2025 Property Tax Levy and Budgets Adoption (Resolution 2024-1111)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [26:31] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [26:45]

Finance Director Kyle Calas presented the 2025 budget and the final levy, which was set at a 5.9% increase, reduced from an earlier 6.11% proposal. The budget includes investments in public safety (new police Sergeant, squad vehicles, new Fire Marshall, Fire Engine 2), city facilities, trails, and parks. A key highlight was the fifth consecutive year of reduced debt levy. The Mayor emphasized the council's strategic priorities: investing in staff, reducing debt, and maintaining high-quality resident services.

2025-2029 Capital Improvement Plan and 2025 Projects Authorization (Resolution 2024-1115)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [29:12] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [29:26]

This item formally approved the city's five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), detailing over $47 million in planned capital expenditures. Key projects include improvements to public works and police buildings, annual street reconstruction, replacement of Fire Engine 2, and drinking water settlement initiatives. The plan's funding strategy aims to reduce the city's reliance on debt issuance by internally funding equipment purchases.

2025-2034 Vehicle and Equipment Replacements Approval

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [29:39] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [29:46]

The council approved the city's ten-year plan for the replacement of vehicles and equipment. This plan is integral to maintaining city operations and aligns with the strategy to reduce debt by utilizing internal funding as outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan.

Revising the Fee Schedule for 2025 (Ordinance Number 942)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [46:21] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [46:27]

City Administrator Chris Volkar presented the proposed revisions to the city's annual fee schedule for 2025, emphasizing that changes were minimal and designed to align fees with actual service costs. A public hearing was held for this item, but no members of the public offered comments.

Authorizing Publication of Ordinance Number 942 (Resolution 2024-1118)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [46:36] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [46:42]

This was a procedural motion to authorize the official publication of Ordinance Number 942, which revises the city's fee schedule, by title and summary. This action ensures the ordinance is properly documented and publicly accessible.

Approval of Consensus Motions A through C and E through M

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Willing [51:42] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [51:44]

The council approved a block of routine and non-controversial items listed as consensus motions. One item, 'D', was pulled from the block for individual consideration due to a declared conflict of interest by a council member.

Approval of Consensus Motion D (Ice Rink Contendant Applicants)

Dissent: Council Member Morcom abstained.

Moved by Mayor [52:12] · Seconded by Council Member Willing [52:16]

Council Member Morcom requested this item be pulled from the consensus agenda to declare an abstention, as her son was one of the applicants to be an ice rink contendant for the city, citing a conflict of interest.

Norhart Apartment Site Plan Amendment for Loading/Unloading Zone (Resolution 2024-1112)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [56:24] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [56:32]

Community Development Director Andy Gusav presented a site plan amendment for the Norhart Apartments. The amendment permits a deviation from city code to create a dedicated loading/unloading zone by converting two on-street parking spaces on Second Street North, deemed necessary due to a lack of feasible off-site alternatives. It also includes conditions for screening a transformer placed in the Right-of-Way on Henso Avenue North, with the developer providing a $10,000 escrow for this purpose.

Award of Bid for Water Tower 3 Recoating (Resolution 2024-1110)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [53:45] · Seconded by Council Member Morcom [54:07]

Brian from Public Works/Engineering recommended awarding the bid for the recoating of Water Tower 3 on Hallmark Avenue to Classic Protective Coatings Inc. for $1,766,750. Seven contractors had submitted bids. The recommendation clarified that the base bid was for the recoating, and an enhanced logo would be considered as a separate change order at a later stage.

Authorization for City Administrator to Approve Water Tower 3 Change Orders

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [54:17] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [54:29]

Following the bid award for Water Tower 3, the council granted authorization to the City Administrator to approve individual change orders up to $24,999. This authorization is contingent on the change orders remaining within the overall project budget, allowing for flexibility and efficient management of minor project adjustments.

2025 Street Reconstruction Project Feasibility Report Acceptance (Resolution 2024-1117)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [58:34] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [59:42]

Brian from Public Works/Engineering presented the feasibility report for City Project R225-01, the 2025 Street Reconstruction project. The project scope includes street reconstruction and water main replacement in a designated neighborhood. Notably, improvements associated with Hadley Avenue and additional water main work beyond the Capital Improvement Plan were removed from the current project due to budgetary constraints, to be considered as a future project. The council also set a public improvement and assessment hearing for January 28, 2025.

Authorization for Engineering Consultant Contract (2025 Street Reconstruction)

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Engabritson [59:54] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [1:00:05]

The council authorized the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into a service contract with an engineering consultant. This contract is specifically for the preparation of plans and specifications necessary for the implementation of the 2025 Street Reconstruction project.

Accepting Donations for Family Fun Flatables Event (Resolution 2024-1114)

Dissent: None

Moved by Mayor [1:01:43] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [1:01:55]

Recreation staff member Julie presented a report detailing donations from five sponsors totaling $4,400 for the Family Fun Flatables event. The Mayor and council members expressed their gratitude to the generous sponsors, acknowledging their vital role in supporting community events.

Accepting Donation for Oakdale Nature Preserve 5K (Resolution 2024-1113)

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Engabritson [1:02:05] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [1:02:18]

Recreation staff member Julie reported a donation of $1,500 from Larry and Vicky Eberhard of the Eberhard Group with Keller Williams. This specific donation was used to provide race t-shirts for the Oakdale Nature Preserve 5K event. The council expressed thanks for this support.

Approval of Claims Roster

Dissent: None

Moved by Council Member Engabritson [1:32:13] · Seconded by Council Member Moore [1:32:15]

The council reviewed and approved the claims roster covering expenditures from November 27th through December 12th, amounting to approximately $2.89 million. This is a routine financial approval process.