so we can enjoy it. >> All righty, everybody. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, January 13, 2026. Sarah, will you please take the role? >> Council member Moore >> here. >> Council member Morham >> here. >> Council member Severson >> here. >> Council member Rich >> here. >> Mayor Zabel >> here. Uh starting things off tonight, we are so honored to have Cub Scout Pack 580 with us for the presentation of colors and to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Uh will you please stand >> attention advance please remove any nonreligious or non scouting scandal or heart if not uniform Please join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Colard post the callers. color guard turn right ins. Well, thank you, uh, Cub Scout Pack 580. Um, I think at this time we're going to invite all of the Cub Scouts to come on up. Um, join me down at the podium. Please feel free to, uh, introduce yourself and your rank and make sure to speak right into the microphone when you do. >> There you go. Who wants to go first? [laughter] >> Everybody jump at once. Yeah. Say your first name and your record. >> I'm Thomas and I'm an AOL, which stands for Arrow of Light. >> I'm Charlotte Cosgrove and I'm AOL. >> I'm Mark Kennedy and I am AOL. >> My name is Gavin and I am AOL. My name is Ben and I am Arrow of Light. My name is Ezra and I'm Arrow of Light. >> Thank you all for being here. [applause] >> All the way to the front light. all the way across. >> All right, count of three. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Thank you. >> Do you want to step forward and get a betteration? >> I do. >> Sorry. [laughter] So official. You guys look so good. Well done. >> Thanks everybody. Good job. [applause] >> We always love starting our our year off having the scouts come uh and present the colors. Um, always nice to meet the next generation of city council members and mayors, too. So, please continue saying involved in our community and working on those projects. We really do appreciate everything our scouts do in our community. Uh, next up on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Council members, we have an amended version in front of us. Uh, couple changes. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> Moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. and the agenda is adopted. Uh approval of minutes, three sets in front of us tonight. We'll take the workshop meeting minutes December 9th, 2025. Uh council members, changes or corrections here? >> We'll look for a motion. >> I'll move it uh approval as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. >> Uh and those minutes are adopted. Um regular meeting minutes December 9th, 2025. How about any changes or corrections here? I'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those meeting minutes are adopted as well. Finally, special workshop uh minutes from December 22nd, 2025. Any changes or corrections here? All right. I'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those minutes are adopted as well. I did not look at my materials before I came down here because we already did introductions. So, we just blew right past that. Uh, so we'll move into our public hearing. Uh, one item in front of us tonight, secondhand goods dealer goods dealer license for Shorties Appliances and more. Do we have a staff presentation? >> No, Mr. Mayor. >> All righty. Not a problem. Uh, as I mentioned, this is a public hearing. At this time, I'm going to open the public hearing. This is an opportunity uh for anybody in the audience that wants to speak to this agenda item only. Please feel free to do so. Step up to the podium. State your name and address for the record and proceed with your comments. Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing. Bring it back for council consideration. Council members, can I get a motion? >> Move to approve the issuance of a secondhand goods dealer license to Shorty's Appliances and More LLC doing business as Shorty's Appliances at 692255th Street North. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. That license is issued. Uh next up is open forum. Uh this is an opportunity for anybody that wants to talk to us about anything on their minds. Uh same rules as the public hearing. Please step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and proceed with your comments. Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and close the open forum and move into consensus motions. Council members, we have a uh we got a hodge podge. A through H, J, K, and M. We had we pulled a few out of there. Uh, council members, any others that we want to pull for individual consideration? All right. Can I get a motion to approve consensus motions as presented? >> So move. >> Take a motion to Great. Sure. Go ahead. [laughter] >> Go. Approve consensus motions as presented. You did a good job, mayor. >> Uh there's a motion. Is there a second? >> Sure. I'll second that. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those motions are approved as presented. Uh next up is checking with our advisory boards and commissions. The only item here uh is an annual task we have um designating our acting mayor and doing our boards and commission assignments for 2026. Uh the roster was included in the public packet um I believe they're just carryovers from 2025 um with a few I think deletions. I think there were a few that the assignments no longer needed. So >> um would anybody like to make the motion? >> Sure. I can make a motion to affirm the 2026 appointments for council liaison and other assignments and designate council member Morham >> as acting mayor for 2026 as noted on the attached. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Uh final comments other than I'm planning a lot of vacations in 2026. [laughter] So you're up. >> Thanks. >> Uh all those in favor say I. >> I opposed. And those appointments are affirmed. Uh, advisory boards and commissions, EMC, nothing. Planning commission met. Council member Severson, they met last week. What What are they working on? >> They met last Thursday. Um, first meeting of the year. So, they took a look at their work plan for 2026 and elected officers for 2026 as well. They held a public hearing on a zoning zoning ordinance amendments. That's chapter 25. And they looked at a site plan amendment for the city hall and police department expansion and renovation. And that was their meeting. >> Busy busy. Yep. >> All right. No meetings for parks and wreck or the tree board. Uh no bids to award tonight. So we'll move into staff reports. Public works. We have a donation. >> Public works director Corey Tits. Welcome. >> Hello Mayor and council. Um so uh back on December 15th we had uh um John and Kathy Spencer came into the Discovery Center and wanted to donate $500 towards uh some gifts for the winter wonderland event. Um, typically that would be uh we would have received council approval prior to that event, but because of the timing of that in the in the total uh administrator vocals vulkers accepted it. Um, and so we're just looking for follow-up approval on that. Uh, there was uh four slides were purchased for $100 each. So, some good quality slides that were given away uh during the event to some children. >> Very cool. Uh, council members, any questions for Corey? All right. Can I get a motion? Move we wave reading and re adopt resolution 2026-01 accepting a donation from John and C Kathy Spencer in the amount of $500 to fund giveaways at the 2025 Winter Wonderland event. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I opposed. And resolution 2026-01, the first one of the year, uh is adopted. And we offer our thanks to John and Kathy for that very generous donation. Thank you. We really do appreciate that. Uh, let's check in with our city attorney. Jim, what do you got for us, >> Mr. Mayor? Members, council. Nothing specific to report. Happy to answer any questions. >> Uh, any questions for Jim? >> All right, let's check in with our city administrator, Chris. What do we got? >> Uh, I do not have anything, Mr. Mayor. City council. >> Oh, I do. [laughter] >> Okay. Thank you. You bet. >> I do have one. [laughter] Unclaimed property. Okay. So, the police department um currently holds um cash, drugs, other things, um evidence. In addition, we for um we hold any checks that are not cashed or returned. We hold in a holding account. Um unclaimed property, there's a state law that um outlines really what unclaimed property, what we should do with it. We wanted to expand that authority like most other cities have done and allow some auction in some situations, allow disposal. We are intending to get rid of our outside storage in the next few months. We've talked about that through the budget process. So, this policy was created and worked on by the city clerk, the police department, a group of staff over the last year or so at least. So, they're very glad it's done. We're really glad we can start cleaning up stuff. So, that's what's before you today is a change in the policy. >> Uh, thank you. Questions for Chris? >> I have one. This this is in compliance with state law. >> Yes, absolutely. We have >> Does this just adopt state laws practice? adopt state law and then it for where we do have um leeway, it outlines what we're going to do with it. >> Okay, great. [snorts] Uh council members, any other questions for Chris? >> All right. Uh three actions in front of us. Uh who wants to take the first one? >> I'll take it. Uh Mr. Mayor, I move we wave reading and adopt ordinance number 958 amending the code of ordinances for the city of Oakdale, chapter 2, article 6, custody and disposal of unclaimed property to follow the process outlined in state law. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And ordinance number 958 is adopted. Next action. >> Sure. I move we amend city policy FR015 unclaimed property and renamed as FR101, excuse me, FR015 unclaimed property and uncashed checks. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion to second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. opposed. And that policy is amended and renamed. Last item. >> Lastly, I adopt move we adopt new city policy FR015A, unclaimed property. All others. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> And that new policy is adopted as well. >> Wonderful. Thank you, Chris. Uh, anything beyond unclaimed property? >> Oh, I'm good this time. >> All right. Uh, council presentations. Anybody want to go first? >> None for me. >> Yeah. Well, I was just going to say we got a lot of scout scouts in the audience and I know some of them are here working on a merit badge and one of their requirements Hi there is um to go to a public forum to hear discourse and disagreement and to document and just see what that looks like. But sometimes we have meetings where we all agree. And just so you and it's good to remind the public too, we have workshop meetings that happen before the city council meeting. It's a little more informal, but we we really debate and talk about all these issues at length. And by the time they get to a meeting, many times we either voice our concerns with each other or um we've come to consensus and we've negotiated back and forth to something that's best for the residents. So on occasion, you get a meeting like this that goes fairly quick and we're on the same page. But if you really want to hear some heated discussion on what's best for Oakdale, come to a workshop at five o'clock. It is open to the public and you are all welcome. >> That's what I had. >> It's perfect. >> Yep. >> I don't know. Maybe we should have a fight over claims. >> I was thinking No, I was [laughter] thinking we should talk about >> Yeah. I think we should talk about [laughter] Yeah. >> Uh how about down here? Council member Rich anything? >> Uh no. Um just thank you to all the scouts that came. Um, this is really, really great to see. Thank you for showing up. >> Yes, >> more. >> I have three. >> Love it. All right. >> Um, because I'm using all of mine for the year in the first day. No, I'm teasing. Um, I do want to thank the scouts that are here. Thank you so much for coming. Um, for being a part of what we do here, for posting the colors is really important. Um, and I think it's so much fun because one of my son's friends is is here and I think it's so cool to to see them in in a different um space. So, thank you. Um, and then I have two others. I I just want to say publicly, um, I think that, um, some of the stuff that's happen I always say out there in the wild, right, out in our community is unfathomable. And I am heartbroken and I am mad and I am sad. And I just want all of our community members to know that we are here to listen, to help, to support um if they are going through any of the um you know the the immigration issues that are out there in our community, they're there and I am here to support our community. So, um I I felt like I couldn't not say something about that tonight. Um, but then I want to finish my third one on a thank you and um I, as everybody sitting up here knows, a resident came to me with an issue uh early last year and I am so inspired by the way that our council, so my colleagues and our staff have worked so well together to find every imaginable solution for this resident um on what seems like such a small issue, but to him was is a really really big issue and it turns out we didn't have good answers. We didn't have good solutions for that and I'm just really inspired to see how our staff and our um city council have worked together to find the resolutions and the solutions for this individual. So, thank you to all of you for digging in and doing your research as well. >> Thank you, Carrie. Uh I have a few a few um kind of current events that are happening around the city. uh first meeting of 2026. On behalf of the the city, I want to wish all of our residents a health, happiness, and success in the new year. Um as Council Member Moore said, there's a lot going on in the world. Um perhaps the most important thing we can all do for ourselves is self-care. Um please please create space for for yourselves, um for your families, for your loved ones. Um and focus on health. It is more important than ever. Um most certainly. Uh, next up, as of today, Tuesday, January 13th, all city outdoor skating rinks and warming houses are closed until further notice. Uh, yeah, Mother Nature's been been a little little up and down this year. So, um, our public works crews are doing what they can to to keep them maintained, but when you have a couple days in in the 40s, uh, that's incredibly difficult. So, um, we anticipate, uh, there may be additional uh, closures uh, in the near future. Um, if that happens, please, uh, keep an eye on city social media as well as our website for the current status of our ranks and warming houses. Uh, we hope everybody will stop by the Oakdale Indoor Market at the Discover Center this Saturday, January 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Uh, more than 20 local vendors will be there once again, uh, with a unique variety of items. So, please come on out, do a little shopping, uh, help support our our local vendors. Public Works is still disposing of natural Christmas trees. If you have yours, it's probably pretty crispy by now. Um, if you if you need a place to to send that, you can take it to Public Works. Uh, drop it off uh Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. in 1900 Headley Avenue North. The cost is $3 per tree. Uh, just stop into the office at Public Works when you first get there. Uh, staff will let you know where to go. You can pay the fee then. So, um, just pop into the office and, uh, city crews will help you out. A reminder, city offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Uh, staff will be back, uh, to regular hours on Tuesday. Of course, emergency services are always available. Uh lastly, some exciting news. Uh we're putting the final touches on the new public works facility located at 3200 Granada Avenue North. Is that the actual address? >> Yes, >> we got a nice round number like that. Perfect. Um we expect to move uh crews public works in in March of this year and we're planning a tenative grand opening uh for late spring. More information will be provided uh when details are finalized. Uh so cross your fingers that weather cooperates and we can get those last little bits done on that very important project for this city. Uh you can stay up to date on the project and receive updates uh by visiting the project web page at oakdalemn.gov. [sighs] >> Uh oh, we got a lot of bills to pay. Woo. We got a lot of bills to pay. >> Yes, we do. >> $1 million. >> Be the highest ever. >> I don't know. >> Well, that's what happens when we take a month off. So, uh council members, we have two claims rosters in front of us. Let's take them separately. Uh, who would like to approve the first one? >> I can make a motion to approve claims for the period December 10th, 2025 to December 23rd, 2025 in the amount of $4,252,848.95. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. All right, that claims roster is paid. How about the next one? >> I'll keep going. and I'll make a motion to approve the claims for the period of December 24th, 2025 to January 13th, 2026 in the amount of 6,793,72.80. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and second. All those in favor say I. >> I. [snorts] >> I. >> Opposed. And those bills are paid as well. >> Cool. Uh, can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Some moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. We are journed. Thank you and good night.