Oakdale City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Affordable Housing and Conduit Debt Financing
Tanner Lake Redevelopment and Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
November 2024 Election Canvasing and Results
City Policy Revisions (Human Resources)
2024A Bond Issuance and Financial Health
Economic Development and Planning Activities
Community Engagement and Surveys
Votes (10)
Conduit Debt Financing Approval for Metas Development Group
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [6:49] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [7:22]
The Community Development Director presented the request for final approval of conduit debt financing for Metas Development Group. The financing, reduced from an initial five projects to three, targets affordable housing, including Gentry Town Homes in Oakdale, extending existing affordability contracts by 15 years. The city will receive a 1% issuance fee and reimbursement for expenses. No public comments were received.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Tiff District 2-12 Tanner Lake Redevelopment
Dissent: Mayor Zabel
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [14:15] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [14:39]
The City Council considered an amendment to TIF District 2-12 and a purchase and development assistance agreement for the long-sought redevelopment of blighted EDA parcels near Tanner Lake. The project, valued at over $48 million, includes 138 residential units and requires a $2.5 million TIF pay-as-you-go note. The Mayor expressed philosophical opposition to TIF but hoped for project success. No public comments were received.
Canvasing of the November 5th, 2024 Election Returns (Consensus Motion A)
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [19:03] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [19:07]
The Council formally canvased the returns of the November 5th, 2024 election. The Mayor used this opportunity to thank candidates, congratulate winners Gary Severson and Carrie Moore, and express appreciation for residents' overwhelming approval of local sales tax questions designed to fund capital projects without increasing property taxes. The Mayor also noted the exceptional voter turnout of 79.95%.
Human Resources Policy Amendment: Funeral Bereavement Leave
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [28:09] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [28:28]
The City Administrator presented amendments to four city policies to consolidate and clarify language regarding funeral and bereavement leave. The revised standalone policy expands the definition of eligible family members and relationships, aligning with ESS law, and allows employees to designate other significant individuals. The changes were developed in consultation with unions.
Human Resources Policy Amendment: Out-of-Class Pay
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [28:36] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [28:53]
A new City Policy, PE-023, was introduced to establish parameters for out-of-class pay. Previously, no formal policy existed. The City Administrator explained the need for such a policy to guide compensation when employees temporarily assume duties significantly outside their standard job roles, such as a Fire Chief covering for a Public Works Director vacancy.
On-site Gambling Premises Permit for Climb Theater
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [30:37] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [30:49]
The City Administrator presented a recommendation to approve an on-site gambling premises permit for Climb Theater, to be located at Pins in Oakdale. No significant discussion or questions were raised by the Council.
Donation to Fire Department for Equipment
Dissent: None
Moved by Council Member Willenbring [32:27] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [32:39]
The Council considered and approved the acceptance of a generous donation of $705 from a community member, Audrey, specifically earmarked for the Fire Department. The Fire Chief clarified that the funds would be used to purchase 'New York hooks,' specialized tools for firefighting tasks such as breaking windows and pulling ceilings. The Council expressed appreciation for the donation.
Appointment of Carrie Moore to Vacant Council Member Seat
Dissent: None
Moved by Mayor Zabel [33:51] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [34:04]
Following the canvasing of election results, the Council decided to make an early appointment of Carrie Moore, the highest vote-getter, to fill a vacant council member seat for the remainder of the current term, which ends January 6th, 2025. Carrie Moore was then sworn into office and expressed gratitude and eagerness to serve the community.
EDA Business Item: Fill Treasurer Vacancy
Dissent: None
Moved by President Zabel [43:09] · Seconded by Commissioner Morcom [43:21]
During the Economic Development Authority (EDA) meeting, an item was presented to fill the vacant Treasurer position for the remainder of 2024. President Zabel nominated Commissioner Willenbring, who accepted the promotion.
EDA Public Hearing: Sale of Real Property near Tanner Lake & TIF Amendment
Dissent: President Zabel
Moved by Commissioner Moore [46:40] · Seconded by Commissioner Morcom [47:09]
The EDA conducted a public hearing on the sale of certain real property near Tanner Lake, which was part of the earlier City Council's discussion on the Tanner Lake Redevelopment. This item also included the approval of the purchase and development assistance agreements with the city and Tanner Lake LLC, and an amendment to the TIF plan for District 2-12. The EDA President reiterated his philosophical opposition to TIF, similar to his stance during the Council meeting.
Notable Quotes (17)
The original request was $10,350,000 and that was spread across five projects since then that's been reduced to a total uh bond amount of 14,542,550
Gentry Town Homes has 48 affordable units has an existing affordable contracts that's set to expire in 2027 preserving existing affordable housing is consistent with the Housing section listed his comprehensive plan
It includes uh acquisition of both Eda and private property demolition environmental remediation site improvements in infrastructure for approximately 178,000 square foot building 138 residential units on the 2.84 unit site so total Redevelopment cost of this project are 48,635,529
I have always held a philosophical opposition to tax income financing and I am not willing to change that position based on the project so I will be respectfully voting no on this tonight
our responsibility is to go through the abstract of votes cast a recording of all votes cast for each individual for each ballot question in each Precinct of our city providing a double triple quadruple check of what has been reported To Us by election uh officials at the county and the city
thank you to our residents um we know it was unorthodox to have a local sales tax question back on the ballot two years after you approved it the first time but it was done that way because the city council felt this was the most financially responsible way to close the funding Gap caused by inflation on the the two capital projects um in a way that keeps it off property taxes
turnout in the city of Oakdale was 79.95 per of eligible voters that is fantastic wow that almost 80% of Voters showed up
the four policies um have a lot of various language about um funeral or bement leave kind of embedded within the four policies we brought it out it was very confusing and then we've got five Union contracts that may have conflicted so we brought it out and put it in its own individual Standalone policy
we expanded the family member or relationship for um for the ability to take bereavement leave we've expanded it significantly we follow ESS law now which is extremely expanded over what it was in addition we say that the employee can name someone important and significant in their life and that person as well if it's not covered in those hybrid of ESS um um definition
the second one is outof class policy and that one there is no policy frankly in the city which yes it gives us full discretion but it's nice to have some parameters and that's what this policy is meant to do
we were approached by um Community member wanted to make a donation specifically to firefighting equipment so we identified uh new New York hooks which are tools essentially to um break Windows pull ceiling um used to be called Pike poles back in the day and it's kind of transition to a New York hook they're long devices that we can pull ceiling down
Thank you Audrey really do appreciate um all donations we get from our residents
Carrie was elected the top vot getter as such we have a vacant or a vacant position on the council as you can see um from former council member her and um with him gone we are going to do the council has decided to do an early appointment of the highest vot getter which is Carrie
I am just so thrilled for the support that I had of my family of uh my dear friend Juan um um um hi sweetheart uh and from the community and I am really looking forward to working with everybody up here for the best interest of Oakdale
the one difference is Council had the public hearing on the Tiff amendment in this case the public hearing is on the sale of of the property uh the sale of the property is part of the overall purchase and development agreement
which is the city's original investment in that and it's going to result in the um investment of a total Redevelopment project of over $48 million and the cleaning up of a a blighted property within the city
my philosophy on Tiff has not changed so I'll be respectfully voting no
Ordinances & Resolutions (17)
Approval of conduit multif-family housing revenue bonds for the Washington 3 Portfolio Project.
Adopting an amendment to the tax increment financing plan for Redevelopment District 2-12 (Tanner Lake Redevelopment Project) and authorizing related development documents.
Approval of an on-site gambling premises permit for Climb Theater at Pins.
Acceptance of a $705 donation to the Fire Department for equipment.
EDA approval of the TIF plan amendment for District 2-12, sale of EDA property, and authorization of development documents for Tanner Lake.
Amended policy related to funeral/bereavement leave.
Amended policy related to funeral/bereavement leave.
Amended policy related to funeral/bereavement leave.
New policy on out-of-class pay, previously no specific policy.
Official record of votes from the November 5th, 2024 election.
City's plan, with Gentry Town Homes listed as a priority site in its Housing section.
Name associated with the conduit multi-family housing revenue bonds.
Plan for redeveloping blighted property near Tanner Lake.
Agreement outlining terms for the sale of EDA property and financial assistance for the Tanner Lake redevelopment.
Document reviewed and commented on by the EDC.
City bond series issued to fund street reconstruction, new Public Works building, and park projects.
Study for which staff sought feedback from the Economic Development Commission.