This transcript features Mayor Kevin Zabel presiding over the meeting, with participation from the City Council and staff members Andrew Gitzlaff (Community Development), Jim Thompson (City Attorney), and Fire Chief Kevin Wold (Acting City Administrator). [0:04] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Alrighty everybody. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, February 10th, 2026. Sarah, will you please take the role? **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council member Moore? **Council Member Kari Moore**: Here. **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council member Morcomb? **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Here. **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council member Severson? **Council Member Gary Severson**: Here. **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council member Wrich? **Council Member Katie Wrich**: [Present]. **Sarah (City Staff)**: Mayor Zabel? **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Here. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. [0:23] **All**: 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. [snorts] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: First up tonight is the approval of the agenda. Council members, can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? [0:46] **Council Member**: So moved. **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 agenda is adopted. Uh next up we'll move into approval of meeting minutes. We have two sets in front of us tonight. First up, workshop meeting minutes from January 27th, 2026. [1:01] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, any changes or corrections here? I'll look for a motion. **Council Member**: So moved. **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 workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Last on the list is regular meeting minutes January 27th, 2026. Any changes or corrections here? [1:18] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: I'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 those minutes are adopted as well. Uh, next on our agenda is public hearings. We do not have any in front of us tonight. So, we will move into open forum. Uh, before we open the floor for anybody that wants to chat with us, uh, we do have one presentation and signing in front of us tonight. Uh, this one's kind of a cool one. Uh, we're excited to welcome Shannon Watson, the founder of Majority in the Middle, uh, with us. Shannon, would you like to come on up and tell us about Majority in the Middle and the Civic Pledge for a Stronger Minnesota? [1:54] **Shannon Watson**: Absolutely. Uh, thank you so much for having me here tonight. Um, last time I was here, you were in a different chair, so it's been a minute. [laughter] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Yes. **Shannon Watson**: So, Majority in the Middle is a 501c nonprofit nonpartisan organization. We work to enable and equip civility in political and civic life. Uh, so I have a great deal of job security right now. Um, so when Majority in the Middle and our other "What We Can Do" week partners created the civic pledge for a stronger Minnesota, it wasn't in a moment of calm. It was in the aftermath of two devastating acts of political violence, the assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her family and the attack on Senator Hoffman and his family. Those events were shocking and way too close to home for most of us. [2:43] **Shannon Watson**: They remind us—reminded us that our divisions are no longer theoretical and they can be dangerous and consequences of that division are landing on real people who step up and serve their communities. So the pledge was created out of that grief and that clarity. It was designed as a simple baseline commitment that even in disagreement we will seek common ground, we will not treat political opponents as our enemies and that we will model the kind of civic culture that keeps our communities safe and functional and connected. [3:17] **Shannon Watson**: That purpose has only become more urgent across Minnesota. We're watching how quickly conflict can escalate when trust is thin and rhetoric runs hot. We're seeing how national actions can spill into local governments and how easy it is for communities to get pulled into fights they never asked for. In moments like these, leadership isn't just about what you say, it's about what you refuse to inflame. And that's why Oakdale's action tonight matters. By signing the civic pledge for a stronger Minnesota, you are choosing steadiness over spectacle. You're saying that disagreement is normal, but dehumanization is not. You're committing to accountability without hostility. [4:01] **Shannon Watson**: Public service that strengthens rather than fractures your community. And you're doing it at a time when it would be easier to stay quiet. This is real leadership. The pledge doesn't solve every problem. It doesn't make conflict disappear. Wouldn't that be nice? What it does is set a tone—a tone that says this city will not be governed by fear or by fury or that the expectation that every issue must be a zero-sum fight. It says that Oakdale believes in modeling the kind of civic life that we want our kids to inherit. So, thank you for choosing responsibility, for choosing dignity, and for choosing to lead in a way that strengthens not just the city you serve, but the entire state. Minnesota needs [4:46] **Shannon Watson**: more than this. And tonight, Oakdale is showing what leadership looks like. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Thank you, Shannon. Um, you know, I—I've had the pleasure of knowing Shannon for—oh, many years now. [laughter] Many years. Uh, all the way back to your work with the business community and, uh, when the idea of Majority in the Middle came forward in 2020, I believe it was. Um, it was after a—it was after a very—um—I won't say embarrassing and divisive political debate where a lot of Americans felt like there has to be something better. There has to be a better conversation that we can all have. There has to be a better vehicle for us to have that conversation. And out of that, Majority in the Middle was born. And um for 6 years now, hard to believe. Um it has been um Majority in [5:32] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: the Middle has been going out trying to find all political partners and—and community members that are willing to say no, there is a better way and we want to be a part of it. And Shannon, you've just done amazing work bringing elected officials of all levels, um community members, nonprofit leaders together just to keep this conversation of a more civil and um respectful political process forward. So, I just want to say thank you. [5:57] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: As we look at the civic pledge and why um we're all signing it tonight, it really does embody the philosophy we've had in this building for decades and decades now. You know, engage peacefully with one another, work in good faith to resolve disputes, reject political violence in all forms, embrace the hard but necessary work in finding common ground. Those are core tenants of who we've been as a city council in this city. Um, you know, we've always—we've always walked into this building representing our political stripes, but not making that our primary identity as we wrestle with conversations that our residents want us to have, expect us to have, solve the problems that our residents face, and deliver the services they need. And this feels like such a natural thing, not just for our city [6:43] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: council, but it should be for every city council. Um, and so, you know, tonight we're going to sign the pledge ourselves, but you know, I'm also going to challenge all of our neighboring cities to do it as well. You know, Oakdale, we're bordered by eight cities. That's 40 elected officials that um should be willing to step forward and say there is a better way, and we're going to be the ones that lead it. So, um, tonight, you know, we're all going to pick up our pens that—that Shannon brought us. We're going to proudly sign this—this civic pledge for a stronger Minnesota. Um, and then we're going to come down there and take a picture and carry that message forward. So, we're going to let Lori come around get a picture of us signing. [7:18] **Shannon Watson**: And those certificates are for you to keep. I keep track of the names, but you keep the—the fancy thing. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All righty, council members. Let's sign. [7:35] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: And should we head down for a picture with Shannon? [7:43] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: [clears throat] [7:57] [clears throat] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All right, count of three. One, two, three. One, two, three. One, two, three. Thank you. [8:15] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: [clears throat] [8:26] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: And as I said, White Bear Lake, Pine Springs, Mahtomedi, Lake Elmo, uh Maplewood, North St. Paul, Landfall, Woodbury, you're next. Let's do it. We can all do this together. Okay. Uh we're still under open forum. Uh, so if there's anybody joining us tonight that would like to talk about anything that's on their mind, please feel free to step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and proceed with your comments. [8:50] **Council Member**: We got one. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: We got one [laughter] after three plus years. Welcome. Name and address for the record. **Gabe Morham**: Yes. My name is Gabe Morham. I'm at 7833 1st Street North in Oakdale. Um, I'm actually here to talk about uh the one-way street next to Aldi. Um, well, we've noticed that uh as residents, well, at least my family, um, there's that one like block of one-way street along the west side of Aldi, that um people are going the wrong way on. And so when we are trying to drive and as I'm teaching my littlest that are, you know, 15 now, learning how to drive to really be honoring these one-way spaces, it's—I—I want her to be able to be safe, too, as we're driving on it. And so, um, I don't actually know exactly what the [9:36] **Gabe Morham**: solution is to this problem, but I just wanted to like heads up that one-way street isn't always honored. And it's typically, it seems like, uh, not commercial vehicles by any means, but more um, personal vehicles that are going the opposite direction. I totally get that. Having to drive all the way around to the stoplight to go one way or the other can be super inconvenient and it's just not safe when we go against a one-way street. [9:56] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: I—I know we typically don't ask questions during open forum, but is that the one off of County 14 like west of Hy-Vee? **Gabe Morham**: Mhm. **Council Member**: Oh, I— **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: No, not west of Hy-Vee. West of Aldi. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: Oh, sorry. Yeah, Aldi. Yes. **Gabe Morham**: Yes, correct. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: I'll say it. I've totally driven both ways on that. I had no idea that was one way. [laughter] Absolutely no idea. [10:14] **Gabe Morham**: So, there's not like a line down the middle for there to be two lanes of traffic. That would make sense. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: So, when we try to honor the One Direction on there and there's a car coming at you, it's a little terrifying. **Council Member**: Signs. **Gabe Morham**: Mhm. **Council Member**: Totally missing. Is there a sign in the parking lot saying like do not enter? [10:29] **Gabe Morham**: Um, you know what? To be fair, I can't recall at this moment, but just a heads up, that is a specific road that could cause some pretty impressive like fender benders if we're not careful. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: So many times had no idea. **Gabe Morham**: Yeah, that doesn't go well. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Bring that to us. You're welcome. Um, we're going to re-refer that to our public works director um and our community development director to maybe have a conversation with uh United Properties to see if there's signage that maybe they could install on the Aldi site as well as let's double check that street signage because had no clue. [11:02] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: You haven't seen me driving the wrong way, have you, Gabe? [laughter] Okay, then. Huh. Learn something new every day. Love it. Uh, still in open forum. Is there anybody else that would like to say—uh—step up to the podium? Share anything on your minds tonight? Seeing none, we'll move into consensus motions. Council members, we have A through F in front of us tonight. [11:24] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Are there any that you would like to pull for individual consideration? Hearing none, can I get a motion to approve consensus motion A through F as presented? **Council Member**: Make a motion to approve consensus motions A through F 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. [11:40] **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And those motions are adopted. Uh next we'll check in with our advisory boards and commissions. Uh the only one that met was the Environmental Management Commission. Uh I am their liaison. They met last night. Um among their—well, in addition to having their appreciation dinner with the City Council. It was nice to meet with them, chat with them. They—uh—we chatted through their work plan—um—a lot on there. They are going to have a very busy year. Um which is great. They will be a very active—uh—um—advisory body which is really nice. Um yeah, the work plan was primarily their—their—um—task last night. So they feel pretty good about where they landed and I think that'll be up to council probably about a month for us to review and adopt. So uh we will keep an eye out for that. Uh [12:25] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: nothing under award bids tonight. So we'll move into staff reports. Community development has one item: final park plans and park budget for Helmo Station Park. Mr. Gitzlaff, welcome. **Andrew Gitzlaff (Community Development Director)**: Thank you. Good evening, mayor and council. There is a—uh—brief presentation that should be queuing up momentarily here. [12:44] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: Um and as that—as that's loading—um—so yeah, the item before you is approval of the final park plans and final park budget for city project 2026-04 um Helmo Station Park until it receives a new name. Um, so as a reminder, this was a project that it—it's part of an overall development project run by Enclave. They're doing a—uh—262-unit apartment building, which is in the—uh—lower right hand corner here, and then 12 unit town home development. And as part of that development, they are dedicating 2.83 acres in the center for the—um—future city park. and—uh—as part of the development agreement that was signed for that—um—they are—um—obligated [13:31] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: to—uh—design and construct that park. Um the image on here is a—a—zoom in on the layout. Uh these were the original amenities that were proposed as part of the development agreement and the plan approval process. [13:46] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: Um they included a pre-K and K-12 play equipment, two pickle ball courts, a basketball half court, walking paths—um—throughout connecting the apartment down to—um—uh Third Street, uh site furnishings, benches, picnic tables, a drinking fountain, uh a placeholder for signage, uh city lighting—um—through—through the park and the parking lot area incorporating both picnic and some shade, a dog run on the southern portion and then—uh—a larger storm water pond on the north side. And there are—um—14 parking stalls as part of the—uh—the park component, but there's additional on-street parking—um—available on the adjacent streets as well. And [14:31] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: again, here's a zoom in—uh—of that park component. So, the process for the park design that kicked off last summer. Uh there was input from the Park and Rec Commission, input from City Council. Um, a couple of the biggest changes were that the pickle ball court and basketball court were flipped to allow a little bit more separation from—from the apartments and then the playground itself. Um, a lot of input—swings was a big thing—um—from—from the Park and Rec Commission. We're able to adjust the plans and add—uh—a couple more swings to it. We also add another accessible spinning feature to the park. [15:07] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: The playground container shifted—uh—in its design—uh—a little bit as well to accommodate that, but generally this is the consistent with the plan that council saw—um—back in—back in August. And then again, here's a—a—zoom up of that—uh—um—playground component which—which again will have that poured-in-place surfacing—uh—allowing for more accessibility and lower maintenance for public works. [15:30] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: Um, so we're here tonight with the—with the—the final budget. And the reason we're using that term is this is what was laid out in the—uh—agreement with Enclave is that we'd work to get a park and include these elements and keep it—um—within the overall budget. [15:46] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: We've had a series of about 20-25 meetings. I think we wore them down—um—over the course of this with myself, Hannah Dunn in my department and then—and then Cory Tietz, public works director to make sure that we're not just getting the elements, but we're getting a park that's going to be a great community amenity, but also something that's going to hold up and—and—be low-maintenance going forward. Um the adopted—um—the CIP—um—has this park with a total budget as well as the DA of $1,748,000 approximately. The city share of that is approximately $847,000. So just shy of 50% and Enclave Companies is responsible for $900,000 which is just above—um—uh—which is just above 50%. I will note [16:33] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: that the city's contributions for this are coming from the park capital fund but that 847 is the same amount that was received from the adjacent Norhart project when that went through a couple years ago. Um and then per the DA once—uh—council gives the blessing on the final plans and the park budgets—um—any cost overruns that come up like—you know—bad soils or things like that, that's going to be on the developer; they will not be coming back for us for more costs. Conversely if after today there's big changes or something that are initiated on our end, then that would be something we—we—would bear the responsibility for. So very important time to kind of—to check in, make sure we got everything right and then it will be—uh—full speed. They—if the equipment's been ordered and—um—they intend to start construction—um—uh—this year on the [17:21] **Andrew Gitzlaff**: park. So with that, the council action requested is for the City Council to approve the final park plans and final park budget of $1,748,086.68 for City Project 2026-04. [17:38] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Thank you, Andy. Council members, any questions for Andy? All right, let's dive right in. Who wants to make the motion? **Council Member**: I—uh—move to approve the final park plans and final park budget of $1,748,086.68 for City Project 2026-04 Helmo Station Park. [17:58] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion a second. Final comments. Hearing none. All those in favor say I. **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. And that approval is given. Woohoo. Another park. [laughter] Uh, now is the time on our agenda to check in with our city attorney, Mr. Thompson? [18:13] **Jim Thompson (City Attorney)**: Welcome. What do you have for us? I can't top that one. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Ah, you can't—can't beat the park, but I'm happy to answer any questions. Can you beat finding $900,000? **Jim Thompson**: No. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: No. Can't beat that either. All right. Anybody have questions for Jim? All right, let's check in with our acting city administrator, Fire Chief Kevin Wold, filling in for Miss Volkers. [18:32] **Kevin Wold (Acting City Administrator/Fire Chief)**: Chief, what do you got for us? Anything? Good evening, uh, Mr. Mayor and Council. Uh, nothing to report from the administrator's office, but happy to answer questions. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Allrighty. Anybody have any questions for Kevin? All right. Council presentations. Anybody have any? Councilmember Moore? [18:49] **Council Member Kari Moore**: I do not. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: I do. I might steal your thunder. **Council Member Kari Moore**: Oh. Do you want to look at my list first? **Council Member Katie Wrich**: No, I did not look at your [laughter] list. I just—I can't express how strongly I support this civic pledge. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Yeah. **Council Member Katie Wrich**: And uh I think as leaders, we have a duty to um to serve with—with—honor and civility. Um, and I think as a council, we—at least in my year—we've really embodied these principles. Um, which I'm—I'm—very proud of. But I just wanted to say I'm proud of my colleagues. Um, and thank you for signing this pledge. It's a wonderful thing. [19:17] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: I agree. **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Yeah. No, just to follow up on this park. I mean, there was a lot of hands that went into this park. Public works director Corey Tietz, Andrew Gitzlaff, Hannah Dunn, our Parks Rec Commission. We got so many feedback from kids about swings and you know what happened? We added more swings, right? So, the effort that went into this is really resulting in something that I'm really proud of. I think the community is going to love. [19:42] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: But as we start to redevelop our parks, there's going to be more feedback coming in the coming months for Tower and Golf View and Tanners. So, be on the lookout. We're excited for that feedback. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Yeah. I also want to add—uh—to that—um—a thank you to Enclave, the—the—developer on this project. You know, a lot of cities butt heads with developers. Um, that's just how it happens. Um, Oakdale has always had a bit of a different approach and on this project specifically, Enclave has stepped up and been an active partner and, you know, engaged in dialogue with us. Um, it's not in every city where a developer picks up the tab of half of a park and any cost overruns. And so, we were able to find a model to find a proposal that worked for both parties, gets an amazing park built into this new—our newest [20:28] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: neighborhood in—in—our city. Um and that—that—doesn't happen everywhere. And so, you know, having Enclave as part of this project has been—um—really beneficial. So, I want to say a big thank you to them. Um I have a few announcements. City offices and facilities will be closed this Monday, February 16th, in observance of President's Day. Uh staff will be back to resume regular hours on Tuesday. Um also, just a reminder, emergency services are always available, so if you need those, please call 911. Uh just three Oakdale indoor markets remain for the season. Stop by the next indoor market on Saturday, February 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Discovery Center. Shop local and discover unique and creative goods from more than 20 local vendors. Finally, City of Oakdale's hiring. We have a lot of job opportunities if you want to join us here at the City of Oakdale. Uh [21:14] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: opportunities include a GIS coordinator, community development intern, a city engineer, police officer, seasonal outdoor maintenance, summer recreation youth program instructor, street maintenance, uh building inspector, or we're looking for a mechanic. Uh you can check out all of our current employment opportunities on the city website, oakdalemn.gov. [21:32] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Um just select employment on the homepage. Um wide array. Some of those are seasonal jobs, part-time seasonal jobs. So um for any college students that might be returning home for the summer, those are great opportunities to—to—make some money and stay involved with the city. Um but we hope everybody will—will—join us here at the city of Oakdale. Uh finally, I—uh—I need to offer a little mea culpa. Um, I had a resident reach out, none too pleased, uh, about my advice at our last city council meeting about lighting a match on your crispy Christmas trees in your backyard. Um, I should not be condoning—uh—open flame like that. Uh, so I do apologize. Um, but seriously, I hope your Christmas trees are gone by now. [22:15] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: So, it's February. You know what? Figure something out. So, um, my bad. Sorry. Uh, let's pay some bills. Uh claims roster in front of us. January 28th, 2026 through February 10th, 2026, $1.2 million and change. Council members, are there any claims we need to pull for additional information? [22:34] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All right. Who wants to make the motion? **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 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**: So move. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? **Council Member**: Second. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion to second. All those in favor say I. [22:50] **Council Members**: I. **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you and good night.