City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025

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[Music] Alrighty. Are we on? My red light's not on. We're good. Cool. All right. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, May 13, 2025. Sarah, will you please take the role? Council member Moore, here. Council member Morham, here. Council member Severson here. Council member Willing here. Mayor Zabel here. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. First up on our agenda tonight is the approval of the agenda. Council members, we have a slightly amended version in front of us. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? Make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. All those in favor say I. Opposed. And the agenda is adopted. Uh next we have approval of minutes. Three sets in front of us tonight. First up, workshop meeting minutes April 22nd, 2025. Council members, any changes or corrections? I'll look for a motion. Move. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Next up, regular meeting minutes, April 22nd, 2025. Any changes or corrections? I'll look for a motion. So move. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion, a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And regular meeting minutes April 22nd, 2025 are adopted. Next up, emergency meeting minutes for May 1st, 2025. Council members, any changes or corrections? Look for a motion. So move. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And those minutes are approved as well. Under public hearing tonight, we have one item, our annual uh storm water pollution prevention plan. Um annual report. Uh Mr. Bachmire, welcome. Yes. Good evening, mayor and council. As the mayor's indicated, this is our annual hearing. It has been posted and published, and it's an opportunity for the public to come and express any concerns they may have regarding our surface waters, our lakes, our creeks, and our wetlands. Um, it is part of our storm water pollution prevention program. And I do have a presentation if I could put it on overhead. There it is. Okay. All right. Thank you. Again, this is required as part of our uh permit. There are two parts to it. There is a construction permit that's required for every construction project. Uh the current permit was issued August of 2023 and expires in 2028. So, we have a few more years on that project. The uh storm water pollution prevention MS4 general permit expires this coming December and that's for our storm sewer system. So, there is a a requirement that we uh reapply for that permit and that's going to be coming up here shortly. Uh the current permit, we did receive coverage in October 15th of 2021. So, the new permit will be uh coming out here this coming year. There's going to be a two-part application process where we have to apply for the permit and then we'll there'll be some conditions that'll need to be included in there. the application will have to address our um our current storm water pollution prevention program. We'll have to continue uh improving our best management practices in the six control areas. Uh we'll be looking at trying to manage our pollutant loads that go to our wetlands and service waters and then also uh working with uh the responsible parties within the city. Again, as I mentioned, the the reissuance of the permit, uh once that's issued, we will uh be notified. There'll be a public notice and there'll be a 30-day period for people to comment on our new permit application. Uh we'll have to address those and then it'll go into effect uh 12 months from that date of coverage. Uh there are some things that we've already been aware that's going to be required in the new permit. Um they're going to have to be more specific and measurable goals. Uh there's going to be a prohibition on firefighting foams that contain PAS and also uh water quality trading uh will be an opportunity. The current status we're we're pretty much uh complete on our current permit. There are just a couple of things that we're still working on. One is a checklist being developed for grading and erosion control. We do have the the checklist in place and we just need to incorporate it in our policy. and then continuing to work on our elicit discharge inspections um throughout the community. So, with that, I'd stand for any questions that council may have. Council members, any questions for Brian? All righty. And this is a public hearing, so uh in just a minute, I'm going to go ahead and open up the public hearing to any comments from the audience. Just a quick reminder about our procedure here. Um we invite everybody to step up to the podium. Uh we will be accepting comments on this agenda item only. Um, if you would like to say anything, please begin with your name and address of the record. Um, and please confine your comments to three minutes or less. Um, at this time, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing uh for anybody that would like to comment. Whoa, slow down, everybody. All right, seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing. Uh, we don't need to take action, right? It's just doing the public hearing. Yep. Okay, so we're going to keep things moving and go into open forum. Before we open the floor, I have a few proclamations to issue. Um, first of all, recognizing mental health awareness month. Whereas mental health is an essential essential component for overall well-being, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and influencing our ability to cope with life's challenges, build meaningful relationships, and pursue other goals and dreams. And whereas mental health awareness month provides an opportunity to raise awareness, promote understanding, and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness, as well as encouraging open dialogue, compassion, and support for individuals living with mental health conditions and their families. And whereas mental health affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. And addressing mental health needs is essential for fostering resilience, promoting recovery, and improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities. And whereas mental health awareness month highlights the importance of access to mental health care and support services, advocating for equitable access to treatment resources and interventions that address the diverse needs of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. And whereas mental health awareness month celebrates the resilience and strength of individuals living with mental illness, recognize their courage, determination, and achievements in overcoming obstacles, seeking help, and embracing hope and healing. And whereas mental health awareness month serves as a call to action for individuals, communities, pol and policy makers to prioritize mental health and well-being, invest in prevention, early intervention and support services, and to work together to create a more inclusive and compassionate and supportive society. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as mental health awareness month in the city of Oakdale. We also have a proclamation recognizing National Police Week. Whereas in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Pe uh National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week to pay special recognition to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. And whereas the International Association of Chiefs of Police has declared uh police officer safety and wellness a top priority. And the IAP's Center for Officer Safety and Wellness promotes the importance of individual agency, family, and community safety and wellness. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police department, and that members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property by protecting them against violence and disorder, and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression and intimidation. And whereas the city of Oakdale commends the brave men and women of our law enforcement community for continually summoning the courage to fulfill their so solemn oath and to protect and serve. And whereas the city of Oakdale also takes pause to remember those men and women of our law enforcement community who have lost their lives or have suffered permanent disabilities defending their communities. And whereas the city of Oakdale honors police uh Burnsville police officers Matthew Rugie and Paul Elmstrand for their ultimate sacrifice given on February 18th, 2024. Therefore, I come as able mayor of Vogdale, Minnesota to hereby proclaim May 7 uh May 11th through 17th, 2025 as national police week to commemorate police officers past and present but uh who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedicated service to their communities and in doing so have established for themselves an enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all Oakdale residents. Finally, a proclamation recognizing public works week. Whereas public works work services provided in our community are an integral part of our citizens everyday lives. And whereas the support of an understanding and informed citizen citizenry is vital to the efficient operation of public works systems and programs such as water, sewers streets park forestry environmental services, public buildings, and fleet services. And whereas the health and safety and comfort of this community greatly depends on these services. And whereas the quality and effectiveness of these facilities as well as their planning, design and construction are vitally dependent upon the efforts and skill of public works staff. And whereas the efficiency and qual uh the efficiency of the qualified and dedicated personnel who staff our public works departments uh is materially influenced by the people's attitude and understanding of the importance of the work they perform. And whereas the American Public Works Association will celebrate the 65th annual National Public Works Week, which will be held the 3rd week of May with the theme people, purpose, presence. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the week of May 18th through the 24th, 2025 as public works week and acknowledge the important contributions that the public works department makes every day to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life in the city of Oakdale. May is always a very special time when we get to recognize um two departments at the same time. Um and I've said it before, I think every elected official that has served this city has said it before. We will stack our police department and our public works departments up against any cities. We truly have some of the absolute finest employees and more importantly people um in our in our city government um doing the public's work, providing critical services, providing necessary safety in our communities. So to both our police department and our public works departments, we thank you. Um we could not do the city would not exist without you. Um and uh please keep up the great work. We truly truly appreciate everything you do for our residents, businesses, and city as a whole. Uh next up is oh open forum. Uh this is an opportunity for anybody in the audience. If you'd like to step up to the podium and share anything that's on your mind, please feel free to do so. Similar rules as public forum. Start with your name and address for the record. uh and try to keep your comments to three minutes or so, but the floor is open. Seeing none, we will move on to consensus motions. Council members, we have A through I in front of us tonight. Um are there any that council members would like to pull for individual consideration? Seeing none, I'll look for a motion. Mr. Mayor, I'll move approval of consensus motions A through I as presented. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed and A through I are approved. Next up is our opportunity to check in with our advisory boards and commissions. It looks like the only one that met was the planning commission. Council member Willing, you are their liaison. What's our planning commission up to these days? So, they had a a public hearing on a conditional use permit for Oak Liquor uh for an electronic dynamic business sign, which was pretty cool. And then also for the Willowbrook 12th edition plan, unit development amendment, final plan, and site plan. All passed, which I believe is the final edition up there. That's exciting. The last one. Alrighty, we'll keep things rolling. Check in. Oh, move on to award bids. We have a couple tonight. Uh I'm going to guess public works director. Corey, come on down. Walk us through these two action items. Uh thank you, mayor. I'll take the uh the first one about the Willoughbrook Park uh project. So, this is an extension of the conversation that has been ongoing for quite some time. Uh back on March 11th, uh you as council members approved uh plans and specifications for uh what will become the Willowbrook West and North projects. Um as well as the installation of a uh restroom and open air shelter picnic area there. Uh at the previous council meeting, we did approval for uh architect for the restroom. This is another approval. As part of that same project, uh we went to put out a request for bids and seeking a general contractor for the larger scope of the project, site work, uh site amenities, landscaping, uh really the the main body of the project that's going to happen out there. So, we're very happy over the 22 days uh that that was out to bid that we received uh seven bids from different contractors. were um very competitive, very happy with all of the contractors that went through. Ultimately, um Sunra Construction uh was the low bidder uh with a bid a base bid of $890,650. Um all in told uh the project we originally had an estimate um for the project with to include a 10% contingency of $979, uh715. And with this one uh coming with the contingency um number into that, we were $9,742 under our projection. So that that was definitely favorable um uh for us and we're happy to move forward with it. Um just as a reminder for um for council and for those members of the public that um that may be curious, the funding sources through this project uh started as a consortium of a couple different projects. The council moved to merge those ultimately settling on a overall project budget of 2,66,000. We at this point with the bids that we've received so far we're projecting to be about 2,65,000. So we're just under $1,000 under that. Um but that also does include some um alternates for pick some shade features and then some lighting which at this point staff is requesting that we table those decisions. We're only asking you to um requesting that you accept the bid and recommending that uh the council accepts the bid for Sunram Construction. Again, their base bid of $890,650. And once we um as we work with the architect and finalize the details of that restroom and open air shelter and are able to finalize exactly what those numbers will be, we um at that time we would come back to the council with uh requesting uh your feedback on uh how you would like to proceed with any alternates and we'll be in a a much better position overall to ensure that we stay within that budget line. So with that, happy to answer any questions. Council members, any questions for Corey? I have one. How long are the bids for the alternates valid for? So, and do we expect having that decision before those bids expire? Yes. So, Sunramm Construction, they were responsible for two of them as far as the or they're in their bid um as bid alternates for shade features. I spoke with the uh the owner um of a president of that company myself and has no concern with delaying that. uh we're we're expecting um to be able to come back to you in July uh whether it's the first or second meeting with those and um we'll be able to they feel that they'll be able to adjust their project schedule to accommodate that um that would be shooting and as far as the lighting goes that's with a separate contractor must go and and there's no concern with us um actually the numbers that you see in the table provided in the RCA you know while we had a almost a $9,000 um difference in the general contractor price there's only about $1,000 difference because when we came to you in March, those were um estimates. We didn't have the final numbers for the electrical and we have since received those. So, the numbers in the table are are final and so they're aware of our intent to um delay that decision in the whole situation of, you know, what we're trying to achieve and are are willing to support that. Okay. Uh council members, any other questions? All right. Let's take that first action item. I'll make a motion wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-43 awarding the bid for city project P2025-02 Willoughbrook Park West and Willowbrook Park North for construction and general contractor services. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And resolution 2025-43 is adopted. Uh one more action item. Sure, I can do that. Uh make a motion. There's no presentation, Chris. It's just straight up. Okay, perfect. Thank you. Make a motion to authorize the mayor and city administrator to enter into an agreement between the city of Oakdale and Sun Ram Construction, Inc. for construction and general contracting services. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion, a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And then authorization is given. Uh staff reports. One item under community development tonight. Community development director gets welcome. Uh thank you, mayor, council. Uh Andrew Goff, community development director. The item before you for approval is final plat of Oakdale Farms edition, which is the forefront commercial site. As a reminder, final plat uh if they're consistent with the preliminary plaque go directly to council. This site is located at 3500 High Point North. Uh basically between the new Aldi and the new Starbucks. It's zoned Immatian PUB. commercial sites are allowed and it is guided commercial as well. Uh the purpose of this subdivision is currently it's one uh single lot and the uh owner developer would like to replplat that into four individual lots to allow for uh potential selling off of those individual parcels at at a later date. Um there was a slight modification um since the from the uh uh resolution that was in the packet where we had two conditions and I believe you have a revised uh copy in front of you that only has one condition. U we did receive clarification that the uh the former condition that um they modify the resolution or the easement related to a private utility easement that's been addressed. they provided the significant documentation. So just to make this clean, we'd uh uh request that uh council would act on the revised resolution that has just one condition and I'll read that which is the final plat must be revised as necessary to meet all city attorneys plat opinion and the buyer developer shall further adhere to all recommendations of the city attorney regarding title matters and recording instructions for instruments associated with the development. Perfect. Council members, any questions for Andy? All right, I'll look for a motion. Mr. Mayor, I'll uh move that we wave reading adopt resolution 2025-10 approving the final plat of Oakdale fifth edition with conditions including the attached resolution as revised. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. And resolution 2025-10 is adopted. Thank you, Andy. Thank you. Uh, next up, let's check in with our city attorney. Jim, welcome. Anything for us tonight, Mr. Mayor, members of Council, nothing specific tonight. Happy to answer questions, though. Anybody have questions for Jim? Nope. All right, let's check in with There we go. I'll find the words. Let's check in with our city administrator, Chris Walkers. Chris, uh, thanks, Mr. Mayor Council. I do not have a report tonight other than what we've talked about in the workshop. So, perfect. Glad to answer any questions. Council members, any questions for Chris? All righty. How about council presentations? I have one. Council member Mor. I um just wanted to publicly thank everybody from the tree board, everybody from the city, um and everybody who helped and volunteered and supported the 50th annual Oh, what's his name? Pete Grassy. Pete Grassy uh tree giveaway uh a couple weeks ago. It I was so impressed. It was a better than welloiled machine. uh just the thought and the planning that went into that event was um impressive. So I wanted to publicly thank everybody and it was so much fun to see the members of the public as we you gently set very tall trees in um the backs of their cars and trucks and trailers and everything else. Um it just it was a wonderful wonderful day. I um want to also call out the master gardeners who supported and gave out those seedlings because my white pine seedling named Basil is uh planted in the backyard right now. So, um just what a wonderful event. After 50 years, we got the rhythm down. You know, it's a smooth event. Um doing great. I'll echo Council Member Moore's comments. A big thank you to all of our staff. Um you know, we've changed the process. We've changed the location. We've made tweaks as as we've learned more every year. It does incredibly well. Our residents love it. Um, I agree. Welloiled machine. It's a cool event. So, a big thank you to the fire department for hosting at the North Station. Um, to all of our public works crews, especially the forestry department, um, our treeboard members, master gardeners. It's a big team effort. So, pretty cool. Any day we can put 200 trees in the ground. That's right. Uh, Andy or Gary, anything over here? All righty. Uh, I got a few uh, city updates from uh, city staff. Uh, registration for early summer programming through Oakdale Recreation opens this Thursday, May 15th. There are always or there are always great programs. Um, this year is no exception. Check out the full list of programs offered and register online at oakdalefund.com. If there are summer camps you want for your kids, you got to get after it on on Thursday, May 15th. Hop online, get those those uh spots booked. Um, and a big thank you to Oakdale Recreation for putting together another great slate of summer programming for our kids. Uh the annual Jane Klein memorial spring planting event is this Saturday, May 17th, from 9:00 am to noon at Bethky Park. Uh you may have seen last year um I think it was last year, a lot of trees, dead trees, dying trees, damaged trees were cut out of there. Um and so this project is tackling the reforestation of that park this year. So um if you are interested in volunteering, uh head to the city website.gov for more information, uh and to sign up. Uh I'll be out there, so come plant a tree with me. It's a lot of fun. So um I love that park in my neighborhood. Uh, so it'll be nice to get a bunch of new trees planted there. We could definitely use some more help, though. Uh, our summer 2025 Oakdale Update newsletter should arrive in mailboxes later this week. This edition includes city news, seasonal reminders, the recreation programming, and uh, the schedule of events for Summerfest, and so much more. So, please keep an eye on your mailboxes for that. Always a ton of great information for our residents about what's going on in the city, as well as especially what's coming up in our city. So, please check that out. Speaking of Summerfest, our Cornerstone Community Celebration is just 6 weeks away. That is a little scary to say, um, but always so much fun. Mark your calendars for June 23rd through the 28th uh for Summerfest featuring crowd favorites like the Grand Parade, free concerts, uh, the Nature Preserve 5K, food trucks, fireworks, tons of kids events, bigger and better, even more than last year, which is pretty cool. Uh, so much more. You can check out the full schedule at oakdalefest.com. I also want to add a big thank you to the Oakdale Summerfest community organization, a group of volunteers who do so much work um pulling this event together. Um I met with them on Friday. They are they are full steam ahead. They are excited. They're ready to go. Um but they are putting in a lot of work to make this a big another success this year. So a big thank you to them. Finally, city offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th in obser in observance of Memorial Day. Regular hours will resume the following day. Um, hey, we even have a city council meeting that night. So, if you're looking for something to do on Tuesday, May 27th, come on down. Come hang out with us. It's in my script. Uh, claims. We got to pay the bills. Uh, claims roster, April 23rd through May 13th, 2.395 million and change. Council members, were there any claims we wanted to pull for additional information? All right. Who wants to make the motion? Make a motion to approve claims as presented. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. All those in favor say I. I. opposed. Bills are paid. Uh, can I get a motion to adjurnn? Motion. There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion a second. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Okay. Uh, nobody's opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you and good night. [Music]