This transcript reflects the Oakdale City Council meeting held on February 13, 2024. Speaker names have been assigned based on the provided official list and the context of the dialogue. **Note:** The roll call in the transcript includes members (Ho, Ingebretsen, Willenbring) who were active during this session, though some differ from the provided list. I have used the names as they appear in the official proceedings for accuracy. *** **[00:00] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** On a coffee machine there is—all right, let's go ahead and call to order the meeting of the Oakdale City Council, February 13th, 2024. Sarah, will you take the roll please? **[00:12] Sarah (City Staff):** Council Member Her? **[00:14] Council Member Ho:** Here. **[00:15] Sarah (City Staff):** Council Member Inger Briton? **[00:17] Council Member Ingebretsen:** Here. **[00:18] Sarah (City Staff):** Council Member Morcomb? **[00:20] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Here. **[00:21] Sarah (City Staff):** Council Member Willenbring? **[00:23] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Here. **[00:24] Sarah (City Staff):** Mayor Zabel? **[00:25] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Here. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. [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.] **[00:45] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** First up on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. Council members, we have a slightly amended version in front of us adding one item to consent. Looks like that's about it. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? **[00:58] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** So moved. **[01:00] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There’s a motion. Is there a second? **[01:02] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[01:03] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And the agenda is adopted. Next up we have approval of minutes. Two sets tonight. First, workshop meeting minutes from January 23rd, 2024. Council members, are there any changes or corrections? Seeing none, I'll look for a motion. **[01:25] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Moved. **[01:26] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[01:28] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[01:29] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And those minutes are adopted. Next up we have approval of minutes for the regular meeting, January 23rd, 2024. Council members, any changes or corrections? I'll look for a motion. **[01:45] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** So moved. **[01:46] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There’s a motion. Is there a second? **[01:48] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[01:49] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And those minutes are adopted as well. No public hearings tonight, so we will move into Open Forum. Open Forum is an opportunity for anybody in the audience who would like to share with us anything on your mind. Please feel free to step up to the podium, start with your name and address for the record, and then proceed with your comments. **[02:15] Michelle Sanburg:** As usual, I'm the only one. Perfect. Hi, my name is Michelle Sanburg, S-A-N-S-B-U-R-G. I live at 3748 Gershwin Avenue North, which backs up to Goose Pond Park. I was here last fall, you might remember? Egg addling, right? Yes. My dad always said I'm a bad penny; I just continue to show up till I get what I want. And I am back because Lauren told me—he actually contacted me after I was here last fall and said he didn't know what I said when I was here, but it looked like maybe something was going to get done and I'd be hearing from someone. That was within a week of the last time I attended, which I think was October, but I could be wrong. I've heard nothing. Have you heard they're back? There were 16 of them in my yard two days ago. So they're going to start nesting here pretty soon. And to remind you, I had 64 goslings in my yard at one time last year. They come back to where they're born to nest. I'm going to get fined for watering my yard because that's the only way I know how to clean up goose poop twice a day. You can't use my yard if the goose population—if something isn't done. So I'm back asking if anything is going to be done, if anyone has contacted the DNR to get a permit for goose addling, or if they've come up with another plan. But it's really a shame that I can't use my yard, can't have my grandchildren over to play in the yard. I have the greenest grass, but then they seem to like that, so then they sit in my yard instead of anyone else's who's not grass. So I'm just here to see if anything has been decided or if there's any hope. Otherwise, who's going to pay for me to be in the insane asylum this summer? So thank you. **[04:20] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Thank you. Typically, we don't respond to public comments during Open Forum, but I will break the rules just this once. I don’t—we haven't touched it. I will be honest about that. I would maybe re-refer this to staff to see if we can pull together some information and have a conversation at our next workshop to see if there is appetite to move forward with possible options. I don't even know what options would be; I would assume similar to what we do with the bow hunt, maybe a third party. **[04:48] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Mr. Mayor, City Council—the last conversation I had about this, it was a City Forester responsibility that was going to follow up. So I'm not quite sure about the how, anyway, but he did call you? **[05:05] Michelle Sanburg:** But there was no follow-up. Somebody else was going to call. **[05:08] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Yeah, okay. It would be a third party. You know, it's private property; there's all kinds of factors here that we need to talk about. So I guess, yes, I can absolutely get some information. We can put it on a Council Workshop agenda to see the intent of the Council. That's what we'll need. **[05:25] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Next progress. **[05:26] Michelle Sanburg:** All right. Perfect. All I ask. Perfect. Thank you for coming in. **[05:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Thank you. Is there anybody else that would like to speak under Open Forum tonight? Gabe, you're the only other one in the audience. Good. Thank you. Okay, we're going to keep things going and move on to Consensus Motions. Council members, tonight we have A through H in front of us. Are there any ones that council members would like to pull for individual consideration? Hearing none, I'll look for a motion. **[05:55] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** I'll make a motion to approve Consensus Motions A through H as presented. **[06:00] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[06:01] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[06:02] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And those are approved. Next is our opportunity to check in with our advisory boards and commission. We have a few that met more recently. So let's check in with the Economic Development Commission and Council Member Her, who is their liaison. **[06:20] Council Member Ho:** Yeah, we met last week Wednesday. We had our appreciation dinner with our commissioners and then went into open conversation regarding just kind of what the commission was looking for from us and what we were looking from them. Just getting some general consensus on where the direction of the commission was both seeing, and then also understanding what the work plan was that they had produced out of that commission as well. Kevin, anything else that you would want to add from that? **[06:55] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** That's it. Yep. Thank you for that, Noah. Next, we’ll check in with the Environmental Management Commission. They met last night; I am their liaison. Let's see... on their agenda, they reviewed the 2023 recycling grant that we get every year—well, I shouldn't say every year, we shouldn't assume we're going to get the grant, but we've been pretty successful with that from Washington County. I believe that's what we use to fund the new trash and recycling receptacles, mostly at Oakdale Park, right? **[07:25] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Yes. **[07:26] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Mostly, yeah. So that's, you know, having a recycling option for residents as they walk through a park is kind of a cool new thing that's going on in Oakdale. The grant covered most of those costs. Under new business, they talked about a few different things: County Recycling Grant projects for 2024, what they want to focus on, as well as tossing around the idea of some sort of environmental fair—an opportunity for residents to come together and learn more about energy-efficient things or improvements that people can make in their homes. You know, talk with Xcel Energy or utility companies about renewable energy, learn more about EV vehicles. So they're just kind of tossing that idea around right now and we'll see if something can come together. Oh, and then they got an update on the Home Energy Squad rebate program that Council initiated late last year. Planning also met, Council Member Ingebretsen? **[08:20] Council Member Ingebretsen:** Yeah, they just had one item on the agenda and that was the Oakdale Marketplace and Oakdale Station planned use development study. Just a discussion on that. **[08:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Perfect. No meeting for Parks and Rec or the Tree Board. **[08:33] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Parks and Rec meet next week. **[08:34] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Oh, next week, yeah. Water bid, nothing tonight. So we will move into Staff Reports. Community Development has a few items. First up, tree variance. Planning Manager Luke McClanahan. Welcome. **[08:48] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** Thank you, Mayor. So yes, this is a tree variance request. The property is 6458 26th Street. So it's at the corner of Granada and 26th Street. It's a vacant site, it's about just under half an acre. The property owner is seeking to build a new single-family home on that site. It contains a number of trees. The city's tree regulations limit the number of significant trees that can be removed, and there's a certain definition for significant trees; it really depends on the species and the diameter of the tree or, in some cases, the height of the tree. In this case, up to 20% of significant trees can be removed, and to exceed that 20% threshold, the property owner needs Council approval to do so, and they must also follow the city's tree replacement schedule. In reviewing the request, the property owner provided an acceptable tree preservation plan that was prepared by a licensed arborist. Per the city's tree ordinance, the builder can remove up to six of the significant trees on site, and they are proposing to provide or to install eight replacement trees. So they're going above and beyond what's required. Staff finds that the criteria for approving a tree variance for this site has been met and staff recommends approval subject to the conditions that are found in the language for a motion. I'll just summarize those briefly: eight replacement trees must be planted in accordance with the applicant's tree preservation plan, and then a $1,000 escrow will be provided to the city for the replacement trees. Happy to answer any questions that you have. **[10:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Council members, any questions for Luke? **[10:33] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Just real quick, did this come before one of the—the Planning Commission? **[10:37] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** No, this one is just direct to the Council. That's correct. **[10:40] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Okay. **[10:41] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Council members, anything else? I have a couple. We—I can't recall us ever doing a tree variance, or not recently, other than Public Works. **[10:48] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** I was just thinking the same thing. **[10:49] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** When does that escrow get released? **[10:52] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** I'd have to look back at the [code] if there is a timeframe, but typically what we look for is for trees to survive for two full growing seasons. So I think that's the standard we would look for. **[11:05] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Okay. And for this project, the single-family home, will there be other city government stops for that? Planning Commission, or here, or is it kind of on its own? The question I'm getting at is I know the city has a couple small parcels to the east of there—I don't know why, to be honest—also I know there's an existing single-family home to the west of there. I'm guessing they may have some questions or comments about a lot that's been vacant or has been woodland this entire time. So I'm just wondering if there is another stop or if they just go forward working with Planning and Zoning and the building department. **[11:38] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** It's the latter, Mr. Mayor. So it's simply a matter of getting the building permit for the house and following the tree preservation requirements. Our City Forester will be out there to inspect and make sure that everything is looking okay. **[11:51] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Okay. Fair enough. Council members, any other questions? I'll look for a motion. **[11:57] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** I'll make a motion to approve the tree variance request for 6458 26th Street North subject to the applicant complying with the city's tree replacement schedule with conditions as follows: The applicant shall plant eight replacement trees on the property in accordance with the tree preservation plan submitted by the applicant, and the applicant shall provide a $1,000 escrow in accordance with the City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances Chapter 22 Article 4 Section 22-08B. **[12:28] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[12:30] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[12:31] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? **[12:33] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** One actually—one more question. Was this parcel the one that was tax forfeited? **[12:38] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** Yeah. **[12:39] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Okay. I was watching it too. That's what I thought. **[12:41] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** In my neighborhood, yeah. **[12:42] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Okay, yep. Motion, second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that variance is approved. Next up we have a conditional use permit site plan for the Public Works facility. Luke is back. **[12:58] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** Yes, thank you. The location of the proposed Public Works facility is 3200 Granada Avenue. Purpose is to enable the development of the new Public Works facility, and the new facility will continue providing critical public services to Oakdale's growing population. It's a two-part request, as the Mayor mentioned; it's a CUP and site plan. So the CUP essentially allows the underlying land use to occur—so that's the public building—and then the site plan review is to ensure technical conformance with our zoning ordinance. The property is zoned IOD, that's Industrial Office. Public buildings are allowed in all zoning districts through the CUP process. A little bit of details about the property: it's 9.2 acres, it's a vacant site, it's surrounded by other industrial-zoned properties. There's a broadcasting facility to the west and then residences on the east side of Granada Avenue. This property contains known ground contaminants and it's a 3M site that has contaminations. 3M currently owns that site. As you know, cleanup and remediation of the site is completely separate from the CUP and site plan. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is the government organization responsible for reviewing and approving the remediation, and then 3M is responsible for the cleanup. The Planning Commission held a public hearing for this request on January 4th. One neighbor did voice some concerns about this request—opposition to it based on its location. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the CUP and site plan. There was also an open house held on January 25th where members of the public could learn more about the project and also about remediation of the contaminations. In reviewing these two requests, staff finds that both the CUP and site plan applications meet the city's zoning ordinance as detailed in the staff report on file subject to certain conditions being met. Staff recommends approval of those two requests subject to the following conditions—and bear with me, I'll go through those and summarize them. In the resolution for the CUP, there's three conditions: 1. Approval of a site plan that corresponds with the Public Works facility. 2. Permits and approvals obtained from the Watershed District. 3. Approvals obtained from the MPCA to address site contaminations. And then moving on to the resolution for the site plan, there's eight conditions here: 1. Approval of an associated CUP for this Public Works building. 2. Approvals from the Watershed District. 3. Approval of the site civil construction plans by the city engineer. 4. Approval from the Fire Department for the proposed hydrant locations and fire department connections. 5. A photometric plan be provided that is in compliance with our requirements. 6. The developer provide an updated site plan showing proposed rooftop and ground mechanical equipment and methods of screening. 7. Approvals obtained from MPCA to address site contaminations and cleanup. 8. Tree replacement for 108 significant trees at a cost determined by the City Administrator be provided to the city by 3M to satisfy tree replacement requirements. And I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have. **[16:38] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Council members, any questions for Luke either on the CUP or the site plan? Seeing none, I will look for a motion. **[16:47] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Resolution 2024-17 approving a conditional use permit for the construction of a new Public Works facility at 3200 Granada Avenue North with conditions included in the attached resolution. **[17:02] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[17:04] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[17:05] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that resolution is adopted. Site plan approval? Can I get a motion? **[17:16] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Resolution 2024-18 approving the site plan for the new City of Oakdale Public Works facility at 3200 Granada Avenue North with conditions included in the attached resolution. **[17:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[17:31] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[17:32] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that site plan is approved. Next up is Administrator's report. Oh, sorry Jim, jumped right over you there. Check in with our City Attorney, bottom of that page. Anything else? **[17:53] Jim (City Attorney):** Mayor, members of Council, nothing specific to report, but happy to answer questions. **[18:00] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Council members, any questions for Jim? I knew I couldn't say turn right until I turn left already, so turn right. Chris, anything for us tonight? **[18:10] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Thank you, Mayor and Council. I do have two items. The first is for what we've been working on, that Chapter 14 special events. We needed to update the city code with clarification needed on that, and block parties, and some authority and processes. It's been through Workshop, etc. We posted it online as per the State Statute. So now that is before you, so you've got a resolution there and I'd request approval of that. **[18:38] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Council members, any questions for Chris? **[18:41] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Just a quick question actually. I know there's actually a few businesses looking to have block parties this summer. I'm not sure if they've reached out to the city, but I imagine we can follow up with a few of those and I can share the names I know of just to make sure that they know these new rules are going into effect. **[18:58] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Our licensing department would be happy to do that. **[19:01] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Perfect, thank you. **[19:02] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Any final questions or comments? Okay, I'll look for a motion. **[19:07] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Ordinance Number 922 amending the Code of Ordinances for the City of Oakdale Chapter 14 Article 3 Special Events and Article 4 Block Parties. **[19:19] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[19:21] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[19:22] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that ordinance change is adopted. One more dealing with publishing title and summary. Can I get a motion? **[19:35] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Resolution 2024-19 authorizing the publication of Ordinance Number 922 by title and summary. **[19:46] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[19:48] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[19:49] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Anybody final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that is approved as well. Ms. Volkers, one more from you. **[20:00] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** Mayor, Council—the next item, this already went through Council and the proper postings were done and all the communications and everything, but there is one—a couple things that happened in between and some clerical error that needed to be fixed. So this has been posted, and what I need you to do, I'm recommending you do, is redo the motions that we did prior. What this essentially does is put off the franchise fee for Xcel—not for the other two providers—until April 1st. So the franchise fee change will not go into effect till April 1st because of this. **[20:40] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** On electric and gas, correct? **[20:42] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** On electric—sorry, yes. **[20:44] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Okay. Council members, any questions for Chris? All right, I'll look for a motion. **[20:51] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Ordinance Number 923 amending Ordinance Number 917 setting a franchise fee on electric operations within the City of Oakdale, Northern States DBA Xcel Energy. **[21:03] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[21:05] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[21:06] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? [Council Member Ho: Nay.] And that passes 4 to 1. Next up is dealing with publishing by title and summary. Can I get a motion? **[21:20] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt Resolution 2024-20 authorizing publication of Ordinance Number 923 by title and summary. **[21:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[21:31] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[21:32] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that is approved as well. Jake, keep going, you're on a roll. **[21:42] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Make a motion to wave reading and adopt Ordinance Number 924 amending Ordinance Number 918 setting a franchise fee on gas operations within the City of Oakdale, Northern States Power DBA Xcel Energy. **[21:55] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[21:57] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[21:58] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? [Council Member Ho: Nay.] And that ordinance is approved 4 to 1. Last one, Jake. **[22:08] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Make a motion to wave reading and adopt Resolution 2024-21 authorizing publication of Ordinance Number 924 by title and summary. **[22:18] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[22:19] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Second. **[22:20] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And that ordinance is published. Thank you. Next up, Council Presentations. Anybody want to go first? Anybody have anything down here? I have nothing. Nothing from me. How about down here? **[22:42] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Nothing for me. **[22:43] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Nothing for me. **[22:44] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** All right, well, I just have a few. Starting this Friday, you can early vote in the presidential nomination primary here at City Hall. Voting hours at City Hall are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 1st, with the exception of next Monday, February 19th. City Hall will be closed due to President's Day. Additional voting hours at City Hall will be offered on Saturday, March 2nd from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Monday, March 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, visit the city's website, OakdaleMN.gov. As I just alluded to, City of Oakdale offices will be closed this Monday, February 19th, in observance of the President's Day holiday. Hard to believe, but just three Oakdale indoor markets remain for the season on Saturdays: February 24th, March 9th, and March 23rd. All of them are 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Discovery Center. Great opportunity to shop from more than 20 local vendors offering, gosh, everything. There's a lot of arts and crafts and food items up there, so we encourage you to check it out. This one's been a little tricky this year, but even though there is no snow, we want to see your winter photos! Submit your picks for our winter photo contest by February 29th. The contest is open to Oakdale residents only and photos must be taken in Oakdale. For full contest rules and the submission form, visit OakdaleMN.gov. And I'm going to segue a little bit—I took a really cool picture today. The maple tree in my neighbor's yard was leaking sap and it froze, so it's icicles off of the branch. I'm like, how cool is that? **[24:18] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Yeah, so we'll see a submission from you this year? **[24:20] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** No, I'm not eligible. No fun for us. Finally, we have an update on the 4th Street Bridge removal project. Overnight closures have been happening, 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. They will be happening in the northbound lanes of 694 through this Friday. Starting at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16th to 5:00 a.m. Monday, February 19th, expect a full weekend closure of 694 between 10th Street and I-94. Please follow the posted detour via I-94 and 35E. For more information and to sign up for construction updates from Metro Transit, visit the Metro Transit Gold Line site, and I think you can find that link on our city website. All right, time to pay the bills. Council members, in front of us we have a claims roster for January 24th through February 13th in the amount of 2.2 million and change. Can I get a motion? **[25:15] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Make a motion to approve claims as presented. **[25:18] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[25:20] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[25:21] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? Bills are paid. Can I get a motion to adjourn? **[25:30] Council Member Andy Morcomb:** Moved. **[25:31] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** There's a motion. Is there a second? **[25:33] Council Member Jake Willenbring:** Second. **[25:34] Mayor Kevin Zabel:** Motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. [Council: Aye.] Opposed? And we are adjourned. Thank you and good night.