Here is the transcript with speaker names assigned based on the provided context and the internal dialogue of the meeting. Note: Some names in the transcript were phonetic misspellings (e.g., "moram" for Morcomb). I have used the correct names from your provided list. *** [00:00] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All righty, let's go ahead and call to order the Oakdale City Council meeting for November 14th, 2023. Sarah, will you take the roll? [00:05] **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council Member Moore? [00:06] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Here. [00:07] **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council Member Severson? [00:08] **Council Member Gary Severson**: Here. [00:09] **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council Member Morcomb? [00:10] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Here. [00:11] **Sarah (City Staff)**: Council Member Wrich? [00:12] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: Here. [00:13] **Sarah (City Staff)**: Mayor Zabel? [00:14] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Here. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. [00:15] **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. [00:30] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: First up on our agenda tonight is the approval of the agenda. Council members, can I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented? [00:35] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: So moved. [00:36] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [00:37] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [00:38] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion and a second. Any comments? All those in favor say aye. [00:40] **All Council**: Aye. [00:41] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And the agenda is approved. Next up, we have approval of the minutes. Uh, first up, a set from the workshop October 24th, 2023. Uh, council members, any changes or corrections? I'll look for a motion. [00:50] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: So moved. [00:51] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [00:52] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: Second. [00:53] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Any comments? All those in favor say aye. [00:55] **All Council**: Aye. [00:56] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And those minutes are approved. Next up, we have regular meeting minutes from October 24th, 2023. Council members, any changes or corrections? I’ll look for a motion. [01:05] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: So moved. [01:06] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [01:07] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [01:08] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [01:10] **All Council**: Aye. [01:11] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And those minutes are approved as well. Uh, no public hearing tonight, so we'll move into open Forum. Before we get to that, I do have a proclamation to read recognizing Small Business Saturday. [01:25] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Whereas according to the Small Business Administration, there are over 30 million small businesses in the United States... [Continues reading proclamation] ...Therefore, I, Kevin Zabel, Mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim November 25th, 2023, as Small Business Saturday in the city of Oakdale. Oakdale is incredibly fortunate to have—I don't even know how many small businesses, but ranging from businesses that people run out of their homes to restaurants to shops. Um, so please, please join us in patronizing them on Small Business Saturday and every day. They are a very important part of our community. [03:30] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: We're still under open forum, so this is an opportunity for anybody in the audience that would like to share whatever's on their mind to step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, share with us whatever you'd like to talk about. Um, rules of the house: try to keep comments to 3 minutes or so, but wide open on topic. So please feel free to step on up. [03:55] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Seeing none, we're going to keep things rolling into consensus motions. Council members, we have four in front of us tonight, A through D. City Administrator Volkers? [04:05] **Christina Volkers (City Administrator)**: Yes, Mr. Mayor, Council. Um, I'd recommend that you pull consensus item D and just that you table it so we can provide you some further information that you haven't had yet, but it's up to you. [04:15] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, would anybody like to agree with that and pull item D for individual consideration? [04:20] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Yeah, I can make a motion to pull consensus motion D for independent consideration. [04:25] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: No motion necessary, but we'll let you do it either way. Uh, council members, so we have A through C. Are there any of those that council members would like to pull for individual consideration? All right, let's take a motion for those three. [04:35] **Council Member Kari Moore**: I'll make a motion to approve consensus motions A through C as presented. [04:40] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [04:41] **Council Member Gary Severson**: Second. [04:42] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [04:44] **All Council**: Aye. [04:45] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And A through C are approved. Item D is a tobacco sales license. Do any council members want any more information about that or should we just go right to an action? All right, Council Member Morcomb, would you like to make an action? [04:55] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Yeah, I will make a motion to table consensus motion D for future consideration, date specific, Jim? [05:00] **Jim Thompson (City Attorney)**: Two weeks from today, November 28th. [05:05] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Yes, oh yes, that's fine. Yeah, so I amend it to November 28th, 2023. [05:10] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Perfect. Uh, there is a motion to table until November 28th, 2023. Is there a second? [05:15] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [05:16] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [05:18] **All Council**: Aye. [05:19] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that motion is tabled for two weeks. Let's check in with our advisory boards and commission. Planning Commission, Council Member Severson? [05:25] **Council Member Gary Severson**: Uh, the Planning Commission reviewed uh the DNR setback requirements for specifically for—I don't know if it's specifically for—but you know the the main focus was Tanner Lake. [05:35] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Excellent. Parks and Rec met about a month ago, but Council Member Morcomb is here so he can tell us all about their last meeting. [05:40] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Yeah, our last Parks and Rec meeting was exciting. We welcomed a few new Parks and Rec commissioners to the group, and we also had a presentation from the Pickleball Association here in Oakdale. And I was surprised to learn there's over 190 members. So it's growing and it's active, and um, they're very excited to have a place here in Oakdale. So they taught us about what they're doing and what they're looking to see in Oakdale to grow. It was really helpful. [06:10] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Thank you, Council Member Morcomb. Uh, no other commissions met, so we will keep things going. No bids to award tonight. Staff reports. Community Development. Community Development Director Gitzlaff, welcome. [06:20] **Andrew Gitzlaff (Community Development Director)**: Yes, uh, thank you Mayor and Council. The first item before you tonight is final plat approval for Oakdale Farm Fourth Edition. This property is located on the Forefront campus, the Northwest quadrant of 34th Street and High Point Drive. [Continues technical report] ...I'd be happy to answer any questions, and I will note that the applicant is also here tonight. [09:45] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Perfect. Council members, any questions for Andy? How about the applicant? No? All right, let's move right to action. [09:55] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: I'll make a motion to waive and adopt Resolution 2023-108, approving the final plat for Oakdale Farm Fourth Edition, subject to conditions listed in the attached resolution. [10:05] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [10:06] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: Second. [10:07] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [10:10] **All Council**: Aye. [10:11] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that is platted. Thank you, Andy. [10:12] **Andrew Gitzlaff (Community Development Director)**: Thank you. [10:13] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Next up, we have the Oakdale Bike and Ped Plan. Max, welcome. [10:15] **Max (Planning Staff/Consultant)**: Thank you, Mayor and Council members. I'm excited tonight to present to you the final Oakdale Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for adoption. Originally started pre-COVID and resumed in 2022, this plan is the product of strong collaboration and vision... [Continues presentation] ...With that, I want to express thanks as staff for everyone who helped contribute to this project. Again, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions regarding the plan. [12:50] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, any questions for Max? I would just make one comment. You know, as Max noted, this process was lengthy. It spanned numerous administrations in this city. COVID certainly threw a wrench into things. But in the end, it's providing us the most holistic look at our bike and pedestrian facilities and amenities. It was a very long road to get here... it is a tremendous step forward. So thank you to everybody that was involved. Council members, I need an action. [13:40] **Council Member Kari Moore**: I'll make a motion to adopt the Oakdale Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. [13:45] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [13:46] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Second. [13:47] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [13:49] **All Council**: Aye. [13:50] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And thank God that thing is finally approved. Thank you, Max. [13:55] **Max (Planning Staff/Consultant)**: Thanks, Max. [13:56] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Next up, we have a staff report from Engineering for a change order. Jesse, welcome. [13:58] **Jesse Farrell (City Engineer)**: Thank you, Mayor and Council. Um, we can go from bike and ped planning to construction. So on this—the item before you is a change order for our first Willowbrook Trails project... [Continues technical report regarding soil conditions and hydroseeding] ...I'm coming to you tonight requesting that you approve the change order with Hobs Construction and revise the contract amount to $179,949.48. If there's any questions, I'll do my best to explain what happened out there. [15:40] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, any questions for Jesse? No? All right, I'll look for an action. [15:45] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: I’ll make a motion to waive reading and adopt Resolution 2023-110, approving change order number one for project 2023-05 Willowbrook Trails with an allowance for Hobs Excavating Inc. work and amending the 2023 budget. [15:55] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [15:56] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [15:57] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [15:59] **All Council**: Aye. [16:00] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that order is changed. Thank you, Jesse. [16:02] **Jesse Farrell (City Engineer)**: Thank you, Mayor and Council. [16:03] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: City Attorney Mr. Thompson, anything for us tonight? [16:05] **Jim Thompson (City Attorney)**: Nothing specific tonight, Mr. Mayor and Council. Happy to answer questions. [16:10] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Anybody have any questions for Jim? All right, and turn to your right. Let's go check in with our City Administrator, Ms. Volkers. [16:15] **Christina Volkers (City Administrator)**: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, City Council. Um, you have four actions in front of you for consideration. This is a result of nearly a year's work on administrative lead to kind of compile all the commission policy documents, ordinances, bylaws, and merge them together for consistency... what you have before you, as I said, are four different actions, and I'd ask you to consider them and take them one by one, please. [17:00] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Council members, any questions for Chris? All right, let's just tick right down the list there. [17:05] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: I'll make a motion to repeal the current City Advisory Boards and Commissions Bylaws in their entirety. [17:10] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [17:11] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [17:12] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Any comments? All those in favor say aye. [17:14] **All Council**: Aye. [17:15] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that is approved. Next? [17:16] **Council Member Katie Wrich**: I'll make a motion to waive reading and adopt Ordinance number 914, amending the code of ordinances for the city of Oakdale [Reads various chapters/articles]... and Chapter 22 Trees, Article 7 Tree Board. [17:35] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [17:36] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Second. [17:37] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [17:39] **All Council**: Aye. [17:40] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? Those changes are made as well. Keep going, Gary. [17:42] **Council Member Gary Severson**: I’ll make a motion to amend City Policy MIS-013 Boards and Commissions Appointment and Reappointment Process and rename as CC-002 City Council Advisory Boards and Commissions. [17:50] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [17:51] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [17:52] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [17:54] **All Council**: Aye. [17:55] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that policy is amended and renamed. Last one. [17:58] **Council Member Gary Severson**: I'll make a motion to waive reading and adopt Resolution 2023-111, authorizing publication of Ordinance number 914 by title and summary. [18:05] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [18:06] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: Second. [18:07] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [18:09] **All Council**: Aye. [18:10] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? And that resolution is approved. Thank you, Council. Presentations? Anybody down here? No? Nothing? How about over here? No? [18:20] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: All right, well I got a few. First, an update on an event that took place this morning. Officials from Oakdale and North St. Paul, along with Ramsey and Washington Counties, welcomed state legislators out to the intersection of Highway 120 and 36. Cities and counties are asking the state to dedicate funding to redoing this dangerous intersection... [Continues with community updates regarding Art Discovery Fair, Fall Photo Contest, and Winter Parking] ...Finally, this one's depressing—it's hard to believe Thanksgiving's almost here. Wow. Yeah, next week is Thanksgiving. Just a reminder: City Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holiday. On behalf of the city, Happy Thanksgiving. [20:15] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Time to pay the bills. Council members, we got a claims roster in front of us, end of October through mid-November: 2.1 million and change. Who would like to make a motion? [20:25] **Council Member Andy Morcomb**: I would like to make a motion to approve the claims for the period October 25th, 2023, to November 14th, 2023, in the amount of $2,165,479.08. [20:35] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [20:36] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [20:37] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. Final comments? All those in favor say aye. [20:39] **All Council**: Aye. [20:40] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? The bills are paid for another two weeks. Can I get a motion to adjourn? [20:45] **Council Member Gary Severson**: So moved. [20:46] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: There's a motion. Is there a second? [20:47] **Council Member Kari Moore**: Second. [20:48] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Motion and a second. All those in favor say aye. [20:50] **All Council**: Aye. [20:51] **Mayor Kevin Zabel**: Opposed? We are adjourned. Thank you and good night.