--- ## author: Sue Barry date: D:20260522090738-05'00' --- 1 ## REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ## OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL May 12, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on May 12, 2026 at Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kevin Zabel at 7:02 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 ## Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director ## Mikaela Huot, Finance Director ## Nick Newton, Police Chief ## Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager ## Mark Statz, City Engineer ## Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## Others Present: Stan Karwoski, Washington County Commissioner ## Jon Parnell, Oakdale Resident ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO ## APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED FOR THE MEETING OF MAY 12, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, April 28, 2026 ## Regular Meeting, April 28, 2026 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2026. ## 5 AYES 2 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB ## TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## PUBLIC HEARINGS ## None ## OPEN FORUM ## a) Proclamation: National Police Week Mayor Zabel proclaimed the week of May 10-16, 2026 as “National Police Week”. He shared appreciation for the Police Department staff members who go above and beyond daily for the community. ## b) Proclamation: Public Works Week Mayor Zabel proclaimed the week of May 17-23, 2026 as “Public Works Week”. He shared appreciation for the Public Works staff members for all the work they do for the community. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. Washington County Commissioner Stan Karwoski recognized City Administrator Chris Volkers with the Commissioner Service Award for her six years of impactful service with the City of Oakdale. Oakdale resident Jon Parnell shared ideas related to the Tanners Lake Park project, emphasizing that his suggestions are meant to be constructive and community-focused. ## CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council waive reading and adopt Resolution 2026-29, Approving Stipulation of Settlement regarding Appeal of City of Oakdale 2025 System Statement. Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign and execute the stipulation of settlement on behalf of the City of Oakdale. b) Request that the City Council authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign and execute the Development Agreement for Tierra Encantada for Marlys Early Education Center. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A and B, AS PRESENTED. ## 5 AYES ## ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ## Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) ## Planning Commission (5/7/26 meeting cancelled, Council Liaison Severson) 3 ## Parks and Recreation Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Morcomb) ## Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) ## AWARD OF BIDS ## None ## STAFF REPORTS ## None ## CITY ATTORNEY No report. ## ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT a) Amend City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2 – Administration Ms. Volkers explained that this agenda item involves updates to City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2 which staff have been working on for some time, primarily as a clean-up effort. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 962, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY ## OF OAKDALE, CHAPTER 2 – ADMINISTRATION. ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB ## TO WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-28, AUTHORIZING PUBLICATION OF ORDINANCE NO. ## 962 BY TITLE AND SUMMARY. ## 5 AYES ## COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Council Member Moore thanked City staff for their dedication and effort while navigating the significant changes throughout the City. Council Member Morcomb thanked Mr. Parnell for coming to the meeting and suggested he connect with Oakdale resident Larry Eberhard on volunteer opportunities within the community. 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 begun to relocate 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 will relocate to the new Public Works facility. In-person City Hall services will be unavailable on Friday, May 22 nd , with regular hours resuming on Tuesday, May 26 th at 3200 Granada Avenue N. City offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 th in observance of Memorial Day. Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for more information. Construction is expected to take 18 months. 4 • 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 first City Council meeting at the Discovery Center. • The Citywide Garage Sale, hosted by the Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club, runs this Thursday, May 14 th through Saturday, May 16 th . For a sale directory, visit the Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club Facebook page. • The annual Jane Klein Memorial Spring Planting event will be held this Saturday, May 16 th from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Discovery Center. Volunteers are still needed to help plant new trees as part of the City’s commitment to maintaining the urban tree canopy. Visit www.oakdalemn.gov for more information. If interested in volunteering, please sign up by Wednesday. ## CLAIMS ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 29, 2026 TO MAY 12, 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,299,247.83. ## 5 AYES ## CLOSED SESSION ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## CLOSE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING TO DISCUSS MATTERS PROTECTED BY THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT ## PRIVILEGE PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 13D.05, SUBD. 3(B) RELATING TO THE ## PENDING LAWSUIT BETWEEN THE CITY OF OAKDALE AND OAKDALE MARKETPLACE, LLC. City Attorney Jim Thomson stated that he requested this agenda item to meet with the Council to discuss the pending litigation between the City of Oakdale and Oakdale Marketplace, LLC. ## 5 AYES ## THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS CLOSED AT 7:33 PM. ## THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING WAS REOPENED AND ADJOURNED AT 8:12 PM. ## ADJOURNMENT ## A MOTION WAS MADE TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 12, 2026, AT 8:12 ## PM. Respectfully submitted, ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk