It is. All right. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, August 26, 2025. Sarah, will you please take the role? >> Council member Moore >> here. Council member Morham >> here. >> Council member Severson >> here. >> Mayor Zabel >> here. Please join me for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. >> All righty. First up, approval of our agenda. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. And the agenda is adopted. Uh approval of minutes, three sets tonight. First up, workshop meeting minutes from August 12th. Any changes or corrections? I'll look for a motion. >> So move. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those meeting minutes are approved. Uh let's move on to regular meeting minutes also from August 12th, 2025. Anything here? >> I'll look for a motion. >> So move. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And regular meeting minutes from August 12th are approved. Uh last set are from our special workshop on August 13th, 2025. Anything here? >> I'll look for a motion. >> So move. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion to second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that last set is adopted as well. Next up is public hearings. We don't have any scheduled for tonight. So we will move into open forum. Before we get to that, I have two proclamations that I am issuing. Uh one recognizing building and code professional appreciation day and as well as suicide prevention awareness month. So the first one uh first proclamation says whereas building and code professionals ensure that all aspects of building code administration, code enforcement, rental housing, licensing and other duties are performed in a timely professional manner. And whereas building and code professionals devout uh devote countless hours keeping up with regulation changes that affect the building and code enforcement industries. And whereas co uh building and code professionals are primarily out in the field where they can encounter rough terrain, heights, depths, narrow spaces, construction equipment activities, unfavorable weather conditions, iate persons, canines, and other potential hazards. And whereas despite hazards, building and code professionals are fully dedicated to ensuring that building uh buildings are built safe, strong, and secure and remain safe, strong, and secure. And whereas the city of Oakdale strongly supports the skilled work of its building and code professionals. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim September 1st as building and code professional appreciation day in the city of Oakdale. I know I speak for all of my colleagues when we offer a very big thank you to Greg Brady and his entire team. Um, with all of the development and everything going on in our community the last few years, they have been unbelievably busy. Um, and then you add in hail storms that seem to go through every summer and take out roofs and sighting. They handle that as well as just all code enforcement matters in our city. So, they work very hard to keep our community safe and clean and we really appreciate the work that they do. Uh the second proclamation tonight is recognizing uh suicide prevention awareness month. Suicide is a national public health challenge that causes immeasurable pain among f individuals, families, and communities across the country. And whereas more than 800 lives are lost in Minnesota each year. And whereas suicide is a top leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 24. And whereas on average uh 135 Americans die by suicide each day and over 1.5 million attempt suicide each year. And whereas public awareness of this tragic problem is key to preventing further suffering and loss of life. And whereas the risk for suicide can be reduced through awareness, education, and treatment. And whereas everyone in the community can play a role in preventing suicide and are and they are encouraged to know the signs, find the words, and reach out. And whereas depression is a treatable illness and approximately 80% of people who seek help for depression experience improvement when treated with therapy and or medication. And whereas support is available by calling the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 988 or 1 8002738255 or by texting home to the crisis uh text line 741741. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, hereby proclaim September as suicide prevention awareness month in the city of Oakdale. We are still under open forum. Um, so this is an opportunity for anybody that's joining us in the audience tonight. If you would like to step up to the podium and share whatever's on your mind, please feel free to do so. Uh, all that we ask are that you try to keep your comments to three minutes or so. Seeing none, we'll keep things moving and move into consensus motions. Short list tonight. Only three of them. Council member, should we pull all three for individual consideration? >> No. >> Anybody want to pull any of them? All right. Can I get a motion to approve? >> I will move that we approve consensus motions as presented. >> Uh, there's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. and those motions are adopted. Uh, next up, we will check in with our advisory boards and commissions. Uh, first up was EMC. Unfortunately, I could not be at their meeting last week. Yeah, early last week. Um, but I do know that they are um starting to have early conversations about their 2026 work plan, thinking about what they want to be doing there. Um, as well as gearing up for events like our citywide event cleanup, which is happening next month. So, they are always busy, that's for sure. Uh, parks and wreck also met last week. Council member Morham, what are they up to? >> Yeah, we had a great meeting. It was uh it was exciting. Um, first meeting up in the Hadley room upstairs, so more of a workshop setting. And we still encourage the public obviously to come to all the commission meetings, provide your feedback. But we were able to review uh initial concepts for a new park that will be going in on the south end of town. Um, what do we call it exactly? I'm trying to think of >> Helmo Helmo station for now as a placeholder but uh yeah as a part of the development taking place there's funding uh about that and the commission gave a lot of really good feedback. It's amazing how many commission members were able to ask young children what they thought and how many opinions kids have especially relating to swings. Kids love swings. Mine my kids do. So, it was a good meeting and I had a lot of good feedback and we're excited for more conversations as we develop our parks. >> Adults like swings, too. Just >> I know. >> Don't cut us out of the fun. Jeez. All righty. Uh, no meaning for planning. No meaning for treeboard. All right. Award bids. Nothing. So, let's move into staff reports. Finance. Ooh, bond sale. Always exciting. Christina, welcome. Would you walk us through this, please? >> Yes. Mayor and Council, um we're here tonight to present the results of the 2025A bond sale. Uh Michaela Hwitt from Baker Tilly is here. I will hit some of the high points and background and then um give her an opportunity to dive into some more details with you. Um but just as a reminder, the there were four projects that were covered in the 2025A bond sale. It was the 2025 street reconstruction project. the remaining portion that needed to be funded for the public works facility, Willowbrook Park neighborh neighborhood parks uh north and west as well as the Willowbrook trails. Um in addition, you know, we did have another rating call with Moody's this year and you know, I have to thank uh Director Gitloff and finance department staff and administrator Vulkers. Um we had that rating call just in the midst of all of our budget preparation work this year and so it was was kind of a double whammy but happy to report that we retained our double A1 bond rating which helped us um when we went um to to sale day on August 11th um this the results of the sale did meet all the parameters that the council had set for us in July. The issuance was $1,60,000. We got an interest rate of 4.02% 02% and the maturity date is February 1st of 203. And so you can see in your packet as well um kind of how the split of all of those those funds are um laid out. Improvement bonds are streets, the tax abatement bonds are for the parks projects that we had the public hearing on in July. And then sales tax and CIP bonds for um public works facility and perhaps city hall as well. So, with that, I will turn it over um to Michaela and then we'd be happy to take any questions that you guys have. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Michaela. Welcome. >> Thank you. Good after evening, mayor, members of the council. Um just a few additional highlights from what Christina had shared um with you regarding the results of this year's u bond sale. The city did receive um eight bids. So, the bonds were very um competitive and um good success on the day of the of the sale. The um the range of the rates were also very competitive um between 4 um 003 to 4.19%. So very small spread between the winning bid and the eighth bid. Um and again reflective of the um competitive market. The winning bid was Raymond James and Associates. Um one other highlight, there were four purposes of the bonds and they all had varying um terms of maturities. The improvement uh street portion and the CIP was a 10-year term. The abatement was a 15-year term and then the sales tax u maximizing the collection of sales tax up to 27 years which is why the final maturity is 2153. Um on the interest rates itself um the prior month um when we were were running estimates we were looking at about 4.273%. Um the week before the sale we were looking at about 4.228%. So the winning bid at um 4.02 02 um with the resizing is um slightly less than what we were expecting but within the the range. Um so um as Christina mentioned as part of it was the the annual rating um review because of the timing from the issuance of last fall in November of 2024 and uh where we are looking at today. It wasn't a full-blown credit um credit release, but it was more of a press release providing um the results of the the city's credit, which again affirmed uh the double A1 um for the city as well as the uh the bond issue as well as outstanding debt. Um so all in all, I think it was a favorable sale um result uh with the number of bids, the the expected interest rate, and then the um maintaining of the city's um credit rating. So, with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have um related to the issuance or the the process. >> Council members, any questions for Michaela or Christina? >> No questions. >> Chris, would you like to add anything? >> Yes. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, as I say every year, but I mean it every year. Um, this was a great issuance. Um, the 20 basis points less than we estimated when we had adjusted down the previous um, week was pretty impressive, frankly. Um, the terms were all over the place. So, you know, someone a bidder had to really look at this um offering and and city of Oakdale is favorable. Um it's important to note that, you know, that's just really about all of you who set the policy and set the direction for the city and then all the finance staff and the staff that follow your direction and the fact that we are able to maintain our good reputation. Moody's did another rating, kept the good rating for us. um very proud of that and I think a lot of people owe um we owe a lot of people um thank you for their efforts including the council here and all the staff. So thank you. Good job and um this will benefit taxpayers for 30 years because the bonds go on and we got a really good good competitive rate so we're able to do those projects. So thank you. >> Thank you Chris. All righty. Uh no action on this so results shared. Thank you. >> Thank you. uh public works. We have one item from them tonight. Mr. Teeth, welcome. >> Hello, Mayor Council. I'm happy to report here some other positive news on the finance side of things. Um the public works department applied for a community tree planting grant that's administered by the Metropolitan Council. Uh that's really aimed to support municipal agencies impacted by trees lost um for pest and disease. uh through the grant it's does uh ensure funding is used for removal and replacement of ash trees that pose a significant risk to public safety and are located in census block groups. So through the application the city submitted a request to cover cost to remove 109 trees from census blocks identified with high supplemental demographic index. And for those that are interested in knowing what that is, uh that's calculated off an average of five factors. One being the percent of low income or homes at or below two times the federal poverty level. Uh percent of uh the portion of the population that is unemployed. The percent of the population who have not completed high school. Uh percent of the population or people in households with limited English proficiency and an indicator of lower average than life expectancy for these areas. Uh so through that we uh we identified 109 trees that we would uh propose to remove from those areas and then additional five trees from census blocks identified um with elevated land surface temperatures and that means uh developed areas like cities that um have higher temperature levels than um compared to those in rural areas. Uh on August 11th uh 2025, we're happy to report the city was informed that Metropolitan Council has awarded uh the city tree planting grant to the city of Oakdale in the amount of $174,543. Uh which that'll be a various breakdowns of supplies, equipment, labor, and then we will be doing some some contracting work for that stuff. Uh the tree grant does require um very specific provisions that's followed through that. Uh planting trees u may take place uh without tree removal. The tree removal conducted on streets and in manicured parks must meet a minimum of one tree planted for each tree removed. Removals conducted in parks and woodlands must incorporate planting and plant replanting at a meaningful rate. Uh removals need to be considered a necessary component for replanting. Removals in woodlands need to mitigate public safety concerns or address degraded ecosystems. and removals must meet a minimum of one tree planted for five trees removed. So, u collectively the uh through the approval of the Metropolitan Council grant application in the amount of the $174,543 will be utilized uh as mentioned previously through a combination of contractor work um and operational expenses. Uh the expenses must be uh expended by uh June 30th of 2027. And the important note here is that there's no local match required for that. So, uh, with that, uh, happy to stand for any other questions. >> Council members, any questions for Corey? >> I do. Just to remind me, this is on public lands only. >> Yes. Okay. >> Uh, any other questions? >> I'm just curious, uh, how much of our total ashtree population is this going to address? >> It's a pretty small amount. It's a pretty small amount. We're looking at 114 trees and you know we're easily around a couple thousand trees yet to go. So, but everyone counts. Everyone helps. >> Thank you. >> And it it builds on a lot of great work that's already been done. You know, um a handful of years ago, we had another six-f figureure grant that addressed a ton of trees at the nature preserve. You know, like Cory said, every little bit helps. Also, I mean, we've treated a number of trees. >> How long that holds on, we will see. Um maybe indefinitely. We don't know. But um it's 114 trees that are coming down and new ones going up that we didn't have to put on our property taxpayers. Uh and just one other comment I would make. Um this is a highly competitive grant. I want to say a big thank you to public works. There were 14 grantees um that received money out of uh 30 applications received. Um Mercedes counties, all different sizes, all different scopes. Um it is it's it there's never enough money to go around for all of the needs. Um but we are incredibly fortunate to to get this. So a big thank you to public works and all staff that that worked on this application. Also a thank you to the Met Council. Um you know more money becomes available which is great and we'll continue to go after this but this does make a pretty big impact in in those three tracks those census tracks in our community. So uh council members can I get a motion? I would like to wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-81 accepting the 2025 community tree planting grant in the amount of 174,543 from the Met Council to the city of Oakdale. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2025-81 is adopted. One one more small action. I move to authorize the city administrator to execute the community tree planting grant agreement. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? Second. Motion second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you. Thank you, Corey. Uh, city attorney Jim. Anything for us tonight? >> Mr. Mayor, members of council, nothing specific, but happy to answer questions. >> I'm going to get that needle pointed on a pillow for you one of these days. After eight years, I've lost count of how many times I've heard you say that. Uh, anybody have any questions for Jim? >> All right, Chris, administrative report. Anything for us? >> I feel like I need to switch up what I say. >> You want a needle pointed pillow? >> Yeah, I'm good. Thanks. Um, no, I do not have anything, but glad to answer any questions. >> Council members, any questions for Chris? >> All right, council presentations. Anybody want to go first? >> None for me. Nothing here. I don't have one. >> All righty. I got a bunch as always. >> We knew you would. >> Always always good for it. Staff keeps me well prepared. Uh city offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st in observance of Labor Day. Um city facilities will reopen at uh 8 a.m. the following day. This is a great opportunity just to say a big thank you to all of our staff that provide such valuable labor uh in every corner of the city. Uh God knows how many services. Our residents utilize them every day. We have the most fantastic team here in the city of Oakdale. I brag to mayors all over the metro. I will stack our team up against anybody's because the service the the level of customer service, the quality of service we provide here in Oakdale from our staff, our passionate, talented, experienced staff is bar none. So, a big thank you to to everybody here at the city of Oakdale. Um, enjoy your Labor Day. Go to the fair. It's the last chance. Um, one of our most popular events of the year, Family Fun Inflatables, will be held on Saturday, September 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. at Walton Park. This free event will feature inflatables for the whole family to explore, including a bounce castle, obstacle course, and a giant slide. We will also have a kids DJ out there, and concessions will be available for purchase. So, cross your fingers, hope for great weather, and we hope to see you there. Very excited for this one. Save the date. Our citywide cleanup event is back on Saturday, September 20th, uh from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oakdale Public Works. Last year's event was a huge success. We gathered and disposed of more than 25 tons of unwanted items. This event is for Oakdale residents only. Um please see the city website, oakdalemn.gov, for more information on items accepted as well as associated fees. We love we we're so happy that we were able to bring this event back. Last year was the first time we had hosted it, I think, in 15 years. Um the response from our residents was overwhelming. Lines down Hadley. So many uh so many residents had a lot of stuff that needed to be disposed of and this event is such a great opportunity to make sure it's disposed of properly which is really really important. So um check your basement, check your garages, check your attics, bring us your crap. We want it. We'll get rid of it for you. So um but be sure to check the city website to see if there's any uh fees associated with those items. Oakdale's photo contest is back and we want to see your snapshots from every corner of our city. Uh photographers of all skill levels can submit photos by September 30th. All photos must be taken in Oakdale and the contest is open to Oakdale residents only. Uh to learn more and to submit your photos. Visit oakdalemn.gov. We want to see your pictures. We use them on our Oakdale update publication. Um I think even some of our artwork around city hall here are some of the photos that have been submitted. Um we have some really talented photographers in this city. So, we appreciate all photos that are sent to us um because we like seeing how beautiful our city is from your your perspectives as well. So, send those on in by September 30th. Uh the Oakdale Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2 to 6:00 p.m. in the city hall parking lot through October 8th. That means there's just seven markets left for the season. I think I saw on Facebook today that apples will be here tomorrow. >> What? >> How? Right. >> It's still the middle of summer. >> Well, the pumpkin spice latte is out now, so it's about that time of the year. So, come on down, get some apples, um, get lots of great produce that that our vendors still have available. And also check out all of our other vendors. Um, lots lots of stuff out there for everybody. Um, good luck to our local students, teachers, and support staff as they head back to school next week. We're just continuing with that theme. Summer's over, folks. U, but, um, good luck to all of those students. Do we know, is Tartan done? Getting close. Tartan construction. >> It's done mostly. Is it? >> Pretty sure. How cool is that? Um what a long road that has been rehabbing and building new buildings um throughout the entire district. So very cool that Tartan was the last one. Um so we hope the students and teachers and staff support um or not support staff and enjoy those new digs. That's pretty cool. Uh one last item. Uh Council Member Moore and I as well as our city administrator Vulkers were at a ribbon cutting this morning. Uh Washington County has a new central service and license center located in Woodbury. Um, you might have known that the license bureau that used to be kind of attached to Woodbury City Hall, um, closed down recently. I think that was always the plan. You know, I think it is closed now. It is closed. Um, and so this one opened today, which is pretty cool. This new location offers an expanded list of services um, beyond what was offered at the former service center, including licensing services, which they had previously. Um, but they also have veteran services, workforce development services. They have a household medical dropbox on site. We also have one here. Yeah. So, you can just bring this to city hall. Um, election services are there. You can talk to people about your property taxes. There's a public health clinic. Um, families utilizing women, infants, and children wick benefits. Um, they have, uh, people there that can help you with those services. They have immunization services. Those will start early next month. Um, it's a beautiful building. The county did such a phenomenal job bringing all of those critically needed services under one roof. We are incredibly fortunate to have it so close by. Um it is just at the end of the Gold Line BRT. Um so where the Woodland Lane Park and Ride is, it's just walking distance south of there. Um their hours Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. On Tuesdays, they are open until 6:00 p.m. So, uh we encourage our residents check it out. Um head on over there. There's a lot of staff that are going to be based there. They'll be able to help you with any county based services that you need. So, please um head on over there and and check out that new new offering. Bills, we got bills. Uh claims roster August 13th through August 26th, 2.349 million and change. Any we need to pull for additional information? >> No. All right. Who wants to make the motion? I'll >> make a motion to approve claims as presented. >> There is a motion. Is there a second? >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. opposed. Bills are paid. Uh, how about a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you and good night.