--- ## author: Sue Barry date: D:20260604200735-05'00' --- 1 ## REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ## OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL May 26, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on May 26, 2026 at Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Zabel at 7:00 PM. ## ROLL CALL On a call of roll, the following were present: ## Mayor Kevin Zabel ## Council Members: Kari Moore ## Andy Morcomb ## Gary Severson ## Katie Wrich ## Staff Present: Chris Volkers, City Administrator ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk ## Jim Thomson, City Attorney ## Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator ## Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director ## Mikaela Huot, Finance Director ## Luke McClanahan, Planning Manager ## Nick Newton, Police Chief ## Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager ## Mark Statz, City Engineer ## Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## Kevin Wold, Fire Chief ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED FOR THE MEETING OF MAY 26, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, May 12, 2026 ## Regular Meeting, May 12, 2026 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2026. ## 5 AYES 2 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## PUBLIC HEARINGS ## None ## OPEN FORUM ## a) Proclamation: International Firefighters’ Day and Emergency Medical Services Week Mayor Zabel proclaimed May 4, 2026 as “International Firefighters’ Day” and the week of May 17- 23, 2026 as “Emergency Medical Services Week.” Mayor Zabel thanked all Fire Department staff for everything they do for the City of Oakdale. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. ## CONSENSUS MOTIONS Mayor Zabel pulled consensus item a). Council Member Morcomb pulled consensus item h). b) Request that the City Council reschedule the City Council Workshop and Regular Meeting from August 11, 2026, to August 12, 2026. c) Request that the City Council approve the noise variance requested by Zachery Raven on behalf of Washington County for a maximum of three consecutive days from 7 PM to 5 AM until project completion by June 20, 2026, within the designated project area. d) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to execute the Workplace Solutions Cooperative Agreement with Cintas effective June 1, 2026. e) Request that the City Council approve the charitable gambling via bingo for Oakdale Athletic Association for their bingo fundraiser to be held on the dates of June 26 and June 27, 2026, at the Oakdale Summerfest event, located at Richard Walton Park, 1584 Hadley Avenue North. f) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to enter into the Cooperative Agreement between the City of Oakdale and Washington County for engineering design MPCA grant- eligible costs for the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13 trail segment. g) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint the above listed as Seasonal/Temporary Summer Recreation Youth Program Instructors, effective on or after June 3, 2026, conditioned on passing all background requirements. i) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Clay Natvig and Grant Kalka as full-time probationary Police Officers effective on or after May 27, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. 3 j) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Jessica Damm as full-time probationary Human Resources Generalist effective on or after May 27, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS B-G, I, AND J, AS PRESENTED. ## 5 AYES CONSENSUS ITEM A) REQUEST THAT THE CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ## ADMINISTRATOR TO ENTER A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OAKDALE ## AND HKGI, FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $165,000, FOR THE 2050 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE. Mayor Zabel stated that upon reading through the scope of work within the contract, the City Council would like additional time to discuss at a future Workshop. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO TABLE THIS ## ITEM UNTIL A FUTURE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ## 5 AYES ## CONSENSUS ITEM H) REQUEST PER CITY OF OAKDALE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 4, ## SEC.2-36 (C) THAT THE CITY COUNCIL APPOINT THE ABOVE LISTED AS SEASONAL/TEMPORARY OUTDOOR ## MAINTENANCE, EFFECTIVE ON OR AFTER MAY 27, 2026, CONDITIONED ON PASSING ALL BACKGROUND ## REQUIREMENTS. Council Member Morcomb stated that this item is for the hiring of Seasonal/Temporary Outdoor Maintenance Workers for the City of Oakdale. He formally abstained because his son is one of the applicants. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO APPROVE ## CONSENSUS MOTION H, AS PRESENTED. ## 4 AYES ## 1 ABSTENTION – MORCOMB ## ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ## Environmental Management Commission (met on 5/18/26, Council Liaison Zabel) Mayor Zabel was unable to attend the meeting, therefore, no report was given. ## Planning Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Severson) ## Parks and Recreation Commission (met on 5/19/26, Council Liaison Morcomb) Council Member Morcomb reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the designs and provided feedback for Golfview and Tower Parks. ## Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) 4 ## AWARD OF BIDS ## None ## STAFF REPORTS ## COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT a) Amendments to the Management of Turf Grass and Vegetation Ordinance Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that the proposed changes to City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 24 include increasing the maximum grass height from 6 to 8 inches, updating language to comply with State landscaping laws, limiting boulevard plantings to 18 inches in height (excluding trees), and removing the City review process if ordinance standards are met. The amendments also allow removal of plantings for safety or maintenance needs. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 963, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY ## OF OAKDALE, CHAPTER 24, RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF TURF GRASS AND VEGETATION. Mayor Zabel thanked City staff and the Environmental Management Commission for their work on the ordinance amendments, noting that there were many perspectives involved in the discussion, including safety, property management, and environmental considerations. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-30, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. ## 963 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. ## b) Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Recreational Vehicle Storage Mr. Gitzlaff explained that the proposed changes to City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25 related to recreational vehicle storage were discussed at Workshop and presented to the Planning Commission at their April 2, 2026 meeting. The required public hearing was held and the Commission recommended approval. Mr. Gitzlaff continued, the amendments would allow up to three recreational vehicles per property, require vehicles to be registered to residential occupants, and establish a maximum height limit of 20 feet. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 961, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY ## OF OAKDALE, CHAPTER 25, ARTICLE 25-09, DIVISION 25-09-200, SECTION 25-09-215 RELATING TO ## RECREATIONAL VEHICLE STORAGE. Mayor Zabel thanked residents for their feedback on the initial proposed amendments which led Council to revisit several changes. ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-25, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. ## 961 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. 5 ## 5 AYES ## CITY ATTORNEY No report. ## ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT a) Approval of Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel Owner Change Order for Bid Package #2 ## Guaranteed Maximum Price Adjustment Ms. Volkers explained that bids for the new Police Department and City Hall project came in higher than expected, largely due to rising steel costs and broader economic conditions. The project team will continue value engineering efforts, but must award the contract at the maximum bid amount. Ms. Volkers continued that this is the second bid package totaling approximately $22.8 million and follows the first bid package that totaled approximately $8 million. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB ## TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN THE OWNER CHANGE ORDER #001 ## DATED MAY 20, 2026 FOR BID PACKAGE #2 GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE AGREEMENT ADJUSTMENT ## FOR THE POLICE EXPANSION AND CITY HALL REMODEL PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,883,908.00. ## 5 AYES ## COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • With construction for the Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel Project expected to begin in June, City staff have relocated to other City facilities. Oakdale Police Department has officially moved to Fire Station 2 (located at 6633 15th Street N). Oakdale Fire Department will operate out of Fire Station One during this time with no impact on service. Most City Hall staff have relocated to the new Public Works facility (located at 3200 Granada Avenue N). Construction is expected to take 18 months. Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for more information. • During construction, City Council workshops and regular meetings along with advisory board meetings will be held at the Oakdale Discovery Center located at 4444 Hadley Avenue N. This meeting tonight is the second City Council meeting at the Discovery Center. • The City will host an engagement opportunity for Tanners Lake Park tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27 th that includes a walk and discussion about upcoming park improvements. The walking tour will leave from the park building around 6 PM. Please plan accordingly. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to Tuesday, June 2 nd . • The Oakdale Farmers Market returns next week on Wednesday, June 3 rd ! This year's market will have a new location due to construction at City Hall. It moves to the Walton Park West Parking Lot off 15 th Street N, immediately west of the Bandshell. Public parking will be available in the adjacent lot just south of the picnic shelter. For more information, visit www.oakdalemn.gov. • The City of Oakdale recently earned the Tree City USA designation for the 31 st -consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. The honor recognizes cities for a commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit the community. Additionally, Oakdale has earned the Growth Award for the 3 rd year in a row for its commitment to sustainable urban forest management. Thank you to City staff, the Tree Board, and community members for their support of growing our urban tree canopy! 6 • The City of Oakdale will receive $3.75 million for a pedestrian bridge over I-694 along 40 th ## Street N as part of a bonding bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature at the end of the 2026 Legislative Session. This bridge will address safety concerns while greatly improving connectivity between adjacent neighborhoods through better access to jobs, retail areas, and recreational amenities. A big thank you to State Representative Leon Lillie and State Senator Tou Xiong for their support on this important project! ## CLAIMS ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD MAY 13, 2026 TO MAY 26, 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,810,190.96. ## 5 AYES ## ADJOURNMENT ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO ## ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 26, 2026, AT 7:22 PM. Respectfully submitted, ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk