[0:02] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Just waiting for... There we are. All right. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, April 22nd, 2025. Sarah, will you please take the role? [0:02] **City Staff (Sarah)**: Council member Moore? **Council Member Moore**: Here. **City Staff (Sarah)**: Council member Morcomb? **Council Member Morcomb**: Here. **City Staff (Sarah)**: Council member Severson? **Council Member Severson**: Here. **City Staff (Sarah)**: Council member Wrich? **Council Member Katie Wrich**: Here. **City Staff (Sarah)**: Mayor Zabel? **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Here. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. [0:24] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: I pledge 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. [0:43] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All righty. First up on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda. We have a slightly amended version in front of us tonight. Uh council members, can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? **Council Member**: So move. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There is a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And the agenda is adopted. Uh, next up, approval of the minutes. We have two sets in front of us tonight. First up, workshop meeting minutes from April 8th, 2025. Uh, any changes or corrections? [1:07] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members. We'll look for a motion. **Council Member**: So, move. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And the workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Next up, regular meeting minutes from April 8th, 2025. I have one small correction to make. Uh the minutes from the April 8th, 2025 regular meeting included the incorrect address, 3195 Granada North for the motion to confirm uh an Emerald Ashbbor nuisance exists. [1:36] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh the correct address is 3915 uh Granada North. So other than that one correction, council members, were there any other changes or corrections? Can I get a motion to approve? **Council Member**: I'll make a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes April 8th, 2025 as amended. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Can I get a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh motion a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. [1:57] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And those meeting minutes are adopted as well. Chris, did I get everything? **Christina Volkers (City Administrator)**: Thank you, mayor. You bet. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh next up on the agenda is a public hearing one tonight um for Atoria Oak Marsh uh involving a variance preliminary plat final plat and site plan. Mr. McClanahan, our city planner. [2:17] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Welcome. Uh would you like to walk us through this? **Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager)**: Yes. Thank you, mayor and council. So I have a presentation I'll bring up there on the screen. So the location of this request is 8001 4th street consists of approximately 5 acres for the development site. However, the proposed subdivision also includes the Oak Meadow site. So the subdivision is a total of about 20 acres. This property is located about a half mile from—Whoops, sorry about that. Uh technical difficulties. [2:46] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Hey Luke, you turn off presenter for us? **Luke McClanahan**: Sorry about that. [3:01] **Luke McClanahan**: Thank you. All sorts of issues tonight. So we're just rolling with it. It's spring. It's fine. So, uh, cooperatives, they function, um, or co-op members function more like, uh, shareholders as opposed to people who individually own their units. So, we'll see if we can get this backline at some point. Give it one more shot here. [3:30] **Luke McClanahan**: Wiggle some cords around, but that's okay. I can always refer to uh the packet. Um the slides were—the presentation slides are in the packet. So I apologize to the public for for the issues here with the the images but um so uh where was I? The developer states that the units will be market rate or in other words they are not income-restricted units and the the building will be four stories in height with one level of underground parking. [3:56] **Luke McClanahan**: The zoning of the site is R5—that's high density multi-family where multi-unit developments are allowed. The comp plan guidance for the site is high-density residential. Thank you. And the uh let's see access to the site. There are two proposed accesses off fourth street and then there is uh something a little bit unique to the site. There's an emergency access only off Ideal Avenue. It's essentially like a mountable concrete curb. [4:26] **Luke McClanahan**: Um with the subdivision plat the again the development is consists of approximately 5 acres whereas the entire plat is about 20 acres and the reason for the the 20 acre plat which includes the oak meadow site. Thank you is that here we go on this image you can see that there's a blue dash line and that's the existing property line. So the property line currently bisects the um Oak Meadows site and therefore it's out of conformance. We don't allow uh property lines to bisect a building. Um so the plat would clean this up as well as um two wetland areas that are shown on the screen there. They would be platted as outlots and the outlots would be deeded to the city for future ownership and maintenance. [5:13] **Luke McClanahan**: So, as part of the subdivision process, park dedication of payment would be required for this development. So, here's a look at the site plan. Just want to point out the two accesses off Fourth Street. With this image, you can't see the emergency access of Ideal Avenue, but it will be shown in just a moment. Uh there are two storm water basins serving the site. So, to the south of the proposed senior co-op building and then to the east of the senior co-op building as well. Okay. [5:45] **Luke McClanahan**: Um the developer is seeking a variance to deviate from three uh of the city's zoning standards. So the first one is building height, the second is setbacks, and the the third is minimum lot size. So the first point here about the building height, the R5 zoning district limits buildings to 40 ft in height, whereas the proposed average building height for this structure is 46 ft. And there is one portion of the site where roughly where my cursor is, there's a gable trust that's proposed to be 62 feet in height. And that's more of an architectural feature of the building. [6:16] **Luke McClanahan**: For setbacks, the requirement is 46 ft and that is based on the average of the building height. Uh the setbacks are met for the site with the exception of just a small portion in the northwest corner here where there's a bump out with the building. So in that area, it would be reduced down to 35 ft. So the developer is just seeking a deviation there. And for the minimum lot size and that is based on the number the breakdown, the composition of units. So it it's based on square footage needed for um u the bedroom unit. For example, 3,000 ft² for a one or two-bedroom unit. So based on the the unit composition, 6.15 acres is needed whereas the the developer is requesting uh the a density of approximately 5 acres for the site. So given the irregular shape of the property, the presence of environmentally sensitive features, um staff finds that the proposed variances are appropriate in order to accommodate the development and that u the criteria of the ordinance has been met for the variance request. [7:03] **Luke McClanahan**: So for parking requirements, these have been met for the property. The code requires one space per dwelling unit and you can actually start out with a a lower ratio of 0.5 spaces for senior housing. The proposed ratio here is 1.5 spaces per unit. For tree preservation regulations, uh the tree ordinance allows up to 35% of significant trees to be removed on site and anything above that requires city council approval. And we do have a replacement schedule um for replacement trees to be installed as part of the the developer's landscaping plan. And um so again, the 35% of the significant trees are allowed to be removed on site. The developer is proposing to remove 49% of significant trees on site. However, in the the developer landscaping plan, they're going above and beyond the replacement schedule to plant what amounts to 51 additional trees on site. [8:16] **Luke McClanahan**: And just with this slide here on the screen, I do want to point out that the developer is preserving this walking path that serves the Oak Meadow site, but it will also serve uh the Atoria Oak Marsh site as well. Here's a looking a look at the paving plan. And this one, this image clearly shows the proposed emergency access there off Ideal Avenue. The fire department when they reviewed this plan and this particular as a access they wanted to make sure that there is a prohibition on parking along the curb line for this emergency access otherwise it's not going to be very useful. So as such uh the developer must install some signage to prohibit parking along this curb line. [9:01] **Luke McClanahan**: In regards to sidewalks, the city's bicycle and pedestrian plan identifies the need for sidewalks along the east side of Ideal Avenue and the south side of Fourth Street. Additionally, we have uh regulations under subdivision code that require sidewalks be included as part of a development and as such the developer must include sidewalks again along the east side east side of of Ideal Avenue and the south side of Fourth Street. There was a concern that was brought up at the planning commission about the pedestrian improvements here and I just want to um point out that there is existing street lighting along Ideal Avenue. So that should help with pedestrian safety. And in the uh city engineers review comments um we want to make sure that the developer also provides appropriate pedestrian striping running east west along Ideal Avenue just south of that intersection of Fourth Street. [10:00] **Luke McClanahan**: Here's a look at some elevations. So, the uh north, this is the uh the north elevations or the side of the building that will face street. Um this image is just broken into two halves because it's such a long building. So, I do want to note that there currently there is no specific code requirement for exterior building standards on conventional R5 zoning R5 zone property. However, under the forthcoming zoning code update, there will likely be exterior design standards, but this structure would likely meet the new standards. I just want to point that out. Moving on to the south and east elevation. So, the top left image that is a portion of the building south facade and then the top right and bottom images are the east elevations of the facade that would face Oak Meadows. And I would like to point out that each unit would have balconies as well. [10:47] **Luke McClanahan**: See here then the west elevation um that will face Ideal Avenue. And just to close out here again, this is just a look at the colored site plan for reference. And to conclude, uh staff finds that the developer requests for a variance site plan, preliminary plat, final plat are consistent with the comp plan and the the city's ordinances as detailed in the staff report on file. The planning commission held a public hearing on April 3rd and they recommended approval and staff recommends approval of this request subject to the conditions in the resolutions that are in the packet. [11:33] **Luke McClanahan**: So the first resolution I'm referring to is the variance resolution that's 2025-34. Actually, there are no conditions in this one. Moving on to the second resolution. This is page or not page but rather resolution number 2025-35. And I will summarize the 11 conditions very briefly here. Approval of a number one is approval of a variance for to exceed building height setbacks and minimum lot standards. Number two, approval of a site plan. Number three, execution of a development agreement. Number four, approval of the site civil construction plans. Number five, satisfaction of park dedication requirements. Number six, adherence to the city attorney's plat opinion letter and recording instructions. Number seven, revision to the plat to designate both wetlands on site and their buffers as outlots. And these outlots again will be deed to the city. Number eight, installation of sidewalks along the east side of Ideal Avenue and the south side of Fourth Street. Number nine, the developer must include a 10- foot wide easement along the easterly lot line of lot 2, block one. Number 10 is establish an easement for access to and maintenance of the uh north basin, the storm water basin. And then number 11 is permits and approvals must be obtained from outside agencies. [12:54] **Luke McClanahan**: And then finally, moving on to the last resolution, that's 2025-36. So I will uh uh skip over uh the conditions one through four as well as condition 10 because those are the uh those are conditions that are found in the previous plat resolution that I just read off. But so I'll focus on conditions five through nine here and condition five is installation of signage to prohibit parking along the curb line for the mountable concrete curb. That's a emergency access of off ideal. Number six, approval from the fire department for proposed hydrant locations and FDC's fire department connections. Number seven, the developer must provide details for rooftop and ground mechanical equipment and methods of screening. Similarly, number eight is that the developer must provide details on trash enclosure and screening methods. And finally, number nine is that the developer's phototric plan must be revised to comply with the city's regulations. [14:00] **Luke McClanahan**: And with that, I'd like to remind the council that this is a public hearing. The developer is here in attendance if you have questions, and I'd be happy to answer questions, too. Thank you. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Thank you, Luke. Uh before we open the public hearing, let's tackle questions from city council members. Uh are there any questions for Luke right off the bat? **Council Member Moore**: I have a question. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council member Moore. [14:19] **Council Member Moore**: Wonderful. Um I'm just curious uh regarding the height variance. Uh in the developers memo they said they've explored other design alternatives which proved not to be feasible. I just wanted to know more about those um alternatives and why they weren't feasible. **Luke McClanahan**: Sure. You want to take that or welcome the developer up? **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: That's fine. Welcome the developer to answer that. Welcome. Please start with your name and address for the record and uh take it away. [14:55] **Josh Common (Developer)**: You bet. Uh Josh Common, 2618 Hemlock Drive in Pella, Iowa. Um thank you for the question and and for all of you here tonight. So, Councilwoman Moore, basically uh we have studied not only on this site but all of our sites. And so, the tricky thing for us is I know that uh affordability and affordable housing is quite the buzzword these days, but we do um desire and a lot of our decision-making is based on keeping housing product as affordable as possible. And so, we have studied a number of different uh solutions for that. It's really important for us to stick with wood frame uh over steel. And so that is five stories and below. Obviously five stories the the issues that that creates while we could still do wood frame um our parking uh requirements get a little you know the building footprint gets smaller and we do desire even though the code is less we desire more parking for our members as owners um in that type of situation. And so um to go down to three stories the building gets so large in gross square foot that um there are density concerns in terms of the size of the building and less green space and all those types of things. And so um through those studies with our design team as well as our contractor looking at it um three stories just gets to such a large footprint that it becomes cost prohibitive to be able to move forward with a project uh in the current conditions. [16:13] **Council Member Moore**: Okay is that because of the number of units you want out of it? **Josh Common**: Uh yeah so up or wide is yeah correct. Yeah. So 87 units with two guest suites um making it 89 units. And so to to spread that further, your your lower level footprint just gets enormous and and then the costs just go up from there. So vertical is better in that situation. **Council Member Moore**: Thank you. **Josh Common**: Yeah, you bet. [16:31] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Great question. Thanks, Council Members. Any other questions for the developers while we have you? I'm not seeing any. Thank you. **Josh Common**: Thanks. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh at this time, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing. Um a few reminders. Uh, if you would like to speak on this item, any of the three approvals in front of us tonight, please step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and proceed with your comments. We ask everybody to keep their comments to three minutes. Um, typically it is not a dialogue of sorts between uh testifiers and the city council. Um, but if any questions related to the project are offered or presented, we will direct those to city staff for followup later. So, if anybody would like to step on up and share any comments, please feel free to do so. [17:17] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Going once, going twice. Okay, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back for council consideration. Uh, council members, any any additional questions or any questions on either um the variance prelimat or site plan? All right, I will look for a motion. [17:38] **Council Member**: I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-34 approving a variance for Oak Marsh with conditions included in the attached resolution. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh motion, a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And resolution 2025-34 is adopted. Next action. **Council Member**: I keep going. Uh wave reading. Make a motion to wave reading. Adopt resolution 2025-35 approving the preliminary plat and final plat for Oak Marsh with conditions included in the attached resolution. [18:12] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh there's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion to second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And resolution 2025-35 is adopted. **Council Member**: Before you do that last one, I have a question. So we keep saying Oak Marsh. Should it be Atoria Oak Marsh? I don't want it to get confused with the golf course. [18:34] **Luke McClanahan**: Mayor, the official name of the plat is Oak Marsh. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Perfect. Thank you. Works for me. All right, last one. **Council Member**: All right, I'll make a motion wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-36 approving the site plan for Oak Marsh with conditions included in the attached resolution. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Mo motion and a second. Any comments? All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And resolution 2025-36 is adopted. Thank you, Luke. **Luke McClanahan**: Thank you. [18:54] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh, next up is open forum. We have a number of proclamations tonight, but we're going to start things off with a presentation from the age friendly Oakdale task force. Welcome back. Oh, we got a PowerPoint, too. So, maybe I should stand. What can I say? [19:41] **Colleen Herman (Age Friendly Oakdale Task Force)**: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members. My name is Colleen Herman. I live at 4928 Greenwich Trail North in Oakdale. I am um a co-chair of the age friendly Oakdale task force and I'm here today just to bring you up to date on what's been going on. Um let's see. In um 2021, Oakdale became an an age-friendly community at the request of Oakdale Wellness 50 plus and um at at that time the task force was established um the age friendly task force and both organizations—see this is tricky—the both both organizations are grassroots organizations and the task force in particular is u made up of—well it involves let's say—um various community members including members of the Oakdale wellness 50 plus and it also includes city and county staff as far as involving them and um community- based organizations such as the vital aging network which is our sponsoring organization. [20:28] **Colleen Herman**: And our mission or our purpose is to help improve the lives of seniors, older adults in the in the city of Oakdale. And we're here today to let you know that um at the end of last year, we did—the task force completed the action plan for the city of Oakdale. the um the plan was um submitted to city staff for comment and it seemed to be satisfactory to them as well and it was approved at the end of the year. Um as a side benefit um the city of Oakdale—the designation as an age friendly community was extended to December 24th, 2027. So we have three more years to to work on this. [21:15] **Colleen Herman**: The action plan was built on some studies that we did in 2022 and 2023 um including a transportation study and just a general community assessment. the um based on the findings um in both the community assessment and the transportation study that we did, we the task force decided that in the next three years we would concentrate on three main areas of action. And there's a work plan and everything that goes into this, but but the main areas are transportation, social participation and inclusion, as well as safety programs. [22:21] **Colleen Herman**: In the area of transportation, what we want to strive for is to have residents, older adults in the community understand how to make use of the transportation options, facilities, services available to them. And that is particularly interesting now because of so many new options that are coming online. Um, we're very excited about the Gold Line opening—that opened in March. I've ridden it and I just think it's fantastic. So, we want more people to be able to use it. Um, I'm also really curious about the um microtransit that is that would would be wonderful. It would extend all the way north. Uh, but it's it's a start. So, we want people to understand how to use that. And so as a result, um the task force is setting up two two different classes for for the public to come and learn how to ride these these um services. Um there probably—in case anybody is listening—they will be noticed in the Oakdale update, so you can find that. Um, one is on June 12th at the Discovery Center from 1 until 3 and the other class it will be June 24th at the Oakdale Library from 1 until 3. Um, we are having Metroransit come out and give us, you know, answer all of our questions on how this will work. [23:56] **Colleen Herman**: Um, in addition, what we would like to see is that we would be able to keep seniors, older adults informed of what is going on in the area of transportation planning because particularly if there was like an option or a point at which we could advocate for um expansion of the microtransit for instance, we would like to be able to to get our email list involved to maybe bring that forward. Um and in addition um some of the things that we would like to see really will require collaboration. I mean we don't have the resources at this point to you know to do this on our own. So we'd like to collaborate and form partnerships with various public and private entities organizations to improve access to transportation in Oakdale. [24:43] **Colleen Herman**: The second area is social participation and inclusion. And one of um we're—age friendly Oakdale is relying primarily on the Oakdale Wellness 50 plus group to provide this programming. Um the wellness group has been around for quite a while and it it really um provides wonderful programming for older adults already and so we want to continue those current programs but we also want to consider ways to reach a wider audience, a more diverse audience. Um, and isolation is something that we found is somewhat of an issue in Oakdale for older adults and we want to provide or structure what we're currently doing to address that, you know, more fully. Um, again, we want to collaborate and coordinate activities with other local organizations and businesses such as perhaps the school district. Um, and we want to include the needs of solo agers in our planning. [26:04] **Colleen Herman**: And safety is the last area that we're concentrating on. We want again to expand communication and understanding of what safety programs are available. We want to provide um house inspections to identify potential safety hazards such as smoke detectors um not working or fall hazards. Um, initially we're thinking of working with the Red Cross, but if we were to um come across some grant monies, we could perhaps partner with the fire department um if if that's something that they would be interested in—there are options. Um we um are—we have provided bicycle safety programs um and we will continue to work with the police and fire departments, their outreach departments um to um provide safety and prevention programs. We regularly have everything from um the police coming out and giving us safety tips to um um the the fire department providing um um first aid training to to our members. So this is something that we do regularly and we're going to continue to do that. We—I say the wellness group—but the the age friendly is taking credit. [27:23] **Colleen Herman**: So, um, and we want to continue, as it says, coordinate with the fire department. Um, we just had, um, this rebuilding together Minnesota come out and inform residents of their program for, um, safe at home and ramp accessibility programs for lower income senior homeowners. Um, and so that's already done. Um but there's always an opportunity perhaps to have them come out again. Um and we want to develop and maintain partnerships around safety with our residents and other agencies. So again, there's a theme that we want to partner up because um as I say, we're a grassroots organization without much of a budget. So so collaborating and facilitating is what what we are are planning to do. [28:09] **Colleen Herman**: Um the entire um action plan um can be accessed on the vital aging network website at the um at the the URL that is listed as well as using the QR code. Um, and in closing, um, we look forward to working on these initiatives over the next several years to improve our community, but we really appreciate—would appreciate any thoughts, participation from from the council, from the city, from the community. Um if somebody wants to join, we we always have have room for people to to participate. And for more information and um comments and questions, you can contact us at oakdalewellness50@gmail.com. And I wanted to thank you for your time um and your continued support. I've listed the um the people on our task force that—that's the age friendly task force. So, thank you. [29:28] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Well, thank you, Colleen. We really appreciate you coming in and giving us an update. And thank you to all the task force members. You know, this is um as you'd mentioned, this has been around for a couple years now, starting to get some legs underneath it. It's great to see an action plan come together. Um, the one request I'm going to have of city staff is to take their action plan and just see how it might align with the strategic plan that we've been working on. I think in terms of collaboration, there are some things identified in your action plan that will fit with what we've already been talking about as as a city council. So, there might be some overlap there that we can lean into. So, um, really appreciative of your time tonight. Council members, do we have any questions for Colleen or any members of the task force? **Council Member Severson**: Mr. Mayor, I just have a comment. As someone who—a resident who falls well within your demographic... [30:14] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: I thought you were going to say as a resident that falls a lot. **Council Member Severson**: Well, soon that will be happening, too. But I I just want to say I appreciate the work that you do. Uh and thank you to all of you in your various uh groups. **Colleen Herman**: I do have people here so perhaps they can stand up. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Thank you. Much appreciated. Thank you. Thank you everybody. **Colleen Herman**: And Mayor too, thank you so much. **Council Member Severson**: And and really uh to the mayor's point, I think there's a lot of overlap. We just heard a presentation for Atoria at Oak Marsh, which is a older adult living co-op, but I think it's pretty well understood that the number of people who are aging in Oakdale, there's not enough places if they want to move out of their home. So more people are aging in place, which is great, but there's there's grants, there's opportunities that I think your group would hear about before we even would. So whether it's building ramps, providing fitness uh activity equipment for our parks, whatever it may be, I think there's a great collaboration that can happen. So I appreciate the back and forth, but I think the more that we can help each other, the better the city's going to be. So thank you very much. We appreciate it. **Colleen Herman**: Thank you so much. Yeah, thank you. [31:32] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh we have a few proclamations tonight. Um first one dealing with building safety month. Um and the proclamation reads as follows. Whereas Oakdale is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depends on the safety and essential role in our homes, buildings, and infrastructure play uh both in everyday life and when disasters strike. And whereas our confidence in the resilience of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians—building safety and fire prevention or our building and safety fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, trades people, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry. And whereas these guardians are dedicated members of the International Code Council, a nonprofit that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal officials who create and implement the highest quality codes and standards to protect us where we work, live, and play. And whereas building safety month reminds us of these protectors of public safety, our code officials who assure us of safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity. And whereas game on the theme of building safety month in 2025 encourages us all to get involved and raise awareness about building safety on a personal, local, and global scale. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month of May in 2025 as building safety month in the city of Oakdale. Oakdale is incredibly fortunate to have some really talented and dedicated members on our building, um, inspectors, our code officials, etc. um as we see a lot of um development happening around us, they play uh an indispensable role in u making sure everybody is safe and has those safe places to live, work, and play. So, a big thank you to them. [33:06] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh we have another proclamation recognizing Arbor Day in the city of Oakdale. Whereas the city council supports the planting of trees and encourages residents to landscape their properties with trees. And whereas in 1975, Mayor Pete Grasskey was instrumental in establishing the city's first Arbor Day tree giveaway. And whereas 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Oakdale's Arbor Day celebration and tree giveaway. And whereas Arbor Day is a time to appreciate the important contributions made by trees and to contribute to increase their numbers in our community. And whereas this year's Arbor Day event will be held Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m. at Fire Station 1 North. Therefore, I, Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim April 26th as Peter Grasskey Arbor Day in the city of Oakdale and call upon our residents of the community to plant trees for their enjoyment and the health of our generation and generations to come. [33:53] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: As every city is dealing with invasive species that are taking out huge swaths of our tree canopy, um, special recognitions like this, especially of Arbor Day, are incredibly important. Um, former mayor Pete Grasskey—he he was a self-proclaimed tree hugger. Um, fascinating gentleman that really cared about our community as it sits in that moment as well as for future generations. He himself planted thousands upon thousands of trees in our city. Um, it's really cool to see that this um, Arbor Day tree giveaway is named in his honor, but has also been going for 50 years now. So, um, it's always one of personally one of my favorite events all year long. Um it is amazing to see how our residents respond to this event as well, claiming all 200 trees within a matter of hours this year. Um the fastest that has ever happened. Um whether it's because they love the event or because they recognize the the big need every community is facing to plant more trees as we're losing a lot of our tree canopy. Whatever the reason, they are taking advantage of it. We're deeply appreciative and we can't wait to see them on Saturday up at fire station one. [35:11] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Finally, a last proclamation is recognizing skin cancer and melanoma awareness month. Whereas it is imperative that communities across Minnesota be reminded of the importance of sun safety. And whereas overexposure to UV radiation is one of the major causes of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. And whereas skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. And whereas skin cancer can easily be prevented if the proper precautions are taken such as staying in the shade from late morning to mid-afternoon, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a lightweight long sleeve shirt, regularly applying a broadspectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher with UVA and UVB protections, and avoiding indoor tanning to reduce the risk of uh developing skin cancer. And whereas skin self-examinations should be performed on a monthly basis because skin cancers are highly treatable when detected early. And whereas the city of Oakdale encourages people to protect themselves and their families against sun damage to their skin and to promote sun safety awareness and education in our community. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as skin cancer and melanoma awareness month in the city of Oakdale. [36:34] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: We are still under open forum tonight. So, if there's anybody joining us in the audience that would like to share anything that's on your mind, please feel free to step up to the podium uh similar to the same rules as the public hearing. Uh please state your name and address for the record and share whatever's on your mind. Seeing none, we will roll into consensus motions. Council members, we have uh quite a few in front of us tonight. Consensus motions A through I. Um, are there any that council members would like to pull for individual consideration? Hearing none, I'll look for a motion. [37:01] **Council Member**: I'll move approval of the consensus motions A through I as presented. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And those motions are approved. Uh, whoops. Advisory boards and commissions, none of them met. That's okay. Oh, I suppose it's their off month mostly. So, uh, we will roll into award a bid. We have a couple tonight in front of us. Uh, award a bid city project 2025-01. Brian, good evening. Mayor, walk us through this. [37:16] **Brian (Engineering)**: Yes. Good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh, pursuant to council authorization, we did open bids for the 2025 street improvement project on April 8th. Five contractors did submit bids for the work with the low bid being McNamara Contracting. uh was below the engineers estimate and it's also below uh the CIP budget for the project. So we are looking for a budget amendment with that. Uh the recommendation is to award the contract to McNamara, authorize the mayor and administrator to sign the agreement and also authorize um the mayor and administrator to sign the engineering services agreement for construction management and engineering services with SCH. With that, I'd stand for any questions the council may have. [38:26] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, questions for Brian? I have one. Uh, McNamara Contracting—that name doesn't sound familiar. Has Oakdale used them before? **Brian (Engineering)**: I can say we have not, but I I am aware that they've done a lot of work in Cottage Grove and Woodbury, and I've talked to my peers in those communities, and they do very good work. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Okay, thank you for that. Uh, let's just get to the actions. Council members, can I get a motion? [38:50] **Council Member**: I move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-33 awarding the bid for city project R2025-01 2025 street reconstruction and amending the 2025 budget. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, there's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And resolution 2025-33 is adopted. How about the next one? Whoever wants it. Keep going. You're doing great. Don't jump at the same time. [39:11] **Council Member**: I move to authorize the mayor and city administrator to enter into a contract with McNamara Contracting in the amount of $3,786,836 for the improvements according to the plans and specifications. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that authorization is given. I guess it's not a resolution. Uh, last item. [39:40] **Council Member**: I move we authorize the mayor and the city administrator to sign an engineering service proposal with [SCH] for construction related engineering services in an amount not to exceed $391,000. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: A motion to second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that authorization is given. That ordering felt weird. Did I forget something? No. Motion second. Okay. [40:22] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: It's just—it's so natural to me that it just felt unusual. Like how do you spell cat, right? So normal. D. Got it. Uh next up, uh thank you, Brian. Uh award of bid for city projects. Um who's taking this one? Lou? Corey? Hi Corey. Come on down. [40:42] **Cory Tietz (Public Works Director)**: Good evening, council. Um, back at the March 11th meeting, we uh gave approval to go ahead with the plans and specifications for the Willowbrook West and North um parking or uh park improvements that are scheduled to start in 2025 here. As part of that project, we separated out and advised you the architectural and construction part of the restroom and open air shelter. Uh this what's before you is a proposal. We sought bids, worked with our consulting firm SRF and acquired bids from two different firms and um currently the low bidder. We're in the final stages of wrapping up that contract with them, but there's no indication that um we're not going to be able to complete that and with the duration of that we want to move that forward. So, we're seeking uh approval from you uh to allow the administrator to uh once we finalized the agreement to those terms to uh um move forward with the bid with Koma Architects to do that uh design and um pre-construction work for us to be able to move that aspect forward. [41:52] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Great. Uh council members, any questions for Corey? All right, two actions on this one. Who wants to take them? **Council Member**: I can start. Make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-39 awarding the bid for architectural services for Willowbrook Park West restroom shelter city project P2025-02. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And resolution 2025-39 is adopted. Next one. [42:09] **Council Member**: Next, to make a motion to authorize mayor and city administrator to enter into an agreement for professional services between the city of Oakdale and Koma for final design and in construction services in the amount of $56,000 subject to agreed upon terms. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you, Corey. Uh next up, staff reports, community development. One item tonight. We got the whole band going tonight. [42:51] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Everything busy. Luke, take it away. **Luke McClanahan**: Yes, thank you, mayor. So, the location of the uh conditional use permit request is 7880 44th Street Court North, and this property is located within the Sunboro development just off Ideal Avenue and 44th Street. So, the zoning of this site is PUD, planned unit development. The request is or the purpose of the request is that the applicant is seeking to add a second garage to the property. The uh a second garage is allowed through the conditional use permit process. The property as a whole is approximately 1 acre and it contains an existing single family home and an attached garage. The applicant plans to use the second garage for storage of tools, garden, gardening equipment, and parking. [43:56] **Luke McClanahan**: Um the site plan for this request shows that the structure would meet setback requirements. The garage contains two stories and would feature a balcony on the second story. When we as staff first looked at the plans, staff was a little bit concerned that it could be used for possibly for a second dwelling. However, when we discussed with the applicant, they noted that um the Sunboro Homeowners Association requires that accessory buildings have a residential appearance in nature. And uh additionally, this Sunboro neighborhood is a little unique in in terms of the sewer or it's actually um they operate on the septic systems there and extending the septic system to serve a second dwelling here would would likely be infeasible. [44:42] **Luke McClanahan**: Uh further just as another assurance to uh make sure that we uh this second garage isn't converted to a second dwelling unit. There is a condition of approval that you'll see in the resolution. So uh conditional use use permits are subject to certain review criteria that's found in the ordinance and the general review criteria as detailed in the staff report on file is met. And then there is specific review criteria for second garages and staff finds that those review criteria have also been met for this request. So staff finds that this CUP satisfies the ordinance requirements as detailed again in the staff report on file and staff recommends approval of the request subject to four conditions in the resolution that is in the packet. [45:16] **Luke McClanahan**: And the res uh the conditions are number one the applicant shall obtain a building permit. Number two, the garage shall meet setback and height requirements. Number three, the garage shall not exceed uh I believe that's 1,000 square feet in size. Um and then the—I might have that wrong. I apologize. I'm looking at some old notes. And then number four, the garage shall not be used as a dwelling unit. And as a reminder, the the public hearing for this request was held by the planning commission on April 3rd and they recommended approval. And I'd be happy to answer any questions. Thank you. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh, council members, any questions for Luke? I have one. Why is obtain a building permit a condition? Isn't that required anyways? Like, why why does it have to be spelled out as a condition of a CUP? [46:00] **Luke McClanahan**: It it u—it's—you're right, mayor. It is a requirement regardless if we add a condition or not, but it does help put the applicant on notice that just the CUP alone does not grant them the use. They they also have to go through the building permit process. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Got it. Thank you. Uh council members, can I get a motion? **Council Member**: I'll move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-38 approving a conditional use permit for an additional garage at 7880 44th Street Court North with conditions included in the attached resolution. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. and resolution 2025-38 is adopted. Engineering, come on back, Brian. [46:37] **Brian (Engineering)**: Good evening again. Um, the second item I have here is, uh, the 2025 capital improvement program included a project to pave some additional trails in the open space area of Willowbrook development, uh, pursuant and consistent with the Willowbrook agreement. And so the recommendation—we did collect proposals from engineering firms and Alliant provided the most competitive bid. They are doing a lot of the work up in that area for um the developer and previously had worked on projects for the city as well. So it's the recommendation to award the uh construction management and design services to Alliant Engineering in the amount of $43,920. Uh they do plan on having the plans prepared for council approval uh sometime in June so that we'll be able to award a contract in August and have them completed before construction season is over. [47:23] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Great. Uh, council members, any questions for Brian? I'll look for a motion. **Council Member**: Make a motion to authorize the mayor and city administrator to sign the proposal for design and construction management services between the city of Oakdale and Alliant Engineering, Inc. for city project P2023-05, phase 2, Willowbrook Open Space Trails north of 40th Street. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you, Brian. Uh, city attorney Jim. [48:01] **Jim (City Attorney)**: Mr. Mayor, I am choosing, unlike Brian and Luke, not to extend your meeting tonight. So, I won't have anything to say unless you have some questions. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: We appreciate you, Jim. Anybody have questions for Jim? All right, let's check in with our city administrator who's going to extend our meeting. Sorry, you were after me. I couldn't come. Chris, what do we got? [48:24] **Christina Volkers (City Administrator)**: Okay, so this is a very important action um for the the project to expand and renovate the new police facility and the expansion—possible expansion—of the city hall. What you've got before you is an approval of architect services contract for that project. Um we went through, we followed, of course, state law and did a massive RFP. Had a lot of interest. We did several iterations and narrowed it down to um our recommendation is that BKV Group be the architect for this project um for the total amount of $1.4 million um and a little bit more. And so we're asking that you approve that um contract and allow us to engage with them for their services so we can kick off this project. [49:11] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Great. Uh council members, questions for Chris. I got one. Um, and forgive me if this was in our memo. Uh, what is the split of this amount between the police department and the city hall project since it's different funding sources? Um, or can we bill it all to the sales tax? **Christina Volkers**: Mr. Mayor, city council, we cannot and we haven't determined the split. We have to do that—are aware of that—before we get the first bill. We have to start figuring out where the source code will be for the um payment of the invoice. And so we won't get an invoice for a couple months. So we do need to figure that out. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: And what uh—I assume the city hall portion will come out of the public building fund. **Christina Volkers**: Yes. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Did we budget for 2025 out of the public building fund for X amount? **Christina Volkers**: Yeah. We—we did not know the amount, Mr. Mayor. We did not know the amount, but we do have some funds in there. So we'll have to do a budget adjustment to true it up now that we know the amount. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Got it. Okay. Thank you. Uh council members, uh any other questions? I'll look for a motion. [50:24] **Council Member**: I move to authorize the mayor and city administrator to sign and execute the architectural services contract with BKV Group in the amount of $1,421,140. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you. Uh council presentations. Anybody have any over here? How about over here? I got a few. [50:56] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh, park cleanup week began yesterday and runs through this Sunday, April 27th. We still have a few parks available for volunteers to reserve. If you would like to do so, uh, visit our city website, oakdalemn.gov. Uh, just type in park cleanup. It'll take you to our recreation page and you can see what parks are available um, and reserve it right there online. Or if you want, you can also pop into the discovery center and uh, chat with our staff there and they can be able to help you out. [51:41] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Registration for Oakdale Recreation Summer Youth Programs opens up this Thursday, April 24th at 8 a.m. We know every year some of the camps and offerings go very quick. So, if you are interested, um, please be at your at your keyboard like people were for the tree giveaway. Um, Thursday 8:00 a.m. you can register online, oakdalefun.com. The city of Oakdale has once again been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree City USA program provides a four-step framework to maintain and grow tree cover, and we are incredibly proud that this is Oakdale's 30th consecutive year to earn this recognition. Um, a big thank you to all of our staff that uh put in work to maintain that uh certification we have every year. We know it's not easy, but it is definitely a milestone we we enjoy having. [52:16] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Uh, I mentioned this before, but I'll just remind everybody, speaking of trees, our annual Pete Grasskey Arbor Day tree giveaway will be held this Saturday at the North Fire Station, 5,000 Hadley Avenue. Um, all 200 trees were claimed and will be picked up and planted by Oakdale residents. Um, as I mentioned before, this event was started by Mayor Pete Grasskey 50 years ago and we've added thousands of trees to our community over the years. I'm going to mention this because we get the question every year. Uh, if trees go unclaimed at the end of the event, they are—it's a free-for-all. So, uh, if you reserved one of the 200 trees, but maybe want an extra tree, come back at around 11:30, 11:45—I think is the end of the event. Um, and you are welcome to take another one. Even if you were not able to get one of the 200 trees, um, please feel free to come back at the end of the event and, um, we will be happy to load one into your car. We want all of them to go into yards across our city. Um, but you can only claim one of those at the end of the event of those that have not been picked up. So, or um the registrant haven't made uh arrangements to pick it up from public works. So, just come see us 11:45 12:00. We'll let you know what's up. [53:02] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Also this Saturday and just across the street from the Northfire Station uh is Oakdale's first ever Eco-Fair which will be held at Castle Elementary from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Uh we will have vendors and exhibitors providing education on a variety of environmental topics and initiatives. I'm sure there's going to be a ton of freebies. There's a food truck. Um there's kids activities. So, um, please come on out. The event is completely free, open to the public, lots going on. Um, like I said, first time we've ever hosted this type of event, so uh, community participation uh will make it successful. So, we hope to see you there. You can visit the city website, oakdalemn.gov, for more information. [53:47] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Finally, the Maplewood Oak Lions Club is once again hosting the citywide garage sales this year, taking place from Thursday, May 1st through Saturday, May 3rd. Uh for more information, including to add your property to the list, um visit the Oakdale Maplewood Lions Club Facebook page. You can find the link on there. Fill out one quick form and they will get you added to the map. So, uh big thank you to the Lions Club for hosting that again this year. Claims, let's pay some bills. We got a claims roster April 9th through April 22nd in the amount of 1.25 million and change. Uh council members, were there any claims we wanted to flag for additional conversation? I'll look for a motion. [54:16] **Council Member**: Make a motion to approve claims as presented. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. Bills are paid. Can I get a motion to adjourn? **Council Member**: Motion. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you and good night. That was not a record for the shortest meeting.