Based on the context provided for the City of Oakdale and the dialogue within the transcript, here is the formatted version with speaker identifications. Note: Some names in the roll call (e.g., "Ina Britson", "Willenbring") appear to be mis-transcriptions or previous members; I have mapped the dialogue to the current officials provided in your list where context suggests. *** **[00:00] Kevin Zabel:** well yeah that's a challenge yeah okay we're on air we're going to go ahead and call to order the March 26th meeting of the Oakdale city council uh Sarah will you take the role **[00:08] Sarah (City Staff):** council member Moore? **[00:10] Kari Moore:** here **[00:11] Sarah (City Staff):** council member Severson? **[00:13] Gary Severson:** here **[00:14] Sarah (City Staff):** council member Morcomb? **[00:15] Andy Morcomb:** here **[00:16] Sarah (City Staff):** council member Wrich? **[00:18] Katie Wrich:** here **[00:19] Sarah (City Staff):** mayor Zabel? **[00:20] Kevin Zabel:** here please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance **[00:25] 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 **[00:35] Kevin Zabel:** first up on the agenda tonight is the approval of the agenda council members we have an amended version in front of us adding a couple items can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended **[00:45] Kari Moore:** so moved **[00:46] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[00:47] Gary Severson:** second **[00:48] Kevin Zabel:** motion a second any comments all those in favor say I **[00:52] Council Members:** I **[00:53] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and the agenda is adopted next up we have approval of the minutes two sets in front of us tonight first up Workshop meeting minutes from March 12th 2024 council members any changes or Corrections I'll look for motion **[01:05] Andy Morcomb:** move **[01:06] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[01:07] Katie Wrich:** second **[01:08] Kevin Zabel:** motion a second final comments all those in favor say I **[01:11] Council Members:** I **[01:12] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and those minutes are approved next up we have regular meeting minutes from March 12th 2024 council members any changes or Corrections I'll look for motion **[01:21] Gary Severson:** so moved **[01:22] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[01:23] Kari Moore:** second **[01:24] Kevin Zabel:** motion a second final comments all those in favor say I **[01:27] Council Members:** I **[01:28] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and the regular meeting minutes are approved as well uh next up on the agenda is public hearings we don't have any schedule tonight so we'll keep moving into open Forum um before we open the floor for open Forum I do have two proclamations um that the city will be issuing that I'd like to read uh first up is a proclamation recognizing autism acceptance month whereas on March 4th 2021 the Autism Society of America officially announced the shift in terminology from Autism Awareness Month to autism acceptance month and whereas April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for the condition that occurs in one in every 54 children as of 2020 in the United States and whereas autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the world and whereas autism is a complex developmental condition affecting the patients's ability to interact communicate and pro uh progress and has not one but many uh different subtypes and whereas the first whereas first held in the year 1972 by the Autism Society autism acceptance month emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance celebrate the differences and be more inclusive towards autistic individuals all around us and whereas with the autism diagnosis rate increasing fast we take these 30 days in April to celebrate the differences of learn more about and Empower autistic individuals therefore I Kevin Zabel mayor of Oakdale Minnesota do hereby proclaim the month of April 2024 as autism acceptance month We also have a proclamation recognizing Parkinson's Awareness Month whereas Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive neurological disease and it's the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States and whereas Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect approximately 1 million people in the United States and the prevalence will rise to 1.2 million by the year 2030 and whereas Parkinson's disease is the 14th leading cause of death in in the United States according to the uh Centers for Disease Control and prevention and whereas it is estimated that the economic burden of Parkinson's disease is at least $52 billion annually including direct and indirect costs including treatment Social Security payments and lost income to patients and family members and whereas research suggests the cause of Parkinson's disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors but the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown and whereas there is no objective test or biomarker for Parkinson's Disease and there is no cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of the disease whereas the symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to person and can include Tremors slowness of movement and rigidity difficulty with balance swallowing chewing and speaking cognitive impairment and dementia mood disorders and a variety of other non-motor symptoms and whereas volunteers researchers caregivers and medical professionals are working to improve the quality of life of persons living with Parkinson's disease and their families and whereas increase research education and Community Support Services such as those provided by the American Parkinson's Disease Association the Parkinson's Foundation M Health Fairview and other organizations are needed to find more effective treatments and to provide access and quality care to those living with the disease today therefore I Kevin Zabel mayor of Oakdale Minnesota do hereby proclaim the month of April 2024 as Parkinson's Awareness Month uh we're still in open Forum this is an opportunity for anybody joining us in the audience today to step up to the microphone share anything that is on your mind um the open Forum rules uh for Oakdale ask you to keep comments to uh 3 minutes or so and please Begin by stating your name and address for the record so anybody that would like to share anything please feel free to step up **[05:22] Brian Aragoni:** My name is Brian Aragoni I live at 3014 Hemingway Avenue North Oakdale Minnesota 55128 um first and foremost just want to commend uh public works department on an excellent job keeping those roads safe and clear for all of us to attend tonight and appreciate all you guys service and uh dedication to the city of Oakdale certainly appreciated by both myself my family um and as a member of East Metro as well um I'm the president or co-president of East Metro and the current president of Tartan Area Youth Hockey Association here to discuss um some charitable gambling uh discussions that are on the agenda today um and some concerns we may have. um I think it's well known that the Borough has made a decision to go with White Bear Lake youth hockey uh which feels a little bit in our backyard certainly a competitor and our goal uh within East Metro and Tartan area is to continue to provide services for youth sports with the families that live within our city limits of Oakdale um and that feels a little bit like an infringement for our resources charitable gambling is a huge uh aspect to how we provide our services whether it's ice time whether it's uh talent development and for our families um whether keeping them here or just keeping them in our area ultimately is uh one of our goals and through charitable gambling that's our biggest resource um of income ultimately and so I did a little bit of research when I first heard the wind um I'm a big proponent of business's ability to choose on who they want to go with and have the right to make those decisions But ultimately feel that there's uh better options within our city limits that could keep those resources within the city of Oakdale um and I'll try and stay in my backyard with what I know best with East Metro however I looked in and talked to the arena manager who's a school district 622 about how much ice time White Bear truly truly uh purchased from Tartan and East Metro I know we were 35% of their total revenue uh over 432 hours purchased and White Bear Lake had only accounted for less than half of a percent of tartary overall hours purchased it came out to 5 hours over the last year uh which further kind of let me down the rabbit hole of just the confusion over why uh this decision would be made from the Borough we have families that live within these limits utilize um their restaurant and services uh multiple times a week while we're at Tartan and uh ultimately just am concerned over the direction I think there's better Alternatives while East Metro may not be one of them for the Borough certainly OAA Hillary father's club and Omer does a lot of uh charitable gambling as well so I just would like to see these resources stay within the city limits within our family I know it's been acknowledged that nine of our players uh participated over at White Bear lake that is true um but... **[08:44] Kevin Zabel:** could you wrap up your comments you are at the end of your time **[08:47] Brian Aragoni:** yep ultimately we just while we had to send nine players over there we want to keep it less than that we don't want to see nine turn into 15 or 20 so I would ask for you to vote uh what you feel is best within the city of Oakdale thank you **[09:01] Kevin Zabel:** thank you is there anybody else that would like to make comments under open form tonight um **[09:07] Laura Kirchhoff:** Laura Kirchhoff 6768 upper 35th Street North Oakdale 55128 and I'm going to follow up with Brian um in regards to East Metro and what we do and what we use that money for he kind of did touch base we do have 273 players within the community that play hockey for us um some of the money is used for recruit and retention committee which provides skate for free we do support some of the city of Oakdale events also um Friday night rink um skates that the district puts on we do support that um due to also our families all of them do not have the income to pay the full $1,900 the $2,200 that it costs to pay play um so let alone extra training they cannot go out and afford that the charitable gambling um we hired a skating coach a goalie coach this past season for two different um pre-skate and then also during the season we're looking at doing it for the summer so again additionally that gambling pays for that to allow families to not have to pay out of their pocket we also have a scholarship fund that last year we had between 10 and 15 individuals that required that let alone at the end of the season we believe everyone should have the right to play hockey we will not turn a family away we will work with them as much as we can that results in a loss because at the end of the year we still have families that may pay 350 for two months and then life happens and we cover the rest of that which is a huge loss to the association so gambling charitable gambling definitely helps out us cover our cost and help out families so kids can keep playing hockey and then recently um Tartan is going to be going through a remodel in the upcoming years I want to say and we are working with them to help fund a dry land for not only the association but also our high school so that hoping to retain people it'll also be like an area that can be rented out and provide income for the district at the same time so um I appreciate the time and as Brian said it just would feel better that if we can keep that charitable gambling within our community would help out our community the most and that's it thank you **[11:03] Kevin Zabel:** thank you is there anybody else that would like to make comments on our open form tonight seeing none we're going to go ahead and move forward with the consensus motions council members in front of us we have a through I tonight are there any that council members would like to pull for individual consideration seeing none I'll look for a motion **[11:22] Andy Morcomb:** go make a motion to approve consensus motions a through I as presented **[11:26] Kevin Zabel:** uh there's a motion is there a second **[11:27] Kari Moore:** second **[11:28] Kevin Zabel:** motion and a second final comments all those in favor say I **[11:31] Council Members:** I **[11:32] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and consensus motions are approved next up is an opportunity to check in with our advisory boards and commissions uh first up uh uh the first commission that met in in March was the Environmental Management commission I am the liazon for that group um they had a presentation from uh I guess it's technically Washington and Ramsey County um the environmental uh organization that uh oversees and administers the food scraps program so Oakdale will be uh invited or enrolled into the um dual County program starting April 1st which means our residents can request um bags uh for their their food scraps for free from um that organization um very cool project that'll be rolling out um also a lot um the food scraps that they will accept are a lot broader than we would typically think in terms of like backyard composting you know anybody that does backyard composting knows you can't do like bones and all that this group can take them because of the industrial nature of how they process all of that that compost so um we will be able to keep a lot of food waste out of our trash um system which is pretty cool I think the the stat they gave was about 30% of all trash is food waste which is a huge amount so if we can turn that back into to compost that's a pretty cool thing for our community um we're we're in technically phase two phase one rolled out with a few cities to see how it went but um Oakdale will be starting April 1st that was a bulk of it uh the other commission I met was tree board would you like me to take that one I popped by and said hi um than you once again yes absolutely uh they were working on finalizing their events for um 2024 so obviously the Arbor Day tree giveaway which I will be covering in a little bit is a big event for them they will have a spring planting event in may as well as um the buckthorne removal event weather permitting in the fall um they were also working on just some uh kind of public awareness items for some of our existing programs like the tree Trek program having conversations about how we can you know do a better job at at presenting that to the community so um there's a lot on their work plan for this year as well so our boards and commissions are very busy uh let me see next up Award of bids nothing uh staff reports will move into Community Development we have a conditional two conditional use permits uh our city planner Luke is here to walk us through both of them welcome Luke **[14:14] Luke McClanahan (Planning Manager):** thank you mayor and Council so the first cup conditional use permit is located at 4030 Granada Avenue the cup request is to allow a second garage on the property the proposed garage is to be 1,000 square feet the property is Zone R2 it's just under two acres and there is an ex an existing detached garage at the property um a second garage may be allowed through the conditional use permit review process and after reviewing the request staff finds that the request meets the zoning review criteria as detailed in the staff report on file the The Planning Commission reviewed the request back on March 7th and they recommended approval of it so staff recommends approval of the conditional use permit subject to the following conditions and this is resolution 202 24-31 in your packet uh first condition of approval is that the garage shall meet set back in height requirements number two the garage shall not exceed 1,000 square feet in size and number three a building permit must be obtained for the use I'd be happy to answer any questions **[15:13] Kevin Zabel:** council members any questions for Luke **[15:15] Andy Morcomb:** just one quick question just thank you mayor uh just to confirm this is not for commercial purposes or a business this is just for the benefit of the resident **[15:23] Luke McClanahan:** that's correct council member **[15:24] Andy Morcomb:** that's my only question thank you **[15:26] Kevin Zabel:** great uh council members I'll look for a motion **[15:29] Gary Severson:** I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2024-the permit for a second garage at 4030 Granada Avenue North with conditions included in the attached resolution **[15:43] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[15:44] Kari Moore:** second **[15:45] Kevin Zabel:** motion on a second final comments All in favor say I **[15:48] Council Members:** I **[15:49] Kevin Zabel:** opposed and that cup is approved Luke do you want to walk us through the second one **[15:53] Luke McClanahan:** yes thank you mayor so the second conditional use permit is located at 4423 Helena Way North and this request is for a home occupation it's a residential hair salon so the operations would involve just one employee who is one of the property owners there it's a single station hair salon hours of operation are proposed to be 8:00 a.m. to 2: p.m. and then again 400 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and this this is every day so Sunday through Saturday so staff has reviewed this request and finds that it meets the zoning review criteria for a cup uh as detailed in the staff report on file the Planning Commission also reviewed this request at their March 7th meeting and they recommended approval and staff recommends approval of this request and I will go through the conditions in the resolution 202 24-30 there's six conditions here number one hours of operation for the business shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday number two parking for the use shall be conducted in a manner that does not obstruct the RightWay number three no more than one outside worker shall be employed for the use number four all signage for the use shall comply with ordinance requirements number five the applicant shall maintain a valid license from the State Board of Cosmetology and finally number six the applicant shall meet all regulations set by the State Board of Cosmetology for residential salons and I'd be happy to answer your questions thank you **[17:15] Kevin Zabel:** Luke council members any questions Luke all right I'll look for a motion **[17:21] Katie Wrich:** make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2024-30 approving a conditional use permit for a home occupation hair salon at 4423 Helena Way North with conditions included in the attached resolution **[17:33] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[17:34] Gary Severson:** second **[17:35] Kevin Zabel:** motion a second final comments all those in favor say I **[17:38] Council Members:** I **[17:39] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and that cup is approved as well thank you Luke uh next up is our opportunity to check in with our City attorney Jim uh **[17:47] Jim Thompson (City Attorney):** Mr. Mayor members of council nothing specific to report happy to answer questions **[17:51] Kevin Zabel:** anybody have any questions for Jim all right let's turn to our right and check in with our city administrator Miss Volkers **[17:57] Christina Volkers (City Administrator):** hi mayor and Council um okay so there's two things under administrative report on the agenda the first is the naming of the new park in the Willowbrook neighborhood so I want to do a little bit of background to get it so the public understands and then talk about what we did and what the proposed name is and then you can take action if you want to. Willowbrook is a new 208 acre residential neighborhood located um in Oakdale north of 34th between 694 and Ideal is expected to bring more than 1,400 homes to the city of Oakdale this unique neighborhood will feature many several city parks along with new trails the first of these Parks is at 3820 Helena Avenue and is set to break ground in 2024 the park is intended to be a space of community Gathering and neighborhood events events amenities will include a playground Teen Challenge course fitness equipment nature overlooks walking path picnic shelter Mr sprayers a flexible performance Gathering um shelter and restroom facilities council did direct staff to hold a community park naming contest for that newest Park um we did that we went out to the public we received many submissions from the public it was discussed at a couple Workshop meetings and in the end there were several submissions by the public to include the name Willowbrook Commons so because of those multiple submissions for those names the council decided to name it Willowbrook Commons so that is what's before you tonight is to approve the naming of the new park in the Willowbrook neighborhood as Willowbrook Commons thank you **[19:33] Kevin Zabel:** council members any questions for Chris I'll look for motion **[19:37] Kari Moore:** I'll make a motion to approve the naming of the new park and the Willowbrook neighborhood as Willowbrook Commons **[19:42] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[19:43] Andy Morcomb:** second **[19:44] Kevin Zabel:** motion second any comments I'll just make one I want to say a big thank you to all the residents that um submitted ideas in this contest um we haven't named a park in this city in a long time um and so this was this was a cool opportunity to get residents involved um I personally was blown away at some of the creative suggestions we got which was which was pretty cool um and I think serves as a a foundation for naming future Parks you know it's always good to have a list of ideas on hand so um thank you to everybody who to took time to not only come up with names but provide some background as to why those names are being suggested we we we really do appreciate it so uh we have a motion we have a second final comments all those in favor say I **[20:25] Council Members:** I **[20:26] Kevin Zabel:** opposed and that Park is named uh one more item Chris **[20:30] Christina Volkers:** I'd like to introduce this topic I expect there will be some conversation could be we did have a couple people already mention um this is about the on-site Gambling License that has been requested by um White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association um our current city code of process and procedure is that an applicant can apply for a Gambling License the business that they're applying to do the gambling at needs to support or not in general um they are applying for um use for gambling license at the Borough the Borough management supports this request that is what's before you tonight. so you you'll notice on the agenda there is some background within the packet um about how we got here the application process and why they're requesting it why the Borough supports it um um you'll notice there's not a staff recommendation on this one so we we did not propose anything if you do agree and support this um application there is a draft resolution in the packet if you do not if you decide as a group that you do not want to support this application I would suggest that you um State your intent and that we bring back a resolution um with your intent acknowledged and written down for a resolution at the next meeting for the official vote at the next meeting that's what I'd recommend so I leave it to you to have that discussion **[21:44] Kevin Zabel:** council members any questions for Chris um **[21:48] Gary Severson:** so if I mean I'm going to vote no on this uh so if could I make a motion to deny **[21:55] Kevin Zabel:** I'm I'm going to suggest in terms of process let's get the resolution as written in the packet on the floor so we need a motion a second for it was listed as approving um we can have conversation if that vote fails then we'll take that step if it's approved we'll take that step that's going mayor y um but at least then getting the resolution on the floor then we can open conversation okay so and nobody you know if you make the motion a second that does not mean you have to vote in the end it just gets it on the floor so um are there any technical questions in terms of the application for Chris **[22:27] Andy Morcomb:** I did have one I just want to make sure I know certain licenses and permits when you apply if it in the future is not approved it can hinder their application for future licenses so for charitable gambling If This Were to be denied at a future meeting or this meeting would that prevent them from choosing another organization to engage in charitable gambling with **[22:45] Christina Volkers:** no as far as we're concerned no that absolutely not that at all irm perfect thank you **[22:50] Kevin Zabel:** uh any questions for Chris technical questions Jim **[22:54] Jim Thompson:** excuse me Mr. Mayor members of Council just to supplement the city administrator's response to that question the act the actual application for you tonight is what's called a premises permit it's technically issued by the state but they won't issue it unless the Council agrees with it so the applicant is actually the um the Hockey Association so if that were to be denied it certainly wouldn't prevent them from applying somewhere else or someone else applying at this actual location for a premises permit so I help with that they have to go hand in hand the applicant and the premise right the the owner of the property is not the applicant it's the it's the it's a Association **[23:36] Kevin Zabel:** okay uh were there any technical questions for Chris or should we get get the motion on the floor if **[23:41] Gary Severson:** yeah um thank you mayor um Chris I would like to ask U so the vetting process to get us to this point uh did the applicant the Hockey Association did they meet all of our requirements for um being eligible to be to be approved um **[24:03] Christina Volkers:** yes they did per the city code that outlines exactly that there has to be you'll see on the first page here it talks about the um you know what the regulations are and and also between the state regulations and the city code and they did meet the requirements the minimum requirements to make the application yes if that's your question yeah **[24:23] Gary Severson:** uh how about did you did to what lengths did we go at validating those uh claims that they uh that the association made or such as do you have one in particular like **[24:34] Gary Severson:** uh you know they their you know the their impact on Oakdale residents uh you know they they had noted that they support nine um Oakdale residents um do we feel like that was uh sufficient enough to **[24:52] Christina Volkers:** so that would be up to you um okay we outlined so so in their application materials we confirmed that they were being truthful if that's what you're asking um however it is up to you to the extent that they provide Financial contributions towards the city that's up to you to discuss and decide if you want to issue the permit as a result of that but technically they met the intent of the city code but the Council has discretion in this area Jim would you like to add anything **[25:17] Jim Thompson:** yes maybe I can supplement that just just a bit so um one of the one of the uh conditions for getting a license excuse me a premises permit uh is that the applicant must be a charitable organization that can demonstrate reasonable benefit through service or financial contribution to organizations in the city of Oakdale trade area. City of Oakdale trade area is not just a city it's all contiguous cities too um and the city council shall determine on a Case-by-Case basis if an organization has demonstrated that sufficient contribution has been provided so there's just there's some discretion involved in that determination and I don't think that's a finding that the staff made they just presenting the application to you because they filled out all the they met the minimum requirements to submit the application so staff has to process it so keep in mind that the trade area though does include not by state law the trade area is not just the city of Oakdale it's the city of Oakdale and every contiguous City to the to the uh uh to the city so the question that that's the one thing there was some discretion on but it's not just contributions to Oakdale it's contributions to the whole trade area so **[26:31] Gary Severson:** um City attorney Thompson so the the word that sticks out there is reasonable what's the word immediately following that contributions or benefit or **[26:40] Jim Thompson:** right that's that's correct that well what is what is the word the word I'm sorry the reason is they must demonstrate reasonable uh benefit through service or financial contributions to organizations in the city of Oakdale trade area **[26:55] Gary Severson:** Okay so that would be reasonable benefits to organizations in Oakdale Maplewood North St Paul White Bear Lake **[27:01] Jim Thompson:** correct Mahtomedi Lake Elmo all the way around **[27:04] Kevin Zabel:** right we are bordered by a lot of cities yeah um okay um let's take the motion and then we can continue debate um can I get a motion um as presented in the agenda somebody I mean we we'll you still get to vote how you want to vote but then we can at least open up debate to individual council members **[27:21] Kari Moore:** I'll make a motion to wave reading an adopt resolution 2024-28 approving a premise permit for White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association to conduct lawful gambling at Oakdale Borough 7053 10th Street North **[27:35] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[27:37] Andy Morcomb:** I'll make the second **[27:38] Kevin Zabel:** uh conversation who wants to go first **[27:41] Katie Wrich:** well I just uh I mean I basically share Brian's sentiment and that I'm befuddled we're here tonight uh debating this so that's that's all I have to say **[27:54] Gary Severson:** yeah I would agree as well I am less concerned about which charitable organization benefits I do want Oakdale to benefit that's the purpose of the charitable gambling Clause and I think they made a good case uh with respect to that **[28:10] Andy Morcomb:** comment council member Morcomb I think the challenge is state law says we have to consider the trade area not just Oakdale we can't be restrictive to Oakdale only that's my concern with denial is that I don't think any of us can deny um reasonable benefit to the trade area whether that is in Oakdale or not that that's a very different standard but that's not the legal standard we have in our code and the state requires us to apply which I think muddies the waters a lot lot um maybe my well if I could just finish my question for Jim would be um what is the due process if the applicant disagrees with our decision in determining hypothetically if we deny what what are their options for evaluating reasonable benefit in the trade area **[28:55] Jim Thompson:** mayor and members of the Council while the the process for challenging it would be to go to court okay that's that's the process and uh you know this like the city administrator pointed out this is a discretionary action reasonable Minds can differ on this um and you you are right that that the trade area is defined by state law um but it still needs a finding by the council that the organization is providing a reasonable benefit to organizations in the trade area so that's a discretionary decision for the council to to decide on but it can be challenged in court **[29:32] Kevin Zabel:** and mayor if I may add a couple comments um I think Council Morcomb had a point first **[29:37] Andy Morcomb:** yeah no and it was uh just a follow up uh maybe this is a question for attorney as well but you know there are so many options for charitable organizations in the city of Oakdale that could benefit and I think in my personal opinion would benefit much more than this organization that's coming forward so if it's the discretion and the you know intent of the Council are we able to hold a decision in waiting for the opportunity for something that's a better benefit for the city of Oakdale just instead of denying or approving we just abstain **[30:08] Jim Thompson:** mayor members of Council now I think you're going to have to act on it one way or the other because it's pending and there's not a 60-day statute here like there is for land use but there is a reasonable time period you know in which you should act on the application since it is before you I mean tabling it would be the effect of denial and if you're going to deny it as the city administrator mentioned our recommendation is is to have staff come back with a resolution of the denial the next meeting with the appropriate findings that we can make that you can consider at that time **[30:42] Kevin Zabel:** uh we're still on council member comments anybody else want to weigh in Gary was there something **[30:46] Gary Severson:** yeah um you know and just uh just to you know kind of piggyback off council member Morcomb's comments you know I don't think any reasonable person would question why and only speaking for myself here why I am opposed to it I mean there's literally zero benefit to any Oakdale resident if White Bear Lakes Hockey Association sells pull tabs at the Borough with the exception maybe of somebody who might work at the Borough that lives in Oakdale um you know and I don't disagree with your concerns regarding the law but this is one of those things I think there's gray plenty of gray area there and I just you know and again I'm just I'm just very surprised where in this situation and we're here so **[31:28] Kari Moore:** thank you um and I think with all the laws written and everything it gives us the discretion and um I feel like it doesn't meet uh the reasonable U financial support of of our trade area so I would not be supportive of this of approving this um this resolution here **[31:49] Kevin Zabel:** okay uh any final comments all right um there was a motion there was a second all those in favor say I all those oppose nay **[31:59] Council Members:** nay **[32:01] Kevin Zabel:** um that action is taken I'm going to follow up with that and make a motion directing staff to prepare resolution supporting the denial for presentation at our next city council meeting uh is there a second **[32:13] Gary Severson:** second **[32:14] Kevin Zabel:** there's a second uh any comments all those in favor say I **[32:17] Council Members:** I **[32:18] Kevin Zabel:** oppose and staff has that direction um sorry I didn't put a council meeting date on there but that's you got it um Council presentations um anybody want to go first anybody have anything how about down here okay I got a few first up for our annual peak grassy Arbor Day tree giveaway the city will hand out 200 trees free to Oakdale residents on Saturday April 27th at Walton Park um registration Advanced registration is required for this drive-through event an online registration opens this Monday April 1st at 8:00 a.m. for more information including the tree types that are available please visit visit the city's website Oakdale mn.gov um a reminder winter parking rules prohibiting on street parking from Midnight to 5:00 a.m. technically ends this Monday April 1st but we want to add a giant caveat that the um that the parking restrictions remain in effect anytime we get two or more inches of snowfall um hopefully we're done with that for the season but this is Minnesota so um if there is no snow in the forecast or on the streets you are welcome to park overnight on the street but if there is snow you will need to move or risk a ticket or tow um our city parks are an important part of our community we want to hear from you uh take our quick online survey about parks that you use and what you'd like to see in our city parks um that survey is available on our City website oakdale.gov and the survey will be open through Friday April 5th another announcement another big event coming up our indoor garage sale will be held at um the Discovery Center on Saturday April 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. it's a great opportunity for bargain hunters collectors and families to attend and browse um some unique finds so we hope you can join us at the Discovery Center on April 6th finally in collaboration with the Oakdale Area Chamber Commerce and the St Paul area Chamber City staff um City staff and elected officials have recently visited with Canvas Health and uh Marcus Cinema um as part of our business retention expansion and attraction program also known as the Bria program um the goal of this program is to build strong relationships between um City officials and our local businesses finally I have one additional presentation at our last city council meeting the city council went into close executive session um for the purposes of conducting a performance evaluation of the city administrator um to finish up that process the city council has to read into the record a brief summary of that meeting um I don't believe Jim this requires any action correct it's just the reading of the summary so uh in summary the city council met in close session on March 12th 2024 to conduct the performance evaluation of City administrator Chris Volkers Chris continues to Be an Effective Communicator with the city council the public and key stakeholders she excels as a communicator and is a Dependable source of information she has done a nice job empowering her staff to take a leading and visible role in front of the city council she has a strong work ethic and has put in place a staff leadership team that can lead the city into the future Chris has also done an excellent job presiding over our finances and making strong recommendations to the city council that led to an increase in our bond rating. Chris has worked diligently to ensure that every staff member is representing this community in the most honorable uh respect and that every interaction with the public partners and other elected bodies reflects positively on our community Chris was encouraged to be diligent in following up on requests made by city council members during workshops and other meetings in summary despite an overwhelming workload Chris has met and in most cases exceeded the city council's goals for her let's go ahead and move on to claims uh we have a claims roster in front of us from March 13th through March 26th in the amount of 1.2 million in change can I get a motion **[37:15] Andy Morcomb:** I make a motion to approve claims for the period March 13th 2024 to March 26th 2024 in the amount of $1,234,449.86 **[37:25] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[37:26] Kari Moore:** second **[37:27] Kevin Zabel:** motion a second any comments all those in favor say I **[37:30] Council Members:** I **[37:31] Kevin Zabel:** opposed and the bills are paid can I get a motion to adjourn **[37:35] Gary Severson:** so move **[37:36] Kevin Zabel:** there's a motion is there a second **[37:37] Katie Wrich:** motion a second **[37:38] Kevin Zabel:** all those in favor say I **[37:39] Council Members:** I **[37:40] Kevin Zabel:** opposed and we are adjourned thank you and good night were you on a vacation yeah yeah