iPhone says 7:00. So, we're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, September 23rd, 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 >> aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All righty. First up on the agenda is the approval of the agenda. Council members, can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> 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. Next up, approval of minutes. Two sets in front of us tonight. First up, let's take the workshop meeting minutes from September 9th, 2025. Do we have any changes or corrections to make here? >> I'll look for a motion. >> It's a move. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? And those workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Uh, final set is our regular meeting minutes from September 9th, 2025. How about any changes or corrections here? No. All right. Who would like to make the 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 minutes are adopted as well. Uh, next up on the agenda is public hearings. We do have one in front of us tonight. Uh, new liquor sales license approval. Do we have a staff presentation on this one? >> No. If the applicant would like to say anything, but other than that, >> well, let's go ahead. Uh, since it's a public hearing, I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing for comment from the audience. This is an opportunity for anybody joining us that would like to step up to the podium uh speak to this agenda item only. Please feel free to do so. All that we ask is that you 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, do we have any questions? No. All right. Who would like to make the motion? I'll make a motion to approve the issuance of a new on sale intoxicating liquor license and on sale Sunday license for Quantum Sports LLC DBA. Scorehub. >> Is that correct? >> It is. They changed the names. >> All right. Scorehub located at 895 Hail Avenue for the current term which expires on March 31st, 2026. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Motion a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that liquor license is approved. Congratulations. >> Uh next up is open forum. Uh before we get to that, I do have a city proclamation uh to read uh recognizing domestic violence awareness month. Whereas the crime of domestic violence violates an individual's privacy, dignity, security and humanity due to the system uh yeah uh systematic use of physical emotional sexual psychological and economic control andor abuse. And whereas in this country it is estimated that an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. And whereas more than half of abusers responsible for domestic violence related fatal shootings were prohibited by law from owning firearms. And whereas domestic violence does not discriminate and crosses all economic, racial, gender, educational, religious, and societal barriers and is sustained by indifference. And whereas the city of Oakdale is working to improve the overall response to and the reduction of domestic violence in our region with awareness to the cultural differences in our community. And whereas domestic violence is one of the most dangerous calls for law enforcement and the safety of those involved along with uh along with the community. And whereas October is nationally recognized as domestic violence awareness month and on Saturday October 16th 2025 we encourage the community to wear purple to create awareness about domestic violence in our community. Therefore I am Zabel mayor of Oakdale Minnesota do hereby proclaim the month of October as domestic violence awareness month in the city of Oakdale. Uh we also had uh another proclamation that um I was able to hand out yesterday recognizing HY for 10 years of uh business in our community. So that was pretty cool. Um we always like recognizing businesses all the time, but especially those that are celebrating uh milestones, the five and 10 year milestones. Um so a big congratulation to HY. Yesterday was Hi Day in our community. So congrats to them. >> Uh we're still in open forum. Um, if there's anybody joining us in the audience tonight that would like to step up and speak about anything, please feel free to do so. Similar rules as the public hearing, please uh keep your comments to 3 minutes or so and begin with your name and address for the record. Seeing none, we'll go ahead and keep things moving uh and move into consensus motions. Council members, in front of us, we have A through N. Tonight we go from having like one or two to, you know, here's 14. Perfect. Uh, council members, are there any you would like to pull for individual consideration? >> All right. Can I get a motion? >> Mr. Mayor, I'll move that we approve consensus motions A through N as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And A through N are approved as presented. Uh, next up, we will check in with advisory boards and commissions. EMC's meeting was cancelled. Uh, parks and wreck met on Tuesday. I believe that's a Tuesday. Uh, September 16th. Council member Morham as their liaison. What What are they up to? >> Yeah, happy to report. And I was going to ask our police chief, could you turn the lights on up here on the the camera? We're all looking gray and washed out. >> Well, that's just my normal look. >> Somebody looks tan. >> I look more tan when the lights are on. Yeah, I appreciate it. There's a lot of lights. Thank you. No, the parks and rec commission met at Tanner's Park and typically we meet here in city hall. Um, but we went up to Tanner's Park and it was a wonderful meeting. We had a number of community members show up. We had about 10 or 12 people, uh, people who have lived in Oakdale a very long time and people who love Tanners. So, they were excited to hear about the park master plan and the vision that we have going forward. And they had some really good feedback on things that they thought were great ideas and things they thought should be different. and we took it all in. Hannah did a great job with city staff and yeah, we're excited to keep the conversation going. >> Wonderful. Yeah, big changes coming to Tanners over the next few years, but especially next year with the new playground. So, we're excited for that. Uh that we haven't yet approved yet. Let me just put a disclaimer on there, but it's getting done. Uh Council Member Moore, the treeboard met the same night. What is our tree board up to? >> Yeah. Well, um we didn't have as many people that uh came to visit the tree board, but we did have one audience member. So, that's always exciting. Um, we uh talked about the 2026 work plan, which um is always a fun endeavor. Uh we talked about all of the activities. So, the tree giveaway, we um the list I think is out for what the trees will be in April. Um which, you know, people can start scanning their yards, I guess, and see where they're going to plant those those trees. Um talked about the buckthorn removal. We talked about the planting the seed uh planting event. So all the different events where people can engage throughout the year. Um 2026 work plan. >> It's out there. >> There going to be a lot going on. >> Mhm. >> Thank you, Council Member Moore. Uh nothing under awarded bids tonight, so we'll move into our staff reports. Community Development has a few in front of us tonight. Luke, welcome. >> Can you walk us through these, please? >> Yes. Thank you, Mayor and Council. So the first item is the energy conservatory site plan amendment. So this request uh again for a site plan amendment is to construct an addition to the uh the business's existing building. So that's located at 403 Hayward Avenue. So this request involves an expansion of the building. So it's approximately 3500 square ft. That would be built onto the southeastern side of the building. Uh the existing building is approximately 25,000 square feet. So the building expansion would be used as a training center for participants to learn how to perform energy audits, weatherization techniques, and uh building testing technologies. So, as part of the site plan amendment review process, staff reviewed key elements, including uh items such as setbacks, parkings, and uh parking requirements, storm water provisions, and uh so as detailed in the staff reports that are on file with the uh that are also included in the agenda packet, staff finds that the request complies with the city's zoning ordinance and uh we are recommending approval of the request subject to the conditions that are found in resolution 2025-85 in the agenda packet. There are just three conditions of approval here. So the first one is approval of the site civil construction plans. Number two, um additional details need to be provided for rooftop screening of uh utilities and that would be reviewed at the the time of the building permit phase. And then finally uh permits and approvals must be obtained from outside government agencies. and the planning commission. They heard this request back on September September 4th and they recommended approval. I believe that we have a representative from the energy conservatory here if you have any questions. Otherwise, staff would be happy to answer questions, too. Thank you. >> Thank you, Luke. Uh, council members, any questions for Luke? How about questions for the applicant? >> None. All righty. Who wants to make the motion? I move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-85 approving a site plan amendment for 403 Hayward Avenue North with conditions included in the attached resolution. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Any final comments? >> All those in favor say I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2025-85 is adopted. >> Luke, are you going to keep going? >> Yes. Thank you very much. >> All righty. Item B. So the next item is a conditional use permit for an oversized accessory structure. And uh the oversized accessory structure in this case is a workshop/g. It's approximately 900 square ft² and the property in question is 2954 Granada Lane North. Uh the uh property itself is just under a half acre. There is an existing garage on the property as well as an existing shed. The shed would be removed. Um uh the applicant does not intend to extend the their existing driveway to this uh sec uh additional accessory structure which would be located further to the north on their property. Um the planning commission held the required public hearing for this request back on September 4th. There was uh some comments from one of the neighbors, but uh the the planning commission did recommend approval of this uh conditional use permit request. And after review of the city's zoning ordinance requirements, staff recommends approval of this conditional use permit request subject to the conditions that are found in resolution 2025-86 also in the the agenda packet. So, four conditions of approval here, and I'll summarize the conditions. The first one is that the uh structure shall meet setback and height requirements. Number two, the structure shall not exceed 900 square ft. Number three, the existing canopy structure accessory structure shall be removed prior to construction of this additional uh oversized structure. And then finally, number four, build a building permit must be obtained. Happy to answer questions. >> Thank you, Luke. How about any questions from council members on this one? >> No. uh applicant here. >> I do not believe so, mayor. >> All right. Uh did we have any questions for the applicant? >> Just in case. >> All right. Uh can I get a council action on this one? >> I move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-86 approving a conditional use permit for an oversized accessory structure at 2954 Granada Lane North with conditions included in the attached resolution. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2025-86 is adopted. All right, last item. Luke, take it away please. >> Thank you. So, the location for this next request. It's 770310th Street North. So, this is immediately east of the Platinum Bank property. So, Prelude Holdings is the property owner and the the applicant here. They're seeking approval for a reasonzoning and a preliminary plat to create five single family lots. There is an existing home on the property that would remain. Uh the applicant has stated that the proposal is for market rate units or in other words they are not income restricted. The property is about 8 acres or excuse me 6 acres in size and uh contains some wetlands and trees. So the property is currently zoned R2 which allows 80 foot wide single family lots. The developer is proposing to reszone the property to R3, which allows 50 foot wide single family lots. Due to the limited buildable portion of the property, there's wetland and there's trees on site. The city's comprehensive plan guides the site for lowdensity residential. And this is a very important distinction or key fact to note because the comp plan guidance only allows for single family dwellings. No other type of uh residential uses. home, you know, town homes or duplexes there. The existing access for the site is 10th Street, and that would be decommissioned as part of this proposal. The the new access or the sole access for this site would be off of Upper 9th Street, which currently serves Platinum Bank only. Uh the developer would be required to complete the buildout of Upper 9th Street because currently it terminates halfway through the uh the Platinum Bank property. As mentioned, there's wetland on the site. There's about four acres there and the wetland and the wetland buffer area have to be platted as an outlot and that outlot would be uh deed to the city for future ownership and maintenance. Uh storm water will be managed on site through a new new storm water pond and the developer must submit an acceptable tree preservation plan in accordance with the city's tree reg uh regulations prior to or concurrently with their final plat application. So, the planning commission uh they held the required public hearing for this request back on August 7th. So, at the hearing, there were several neighbors who expressed concerns about the proposal, and I will I will cover some of the updates that the developer made in response to those neighbor concerns in just a moment, but the planning commission did recommend approval. Uh so, some updates since that August 7th planning commission meeting. The developer met with neighbors on August 26 at the Oakdale Library and held some additional follow-up conversations through phone and email. Um, and in response to the feedback received, the developer made a couple updates to their plats. So the first one is that they updated the plat to show that the required 15 foot wide access corridor from the proposed culde-sac to the the storm water basin that has been shifted further north on this uh proposal or on the the proposed preliminary plat. And the the purpose behind that is to reduce the amount of tree uh removal and sight disturbance along the southern portion of the property where there are some existing neighbors. And then the other uh notable change is that the developer included an enlarged drainage and utility easement in the southwest portion of the property which will uh provide a a buffer uh for homes in the Oakrest Ridge subdivision. That's those are the homes to the south of this site. So just to to conclude here, staff finds that the resoning and preliminary plan request meet the city's ordinance requirements and the they're consistent with the comprehensive plan as detailed in the staff report on file. So staff recommends approval of the request subject to the following conditions found in resolution 2025-87 10 conditions of approval. Bear with me. First one is approval of a reszoning to the R3 district. Number two, execution of a development agreement. Number three, approval of the site civil construction plans. Number four, satisfaction of park dedication requirements. Number five, outlaw a has to be uh conveyed to the city. Number six, install a sidewalk along Upper Ninth Street. Number seven, complete the buildout of Upper Ninth Street. Number eight, submit a tree preservation plan before or with the final plat. Number nine, execution of a grading permit agreement with the city for any grading work to occur before final plat approval. And then finally, number 10, permits and approvals from outside government agencies must be obtained. Uh the developer is here in attendance if you have questions and I can answer questions as well. Thank you. >> Thank you, Luke. Uh council members, any questions for Luke? >> Um I guess we it could be on either the resoning or the prelim. Uh how about questions for the developer? >> No. All right. Uh who would like to make the first motion? I move we wave reading and adopt ordinance number 954 reszoning certain property for the 9inth street landing development from lowdensity residential R2 to medium density residential R3. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And ordinance 954 is adopted. Uh one more action. Move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2025-87 approving the preliminary plat for 9inth Street Landing with conditions included in the attached resolution. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2025-87 is adopted. Uh thank you Luke. Uh city attorney Rachel Tierney is here with us tonight. Rachel, do you have anything for us? >> I don't have anything for you. Great to see you all. I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Council members, any questions for Rachel. All right, let's turn to our right, check in with our city administrator, Miss Walkers. What do you got for us? >> I do have one item on the agenda, Mr. Mayor, City Council. Um, it is for the I'm asking for approval of the proposal for contracted prosecution services. So what's before you is to enter into an agreement with Eber Lamers um for prosecution services starting at the end of the year towards the end of the year and going forward for a period of five years. Glad to answer any questions. >> Uh make your statement. >> Yeah, sure. >> Before we open up questions, >> make a quick statement. Yeah, just for the record, I'm going to recuse myself from this vote. My day business, I have a business relationship with Aber Glamours, so I will step out. Okay. Uh, council members, any questions for Chris? >> Alrighty. Who would like to make the motion? >> I'll make it. Um, Mr. Mayor, I I move that we authorize the mayor and city administrator to enter into an agreement with EC Glammers BC for prosecution services. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> A second. >> Motion, a second. Final comments. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And that authorization is given. 3 nothing. Uh, council presentations. Anybody have anything tonight? I'm looking this way. So Carrie, I'll start with you. >> No, I just want to express my appreciation for the proclamation we read today on domestic violence and appreciate that. We recognize that and thank you. >> Absolutely. A big thank you to our police department for requesting that and carrying that forward. Uh Andy or Gary, anything? Yeah, I had a great time at the city cleanup event on Saturday. >> As you can see, >> there may have been a small injury, >> but it was a great event, by the way. Um and and Carrie and I talked to Councilman Moore, excuse me, talked to a lot of people as they came through and many residents of the city were very appreciative uh that we held the event. So, uh very heartening to hear. So, >> yeah, >> that's good. No, just encouragement. Come to parks and recck commission. We've got so many cool things we're going to do and I love I love the feedback and I love to hear the history of our city and the parks. We had uh John Grasskey, Pete Grasky's son was there, been a resident for many, many years and I learned so many things in the process. So, please find out. It's a what third Tuesday of every month. So, please come join us. Next one will be here at city hall. >> There are a lot of apples growing at the nature preserve right now on trees that Pete Grassy grafted and planted there. So, um it's a very timely reminder of a lot of contributions that have been made around our city, towards our parks, and towards our environment. And Pete's a great example of that. >> Yep. Uh, I have a few. Um, as Council Member Severson mentioned, our citywide cleanup was held last Saturday. We had about 240 vehicles passed through. Uh, which is absolutely outstanding. Um, we're still waiting on final tonnage numbers from our vendors. You know, last year I think we had 50ome tons of stuff recycled, which is really cool. We hope to smash that this year. Um, a big thank you to all of our vendors that participated. A huge thank you to our staff. Um, Hannah Dunn on our community development team. Uh, Corey Titz and the team at public works. Um, everybody does such a nice job at setting up um, easy in, easy out on a street that has construction this year. Um, it ran flawlessly. We really do appreciate everybody who participated in this, uh, contributed to it. Um, we can't wait to keep doing it. Um, you know, at some point you think you get rid of all of the junk in your community and then it keeps showing up every year. So, we really appreciate it. Um, I I echo the sentiments I've heard from a number of residents who are appreciative of having the opportunity to to get rid of their stuff that they don't want. So, in a very economical manner, um, the fees are very reasonable. So, we appreciate that. Uh, our Oakdale Farmers Market continues this Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m. in the city hall parking lot. There are only three of them left for the season. So, if you are looking for mums, if you are looking for gourds or squash or pumpkins or any of those good fall fall items, um, now is your chance. Come on down Wednesday. Um, so tomorrow here out in the parking lot. Um, a lot of great stuff to choose from. So come on down and join us. We are in the final stretch for our annual photo contest and we want to see your best photos from every corner of our city. Uh, photographers of all skill levels can submit photos by the end of this month, September 30th. The only rules you have to be an Oakdale resident and the photo has to be taken in Oakdale. To learn more and to submit photos, check out our city website, oakdalemn.gov. Uh, council member Moore mentioned Buckthornne. We have a few items about buckthornne coming up. Very exciting. Um once again this year the city is offering complimentary curbside collection. If you have buckthornne on your property that you are removing, we will come get it for you for free. Uh the remaining collection dates for 2025 are Tuesday, October 7th and Tuesday, October 21st. In order to get scheduled for uh pickup, uh we you have to uh submit the collection waiver by the Friday preceding that. So I don't know, quick math, like October 2nd or 3rd or something. Um, you can find that form on our city website. You can complete it, email it to us. Um, and then crews will just be out to pick it up off the curb, which is a a pretty cool thing that that we do for our residents. So, uh, and then finally, we need some volunteers for the Scott Carver Buckthornne Removal Project on Saturday, October 11th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Walton Park. This annual event helps with the removal of buckthornne and invasive species to our urban forest. Uh, kicks off at 9:00, as I said. Lunch will be served at 11:00, so it's only a couple hours on. It'll be a beautiful morning. We know it will. Uh we could really use some help. Um all ages are welcome uh to volunteer. If you have kids under the age of 12, they have to have an adult supervising them. Uh more information and to sign up, visit oakdalemn.gov. Um I've done this event a number of times. It is always amazing at how much buckthornne and invasive um growth we get removed from areas. Um, I know Walton has been the area of focus the last few years, especially around the wetlands. We're finally making progress. We're finally seeing native stuff grow in its place, but we need help. We need extra hands. It takes an army, literally an army to get rid of that stuff. So, um, come on out, come join us. Um, make a big impact and then you can watch the benefits of it for many years to come. Claims, we got bills to pay. Uh, September 10th through September 23rd, 3.17. Man, the claims rosters have been big lately. >> Construction, Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah. September 10th through the 23rd, 3.17 million and change. Uh, council members, were there any that we needed to pull out for additional information? All right. Can I get a motion to approve claims as presented? >> I'll make a motion to approve claims as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion, a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the bills are paid. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. We are ajourned. Thank you and good night.