or public works project is located. The federal government adopted prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon Act) in 1931 to apply to federal construction projects. The State of Minnesota adopted prevailing wage in 1973 to apply to state-funded construction and public works projects. The City adopted City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision in 2008. The City policy requires, where practicable, the use of prevailing wage on any project of $50,000 or more that is required to be competitively bid and is let under City contract and financed by City funds. This policy goes beyond state and federal statute and requires prevailing wage to be used on City projects regardless of whether they include state or federal funding. The Council asked staff to review the City’s prevailing wage policy. Following that review, staff recommends that the City repeal City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision in order to give the City the greatest flexibility in utilizing taxpayer resources. It should be noted that if the City decides to repeal this policy, the City should not attempt to enforce prevailing wages on a case-by- case basis via resolution. The City would only be able to enforce prevailing wages when it is statutorily required to do so by the state or federal government. The City will always follow prevailing wage requirements per state and federal law when state and federal funds are used for a project consistent with Minn. Stat. §177.41-177.44 and the federal Davis-Bacon Act, as amended from time to time. Under state law, any project funded in whole or in part by state funds must apply prevailing wage rates if the project costs at least $2,500 for only one trade/occupation and $25,000 for projects involving more than one trade/occupation. This could include City projects such as street (reconstruction, water treatment facilities, or other public utilities and park and recreation improvements. The Davis-Bacon Act applies to each federal government or District of Columbia contract in excess of $2,000 for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings or public works. Many federal laws that authorize federal assistance for construction through grants, loans, loan guarantees, insurance, and other methods are Davis-Bacon “Related Acts.” The “Related Acts” include provisions that apply Davis- Bacon labor standards to most federally assisted construction projects such as those using federal highway funds, federal housing funds or federal funding to treat pollution. The City must also follow Minn. Stat §471.345, the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law. In this statute, subdivision 7 also references prevailing wage rates and allows for municipalities to adopt rules, regulations, or ordinances establishing prevailing wage rates but it does not require cities to do so. 1 Since the City adopted FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision in 2008 the state law has changed. The current City policy does not adopt Minn. Stat. §177.41-44 in its entirety. The City policy has elements that the state law does not have and vice versa. Specifically, in 2009, the Legislature updated Minn. Stat. §177.42 subs. 6 and 7 pertaining to the definitions of Prevailing Wage Rate, and Employer. They also updated Minn. Stat. §177.43 subd. 3 pertaining to Contract Requirements. Effective in 2023, the Legislature updated Minn. Stat. §177.42 subd. 2 updating the definition of Project. In 2024, the Legislature amended the same section and subdivision. See grid below for the state changes since 2008 related to the City policy. Minn. Stat. §177.42 This does not impact the https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.42 Subd. 6: Prevailing policy, because the policy Wage Rate expressly includes the definition of “Prevailing Wage Rate” outlined in statute which would include any changes. Minn. Stat. §177.42 Does not impact Oakdale https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.42 Subd. 7: Employer City Policy; not included in City Policy. Minn. Stat. §177.43 Does not impact Oakdale https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.43 Subd 3: Contract City Policy because City Requirements Policy differs from state statute, and it does not seem to incorporate state statute throughout the entire policy. Minn. Stat. §177.42 Does not impact City https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/177.42 Subd 2: Project Policy because policy has its own definition of “Project.” The same goes for the 2004 change. COUNCIL DIRECTION REQUESTED Staff is seeking feedback regarding Council’s intent on the proposed repeal of City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision. Attachment City Policy FR-016: Prevailing Wage Provision 2  Standard Operating Policy City of Oakdale Policy Number: FR-016 Pages: 2 Subject: Prevailing Wage Provision Approved: 2008 1.0 Purpose 1.1 It is in the public interest that public building and construction projects be constructed and maintained in the highest quality and that the men and women be compensated to the full and just value of the services they perform. It is therefore declared to be the policy of the City of Oakdale that, where practicable, efforts should be made to ensure that the wages paid to the trades, occupations and laborers on these projects financed by city funds should be comparable to wages paid for similar work in the Community. 2.0 Scope 2.1 The City Council shall have the sole authority and discretion to determine at the onset of a City Project to insert a Prevailing Wage Provision into the bidding information. This determination shall be made when the project does not include state or federal sources of funds. 3.0 Definitions 3.1 City Project means the erection, construction, demolition, or remodeling of a building or city- initiated public improvement project where all the following conditions are present: (1) The project cost is $50,000.00 or greater and is required to be competitively bid pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 471.345, as amended from time to time; and (2) The work is to be let by the city under contract; and (3) The project is financed by city funds. A City Project is not a contract for the purchase, rental or repair of motor vehicles or other equipment or personal property, or maintenance contracts, or redevelopment related demolition, or contamination remediation, or any work performed pursuant thereto. 3.2 Community means Washington County. 3.3 Hourly Basic Rate means the hourly wage paid to any employee. 3.4 Prevailing Hours of Labor means hours per week worked in the Community by workers of the same class. The prevailing hours of labor may not be more than 40 hours per week. 3.5 Prevailing Wage Rate has the same meaning as contained in Minn. Stat. § 177.42, subd. 6, and shall be determined for the Community by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with Minn. Stat. §§ 177.41 – 177.44 and the applicable rules, all as amended from time to time. 4.0 Contract Requirements 4.1 The bid specifications and contract for any City Project deemed by the City Council to fall under the Prevailing Wage Provision shall contain requirements as to the following: (a) The contractor and any subcontractor, agent or other person doing or contracting to do all or a part of the City Project must pay at least the Prevailing Wage Rate to all trades and occupation workers employed directly on the project work site. (b) No worker shall be permitted or required to work more than the Prevailing Hours of Labor unless all hours in excess of the Prevailing Hours of Labor are paid at least at the rate of one and one-half the Hourly Basic Rate of pay. (c) Upon request of the city, the contractor and any subcontractor, agent and other person doing or contracting to do all or a part of the work of a project shall within five (5) working days supply the city with a copy of payrolls showing wages paid, and a wage compliance statement with respect to wages paid each of its laborers, workers, and mechanics employed directly on the City Project work site. (d) In the event that the statements requested in this section are not provided or in the event that such statements disclose that the required Prevailing Wage is not being paid, then the city shall have the right to withhold payments to the contractor for such periods of noncompliance until the contractor remedies the noncompliance. During the course of and upon the completion of the work, the city shall have the right to require an audit of the contractor’s books to determine compliance or noncompliance. (e) Each contractor and subcontractor shall retain copies of the weekly payrolls for a period not less than one year after the completion of work. 5.0 Exceptions 5.1 The requirements set forth in section 4.0 of this policy do not apply to wage rates of laborers, workers, or mechanics who process or manufacture materials or products or to the delivery of materials or products by or for commercial establishments that have a fixed place of business from which they regularly supply processed or manufactured materials or products. However, the requirements do apply to laborers, workers, or mechanics who work under the contract by delivering material substantially in place, directly or through spreaders, from the transporting vehicle.  COUNCIL MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: Strategic Plan Update for 2026 - 2027 BACKGROUND On March 25, 2025, staff provided a status update on the 2025 Strategic Plan (the “Plan”). At that meeting, the City Council was invited to share feedback on any components of the Plan. Council feedback was provided directly to City Administrator Volkers and subsequently incorporated into the updated Plan. While the overall structure of the Plan remains largely unchanged, an additional categorization layer — referred to as a Strategic Action — was added beneath the existing three Strategic Directions. This refinement was introduced to provide City Council with greater visibility into the Plan’s implementation while avoiding unnecessary detail at the project and task level. The City’s Strategic Directions, the intent of each Strategic Direction, and corresponding Strategic Actions are outlined below: STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1: Engaging people to co-create our story Intent: To broaden our knowledge base by connecting with the community, inspire civic pride and engagement, make information open and accessible to our residents, and develop processes for communication. • Enhance the customer service experience • Provide new opportunities for residents to engage with the City • Grow public-facing communications presence and impact STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2: Positioning Oakdale for continued success in a rapidly changing world Intent: To plan for and fund core functions, create efficiencies and continuous improvement, and define strategies for redevelopment and identify those opportunities. • Update City Code and policies to reflect current issues and plan for the future • Advance City infrastructure and planning • Create operational efficiencies and maximize community assets • Diversify City finances STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3: Empowering our organization to meet evolving community expectations Intent: To encourage workforce excellence, re-structure the work to align with the strategic plan and values, and create a positive work environment. • Enhance workplace culture • Position City employees for growth and success 1  • Empower employees in City operations • Plan for future staffing and employee needs COUNCIL DIRECTION REQUESTED Staff requests City Council discussion and feedback on the progress/status of the Strategic Directions, including whether any adjustments should be made for the 2026–2027 Strategic Plan. Attachments 2025-2027 Strategic Plan – Overall Progress Strategic Action Progress Reports 2  2025-2027 STRATEGIC PLAN – OVERALL PROGRESS 2025-2027 Strategic Plan Progress 09/2025 1 STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1: ENGAGING PEOPLE TO CO-CREATE OUR STORY - PROGRESS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2: POSITIONING OAKDALE FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD - PROGRESS STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3: EMPOWERING OUR ORGANIZATION TO MEET EVOLVING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS - PROGRESS 2025-2027 Strategic Plan Progress 09/2025 2  STRATEGIC PRIORITY #1: ENGAGING PEOPLE TO CO-CREATE OUR STORY Strategic Action # Progress Enhance the customer service experience Projects 3 30% Grow public-facing communications presence and impact 1 0% Provide new opportunities for residents to engage with the City 4 0% STRATEGIC DIRECTION #2: POSITIONING OAKDALE FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD Strategic Action # Projects Progress Update City Code and polices to refelct current issues and plan for the future 2 100% Advance City infrastrucure and planning 4 50% Create operational efficiencies and maximize community assets 3 60% Diversify City finances 3 80% STRATEGIC DIRECTION #3: EMPOWERING OUR ORGANIZATION TO MEET EVOLVING COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS Strategic Action # Projects Progress Enhance workplace culture 3 90% Position City employees for growth and success 2 30% Empower employees in City operations 1 100% Plan fo future staffing and employee needs 2 100%  COUNCIL MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Andrew Gitzlaff, Community Development Director Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: Adopt-A-Wetland Program BACKGROUND At the August 12, 2025 City Council Workshop, the Council requested more information about the City’s Adopt-A-Wetland program. While researching the program, staff noticed that the information on the website is out of date both from a branding and operations perspective. Staff is seeking further direction from Council on the future of the program before materials are updated. Below is information compiled about the Adopt-A-Wetland program. The PDF that is on the City’s website is also attached. • The City Council approved the program at the May 11, 2004 regular City Council meeting. • A Pioneer Press article from 2004 stated that Oakdale was the second community in the Twin Cities to start such a program. Bloomington was the first, though it appears that their program is no longer active. • The program expectations have evolved since it first started in 2004. The current expectations are as follows: o Participants will attend an initial education session where City staff provides an introduction to the program; basic information about wetlands; rules and guidelines for the program; and training on how to identify invasive species and correctly remove them. o Participants will participate in the yearly Buckthorn Removal Day. The program information PDF says that they should clear their wetlands of buckthorn and other invasive species. However, Buckthorn Removal Days are now at dedicated locations each year. o Participants will actively monitor their adopted wetland and report to City staff when neighbors are encroaching. o Participants will complete surveys after activities. o Before participants can officially adopt their wetland, they must enter into an agreement with the City (page 7 of the attached program PDF). o Safety guidelines are also provided to participants (page 8 of the attached program PDF). • The internal City staff materials and resources for some of the above expectations are quite outdated. The only initial education session slides saved in City files are from 2009. There are also no survey templates or completed surveys in the City’s Shared Drive or physical records. • The program has not seen new participants for 10+ years; the last agreement in City records was executed in 2014. Staff has not received requests about this program in the past two years except this inquiry. • Based on initial research, this program is not offered at other Twin Cities metro cities. STAFF RECOMMENDATION While the program is well intentioned, there may be some things to consider when deciding whether to continue it. Upon review, it requires staff time to manage. Additionally, if the program remains active, programmatic changes will need to occur in order to clarify expectations of participants. This would require updating materials and expectations so that the program is worthwhile. Staff will likely need to 1 work with the watershed districts during the update to ensure that information is accurate, program expectations are realistic and beneficial to watersheds, and City staff is well educated. It is important that City staff is properly educating participants about invasive species and proper removal to prevent harming wetlands. If the program is paused or eliminated, staff can encourage residents who are interested in water quality and health to join the Minnesota Water Stewards program. While there are not current training opportunities in 2025, a new and expanded program will resume in 2026. COUNCIL DIRECTION REQUESTED It is requested that the City Council provide direction/intent to staff about whether to continue the program and if so, any program changes that should be made. Attachment Adopt-A-Wetland Program PDF 2 Dear Resident/Group Leader: There are more than 250 bodies of water in Oakdale, so the city’s Adopt-a-Wetland program and program volunteers, like you, play a very important role in protecting these amazing natural resources that support wildlife, vegetation, people, and water quality in the region. The Oakdale Environmental Management Commission’s goal is to offer a program that is rewarding, enjoyable, and safe for all of the participants. Included in this How-to-Kit you’ll find program objectives, a description of wetlands, program tasks, safety tips, and other information. As a group leaders, please provide all members with a copy of the Safety Guidelines. You will also be responsible for sharing the information from the education session with all other participants. Additionally, we request that you respond to a short survey after each program activity so we can understand the work that was completed and track progress. Please contact us with any comments, suggestions or concerns regarding the program or your participation at 651-730-2723. Thanks again for your interest in becoming a steward of Oakdale’s wetlands! Oakdale Environmental Management Commission Program Objectives and Summary We want to work with you to make sure the program is successful, and that means participants need to know what our goals and objectives are for the Adopt-a-Wetland program. To help you understand what we hope to accomplish with the program, we have identified the following objectives: Keep the wetlands clean and free from trash and debris. One of the easiest ways you can help is to keep the wetlands free of garbage and debris. By keeping them clean, you will help the wetland continue to work properly. The wetlands are not only a part of a sensitive ecosystem, but in some cases are a part of the city’s stormwater management system. Keeping the wetlands clean will help city engineers and public works staff keep the wetlands functioning correctly, thereby improving the city infrastructure and natural features. Help monitor and educate neighbors about wetlands. The wetland buffer areas and edges are important to the vegetation and habitat in the wetlands. Help your neighbors and others understand the importance of keep these areas in their natural state. Let the City know if there are encroachments or if neighbors are mowing inside the buffer areas. As a participant you can anonymously report an encroachment, or talk to your neighbors directly. Monitor and remove invasive species. The presence of invasive species such as buckthorn and purple loosestrife negatively impacts the ecological quality of a wetland. As a participant in the program, the city will educate participants about what is invasive and how to remove and dispose of it safely. Educate Residents and Citizens: It is important for members of the community to understand the value in wetlands and how they contribute to the city’s infrastructure and natural resources. We will make efforts to educate the public through increased signage, the city’s newsletter and other opportunities. If you can help us out by talking to your neighbors about what you are doing in the Adopt-a-Wetland program and what they can do to help, even if they don’t formally volunteer, we can at least increase awareness about the important role our wetlands play in our community. What is a wetland? Although ponds and lakes are obviously wetlands, that only touches the surface. Stormwater pond areas, dry wetlands and drainage areas are also wetlands. A wetland is defined in the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Plan as, “A wetland is an ecosystem that depends on constant or recurrent, shall inundation or saturation at or near the soil surface. The minimum essential characteristics of a wetland are recurrent, sustained inundation or saturation at or near the surface and the presence of physical, chemical, and biological features reflective of such inundation or saturation (Natural Research Council, 1995).” 2 Attached to this information is a map that shows the wetlands in the community and their ranking. Wetlands are classified according to their quality and how they function. In simple terms, the higher the quality of the wetland the higher the classification and the more we want to protect it. The wetlands in the city are classified in the following terms: Preserve Highest Quality Manage A Manage B Manage C Pond Lowest Quality/Functional Every wetland in the city has value, regardless if the quality is lower than some of the other wetland complexes in the community because they all help clean and manage surface waters. As a participant in the Adopt-A-Wetland program you will be helping the city maintain, and in some cases, improve the wetlands in the community, which will ultimately help improve water quality in the city and also preserve important natural resources. The following images show the appearance of a wetland and some vegetative qualities of a wetland. Healthy wetlands include vegetative diversity and have extensive habitat. 3 A wetland can have a wet or dry appearance. Typically a wetland is delineated based on the vegetation and habitat in an area, the drainage and water collection areas, and whether or not an area is naturally depressed. The images below show the diversity, one with standing water and the other relatively dry. In the attached wetland classification map, the wetlands in the community that have been adopted are also identified. However, as a part of this program, if you would like to participate on a wetland that is already adopted, contact the city and they can connect you with the group leader for that wetland. As demonstrated by the map, the City has three watershed districts in the community. If you are interested in more programs and information related to your wetland, the Watershed District is a good place to start. They have cost-share programs and are interested in improving wetlands in our community. Please contact the City if you would like more information about the watershed district, their contact information and their programs. 4 Program Expectations and Program Commitment It is important to us that you know what you are getting into when you sign up to Adopt-a- Wetland. In an effort to be transparent, we have identified the following expectations and level of commitment we would ask of you as a participant. We hope to be able to have quantitative and measurable results and participation as a result of the program. That way we can keep you informed about progress and the impact of your participation. In an effort to organize the program in a systematic and clear way we have identified the following activities for the program. The group leader and participants will be responsible for the following: I. Initial Education Session The City will host an education session a couple times a year to introduce the program to you and to outline the goals, objectives and tasks. We would like the group leader, at a minimum, to attend the education session. The session only needs to be attended once, and is meant to provide the necessary information to participate successfully in the program. The session will include: • Introduction to the program • Basic information about wetlands • Rules and guidelines for the program • Training on how to identify invasive species and how to remove them correctly • Question and answer period II. Yearly Participation in the Buckthorn Removal Days We would like you to participate in the yearly Buckthorn Removal Days, focusing on clearing your wetland from invasive species. Besides buckthorn, you may also remove other invasive species, including amur maple and honeysuckle, from your wetland and leave them on the curb in separate piles for pick up. During the education session city staff will provide training as how to identify invasive species and complete this activity. III. Active Monitoring of Your Wetland Hopefully your neighbors will respect the wetland and your wetlands will stay free of encroachments, play equipment and pet waste. However, if you see your neighbors or others encroaching in the wetlands please let us know. Part of keeping the wetlands healthy and functioning correctly involves keeping the vegetation healthy and staying out of buffer areas. If you are uncomfortable talking to your neighbors about this issue, simply call the city and we will follow up with them. IV. Yearly Communication and Reporting Following each scheduled activity we will send out a short emailed survey. Please complete the survey, as this is an important part of the program because it will help us monitor our successes and identify areas where we may need improvement. The survey will be very short and easy to complete and will provide you the opportunity to comment and make suggestions about the program. 5  ADOPT-A-WETLAND PROGRAM TASK AGREEMENT Volunteer Group Name Address Phone Email* * Please include an email because this how we will be collecting progress and tracking success with the program. As a participant and volunteer we ask that you participate in the following activities. Please sign your initials acknowledging the activities you will be responsible for as a participant. Only the group leader needs to sign this Task Agreement. Information and Education Session (Only Need to attend once) This information session will introduce participants to the program and explain the objectives and monitoring information that the City would like to collect as a part of the program. It will also include a training session for how to identify and remove invasive species from a wetland. The above listed group/individual agrees to perform the following services and coordinate its activities with The City of Oakdale: Remove Invasive Species – Buckthorn Removal Days Monitor Wetland for Encroachments For Office Use Date Received: ____________________ 6  ADOPT-A-WETLAND AGREEMENT The City of Oakdale, acting by and through its Community Development Department and _________________________ (“Group/Individual”) agree to the terms set forth in this Agreement which governs the services the Group/Individual will perform at ______________________(“Water Body”). Recital The City desires to provide interested persons with an opportunity for community involvement through voluntary participation in a water body maintenance program. Agreement 1. The Group will provide the services designated on the “Task Agreement” attached to this packet. Group/Individual volunteers shall perform all services provided under this agreement on an uncompensated basis. The Group/Individual will not perform any activity that the City has not previously approved and will not subcontract or hire others to perform services hereunder. The City may perform or cause others to perform the activities listed on the Task Agreement at its discretion. The parties may agree to revise the Task Agreement. 2. Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, the Group/Individual will furnish, at its own expense, all tools, materials, supplies, labor and services and other accessories in connection with this Agreement and will ensure that these items will be removed from the wetland at the end of each day. 3. The Group/Individual will use only non-motorized hand tools to perform its services under this Agreement and will take all reasonable precautions to protect its participating members and the public against injury and to protect against damage to property. 4. The Group/Individual shall abide by the “Safety Guidelines” accompanying this Agreement. The Group Representative/Individual who signs this Agreement, or his or her designee, shall ensure that each person to perform services under this Agreement will read and abide by the Safety Guidelines. 5. The Group/Individual will not discriminate against any person desiring to perform services under this Agreement due to the person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender, affectional preference, marital status or status with regard to public assistance. 6. All members of the Group and any other persons who may perform any activities covered under this Agreement shall not be considered employees of the City. Accordingly, the City is not responsible or liable for any injury or any other claims, expenses, or losses sustained by such persons while engaged in any of the activities covered under this Agreement. 7. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time upon written notice to the other party. City of Oakdale Date Group Leader Date 7  ADOPT-A-WETLAND PROGRAM SAFETY GUIDELINES Each participant in the Adopt-A-Wetland Program must review these Safety Guidelines before performing services at the adopted site and abide by them while performing services on the adopted site. 1. Work only during daylight hours and in appropriate weather. 2. Wear protective clothing including work gloves, sturdy shoes and long sleeved shirts and pants to prevent injury from sharp objects, insect stings, sunburn and poison ivy. Light colored clothing is most visible. 3. Do not overexert yourself. Take breaks and drink plenty of water on warm days. 4. Be aware of your surroundings to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Be especially careful if you are using tools. 5. Do not wear headsets or engage in horseplay or other conduct that would divert your attention from your work or impair your ability to perceive hazards from traffic or other dangerous situations. 6. Provide adequate supervision for participants under the age of 18. 7. Avoid areas where hazardous conditions exist such as: roads, parking lots, bridges, construction sites and areas where mowing, tree trimming or pest control is in progress. Report hazardous situations immediately to the Program Contact Person. 8. If you are picking up litter, use caution in handling collected items. Do not crush collected items; broken or jagged objects could cause injury. Do not try to pick up heavy, large or hazardous materials. Notify the Program Contact Person for pickup of these materials. 9. If you are working in or adjacent to water, use appropriate safety considerations such wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs); having basic lifesaving equipment such as a pole and throw rope available; and a cell phone to call if help is needed. City Contact 1584 Hadley Avenue North Oakdale, MN 55128 Phone: (651) 730-2723 8  COUNCIL MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Christina M. Volkers, City Administrator Date: September 9, 2025 Subject: City Council Vacancy Appointment Status Update BACKGROUND On May 16, 2025, Council Member Willenbring submitted her resignation from the Council effective on June 6, 2025. The current term for Council Member Willenbring’s seat expires on January 4, 2027. The League of Minnesota Cities and State law provide guidelines for handling resignations from the City Council. The Council is required to accept the resignation by Resolution and it is suggested where the elected official chooses to resign, that the Council declare that a vacancy exists in the remainder of Council Member Willenbring’s term. When less than two years is remaining in the term, the City Council must appoint an eligible person to fill the vacancy for the balance of the term. The City Council may use various methods to fill a vacancy, but the appointment process can only start after a vacancy has been declared by action of the Council. At the May 27, 2025 regular City Council meeting, the Council accepted the resignation of Council Member Willenbring and declared a vacancy on the City Council to be filled by appointment. The individual appointed to fill the vacancy would take office immediately upon approval by the City Council and serve the remainder of Council Member Willenbring’s current term. The application period was open mid-June, and remained open for over two weeks. Thirteen applications were received and all applicants were interviewed at the July 29, 2025 Special Workshop. From those interviews, four applicants were selected to be interviewed a second time at the August 13, 2025 Special Workshop. COUNCIL DIRECTION REQUESTED Staff is seeking direction on the next step in the City Council vacancy appointment process.