This transcript is from an Oakdale Environmental Management Commission (EMC) meeting. Based on the context provided and the dialogue, I have identified the speakers as **Chair Gerting**, **Staff Liaison Hannah Dunn**, **Mayor Kevin Zabel**, and various **Commissioners**. [0:07] Chair Gerting: Good evening. I'd like to call uh welcome. I'd like to call to order the February 9th, 2026 meeting of Oakdale's Environmental Management Commission. Very glad to see each of you. And for those online, thanks for watching. We will begin this evening with roll call led by staff liaison Hannah. [0:26] Hannah Dunn: >> Chair Gerting >> present. Commissioner Brendan >> present. >> Commissioner Yang >> present. >> Commissioner Lash >> present. >> Commissioner Fenstermaker >> present. >> Commissioner Doolittle. Commissioner Anderson. [0:43] Chair Gerting: >> Thank you Hannah. And also joining us tonight uh Oakdale's community development staff. In addition to liaison Hannah Dunn, we have Andy Morcomb sitting in the back. Sorry [laughter] >> I'm gonna get you. We're good. [1:02] Chair Gerting: Um, next up is >> pledge of allegiance. [1:14] All: 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. [1:31] Chair Gerting: >> You okay? >> We are okay. >> Thank you. [snorts] >> Great. Moving on to next item. We have approval of tonight's meeting agenda for February 9th. I think everybody received a copy in advance. [sighs and gasps] So, if there are no further amendments or additions, I'd like to ask for approval of tonight's agenda as presented. [1:53] Commissioner: >> I get a second. >> Chair Gerting: Great. All in favor of tonight's agenda, say I. >> Commissioners: I. >> Chair Gerting: Opposed. >> Great. >> Thank you. Next up, moving along, we've got approval of minutes from our November 17th, 2025 uh meeting of Oakdale ZMC, which we were also provided by in advance. [2:13] Chair Gerting: Give everybody a minute to look at that really quickly. >> We were also sent these prior to the meeting. Assuming no amendments or further discussion, I'll ask for approval of the minutes from the November 17th meeting of EMC. [2:33] Commissioner: So moved. Chair Gerting: Thank you. Can I get a second? >> Commissioner: Second. >> [laughter] >> Chair Gerting: All in favor of no approving November 14th meeting minutes before a war starts [laughter] say I. >> Commissioners: I opposed. [2:49] Chair Gerting: >> Thank you. Wonderful. Moving right along to the EMC commission review section. Seeing there is no business I believe if that's correct. staff liaison. [3:10] Hannah Dunn: It is time annually for the election of commissioners. Uh we first begin by nominating taking nomination for candidates for the position of chairperson and vice chairperson positions. Um as we all recall nominations do not require a second but anybody u may second just to show support. [3:37] Chair Gerting: So, beginning with Oh, go ahead. >> Hannah Dunn: I was just going to um let you know current Vice Chair Doolittle is not present. Um and Commissioner Anderson is not present. Both of them could be nominated and voted for. [3:52] Chair Gerting: >> Do we know that they want to get that stamped? >> Hannah Dunn: Yep. We uh had an opportunity to talk with uh vice chair um Doolittle and if accepted if nominated he would be happy to accept the position again of of either. [clears throat] Commissioner Brendan: I would move um Commissioner Doolittle to be the vice chair then again and I would nominate uh Commissioner Gerting >> sorry to be the U chairperson. [4:27] Chair Gerting: >> Okay. >> Commissioner: Second to both accounts >> Chair Gerting: just raise our hand and not do paper. [laughter] I think we're silly. >> Hannah Dunn: We just have to make a motion to close nominations and that requires a second and then a vote. [4:45] Chair Gerting: >> Assuming there's no other nominations for other position. Is there a motion to close? >> Commissioner: Yes, I I move. So moved. >> Chair Gerting: Okay. And is there a >> Commissioner: I'll second it. >> Chair Gerting: Thank you. Great. [5:04] Hannah Dunn: In the past, when we've only gotten one nomination for chairperson and one nomination for vice chairperson, we have not done a written ballot and we've just voted verbally. >> Chair Gerting: Okay, sounds good. >> Commissioner: Mhm. >> Commissioner: Save the planet. [5:20] Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Hannah Dunn: Do our part. Uh so moving forward um is there a motion to elect Commissioner Gerting for the position of chair for the EMC for a period of one year commencing with tonight's meeting? [5:40] Commissioner: >> So moved. >> Commissioner: So moved. >> Chair Gerting: Okay. >> Commissioner: Second. >> Hannah Dunn: All right. And is this one one second? Do we do these separately by position or we can do both nominations together under one? Okay. And then subsequently the motion to elect Commissioner Doolittle for the position of vice chair of the EMC for this year for a period of one year commencing with tonight's meeting. [6:01] Commissioner: >> So moved. >> Commissioner: So moved. >> Commissioner: Second. >> Hannah Dunn: Great. All in favor we can show of hands or say I. >> Commissioners: I. >> Hannah Dunn: Opposed. >> Great. Thank you everyone. [6:18] Chair Gerting: Appreciate your support. >> Commissioner: [clears throat] >> Thank you for continuing. >> Chair Gerting: Yes, >> my pleasure. My pleasure. >> Okay, moving on to new business. I think we have a overview high high level if I understand correctly. The triple high level >> trip yes >> of the 2050 comprehensive plan. [6:43] Hannah Dunn: >> Yes. Um thank you. I've got some slides. Um >> so this first item is very high level. high high level overview of the upcoming 2050 comprehensive plan update. This is an introduction to this topic and should help provide a foundation for what's to come. Um I don't want to get too in the weeds on the process or specific components tonight. Um however, if you desire to get in the weeds, the Met Council has a whole local planning handbook website that you can deep dive if you're interested. [7:16] Hannah Dunn: [snorts] To start, what is a comprehensive plan? It is a plan that defines the vision, goals, and aspirations of a community for the long-term redevelopment and development that is to come for the next 20 years. It is intended to shape land use and transportation patterns, conserve natural reserve natural features, ID needs for infrastructure, housing, parks, and open space. It's essentially the city's main policy document for land use and infrastructure. [7:47] Hannah Dunn: Why must we update the plan? The simple answer is that the state law requires that all municipalities within the seven county metro update their comprehensive plan every 10 years. The metropolitan council is the regional planning agency charged with planning and coordinating growth within the seven-county metro area. So, state law requires that they create regional plans and policies to to guide growth. And then that um translates into local communities updating their comprehensive plans. The local comprehensive plans cannot conflict with the Met Council's regional system plans related to various policies such as affordable housing for this upcoming comp plan process. [8:28] Hannah Dunn: Imagine 2050 is the Met Council's regional development guide that's also available online if you want to dig more into it. Besides the legal requirements, updating the comprehensive plan is a best practice so that the community has a vision and framework for future development. The 2050 comprehensive plan process was recently initiated with the Met Council publishing the official state system statement for Oakdale. Um that was just a few months ago back in the fall. Um so we're very early in the process right now. [9:01] Hannah Dunn: There are eight required plan elements displayed on the screen. Met council specifies minimum requirements for each land use. Um so land use planning ensures regional investments in sewer, water, roads, parks and other infrastructure are maximized while supporting growth, livability and natural resources. [9:20] Hannah Dunn: Housing. This required plan element allows um the city to inventory existing housing, project future needs and plan for required affordable housing. Transportation. The focus of transportation is aligning local infrastructure with regional systems and to address both vehicle and pedestrian modes of transportation and infrastructure. [9:39] Hannah Dunn: Water resources. The water resources section focuses on sustainability of wastewater, water supply, and surface water management systems. For parks and trails, the comp plan will support recreational infrastructure and preserve environmental elements. Climate planning for climate change can reduce risks such as flooding and extreme heat. Support adaptation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build equitable and resilient region. [10:05] Hannah Dunn: Natural systems. This chapter will focus on protecting, restoring, and enhancing natural systems while guiding where and how future growth should occur. And the last thing that comp plans must include is an implementation plan. This will outline the process in which the city will achieve the goals of the comp plan. [10:22] Hannah Dunn: As I said earlier, each of those chapters um there are minimum requirements. I took a screenshot from the Met Council's website of the climate minimum requirements. Overall, Met Council's goal with imagine 2050 and the subsequent community local comprehensive plans is to weave climate more throughout the entire plan, but also have a chapter that hones in and focuses more on planning for climate change. In past comprehensive plans, the chapter was just called resilience and they've changed it. So it's climate meeting the minimum requirements ensures that a comprehensive plan is complete and compliant. But communities can go farther and create plans that are truly transformative. So ways to go above and beyond when it comes to climate in the 2050 comp plan. Cities can set greenhouse gas reduction targets. They [11:09] Hannah Dunn: can prioritize vulnerable populations. They can address the health risks of climate change or they can integrate hazard mitigation into planning. Um, one thing to note is the city has applied to um, two climate grants from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help support climate planning in the comprehensive plan. If um, awarded, the grants will help uh, the city to meet and exceed climate minimum requirements. [11:37] Hannah Dunn: The city's existing 2040 comprehensive plan will be used as the framework and starting point for the 2050 update. We also have a portfolio of existing planning documents to rely on as we update the plan. So, um on the screen, all of those city planning documents on the left side, these were all completed since 2021. Includes the park system plan, the bike and pedestrian plan, redevelopment studies, small area plans. [12:01] Hannah Dunn: So, we've got quite a wealth of planning that's already happened in the last 5 years that we can rely on. We also have a number of um non-city planning efforts that we can utilize such as the Minnesota Department of Transportation's um highway 120 century Ave study. Um the Washington County also has a forthcoming long range transportation plan and a forthcoming climate action plan. So when those are complete, those can be um you know integrated into our comprehensive plan. [12:33] Hannah Dunn: In addition to leveraging existing planning documents, the Met Council also has some resources to assist communities with their comprehensive plans. Some of them have not been released yet. Um, but we are told that they are coming. Here is the tentative schedule for the comp plan update. Um, we have until December 31st, 2028 to submit to the Met Council the 2050 comprehensive plan. [12:58] Hannah Dunn: Um I'll just walk through some of the big um steps over the next few years. Um I'll note that other city staff in the community development department are leading this effort. I will be involved throughout when um you know needed for climate or environmental pieces. [13:14] Hannah Dunn: The first task is we have to uh we will be hiring a consulting firm to assist with the plan development and analysis that goes into it. The RFP has been drafted. Um, and then we should have a consultant selected in the next couple of months. So, no one's been hired yet, but after a consultant is hired, they along with city staff will work through data analysis such as transportation modeling and development site inventory. [13:40] Hannah Dunn: Um, there will be public engagement both with commissions, advisory bodies, and the public, stakeholder groups. Um, throughout the next three years, it'll be a really collaborative process between the city staff and the consultant. The goal is to have the draft plan completed and have the required public hearing held by the end of 2027. [13:59] Hannah Dunn: Then we need to have affected jurisdictions review the draft plan. Um, and they must be given a full six months to review it. So that includes neighboring cities, watersheds. Plans then must be submitted to Met Council by December 31st, 2028. This current schedule on your screen um has us submitting the plan mid-2028 just to give ourselves a nice six-month buffer. [14:22] Hannah Dunn: With that, I'll open up to any questions. Again, high level presentation um just to get things kicked off since really the whole process initiated not too long ago. Um but as we get the project started and moving and there's opportunities for engagement, the EMC will be um kept in the loop all along. [14:47] Chair Gerting: [snorts] Thank you for that triple high level >> overview. Um just a random question I guess for the the mind at the highway 120 big study. How um how much of a pull out does Met Council have in that whole piece is there or what intersections might exist? Pardon the pun. [15:25] Hannah Dunn: I know Mindot is leading it and I know there was a group. I don't know much more than that, but I can I can ask um ask other city staff members and follow up via email or at the next meeting if that's okay. [15:25] Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. Yeah. No real timeline. Just curious as we think about broader like >> right >> big picture EMC environmental goals and the redevelopment of that main corridor. >> Yeah. >> To align with Met Council if at all possible. >> Hannah Dunn: Right. county-wise, city-wise would be helpful to know. [15:42] Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah, there's a lot of stakeholders involved in that corridor. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. >> Hannah Dunn: >> So, um I know that that they've brought everyone to the table. I just don't have >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. >> Hannah Dunn: >> want to confirm before I >> Chair Gerting: Any other comments from commissioners? [16:06] Chair Gerting: >> Okay. Thank you again. >> Uh moving on to new business number three. Ah, a recycling grant update. >> Hannah Dunn: Yes. >> Chair Gerting: Yes. >> Hannah Dunn: The memo in the packet provides the MC with an update regarding the 2025 Washington County recycling grant and invites conversation about potential projects for the 2026 application. [16:29] Hannah Dunn: Overall, 2025 was a successful year with lots of communications going out via social media and the Oakdale update regarding waste reuse and recycling. Other grant activities included having the food scraps pickup program at our 2025 Eco-Fare, hosting pumpkin recycling drop off at city hall, purchasing dual stream waste bins for Willowbrook Fields and Prairie Trails Park, which are the two new parks in the Willowbrook neighborhood. Um, just a note, Willow Brook Fields is not open to the public yet. um but it is in the works and then hosting a fall citywide collection event. Looking forward, the city will apply for 2026 grant funding to support um recycling, reuse, and waste reduction projects. The city usually receives around $50,000 in funds with roughly 25% or 15,000 going to capital expenses or promotion efforts. [17:16] Hannah Dunn: In years past, the city typically includes a couple of projects that are geared towards education about recycling and composting. Therefore, two potential low-cost projects listed for 2026 are promote residential and commercial recycling through simple high level education and promote composting as a means of waste reduction. The other potential 2026 projects are continue to increase recycling access within the Oakdale park system. And then this year would probably be a year that we start getting into some of the existing parks. [17:48] Hannah Dunn: Um we've previously used grant funding for the new parks that have opened but now we can um focus on the existing parks and expanding recycling access and then um some of the grant funding can be used for the cleanup event. Though it's important to note that they're they have restrictions surrounding the use of funds for those events. Um they want you to use grant funds for disposal costs of items that are either recycled or reused. [18:14] Hannah Dunn: Um, at this time I'd like to offer the opportunity for commissioners to discuss 2025 outcomes as well as potential 2026 projects. Um, it's important to keep in mind that only four projects can be included in the application. So where there are, you know, if there's multiple things we want to do and we can create a project category that encompasses them all. [18:36] Chair Gerting: >> [snorts] One quick clarifying question before we noodle. Um, if the project from 2025 would be the a proposed same one for 2026 but have multiple times it happens. Is that considered one or two? [18:57] Hannah Dunn: >> I think one. >> Chair Gerting: >> Okay. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Do you have a specific example? >> Chair Gerting: >> Like the cleanup. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Correct. Yeah. >> Chair Gerting: >> Multiple cleanups. Okay. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. Yep. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. They're not too picky about how it all works out. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Buttons, frequency, >> but in terms of the actual application platform, I only have four places to put projects. So, >> Chair Gerting: thank you. [19:23] Hannah Dunn: >> We didn't put an S on event. [clears throat] >> Commissioner Lash: >> All set. >> Are we already doing a second one? Second cleanup. Is that already? We only have one scheduled or we do we're doing another one right? [19:40] Hannah Dunn: >> currently only one is on the calendar. This a this potential for a second was brought up but a past EMC meeting >> that would require some clear council direction. >> Commissioner: >> Okay. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Um >> it was not budgeted for. So this would probably be a >> looking forward during the next budget conversations. Um so for 2026 in the recycling grant it would will only be one. [20:01] Commissioner: >> Oh just okay. Unless there's a change from council, but um I have not been given that direction. [snorts] >> Commissioner: Does does this grant cover the full cost of the cleanup? >> Hannah Dunn: >> No. >> So, it can be used for mattress recycling costs or electronics recycling, but um not other things. [20:25] Chair Gerting: >> Do we know from the fall cleanup specifically what types of items got the most? >> Hannah Dunn: >> There were numbers >> Chair Gerting: >> interest. I forget what those numbers were. >> Hannah Dunn: >> You had volumes for >> Chair Gerting: >> Yes. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah, we did from the November notes. I think we had >> Commissioner: It was just a lot of everything though. I mean, just so much. [20:40] Commissioner Lash: >> You almost think again if you think about somebody's house, you do something in April or May because they spring clean, >> right? And then you do Yep. >> And then they're not headed to wherever. Yeah. And then you do another one in the fall when they're going, "Oh jeez, I have to get everybody in the house." Yeah. >> Commissioner: Prevent people dropping things off. [20:58] Chair Gerting: >> Right. >> Commissioner: >> Random places. Hannah Dunn: The numbers are kind of hard because for mattresses they just give us the number. I suppose we could calculate what an average mattress weight is. Um so I don't know how many how many pounds of mattresses we collected. I'm guessing the most we collected is just kind of general trash just because that encompasses more. [21:19] Hannah Dunn: >> Um we did collect quite a few pounds of electronics >> and um there was small engines were again I don't know the weight of the small engines but we we collected quite a few. Those kind of all of the the items that we collected, people were bringing them. [21:36] Commissioner: >> So, prior to that event in September, was the previous event a year before in September? >> Hannah Dunn: >> And I I do believe there was a it was a we collected less the second year than we did the first year. Probably just because it had been 10 years since we had >> previously had a cleanup event. [21:53] Hannah Dunn: >> But it's kind of hard the trend with only two years knowing >> knowing what the demand will continue to be. [22:06] Commissioner Brendan: I So we don't have any dual stream recycling bins in Walton Park, correct? I would probably I would like to nominate that one potentially just I mean the amount of people that have big parties there at the the grounds and all the kids that go to the park. I mean I feel I mean my family personally we go there all the time so there's always people. So, I feel like that would be potentially a good spot to propose for the dual stream bins. [22:38] Hannah Dunn: Okay. [22:55] Chair Gerting: Just to confirm, we are doing the eco-fair, correct? >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yes. >> Commissioner: >> Yeah. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yes. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. Promotions, we haven't put anything out there, but um by the end of February, things will be I have a a very brief update about that to come. >> Commissioner: >> Okay. [23:14] Commissioner: Is there anything new on the food scraps pickup program any new I don't know any new >> areas to [snorts] promote it in >> Commissioner: >> well I I see their ads on YouTube now so I mean they're really reaching out they're increasing their outreach so >> Commissioner: >> okay good that's good >> Hannah Dunn: >> yeah their communications outside of city efforts um have really ramped up they have um signage at some of the ice rinks in Washington County. They gas stations have promotional ads. [23:47] Commissioner: >> Oh, wow. >> Commissioner: >> E-billboards. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Um we still um get any updated communications assets from them and then promote it out. >> Um I don't remember the schedule in terms of it opening up to other cities in Washington County and Ramsey County. [24:04] Hannah Dunn: Um, I gave an update at the last meeting that Sorry. No, it's okay. Um they're not going to expand it to restaurants >> just because the volume of food waste is too large. Though they are considering expanding the program to small offices >> in the future. [24:21] Commissioner: >> Okay. >> Hannah Dunn: >> So they just don't quite have the capacity and encourage restaurants if they wanted to compost to um go through a different service. M >> and Biz Recycling is a program through Ramsey Washington recycling and energy that could help provide some funding to restaurants to get something like that up and going. [24:44] Commissioner: >> Yeah, I still think the restaurants is a is a good idea. >> Hannah Dunn: >> It's almost too big. >> Commissioner: >> I know. I know. That's Yeah. Okay. [25:01] Chair Gerting: But small offices, I like that. Okay. As a grant theme, like a impact area, I I I often we often maybe mistaken, we often don't hear conversations about things for reuse. And I wonder if there's something in there, not that we do a popup event like Washington County's environmental center with their reuse room, >> but is there something that the city gets requested for that we just can't handle that maybe we could pilot with a percentage of funds from this grant or just the concept of reuse is interesting. So, I wanted to elevate it. [25:47] Hannah Dunn: >> They're with the eco-fair. We're still pushing forward with having a clothing swap. Mhm. >> I know that that is a popular an in demand thing, so that could be kind of our dipping the toes into a reuse event. >> Chair Gerting: >> Good reminder. Okay. [26:07] Chair Gerting: >> Do you know if we get requests other than clothing at the city for be great to be able to have a space to reuse something? I don't know. Hannah Dunn: Commissioner Anderson brought up sports equipment at the last meeting. I think for this first EcoFare clothing swap, we're probably just going to keep it to clothing and shoes to not get too. [26:28] Hannah Dunn: >> We could see how it goes and how what we need to do to manage it >> and then expand maybe. >> But I know other cities do sports equipment swaps, they do puzzle game swaps, they do craft supply swaps, >> Commissioner: >> but the library does puzzle swaps. >> Commissioner: >> Yeah. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. And uh Washington County has done they had recently had a winter clothing swap >> Chair Gerting: >> and there may not be right now. I was just thinking like what's unique to Oakdale that would lend itself to a reuse situation? [26:59] Commissioner: >> Just a different question for the eco-fair. Did the reuse room come to our eco-fair? See my my theory is this. I discovered them years ago by accident. Sort of. If you asked a random person in Oakdale like what would you do blah blah would they even know we have such a thing? [27:15] Hannah Dunn: >> No. >> Commissioner: >> Again it's people understanding what the options are. I think that's the biggest issue. And then they have to decide well do I want to drive all the way down there? That's a different you know depending where they live different issue. But if they don't even know like they can go and get all the herbicides and pesticides and all the paint and varnish or whatever they could possibly need for free >> or take all their old stuff. I mean that's a whole >> that's the biggest problem I think is just awareness. [27:42] Hannah Dunn: >> So at a minimum we need to get them >> at the food scraps pickup program. She was technically representing Washington County and the food scraps pickup program or food scraps pickup program. She had materials on things like the disposal directory. It just probably got lost. [27:57] Commissioner: >> Well know they need a whole that's a huge resource. I mean that would be my thought is it everybody walking up there. She had her big containers. The focus was obviously recycled food scraps. They was not >> clear that there was also >> Hannah Dunn: >> I can try asking again. Last year I had requested both and got one so I can see if maybe they have capacity to have just a food scraps pickup program table and one that's a little bit more >> Commissioner: >> we're requesting that they have they both show [laughter] >> well I mean we want to to get more business for the reuse area. I mean more in more out and I think that [clears throat] that I think that be and when people see that place I think their eyes they just can't quite believe >> right >> the amount of things that are there. [28:43] Commissioner: It's amazing. So >> Hannah Dunn: >> yeah, >> we can call and ask him if he wants to. [snorts] Any other thoughts or comments for 2026 application? [29:04] Commissioner: >> So, it's Oh, sorry. So, it seems like I guess we're going to probably try to keep or we're keeping them all the same. Does it seem like >> I mean, I like all of them. >> Hannah Dunn: >> When I reported when I did the 2025 reporting, I reported on the eco-fair in project one, the just educate. Um, >> I could I could maybe change project 4 to events and have eco-fair clothing swap and collection event under that. It'll all work together. So, it they they don't really get too bogged down in that. So, and then based on the work plan discussion about the rain barrels though, so was that something like that >> or >> Commissioner Lash: I mean that's something concrete. I don't know how do how would we um gauge interest in something like that in the general public. I I don't know. I mean because the the um energy out um audit >> I don't know that that's been as popular as we would have hoped necessarily people using those funds. So I don't know if there's a way to figure out how much the rain barrel idea would would be interesting for folks. [30:12] Hannah Dunn: So maybe for this next application that's not we could just put explore or something like that and we're not committing to anything in >> want to not do something else that we know is important to do something we're not sure >> how important I don't know how to get that info but we can work on that >> and is the rain barrel thing part of this grant >> I discuss though >> I had asked the question if it could be when uh we start talking about rain barrels >> oh >> I asked if that could be a part of this to reduce the cost more. [30:42] Hannah Dunn: >> I don't know if it's eligible. >> Commissioner: >> Doesn't seem like it's a >> Commissioner: >> they might might be a stretch that kind I don't know. >> Chair Gerting: >> Okay. >> Commissioner Yang: The one thing with with rain collection, I'm not against rain barrels, but is there anything against the collection of water because a lot of times people do depend for that to run. And you know, sometimes there are restrictions against collecting water because they're like the water needs to run to to get to the wetlands, right? I mean, if you're collecting water or stops, is there anything against that? [31:14] Chair Gerting: >> It's usually off your your roof is it's from God, so you can have it. Anything else, you're right, though. Some cities do prevent like damming up or changing the direction of water flow. >> Commissioner Yang: >> Yeah. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. >> I would need to dig more into our code and see what engineering has to say about specifics with that. [31:30] Commissioner Yang: >> Yeah. I just want to know what Oakdale has in place for that because then >> you know like you said yes I know collection off the roof is okay but like we just want to make sure. >> Commissioner: >> Well [snorts] but that's but the reason I'm saying that is that's the that's what you do rain for. Any other thing you do is is where you're messing with mother nature. Yeah. [31:48] Commissioner Yang: >> Right. Yeah. And that's that's just my concern. Yeah. Well, [32:07] Chair Gerting: okay. Does that >> liaison give you enough? >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yes. >> Chair Gerting: >> Intel? >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. >> Chair Gerting: >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Thank you for that. Moving on to our last item of new business, our EMC communication strategy for this year. [32:26] Hannah Dunn: >> Yes. At the beginning of it, each year, the EMC discusses the environmental communication strategy plan and develops an editorial calendar. It is a flexible strategy that can be changed if more relevant and timely environmental content comes up. In your packet, I included the 2025 editorial calendar. [32:43] Hannah Dunn: Many of the themes and months can be repeated in 2026. However, we can also veer and mix things up if desired. Um, at the beginning of 2025, um, there was we weren't able to put out as much on uh on social media due to some staff leave. [33:01] Hannah Dunn: >> So, um, we'll need to address I mean, I guess we're January is already gone, but we still have opportunity in February. Um, so we Yeah, I'll just open it up for for conversation about 2026. Do commissioners have ideas for completely new themes? Are there resources that commissioners have come across that can be added? [33:36] Chair Gerting: >> So a process question. So for March it's food scraps. >> It says communications content etc etc. >> How many um times does communication go out on food scraps in March for instance. What would you think? [33:54] Hannah Dunn: >> The goal would be one. It kind of depends what other things we have to promote on social media, other events, other news updates. >> Chair Gerting: >> Okay. But do you have a limit then as to how many events per day or per week you send out? >> Hannah Dunn: >> I would have to ask communications what their um preference is. But in terms of the theme, we probably have one to two posts a month, but probably just one >> Chair Gerting: cuz I'd be I'd be curious what their sort of thought is on on how often things can go out if why there'd be a limit and what the limit would be because my vote is once you have it, wouldn't you post something like every week? [34:33] Hannah Dunn: >> It just depends on availability to make sure other items are are getting eyes. Sometimes if you post too much in a day, things just get lost. So, How many different things are? >> Chair Gerting: >> I don't know what communications guidelines are, but I can I can check [snorts] >> because again, it'd be nice if we had the reuse center. You could post that once a month. [laughter] They just >> hammer >> hammer it >> Chair Gerting: like Thursday maybe before people clean and then the Saturday comes and they can it all off >> just >> I mean repetition the woman will know the communications person will know that it's about over and over and over. So hitting somebody once and then moving to bikes or whatever the next month, >> seven to 10 times is not going to get you there, >> right? Chair Gerting: I for a topic area, I do know that Washington County also has some great content about the reuse center specifically. So it's also finding a healthy balance between what is specific to Oakdale knowing that communications I think probably also shares stuff from county >> and then what specifically topical >> uh editorial wise thematically is specifically stuff that we want to elevate which gets to your I think strategy of the one to two Yeah. [35:42] Hannah Dunn: >> per month. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yes. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. [35:54] Hannah Dunn: >> [snorts] At the very end, it said ongoing content throughout the year. Promotion of the food scraps pickup program, >> general sustainability, home energy squad rebates. Those are all things that, you know, we're not only going to promote the food scraps pickup program in April. It just or in March. It just might be >> a bigger focus in March. [36:29] Commissioner: >> Well, also you might want to say for September if that's when we're going to do the um the trash again, >> right? That that one's always been kind of >> Well, again, it's >> separate, but um >> Commissioner Lash: EVs again. Well, I'm just saying but it says in September, so I don't know if you want to >> mention that that's going to be I think your schedule's jam-packed if you only get one shot a month. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. So, >> yeah. >> Puts it into a whole different perspective. I used to read this list and go, "Wow, this is great." But then if you allow one message, >> that's very constraining. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. And you're welcome as you're on social media and you're seeing [sighs] certain content, certain ideas, certain dates, like, oh, this date is national whatever day. Feel free to just send it my way and then we can >> keep track of that or come up with new ideas as well because um we're always looking for new content to promote. [37:49] Chair Gerting: may not have a specific idea, but this always thank you for letting us like have our eyes and minds into this and partnering with you all in communications. One of the things that just strikes me about this right now and it could be the fact that I had coffee at 6 p.m. is um a lot of this is geared towards residents >> and there's not a lot that's geared towards businesses >> businesses. And so I'm wondering maybe these one to two things a month we could have a both and like there's the topic and one part could hit the resident population and then or two-thirds one-third I'm not sure what our viewership is or like share followers like the demographics of our followers on social is but is there a way to include and be inclusive of our business community as well >> because I think that's a story that is missing from a lot of these things. So just as an observation, >> Hannah Dunn: >> yeah, and that's reaching businesses and having some a one pager for businesses is something that I kind of have a bit of a goal and when we're doing um business retention, expansion, attraction visits, that's something um a resource that's available to them. [39:07] Hannah Dunn: So yes, I think that's something we could [snorts] >> um improve. So that's a very good idea. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. Any [snorts] other comments, suggestions, questions for editorial calendar? [39:26] Chair Gerting: >> Great. Thank you again. Um, next up, I think we move to staff, commissioner, and council liaison updates. >> Hannah Dunn: Yes, I just have a couple general updates for this evening. Um, one item, um, that I wanted to float by the EMC was not printing EMC packets anymore unless requested. Um, we would still need to print and have a public copy available at the back of the meeting room, but um, if you are amenable to bringing laptops or tablets and you're you're welcome to do that. Um, so if you prefer a printed copy, you can you can let me know and I'm happy to continue providing those. But um if we as an EMC want to reduce some paper waste um I I talked to our city clerk and there's no requirement to have them printed. We just have to have the one public copy. Um so if you're okay with that then I think that's maybe something we implement in '26. >> Commissioners: Yes. Great. >> Support it. >> Hannah Dunn: Thank you. Wonderful. Uh my other update is planning for the Eco-Fare is going well. [40:30] Hannah Dunn: Um some vendors have been emailed. Um we're still waiting for commitments. um it's kind of in the the time period that they can still commit. Um so I don't have a finalist to share. Um I also met with the recreation department to start discussing family-friendly activities. Um so next month when we meet I'm hoping to have a memo that kind of lays out much more of the details. [40:49] Chair Gerting: >> Are we at the same place as >> Hannah Dunn: >> same place, same time, same Saturday of the month. >> Commissioner: >> Okay. The trees will be across the street still >> in food truck. >> Hannah Dunn: >> No, I was thinking of Well, I don't know yet. Food truck is still TBD. [41:05] Commissioner: >> Okay. >> Hannah Dunn: >> We kind of talked about it last time about maybe maybe um with it being a bit of an early morning something that's a little bit more bakery or >> so exploring options. So if you know of any food trucks that are either licensed in Oakdale or would like to willing to get licensed in Oakdale donuts and ice cream cones both. [41:24] Commissioner: >> Kids would like that. >> Commissioner: >> Crumb cookies. [laughter] >> Commissioner: >> Kids would like that. >> Commissioner: >> I would. >> Commissioner: >> I would too. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yeah. something just a little bit smaller cuz >> Commissioner: the handheld. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. >> Commissioner: >> Yep. So >> Commissioner: little walk and nosh. >> Chair Gerting: Exactly. [41:39] Chair Gerting: >> That's all I have. >> Great. Any updates from commissioners? >> Commissioner Lash: >> Oh, we need the schedule for the drains again to be reminded if you >> Hannah Dunn: >> next meeting because >> Commissioner Lash: >> Thank you. Okay. I just >> Hannah Dunn: >> typically this is kind of the off the off time. [41:58] Commissioner Lash: >> I'm assuming there Yeah, there's something happening in the >> next month. we can um discuss that. And then really hoping in '26 pictures or just any sort of metrics would be kind of fun to share just maybe at each meeting. If you had the previous month or that current month and you've done a cleanup, feel free to share. [42:22] Chair Gerting: >> Great reminder. Thank you. [42:33] Commissioner Brendan: My only update is this is the first winter season that my household has not bought or used salt. Full disclosure ever. >> Chair Gerting: >> Yes. >> Commissioner Brendan: >> Feels great. You're a grit family. Feels real great. We've gone grit >> and have kind of laxed on the shoveling on the sides. And you know what? It's okay. [42:55] Commissioner Lash: >> Mhm. >> But what are you using? Commissioner Brendan: Grit. >> Grit. Grit. >> Commissioner Lash: >> Okay. >> Do you want to repeat? She was not at the last meeting. What what they told us about the grit. >> Chair Gerting: >> You can only You can only get a bag or whatever. There's a limit. [43:10] Commissioner Lash: >> What is it, Laura? >> Where you get it at? >> Hannah Dunn: >> Well, it depends where you you can buy it at like Menard's or Home Depot. But if you live in one of the certain watersheds, you can get it for free, >> but I'm not I can't I'm not sure which watershed it is. I I don't live in it, so I wasn't able to get it. But but basically grit is just for traction and you can reuse it. So instead of melting the ice, it just sits on the ice, but it provides that similar traction >> and you can you can scoop it up and reuse it over and over again. [43:38] Hannah Dunn: >> Um so it it doesn't do any harm to the environment. >> Commissioner Brendan: >> It's a great activity for my kids. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah, >> Commissioner Brendan: >> they're little shovels just throwing it. [laughter] >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yeah. The goal is reduce chloride pollution. When we're using chloride deicers, >> it it takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. [43:59] Chair Gerting: >> It's in It's >> We can send out the water. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Yes, >> we can send it out again. >> I I believe I know what watershed you're in and Okay, >> I I will send you some info tomorrow. >> Commissioner Lash: >> Okay, that would be awesome. >> Commissioner: >> That's where it came up though was in the discussion about the watershed, the two women that came to talk to us. [44:14] All: [clears throat] >> Grit. >> Cool. Great. >> The word of the day. Yeah, great. >> Chair Gerting: Well, moving into the last update section of our meeting, we'd like to invite EMC's city council liaison, Mayor Zabel, to share. The floor is yours, Mr. Mayor. [44:30] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Thank you everybody. Nice to be with you again. Um, so it's the South Washington Watershed District has chicken grit. You can get it at the environmental center. Just it up. Yeah. Um, I would assume though pretty much any um county resident could probably go there and get some. I think they had posted about it. So, um, you can get 25 pounds, a 25 lb bag. So, that that should last a while. Um, but as for the city council, uh, new year. So, um, as as we do every at the start of every year, um, it's kind of our organizing activities. So, uh, pleased to share that I'll be staying on as your liaison with this commission. So, I look forward to working with you all throughout 2026. [45:11] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Um, otherwise, uh, the biggest project on our plate lately has been the city hall police department expansion project. That'll be um kicking kicking off this summer. Um so, as voters probably know, um a local sales tax was approved for expanding the police department. Um as part of that project, um we're also going to be renovating city hall. Uh some parts of this building were built in 1979, so you know, about 50 years. Um it's about time. So, um, we're taking a holistic look at, um, the space needs for our community as well as our city staff to provide, uh, continue providing the outstanding service that that they do every single day. Um, tackling a number of security upgrades within the building um environmental efficiencies, energy efficiencies, all of those good things that come with a big capital um, construction project. [45:56] Mayor Kevin Zabel: But that will mean that we need to vacate for about 18 months. Um, we are moving all city staff out. uh we don't want there there are there are benefits to having everybody out of the building for construction. Early plans called for a staggered approach and council felt strongly that none of our employees should have to work in a construction zone. So we're figuring out plan B um which will allow us to speed up the timeline which is kind of nice. So and there are cost savings associated with that. I think we're saving about a half a million dollars by having everybody out of the building and letting uh construction crews go wild with it. So um there will be some impacts on Walton Park. We're trying to minimize that as much as as we can. We are moving the public entrance to 15th Street, creating a new uh public plaza out here on the southwest corner of the building. Um the public entrance and the parking lot uh on the existing building will become secured parking for our city staff. We're very very excited about that. We don't like having to need to have secured parking for our staff, but in the world that we're in, we want to make sure our staff are safe. [46:42] Mayor Kevin Zabel: So, um more to come on that. You can always check out the city website for anybody that wants more information. Um, but I am sure the commission will be involved in that project as well as soon as we get details about where future EMC meetings will be held. Um, probably discovery center. Uh, we'll make sure to communicate that out with everybody. Uh, public works facility almost done finally. It's been a long long long journey. um hit some weather last summer which delayed it a little bit but we should be wrapping that up uh if not this month early in March. Um we are planning a uh public grand opening I believe in May. Um the reason we're waiting is uh public works crews aren't going to move until winter snow operations are done. So we don't want to have to displace them while they're tasked with keeping our our our streets and trails and sidewalks nice and clear. [47:45] Mayor Kevin Zabel: So we're going to wait to move them in. Um but that also has been a long journey. Um, so we're excited to have that done. Uh, and then the other big infrastructure project going on is our street reconstruction, the project that we do every single year. Um, still focusing in the southern end of our community uh Greenway uh from I believe, 7th Street to downtown I-94, Hudson Hudson Boulevard is being redone with, um, a 7 foot boulevard trail being added to that. um that came out of our bike and pedestrian plan that this commission also worked on um identifying a huge gap in our trail network in our city. So, we're excited to get that added as well as some um resurfacing of adjacent streets as well. Finally, uh the city council has green lit plans for uh three playground replacements in Oakdale. Tanners Lake Park, Giew, and Tower. Um a couple of them will probably be happening in 2026. Tanners is a bigger project, so that's going to take a little bit longer. So, look for that to be open in 2027. Um, but we're excited to kind of see the fruits of the the labor involved with the park system plan update um really start rolling out. [48:51] Mayor Kevin Zabel: So, um Tanner Lake Park, especially that playground should have been replaced a while ago. So, we're excited to get that done. Um it's going to include kind of a nature oriented design, which we're pretty excited about. Um, but more to come on that, including engagement opportunities for residents in those neighborhoods um to help shape what those playground amenities look like. So, more to come on that. With that, I'm happy to answer any questions. We got a lot going on. [laughter] [gasps] [49:25] Chair Gerting: >> Nothing for the the park uh wow playground park question. So, as the Willowbrook one was developed, I know that we have a really great like not first ever, but like >> an awesome park uh that's accessible for people of all kids of all abilities. Was that done with feedback or was that just something that Oakdale said, "We're just going to do this?" [49:43] Mayor Kevin Zabel: >> Uh, yes and yes. >> Oakdale has been very clear that accessibility has to be a primary objective of all of our park amenities. You know, before we did Willoughbrook Commons, we hadn't built a new park in Oakdale in about 20 years. So, just the options um to increase accessibility in playground equipment have evolved so much. And so, as we went through that park design process, we just saw a lot of a lot of new things that people didn't think about 20 years ago when they were putting in playgrounds. Um whether it's, you know, the the um molded play surface instead of wood chips or sand, which is a huge accessibility issue. um playground amenities where um a child in a wheelchair could just roll into the amenity. [50:28] Mayor Kevin Zabel: Really cool advancements. Um I was at a conference of the National League of Cities in November, spoke with a couple of the playground equipment uh producers. They've have they have even more stuff now, which is pretty cool. Um so we'll be looking at at that as well. Um Willoughbrook, three three parks total. Willbrook Commons, obviously the one um that most residents are familiar with. Prairie Trails Park uh is kind of a a passive um just walking area. That park is complete now. And then the athletic amenity field uh which is named Willoughbrook Fields um will be opening this spring. Things got put in last fall, but we're excited to to open that up. Uh so that includes a soccer field, pickle ball. [51:12] Mayor Kevin Zabel: >> Oh, and a turf volleyball. Our first turf volleyball court in the city of Oakdale is at Willoughbrook Fields, which is pretty pretty cool. So, yes, lot of lot of improvements happening to our playgrounds in Oakdale. >> Chair Gerting: >> Cool. >> Any other questions? [51:28] Mayor Kevin Zabel: >> All righty. Thank you everybody. >> Chair Gerting: >> Thank you. >> Hannah Dunn: >> Thank you. [51:38] Chair Gerting: >> That brings us to the end of the agenda and meeting for tonight. Um, our next meeting of the EMC will be held on March 16th at 7 p.m. in the Headley conference room, assuming no construction yet. Um, if there's no further discussion, I'd like to call for a motion to adjourn tonight's February 9th meeting of Oakdale's EMC. [51:59] Commissioner: >> So moved. >> Commissioner: >> Second. >> Chair Gerting: >> Great. All in favor of adjournment of tonight's meeting. Say I >> Commissioners: >> I. >> Chair Gerting: >> opposed. >> Great. Meeting is adjourned. >> Thanks everyone. >> Commissioner: >> Thank you. >> Commissioner: >> Thank you.