[00:00] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** I'm adaptable yeah you were over here that's right I've seen the on-air light but he gave me the thumbs up so we're gonna go ahead and call to order the Oakdale city council meeting for July 25th 2023. uh Sarah we took the role here here here please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. [00:15] **Group:** 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. [00:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** council members in front of us we have the agenda for our meeting tonight there are no changes can I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented. [00:30] **Council Member:** so moved. [00:31] **Council Member:** second. [00:32] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's a motion is there second second motion a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and the agenda is adopted next up we have approval of minutes first up Workshop meeting minutes from July 11 2023 are there any changes or Corrections look for motion. [00:45] **Council Member:** there's a motion. [00:46] **Council Member:** is there a second second. [00:47] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** Motion in a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye oppose and those meetings are approved next up we have regular meeting minutes for July 11 2023 council members any changes I'll look for motion. [01:00] **Council Member:** still moved. [01:01] **Council Member:** there's a motion is there a second second. [01:02] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** motion a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and the meeting minutes from July 11th are approved next up is public hearing we don't have any tonight so we'll move on to open Forum open forum is an opportunity for anybody in the audience to share with the city council whatever's on your mind um all we ask is that you step up to the podium state your name and address for the record and share your comments uh by tradition we try to keep it to three minutes or so but um feel free so anybody that would like to share anything please step on up. [01:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** seeing none we'll keep things moving and move on to consensus motions council members are there any consensus motions you would like to remove for individual consideration? [01:30] **Noah Her (Council Member):** yes I would like to remove um item C. [01:35] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** all right council member would like to remove item council members anything on a or b I'll look for motion. [01:40] **Gary Severson (Council Member):** make a motion to approve consensus motions A and B as was presented. [01:45] **Council Member:** there's a motion is there a second second. [01:47] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** Motion in a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and a and b are approved uh council member Herr consensus motion C would you like to give us a quick summary and share your thoughts? [01:55] **Noah Her (Council Member):** yeah I just want to take a moment here and just think our City's police chief for his commitment to the safety of our students at Target high school by working in partnership with our school district's administrative team and getting a contract that both sides can accept to uh accept to address the rising challenges that our schools are facing with I look forward to the many opportunities that our city and our um school administrative team can continue to work together in the future so I think this is uh a win in my book and I I want to just call out all the players here and just thank them for their willingness to to work together thank you. [02:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** Noah um for the audience um at home and here in Chambers item C is our um school resource officer agreement between the city and School District 622 for two-year term 20 23 through 2025. uh council members I'd look for motion. [02:40] **Noah Her (Council Member):** I moved to approve the request that the city council Council authorized the mayor and the city administrator to enter into your school into the school resource officer agreement with ISD 622 for a two-year term of 2023 to 2025. [02:55] **Council Member:** there's a motion is there a second second. [02:58] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** emotional second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed sorry I we got you a little late five eyes on that one uh next up is time to check in with our advisory boards and commissions first one up is my commission the Environmental Management commission they met I think that was last Monday two Mondays ago I don't know July's kind of blurred together um they got him on their agenda was uh reviewing the backend pedestrian plan they've been working hard on that they also took a first look at the um electric vehicle study that the city council commissioned so late last year I think so they reviewed some of the data and the feedback from our vehicles in the consultant respectively so I believe that'll be coming up to council for review sometime in the near future but um very interesting data about where in our city fleet electric vehicles may be able to plug in and save the city some money in some some emissions so um thank you to the EMC for their work on that Planning Commission councilman ringerperson [Severson] um yeah. [03:50] **Gary Severson (Council Member):** I believe there were memory serves me right there were two issues uh brought for us and both are on the agenda tonight uh the first was uh Valvoline site plan uh at 70 39 10th Street North I believe that is very close to the Taco Bell there um and then uh home popcorn business that is sounds like it's quickly expanding and I believe those applicants are here tonight and you're the Valvoline guy that's right so sorry I missed you um but uh yeah uh both sounds like both sound like excellent projects and uh for you to have have both you guys in Oakdale we will get to those in a little bit we will. [04:20] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** uh Parks and Rec also met last week council member mortgum. [04:25] **Andy Morcomb (Council Member):** yeah Parks and Rec was able to meet covered a few things one they discussed the capital Improvement project plan for the parks across the city and provided some feedback anyone watching now or here in the audience that's interested in learning more open government on our website has all of the projects that we've scheduled out and are looking for feedback on I know that they also are scheduling Park tours so the commission is going to be going out to the different Parks looking at the state of the equipment but even more importantly looking for residents who use those Parks frequently who live in the neighborhoods to find out what they're interested in what they'd like to see done differently or what they like currently that's in place so if you see anyone from the commission out at one of the parks please stop them share your thoughts because that's an important part of the process for us on the city council so we can make sure to plan our amenities in a way that supports all the people here in the city. [05:20] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** good thank you uh uh tree board did not meet so word of bid nothing tonight we'll move on to staff reports Community Development is up first we have two items under that section Mr McClanahan welcome back. [05:35] **Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** it's good evening Maryland Council so this first item is a site plan it's the Valvoline site plan 70 39 10th Street North so the property is located within Bergen Plaza just south of 10th Street it is a vacant commercial building right now years ago it was a daycare center but it's just sat vank it for a number of years and the applicant is proposing to construct a Valvoline instant oil change operation there so roughly about a 2 000 square foot building um uh just a few details about the request so it will have three Bays during each working shift it is expected to employ six to seven employees um the Planning Commission or let me back up just a moment here so uh the site plan requirements for this request have been met with the exception of site lighting just a a minor update that the applicant will need to provide a photometric plan that complies with the ordinance but otherwise the request complies with the zoning ordinance provided that certain approvals including fire department Watershed district and also from the city engineer are met the Planning Commission held or heard the request at the July 6 meeting as was just mentioned they recommended approval of the site plan subject to certain conditions and I will just Briefly summarize those conditions here so the first condition is execution of the development agreement between the developer and the City permits and approvals must be obtained from The Watershed District the applicant must obtain approval from the city engineer for civil site civil construction plans the applicant must obtain approval from the fire department for the location of hydrants and fire department connections um and finally as mentioned the applicant will need to resubmit a photometric plan that complies with the site lighting requirements of the ordinance and the applicant is here in attendance if you have any questions otherwise I'd be happy to answer any questions. [07:35] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** thank you council members any questions for Luke right off the bat or the applicant? all righty I will look for a motion. [07:45] **Kari Moore (Council Member):** I'll make a motion to waive reading and adopt resolution 2023-70 approving the site plan for Valvoline llc at 7039 10th Street North with conditions included in the attached resolution. [07:55] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's motion is there a second second motion a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and that site plan is approved there we are uh Luke back up. [08:10] **Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** yes thank you so this next request is a home occupation it's a conditional use permit it is the home occupation specifically is for popcorn production in a commercial kitchen so the the site in question is 2867 Hamlet Avenue the property is zoned R1 now home occupations are allowed via conditional use permits and currently the applicant is operating under the Minnesota Cottage food law but to in order to expand and operate as a wholesaler they're seeking this condition conditional use permit and as well as approval from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture uh popcorn making will occur within the applicant's detached garage so the applicant has two garages the plan is to utilize that detached garage and alter in a way that no cars can be parked in there and it would be used exclusively for the popcorn making production it has some equipment for the use would include a popcorn mixer excuse me maker caramel cooker mixer cheddar tumbler no sales would occur on site as the intent here is to do wholesale uh sell elsewhere directly to the the ultimate consumer there um this was a public hearing item that was reviewed by the Planning Commission earlier this month the commission recommended approval subject to certain conditions and staff recommends approval and I will just Briefly summarize the conditions of approval here hours of operation for the use be limited to 8 AM to 8 PM Sunday through Saturday the applicant will have to ensure that the use complies with State Plumbing code the applicant shall verify that any sewer line connection serving the use are properly cited at least 60 inches below grade to protect from freezing the applicant shall construct site improvements to prevent the existing bathroom from opening directly into the food preparation area to comply with food safety laws just just a safety issue there um the applicant shall not store any vehicles on the premises where the production actually occurs and finally the applicant shall obtain and meet all the conditions associated with the Minnesota Department of AG wholesale food manufacturing license for the use and the applicant is here if you have any questions and I'd be happy to answer any questions too. [10:35] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** thank you Luke council members any questions for Luke or the applicant? [10:40] **Andy Morcomb (Council Member):** yeah I was going to ask one uh one thing with the Valvoline it's wonderful but all our residents know where the Valvoline is located and they can come and do their business there but for a new business like this there's many people that may be interested in supporting that business but they don't know where they can get more information so I think this is a great opportunity for the applicant to come forward share any website Facebook page or where they might be able to buy some of oakdale's newest business products. [11:05] **Applicant (Paradise Popcorn Co.):** we are located kind of between well here HyVee and Menards I don't know if I should face this way or this way up this way sorry everyone um we started as a cottage food production and we uh go to a lot of different fairs and festivals and events and have experienced really great success and the next step is to do a uh the wholesale manufacturing facility so that we can build those relationships with the breweries that we are currently selling with on site and for our neighbors and friends online so our company name is Paradise popcorn Co and you can visit all of the uh website and Instagram and Facebook and all of that have the exact same handle so thank you. [11:45] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** thank you uh council members any other questions for Luke or the applicant? saying none I'll look for a motion. [11:55] **Katie Wrich (Council Member):** I'll make a motion a wave reading and adopt resolution 2023-7-5 approving the conditional use permit home occupation for popcorn production in a commercial kitchen on the property addressed 2867 Hamlet Avenue North with conditions included in the attached resolution. [12:10] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's a motion is there a second second motion the second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and you are good to go pop away thank you guys uh next up is engineering so we will turn things over to our city engineer yes Jesse Farrell. [12:30] **Jesse Farrell (City Engineer):** thank you mayor and Council uh the item before you is associated with our water tower 3 Water Tower 3 is located at 2347 Hallmark Avenue North it's one of four water towers in the city and it's our largest it's 1.5 million gallons of storage this water tower needs to be repainted we call it a reconditioning and in the industry we call it a protective coating so it's uh it is a painting project but it's very intense this water tower was last painted in 2003 so it's uh reached the end of its useful life this project would include repainting blasting welding a whole bunch of improvements to the water tower both inside so what people can see along 694 and also in inside the the structure this project is included in the adopted 2023 to 2027 CIP for a 2024 project and it's preliminary it's in the preliminary 2020 for CIP um what's changed since then is that in 2023 it was estimated as a 2.5 million dollar project within our 2024 uh CIP it's estimated at 2.6 million dollar project um a lot of those prices depend on market conditions how many other cities are doing water tower projects um uh but that should be a good estimate um you have before you um a resolution that authorizes uh staff to initiate the city project and uh solicit proposals for design and construction inspection it's with that if there's any questions or comments I'd be happy to discuss them. [14:15] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** council members any questions for Jesse we're quite bunch tonight uh actually I do have a question so has there been a communication plan uh put forth and uh are the Neighbors in that neighborhood going to be contacted about this work? [14:25] **Jesse Farrell (City Engineer):** not yet um at the staff level we've discussed a robust communication effort because these projects are loud questions or comments. [14:35] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** okay I will look for a motion. [14:40] **Kari Moore (Council Member):** I'll make a motion to wave reading and it dropped a resolution 2023-76 initiating city project u20 24-01 Water Tower 3 reconditioning and authorizing the issuance of a request for proposals for design and construction inspection services city project u2024-01 Water Tower 3 reconditioning with the assumption that these projects will be approved in the 2024 CIP. [15:00] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's a motion is there a second second motion a second final comments or questions all those in favor say aye aye opposed and that resolution is adopted next we will check in with our City attorney Jim Thompson Jim anything for us tonight? [15:15] **Jim Thompson (City Attorney):** miss mayman Wisconsin nothing specific to report but I'm happy to answer any questions. [15:20] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** council members any questions for Jim all right let's turn to our right check in with our city administrator MS volkers. [15:25] **Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** thank you mayor council um on the agenda tonight under administer news report is a request for two resolutions to support um a consideration it reserves our right for consideration to go back to the Oakdale voters um with some more information and a possible vote for um an inflation cost on our two public work or two projects that we receive sales tax approval for this is just a placeholder we are not asking to go back to the voters that will be discussed over the next year there's a deadline coming up that these resolutions need to be approved in order to preserve that ability to have the discussion further so that's what's before you tonight. [16:05] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** council members any questions for Chris all right let's tackle one of those at a time who would like to take the first one? [16:10] **Katie Wrich (Council Member):** I'll make a motion to waive reading and adopt resolution 2023-7-2 approving 2023 Min logs chapter 64 article 10 sections 20 through 24 allowing the city of Oakdale to increase the amount and duration of the approved local sales tax. [16:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's motion is there second second motion a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed and that resolution is adopted but somebody like to check the second resolution. [16:35] **Gary Severson (Council Member):** I'll make a motion to waive reading and adapt resolution 2023-77 approving the authority to increase the amount and duration of the approved local sales tax which will fund specific Capital Improvements. [16:50] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there's motion is there a second second motion a second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed that resolution is adopted as well uh next up Council presentations who would like to go first? [17:05] **Andy Morcomb (Council Member):** well I can start and just say I think it's wonderful when new businesses come to town and there is a process you go through but everything I've heard is that City staff is very supportive and helpful in that process and that there's an Avenue to do it and I know speaking for myself but I I'm sure the council agrees we want to see new Innovations new ideas new businesses come to like Oakdale so just congratulations to the people starting their businesses here in town after this week and welcome. [17:35] **Kari Moore (Council Member):** take anything nope nothing from me down here Susie you're known for me you know. [17:40] **Noah Her (Council Member):** um I would just want to make a comment here and just encourage our residents within Oakdale to look at our commissions and see what areas you can help serve on our commissions to help give us advice on things related to the city so it's on the link is on our website follow our Facebook page to get access to that application and sign up we would love to hear from you and I'll help you through this experience of local government here so. [18:05] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** absolutely government doesn't work unless people step forward and share their thoughts that's right that's a big part of it uh I just have a few so first a big thank you to all of our residents that came out I think about 10 days ago for our City's first ladder and squads event um you never quite know when you start a new event what turnout's going to be but I was out there near the beginning and it seemed like everybody was having a great time checking out the vehicles interacting with our police and fire departments trying on equipment even playing with one of the fire hoses so um a big thank you to the the police and fire departments for hosting this event event always a great opportunity to interact and promote Public Safety opportunities so thank you to everybody involved with that event. [18:50] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** uh earlier today about four o'clock the city council attended a ribbon cutting for a new crosswalk at Eberly Park um that was a really cool it was a cool event but I for me personally um the process is what's kind of special um the the work behind that crosswalk really came that idea came forward from local girl scout troop 57987 they had reached out months ago and wanted to put forward an idea to make our community safer and so um they presented a proposal to council members this spring it went through the process the sidewalk got painted earlier this spring and so the troop joined us out there today for the official ribbon cutting so just a cool example of how ideas Bubble Up from the community and become a reality so thank you to the troop for for stepping forward with that idea. [19:40] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** uh reminder the farmer's markets back here here what day is it it's Tuesday tomorrow's Wednesday that's it uh two to six pm City Hall parking lot um and it'll be here through mid-october um a recent comment from vendors is they are selling out of some of their products early so if there is something that you really want to get produce baked goods whatever it might be get there as early as you can for the for the best selection so the events have been very successful we've had good weather knock on wood um so stop on out two to six pm City Hall parking lot. [20:15] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** uh uh a reminder um with the higher temperatures expected uh tomorrow and Thursday Washington County Libraries and service centers are available during business hours for those that need um some time escaping the excessive heat so unfortunately those facilities are not able to accept pets and it will be available during business hours but it's just one option if somebody's looking for some relief you can find more information on Washington County's website co.washington.mn.us so if you would like to check that out please do. [20:45] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** along those same lines while we're having this heat wave just a reminder about City watering rules um Oakdale employs a not even watering schedule so we ask residents to to abide by that based on your your property address um also the city just offers some general tips you know avoid watering noon to 5 PM when the temperatures the highest um that tends to be when you see the most evaporation so the water doesn't even get to the ground so why why run the sprinklers um but you know all of those conservation tips the odd even watering schedule does actually make a difference in our water supply in the city so we want to make sure that we have water when we need to address emergencies so we ask for everybody everybody's help on that. [21:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** finally uh one week from today it is night to unite so we will have block parties popping up all over the city um residents getting together with their neighbors and building relationships so um a big thank you to all of the residents that have have set up those parties they're always a lot of fun um we will have police and fire in the city council all over the city interacting with residents saying hi so thank you to those that registered and schedule a little visit with the city um and it's just a good opportunity to build camaraderie in our neighborhoods so um thank you to the residents for doing that. [22:00] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** should we pay some bills we have claims roster July 12th through July 25th 2023 in the amount of 3.2 million and some change council members were there any questions about claims or things you'd like pulled for additional information I'll look for motion. [22:15] **Kari Moore (Council Member):** I moved to approve the claims for the period July 12 2023 to July 25th 2023 and the amount of 3 million 207 500 and 1.19. [22:25] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** there is a motion is there a second second motion and second final comments all those in favor say aye aye opposed bills are paid for another few weeks uh motion to adjourn. [22:40] **Council Member:** motion. [22:41] **Council Member:** second. [22:42] **Kevin Zabel (Mayor):** motion a second all those in favor say aye aye opposed we are adjourned thank you and good night.