There we go. All right. We're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, September 9th, 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 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. >> First up tonight is the approval of the agenda. Council members, we have an amended version in front of us. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. And the agenda is adopted. >> Uh, next up, approval of minutes. Two sets in front of us tonight. First up, workshop meeting minutes from August 26th, 2025. Uh, 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 the workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Next up, regular meeting minutes from August 26, 2025. Any changes or corrections to these? All right, 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 the regular meeting minutes are adopted as well. We have a public hearing in front of us tonight. A new liquor sales license approval for Mana Brewing LLC. Uh staff presentation. Chris anything? >> Yeah. Um Mr. Mayor, city council, we're glad to welcome Mana Brewing. They are here in the audience, I believe, today and they're asking for the liquor license. So, what you're before you is um all the backgrounds been done. All the the state communications and approvals have been done and so we're just asking you to consider approval of the license for them. >> Thank you, Chris. Council members, any questions for Chris? >> No. >> As Chris mentioned, we are required to hold a public hearing. So, we will do so at this time. Uh at this time, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing. This is an opportunity for anybody in the audience that would like to speak to this agenda item only. Please feel free to step up to the podium, state your name and address for the record, and proceed with your comments. Seeing none, I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing, bring it back for council consideration. Council members, uh, can I get a motion? Yeah, happy to make a motion to recommend recommend approve the issuance of a new onale intoxicating liquor license, on sale brewery tap room, offsale brew pub, and on sale Sunday licenses to Mana Brewing LLC, DBA, Mana Brewing at 7600 Second Street North for the current term, which expires on March 31st 2026. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that license is approved. Welcome to Oakdale. We're excited to have you. >> Thank you. >> Uh next up on the agenda is open forum. Uh before we get to that, I have two proclamations I am issuing. First, recognizing Patriot Day. Uh that's this one. Uh and the proclamation reads as follows. Whereas on September 11th, 2001, al-Qaeda terrorist hijackers carried out a coordinated attack on the United States and nearly 3,000 innocent American lives were lost. And whereas the courage, heroism, and resilience of Americans displayed on 911 and in its aftermath are perpetual testaments to the spirit of our country. And whereas on every year on 911, Americans commemorate Patriot Day as a day of remembrance of the 911 attacks and stand in solidarity to remember the victims and mourn the stolen hopes and dreams uh mourn their stolen hopes and dreams. And whereas September 11th, 2025 marks the 24th anniversary of this tragedy. Therefore, I, Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim September 11th as Patriot Day in the city of Oakdale. We also have a proclam proclamation recognizing Constitution Week and Day. Whereas, September 17th, 2025 marks the 200 uh 238th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention. And whereas it is uh fitting and proper to a court official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary. And whereas public law 915 authorizes the president of the United States to designate September 17th through the 23rd as constitution week each year. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, to hereby proclaim September 17th through the 23rd as Constitution Week and recognize September 17th as Constitution Day in the city of Oakdale. We are still under open forum. So, this is an opportunity uh for anybody in the audience that would like to step up to the podium similar to the public hearing. Uh but feel free to speak to anything that's on your mind, not necessarily uh an agenda item. Seeing none, we'll keep rolling. Moving to consensus motions. Uh council members, we have A through D in front of us. Are there any that we would like to pull for individual consideration? >> I'll look for a motion. >> I'll move approval of consensus motions A through D as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I >> opposed. And consensus motion A through D are approved as presented. Uh next up is our opportunity to check in with our advisory boards and commissions. The only one that met was the planning commission on September 4th. Council member Severson, you are their liaison. What is our planning commission up to these days? >> They did meet on Thursday the 4th. They held public hearings on two items. One was a residential accessory building, conditional use of permit for a residential accessory building. And the second was a site plan amendment for the energy conserv conservatory at 403 Hayward Avenue. Um they're doing a building addition to build a training center. Uh and that was their meeting. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Uh I assume we'll have both of those items on our next council agenda. >> Yes, I believe so. >> Okay. Uh award a bid. We have one tonight. Uh, roof damage repair. Who from staff will be teeing this one up, Mr. Foster? Welcome. Walk us through this, please. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. Um, so the item before you here is a a bid award and a approval of a contract for a pretty significant uh roof repair project that is the result of a hail storm from a few years ago. Um the bid opening was held back in June of this year and the low bidder was Eber Companies at just over 1.4 million. Um, a contract has been drafted and reviewed by the city attorney. Um, and all in all, things are in order for contract approval. Staff is recommending um, approval of the contract and authorizing the city administrator and mayor to execute. That is the gist of it, but happy to answer any questions. >> Council members, any questions for Jake. >> All right, I'll look for a motion. >> And, Mr. Mayor, I'll move we that we authorize the mayor and city administrator to sign the construction agreement with Eert Incorporated for the repair of the specified city roofs. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you, Jake. >> Thank you. >> Uh staff reports, finance, >> adopt the proposed 2026 property tax levy. Christina, welcome. >> Uh good evening, mayor and councel. I'm here tonight to present to you the proposed property tax levy for 2026 and the truth and taxation meeting date. The city is required to adopt the proposed uh property tax levy for 2026 uh and certify it to Washington County before September 30th of this year. It's important for the council to remember that after you certify that preliminary levy, the levy can only decrease. It cannot increase between that time and the final adoption in December. Once we provide that preliminary levy number to the to Washington County, they'll use that information to prepare the property um the proposed property tax notices that are mailed out to property owners in mid to late November. Then the city is required to adopt the final levy by December 29th. Currently, our budget calendar calls for you to hold that truth and taxation meeting on December 9th of this year. So in the creation of the proposed levy, the following budgetary principles served as a guide for us. Uh budget decisions to consider and acknowledge both the short and long-term impacts to stabilize revenues and expenditures and eliminate unanticipated variances. Fund operations at a level to provide quality services at a reasonable cost. Maintain structural balance and appropriate fund balance levels. consider additional investments when they help achieve the city goals and provide a significant return to the community and seek to make a connection between resources and results. The path to get um to present this budget to hear you tonight, as you know, involved five different work sessions over the last three months. Following discussions at the August work session, staff is proposing further changes which is which are included in the budget before you tonight. These changes are a result of the favorable 2025A bond sale that we told you about at the last meeting. Due to the lower than expected interest rates, we're able to reduce the 2026 levy for the 2025A bond payment by over $17,000. And in addition, due to taking bond premium to apply to the city hall renovation, staff are proposing that the 2026 levy for the municipal building fund be reduced from 135,000 down to 70,000. staff believe that the proposed levy accomplishes a number of important objectives. It focuses on essential city services and funding these activities adequately. It maintains an appropriate fund balance to mitigate future risks. It proactively funds equipment repair and replacement of equipment and facilities. Its responsible management of significant inflationary pressures for personnel and commodities. It's f fosters community engagement and resources to address increasingly complex criminal activity and ensuring the best and breed fire safety services through a city operated full-time career modeled fire department with 247 coverage. It also um provides for the maintenance of city properties including the new public works facility and the addition of the city hall renovation and public or the police edition. Um, it ensures equitable equitable compensation to recruit and retain existing staff, transparency in all aspects of city governance and operations, and a responsible long-term planning and prioritization of all funding. So, due to the work and partnership with the council over the last several months, the proposed 2026 property tax levy for the city of Oakdale is 20,461,585. This is an increase of 7% or just over 1.3 million from the 2025 levy. At the proposed levy amount, the median residential property in Oakdale valued at uh 346,200 which experienced an increase of8% in value from last year is estimated to see the city's share of the property tax bill increase by approximately $46.88 or 3.5% for 2026. This is a monthly increase of $3.91 for the city share of the property taxes. Just a reminder though, of course, the assessed values have not been finalized yet. With that, mayor and council, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you have. >> Thank you, Christina. Uh, council members, any questions for staff? >> Uh, let's get in action and then we can make some comments. I move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-83 adopting the proposed 2026 property tax levy and establishing the date for the truth and taxation meeting. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Comments. >> I will make one. Um I want to offer a very big thank you to you Christina uh for helping us through the budget process and to all of our staff. Um it's a complex document. You know we start working on that to say the least, right? Um we start working on this May each year, June and sometimes if we're lucky. Um but it's an ongoing building thing that um everybody contributes to uh numerous times um throughout throughout the second half of the year. Um we never take uh tax increases lightly. Um but as we all know, the cost of all goods and services continues to to climb. And so for any city um to continue investing in the staff that provide such essential services for all of our residents and our businesses as well as just maintaining that that quality of life that our residents have come to appreciate and enjoy in our city. Um increasing the property tax levy is the necessary evil of this job. So, um I'm incredibly proud of all of the work um with my colleagues and our staff that we went through and really prioritized needs in this community. Um in many ways, this is a you know, I like to call it a lights on budget. Um we we aren't adding much. We are focusing on those core essential services in our city, making sure that we can fund them adequately so service levels remain at the level that our residents expect or expect. Um, and we're not doing much beyond that. Um, which is an unusual position for cities to be in, but sometimes it's necessary. And, um, you know, I know the the 7% figure uh, sounds like a lot, and it is, and we recognize that. Um, but as Christina mentioned, this is the highest that it can go for, um, the budget next year. between now and December 9th, same as we do every year, we continue to work through the budget and and find additional cuts to get it down as low as we possibly can. Um, that's all, you know, it's a lot. It's a huge lift. Um, we couldn't do it without our staff. Um, final plug I will make, if residents have any questions, reach out to any of us, reach out to any of us, reach out to our staff. Um, we're very proud a few years ago, we put all of our budget documents online on uh, open gov. um residents can see them. I think after we adopt it tonight, the prelim will be posted online so residents can go ahead and take a look at all that. We encourage residents to sift through it with a fine tooth comb. We want our residents to understand where their hard-earned uh money is going and what services it's going to fund. Um you know, we're proud that it um of the fact that it is out there for everybody to see. And like I said, we're happy to answer any questions that our residents may have. We had a motion. We had a second. Uh any final comments? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2025-83 is adopted and the date for the truth and taxation meeting is established for December 9th, 2025. Thank you. Uh recreation Julie. Oh, Mr. Foster is going to take that. >> Sorry to dis disappoint again. I I do have the right screen up this time, so um it should be a little easier on myself, but uh thanks mayor, members of council. Uh the item before you is a acceptance of a donation or donations to the city for this weekend's family fund flatables event. These donations are in um by way of sponsorship. So, we have one gold sponsor for $1,000 uh which Oakdale Athletic Association has provided and then three bronze sponsorships for in the total of $3,000 each from Marcus Theater, North Stars Skate School, East Metro Youth Stars Hockey Association, and Park View Chiropractic totaling $1,900. Um, one comment I'd like to make the last time I was here, um, presenting a donation to you. We made a note to get all of these to you prior to events being held. So, um, I just wanted to commend Julie and her staff as they actually um, struggled to get all the checks and make sure everything was squared away. So, um, they did a fantastic job in making sure this this preceded the event this time. So, um, that's it. But if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them. >> Council members, any questions for Jake? All right, I'll look for a motion. >> I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-82 accepting a donation from various sponsors in an amount totaling $1,900 for sponsorship of the family funables event happening this Saturday. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. Uh the only comment I'll make is a big thank you to our sponsors. Uh we really do appreciate their continued support year after year. Um it goes a long way in making this event a big success and we love having them out at the event each year. So, a big thank you to them and we look forward to seeing them on Saturday. >> Uh, motion second. All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. And resolution 2025-82 is adopted. Thanks, Jake. >> It's time to check in with our city attorney. Jim, what do you got for us? >> Mr. May, I'll fall out of character tonight and just uh I know the city administrator forwarded to you, but we did file our appellet brief in the Oakdale Marketplace lawsuit last week. their uh reply brief is due next week and I anticipate the oral argument will probably be sometime in November. So that's the status of that matter. >> Thank you Jim. Anybody have any questions for Jim on that or anything else? You know, he's always happy to answer any questions we have. >> Chris administrator's report. What do we got? >> Trying to decide how to phrase it so it's different. No, no update for me. >> Perfect. We got them all self-conscious now. what they always say. All right, council presentations. Council member Moore, anything tonight? >> I don't have anything tonight. >> All right, Council Member Moore Severson. >> Yeah. Oh, just this may be on your list, but for Mana Brewing, there's a lot going on in Oakdale. I think I've told more people about this brewery opening than anything in the three years I've served on the council. So, I don't put you on the spot. I don't know if there's a date yet formally set for the opening. >> Not quite yet. >> Not quite. >> So, after we have to go to the Of course. >> Oh, sure. >> Do their final inspection and then we have the Washington County Health Department. They'll come out do their inspection and then uh be good to go. You guys are on the short list for the South. >> Fantastic. >> Wonderful. Yeah. A few more weeks and that's great. But no, we're excited to have you. >> Uh I will echo what Council Member Morham said. I've been trying to get a brewery here for nine years. So, we're excited to have you. >> We got our coasters. Yep. We've been trying. So, thank you for investing in Oakdale. We're very excited. Uh I got a few. Um as we mentioned, Family Fun Inflatables is this Saturday, September 13th, 11:00 a.m. to 400 p.m. right out here at Walton Park, uh 1584 Hadley. A free event as always. Uh it'll feature inflatables to explore, including a bounce castle, obstacle course, giant slide. Um there will also be a kids DJ and concessions for purchase. We will also have a sensory tent available um that will provide a safe, non-stimulating space for children. So if you need that, it will be available as well. Um, just a note, all children must be accompanied by an adult. Uh, we want to encourage everybody to save the date for our citywide cleanup event. Uh, next Saturday, September 20th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. It'll be located at Oakdale Public Works, the current public works campus, 1900 Hadley Avenue North. Uh, last year was the first year we brought it back in a decade and a half. It was a huge success. Um, I think by my count, we collected something like 50 plus tons of um, unwanted items and disposed of it, which is fantastic. Uh this event is for Oakdale residents only. We do check driver's licenses or uh photo IDs as you pull into the campus. Um we also encourage people to check out the city website oakdale.gov for more info on items accepted and any associated fee with the items being collected. Um new this year we are taking credit cards. Yay. Um big thank you to staff for figuring that out. Um that's obviously a big addition to this event. So we appreciate that. Uh Oakdale's annual photo contest is underway and we want to see your best photos from every corner of our city. Photographers of all skill levels can submit photos by September 30th, so at the end of this month. All photos must be taken in Oakdale and the contest is open to Oakdale residents only. To learn more and to submit your photos, visit the city website, oakdalemn.gov. Uh the Oakdale Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in City Hall parking lot through October 8th. That means we just have five markets left, which is a little depressing. But then the indoor market started at the Discovery Center, so it's not all bad. But, uh, five left. Come on out, get your apples, get your mums. Uh, lots of good stuff out there with the vendors, and they always appreciate, uh, seeing lots lots of customers as well. Finally, the dates for curbside collection of Buckthornne have been set uh for Tuesdays, September 23rd, October 7th, and October 21st. Uh, residents must complete a waiver by the Friday prior to the desired pickup date. More info on the city website as well. This is a great program that our public works does. If you have buckthornne on your property that you want to get rid of, you can just put it out on the curb and public works will come pick it up, but you do have to fill out that form and secure your date first. So, head over the city website, just search Buckthorn Collection. It'll pop up. Um, but a great great opportunity to get rid of an invasive species and um have our city staff pick it up for you and dispose of it. So, check it out. Uh, there we go. Claims roster. Uh, we got bills to pay. August 27th through September 9th, 1.88 million and change. Uh, council members, any claims we wanted to pull out? All right. Who wants to make a motion? >> I move to approve claims for the period of August 27th, 2025 to September 9th, 2025 in the amount of 1,883 or $883,96849. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. And all those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Opposed. Bills are paid. We are going to go ahead and adjourn the regular city council meeting and roll right into a meeting of the Oakdale Economic Development Authority. Change graphics. There we go. Uh Sarah, will you please take the role? >> Commissioner Moore >> here. Commissioner Morham >> here. >> Commissioner Severson >> here. >> President Zabel >> here. Uh first up, approve the the agenda. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed and the agenda is adopted. Uh approval of the minutes. We have one set July 8th, 2025. Commissioners, any changes on these? 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 the minutes are adopted. Uh one business matter in front of us tonight related to the Tanner Lake uh redevelopment project. Uh, Mr. Glov, would you walk us through this, please? >> Yes. Thank you, uh, Mr. President, commissioners. Um, item before you today is to approval of amended restate exclusive rights agreement, the seventh amendment with Tanner's Lake LLC for redevelopment of EDA owned property. U, as you're aware, this property has been uh, looked at for redevelopment for going on 17 years now. Uh since 2023, we have been under an exclusive rights agreement with Tanner Lake LLC. That agreement has been uh extended a number of times as different steps in the in the uh the due diligence um process in entitlements process have been met. The last step to be completed in that is the formulation of a purchase and development assistance agreement. Uh the EDA did authorize as well as a city um approval of that agreement back in November. um that has been at the point where signatures have been collected, but it is still considered draft because some of the exhibits have uh not yet been uh been been provided and one of those being uh developer documenting their private financing. Unfortunately, they had um uh to to make a change in what they prior uhly had arranged. Um so they are requesting some more time to uh secure alternative financing and to uh push back for the closing for the project. Um, since that agreement hasn't uh gone into effect, uh staff is advising that uh we continue to work under the exclusive rights agreement and that extend that approximately 45 days from uh today's meeting to October 23rd, 2025 to um ensure the terms of the of that agreement and uh uh remain in effect. Um during that period um we'll be working closely with the developer ensure progress is made and also um uh explore continue to explore contingency plans. Um just a note on financial consideration um if the ERRA uh is terminated not super superseded by a purchase and development assistance agreement then there is an obligation for the developer to sell those parcels uh to the city. Um and there's conditions and terms laid out in the agreement for that. Um this would only be in the case that if the partnership dissolves the idea being that uh uh the city would want the ability to uh uh control all the land and property. Uh but again that is just a contingency and we're working diligently with the developer to um move this project across the finish line. Uh so with that uh Mr. President, commissioners, I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> Commissioners, is there any questions? >> All righty. Uh I'll look for a motion. Uh, Mr. President, I move that we authorize the EDA president and executive director to sign the amended and restated exclusive rights agreement seventh amendment with Tanner Lake LLC on behalf of the EDA. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that authorization is given. Thank you Andy. >> Thank you. >> Uh, can I get 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. I. opposed and we are adjourned. Thank you and good night.