--- ## author: Sue Barry date: D:20260423225415-05'00' --- 1 ## REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ## OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL April 14, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on April 14, 2026 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 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 ## Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager ## Ivan Stepanov, Finance Director ## Ryan Stuart, Police Captain ## Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## Others Present: Nick Kantola, Outgoing Tree Board Member ## Don Theisen, Owner’s Representative ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED FOR THE MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, March 24, 2026 ## Regular Meeting, March 24, 2026 ## Special Workshop, March 26, 2026 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2026. ## 5 AYES 2 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ## APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 24, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB ## TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 26, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## PUBLIC HEARINGS ## None ## OPEN FORUM ## a) Proclamation: National Pet ID Week Mayor Zabel proclaimed the week of April 17-23, 2026 as “National Pet ID Week”. ## b) Proclamation: Peter Graske Arbor Day Mayor Zabel proclaimed April 25, 2026 as “Peter Graske Arbor Day”. He thanked everyone that has a role in not only this event, but in maintaining a healthy tree canopy throughout the City. ## c) Recognition of Outgoing Tree Board Member: Nick Kantola Mayor Zabel thanked Nick Kantola for his service on the Tree Board and presented him with a certificate of recognition. Nick Kantola expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to give back to the community through education and passion for trees. Council Member Moore thanked Mr. Kantola for the time and expertise he shared as a member of the Tree Board. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. ## CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council appoint Jim Lasch to the Tree Board to fill a vacancy for the period of April 15, 2026 to June 30, 2028. b) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Connor Zielinski as a full-time temporary Community Development Intern, effective on or after May 26, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. c) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Leah Rumon as a full-time probationary GIS Coordinator, effective on or after April 15, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. 3 d) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Mark Statz as a full-time probationary City Engineer, effective on or after April 15, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. e) Per City Policy CC-002: City Council Advisory Boards and Commissions, Section 13.0, it is requested that the City Council approve the final 2026 Work Plans for Tree Board and Environmental Management Commission. f) Request that the City Council approve the purchase and installation of the lift station replacement parts in the amount of $170,580. g) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2026-19, Approval of an On-site Gambling Premises Permit for Titan Touchdown Club at Oak Marsh Golf Course and Event Center located at 526 Inwood Avenue North. h) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 4, Sec.2-36 (c) that the City Council appoint Marvin Taylor as a full-time probationary Building Inspector, effective on or after April 15, 2026, at a rate of pay consistent with the City base pay schedule, conditioned on passing all background requirements. i) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolutions 2026-21, 2026-22, and 2026-23, Declaring the Official Intent of the City of Oakdale to Reimburse Certain Expenditures from the Proceeds of Bonds to be Issued by the City with Respect to the Police Department Expansion, City Hall Renovation, and 2026 Street Reconstruction Project projects. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB ## TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-I, AS PRESENTED. ## 5 AYES ## ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ## Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) ## Planning Commission (met on 4/2/26, Council Liaison Severson) Council Member Severson reported that the Planning Commission held a public hearing for a Recreational Vehicle Storage ordinance amendment and received an overview of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update. ## Parks and Recreation Commission (met on 3/17/26, Council Liaison Morcomb) Council Member Morcomb reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission had a presentation from LHB on the 2026 Park Improvement Plan. He encouraged residents to take part in the engagement opportunities for the upcoming park improvements. ## Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) 4 ## AWARD OF BIDS ## None ## STAFF REPORTS ## None ## CITY ATTORNEY No report. ## ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT ## a) 2026 Washington County Municipal Recycling Grant Acceptance Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that the City was awarded $53,364 from Washington County for municipal recycling projects. The funding will be used to promote recycling, reuse, and waste reduction through education about the Food Scraps Pickup Program, expanded recycling access (such as dual-stream bins in parks), and community events, like the City -Wide Clean U p Event and a new Clothing Swap as part of the Eco Fair. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-20, ACCEPTING 2026 MUNICIPAL RECYCLING GRANT ## FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,364 FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY TO THE CITY OF OAKDALE. ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## AUTHORIZE THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE THE GRANT AGREEMENT. ## 5 AYES b) Approval of Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement and Pre-Qualified Subcontractors for Bid Package 2; and Authorization to Proceed to Bid for Bid Package 2 for the Police Expansion and City Hall ## Remodel Project City Administrator Chris Volkers explained that the City has reached a key milestone in the Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel project – Bid Package One is complete and Bid Package Two is now being released. The motion before the Council is to approve a $7.9 million Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreement for the final design phase, which will lead into construction starting June 1; approve a pre-qualified list of subcontractors, as required by State law; and authorize the Construction Manager at Risk, Kraus-Anderson, to solicit bids. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO ## APPROVE THE GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE AGREEMENT FOR THE POLICE EXPANSION AND CITY HALL ## REMODEL PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,940,489; APPROVE THE PRE-QUALIFIED SUBCONTRACTOR ## LIST FOR BID PACKAGE 2 PER THE LETTER FROM KRAUS-ANDERSON DATED APRIL 14, 2026; AND ## AUTHORIZE KRAUS-ANDERSON TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR BID PACKAGE 2. ## 5 AYES 5 c) Donation to the City – 2026 Summerfest Parade Ms. Volkers stated that Oakdale resident Andy Morcomb donated $500 for the 2026 Summerfest Parade. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-18, ACCEPTING A DONATION FROM ANDY MORCOMB, ## IN THE AMOUNT OF $500, FOR THE SUMMERFEST PARADE. ## 4 AYES ## 1 ABSTENTION – MORCOMB ## COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS a) Approve Appointment of Full-Time City Administrator, Kelli Bourgeois and Employment Agreement (Amended 4/13/2026) Mayor Zabel explained that the City recently completed a comprehensive hiring process to select a replacement for Ms. Volkers, who is retiring at the end of June. The process drew approximately 70 applicants and included multiple rounds of review, with the Council ultimately interviewing five finalists. He stated that the selected candidate is Kelli Bourgeois, who is currently the City Manager in Bristol, Tennessee, and previously a local government professional in Minnesota communities including Columbia Heights and Becker. Ms. Bourgeois’ first day will be June 16, 2026. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON PER CITY OF ## OAKDALE CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE 3, SEC. 2-34 AND MINN. STAT. § 412.111 THAT ## THE CITY COUNCIL: (1) APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF KELLI BOURGEOIS AS A CITY EMPLOYEE WITH ## A START DATE OF JUNE 16, 2026 AND AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR WITH A START DATE OF JUNE 22, 2026 ## OR A DIFFERENT DATE MUTUALLY AGREED TO BY CITY OF OAKDALE AND KELLI BOURGEOIS; (2) ## APPROVES EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF OAKDALE AND KELLI BOURGEOIS; (3) DIRECTS ## THE CITY OF OAKDALE SIGNATORIES TO SIGN AND EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT; AND (4) ESTABLISHES ## THAT CHRISTINA M. VOLKERS WILL REMAIN EMPLOYED BY THE CITY FROM JUNE 22, 2026 THROUGH ## JUNE 30, 2026 – HER LAST DATE OF EMPLOYMENT WITH CITY. Council Member Morcomb expressed his excitement for the skills and talents Ms. Bourgeois will bring to Oakdale. Council Member Moore recognized Ms. Volkers for everything she has done for Oakdale. ## 5 AYES Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • It is Severe Weather Awareness Week, and it is an important reminder to prepare for Minnesota’s unpredictable weather. It is also a good week to create and practice your emergency plan, as well as build or update your emergency preparedness kit. One of the key events during the week is the annual Statewide tornado drill this Thursday, April 16 th , when outdoor warning sirens will sound at 1:45 PM and 6:45 PM. • The engagement event for Tower Park that was rescheduled due to weather will be held this ## Wednesday, April 15 th from 4 to 6 PM. Visit the City website, www.oakdalemn.gov, for updates. • Park Clean Up Week runs next week, April 20 th through 26 th , and volunteers are needed to help in clearing the debris that accumulated in City parks over the winter months. Garbage bags are 6 provided, and each participant will receive a complimentary gift. For more information and to claim a park, visit www.oakdalemn.gov. • The Oakdale Eco Fair and Clothing Swap will be held on Saturday, April 25 th , from 9 AM to 1 PM at ## Castle Elementary School (6675 50 th St N). Donations will be accepted through this Friday, April 17 th during regular business hours at both City Hall and the Discovery Center. Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for more information. • The City’s annual Pete Graske Arbor Day Tree Giveaway will be held on Saturday, April 25 th . Registration opened on April 1 st , and within about 6 hours, all 200 trees had been reserved. This event continues to be popular, and we look forward to seeing those that pre-registered at the event. • Save the date for the Grand Opening of the NEW Public Works facility! You’re invited to join us on ## Saturday, May 2 nd for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 AM. Walking tours of the facility, located at 3200 Granada Avenue North, will immediately follow and take place every 30 minutes until the event concludes at 1 PM. All are welcome to attend. No need to RSVP, just show up! • Construction for the Police Expansion and City Hall Remodel Project is expected to begin in June. City services housed in the current City Hall facility will relocate to other City facilities in May. Police lobby services will move to Fire Station 2 (located at 6633 15th Street N) and in-person City Hall services will move to the NEW Public Works facility (located at 3200 Granada Avenue N). Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for more information including important dates. Council Member Moore emphasized the importance of pet identification and keeping pet records up to date. ## CLAIMS ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 25, 2026 TO APRIL 14, 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,139,690.26. ## 5 AYES ## ADJOURNMENT ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON TO ## ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 14, 2026, AT 7:32 PM. ## 5 AYES Respectfully submitted, ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk