--- ## author: Sara Ludwig date: D:20260515140556-05'00' --- ## REGULAR MEETING ## OAKDALE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER The Parks and Recreation Commission held a meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chair Schorr at 6:00 PM. ## CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: ## Chair: Jen Schorr ## Commissioners: Glen Bearth ## Jan Cunningham ## Glen Giacoletto ## Mark Giannini ## Mike Prosser ## Staff Present: Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## Absent: Commissioner Brett Berfeldt ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER PROSSER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ## GIANNIN TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. 6 Ayes. Motion Approved. ## APPROVAL OF MINUTES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER PROSSER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ## CUNNINGHAM TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, ## 2026 AS PRESENTED. 6 Ayes. Motion Approved. ## PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## PAGE TWO ## PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION REVIEW ## a. OLD BUSINESS i. None ## b. NEW BUSINESS ## i. Helmo Station Park Naming Director Tietz sought three names for the Helmo Park Station to bring to Council. The Commission decided on Helmo Crossing, The Yard at Helmo Station, and Helmo Station Park. ## OTHER ## a. Staff Liaison Updates ## Parks Update Mr. Tietz provided an update on the following topics: • Engagement for Tower and Golfview Parks. Community feedback was collected through both in-person sessions and online surveys. Overall, youth expressed a preference for the addition of swings, monkey bars, and zip lines. The engagement turnout for Golfview Park was 45 online responses and 30 in-person attendees, while Tower Park saw 64 online responses and 6 in-person attendees. LHB Design created the survey with a manageable selection of park features. Engagement results will be sent for Commission to review and provide feedback to Council. Tanners Park engagement will be upcoming, with dates still tentative at this time. A lot of feedback is anticipated for Tanners Park. • Tanners Survey. In response to Commissioner Giannini’s inquiry about recent survey activity at Tanners Park, Mr. Tietz clarified that while drone-based aerial imaging for the park project was completed several weeks ago, the specific surveyors spotted last week were likely associated with an upcoming summer road project. Mr. Tietz noted that the LHB park project surveyors are required to notify the City before doing any on- site work. • Park Operations. With warmer weather, picnic shelters and restrooms are opening, and field maintenance is starting. More precipitation than normal has meant wet fields. Mulch is being added to the dog park, along with cleaning up the fence from plant growth. • Tree Removal. The City is on track to have Emerald Ash Borer controlled in its open park space and right of ways this year. The City Forester will work on a replant process and map of plantings, but that is after stump removal. The City does not have an efficient way to do stump grinding and will need to decide whether to rent a machine. Bids for tree work are coming back favorable. ## PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## PAGE THREE • New Facility. Moving into the new Public Works facility takes place in a week and a half, with trucks being palletized next Friday. The first week of May will concentrate on moving facilities before returning to operations, other than some park/field/utility maintenance, and minor street tasks. • City Hall Construction Impact on Walton Park. The general contractor Krause-Anderson will be installing construction fencing and the City is working to mitigate the impact to the park. The building will be taken by the contractor on June 1, and activities and rentals will continue, along with Oakdale Summerfest. The Wednesday Farmers Market will be relocated to the other side of the bandshell. The bandshell will also receive a new roof due to hail damage from a past storm. In reply to a question regarding the Summerfest Parade made by Commissioner Cunningham, Mr. Tietz said that invitations were sent out with the goal of attracting at least 40 participants, but if short Council will need to decide. Historically, applications arrive at the last minute. The Oakdale Update magazine arrives before the parade application deadline so the event will be listed as tentative. • Park Maintenance at Willowbrooke. The bright colors show use from play, and a safe cleaner is needed that works on the structure and rubber. Park maintenance concerns can be submitted on See Click Fix and are encouraged. • 40 th Street Bridge. Mr. Tietz updated that while nothing is finalized, the bridge is on the agenda in the coming days at the Capitol. It does not mean the project was selected but it is good for the project to be getting the attention. ## Recreation Update Mr. Tietz provided an update on the following topics: • Seasonal Help. Staff will be hired to run summer youth programming. • Indoor Garage Sale. The event had all booths filled and had a great turnout for shoppers. • Mystery Egg Hunt. A lot of background work goes into this special community event. Baskets are staged in the recreation back office. The event was full and had a great turnout of families. • Blood Drive. The next blood drive will take place at the Oakdale Discovery Center on Thursday. • May Programs. City meetings will begin taking place at the Oakdale Discovery Center until further notice. • Movie in the Park. Commissioner Giannini suggested Willowbrooke Commons as a park location. In reply, Mr. Tietz said that last year, recreation programming at the Willowbrooke shelter/stage was put on hold to establish turfgrass. ## b. Commissioner Updates Commissioner Bearth requested to connect his neighbor near Tanners Lake Park with City staff to share knowledge on tree care relating to the park. He attended the Indoor Garage Sale ## PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## PAGE FOUR and his girlfriend found many items. He also attended the Golfview Park engagement and was encouraged by the number of neighbors showing up, interest, and ideas shared. The Clothing Swap volunteer position had him sorting a lot of women’s clothes, and a lot of nice clothing will be available first come, first serve at the Eco Fair. The Lions Club will host the free City- Wide Garage Sale again this year by creating a Google map of participating addresses and items for sale on May 14 to 16. His family and the Lions Club also participated in Park Clean Up Week at Tanners Lake Park. Commissioner Giannini attended the community engagement events at Tower and Golfview Parks. He noticed excited kids and a constant stream of neighbors despite the gloomy weather showing the neighborhood loves their park. Tower Park had a beautiful day but hardly any attended, so it was good to see the online response. Commissioner Schorr enjoyed another year at the Mystery Egg Hunt. Tower Park’s engagement event was well organized for kids attending with popsicles and tattoos, and her daughter was happy to give feedback. A Park Tour will be planned for commissioners with details to come from Director Tietz. Commissioner Cunningham participated in Park Clean Up Week and will be at the Eco Fair with Wellness 50+. All of the Wellness 50+ upcoming activities can be found in the Oakdale Update or on the Meetup online group page. Commissioner Giacoletto cleaned parks with Commissioner Cunningham during the Park Clean Up Week event. Most garbage was found in park land unmaintained areas. He asked if/when park crews address litter in those areas. Director Tietz replied that crews are not in back areas regularly, however park concerns can be reported on See Click Fix, and fall cleanup is more in-depth. Council Member Morcomb replied to a question asked by Commissioner Giacoletto that the City pickup of buckthorn is not being discontinued but may have been confused with the Annual Buckthorn Removal Event that was cancelled due to lack of reaching new participants. Commissioner Giannini shared that a roll-off will be parked in the Oakdale Athletic Association parking lot on Friday as they clean up their equipment inside. ## c. Council Liaison Update Council Member Morcomb provided an update on the following: • New City Administrator. Administrator Chris Volkers is retiring at the end of June. Kelli Bourgeois was selected to take on the role in the middle of a major construction project. She has 20 years of experience, a background as a lawyer, worked for the City of Columbia Heights for 13 years, and is returning to her family from Bristol, Tennessee. We are excited to have her. ## PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES ## APRIL 21, 2026 ## PAGE FIVE • Public Works Facility Ribbon Cutting. The event will be open to the public on May 2. Public Works staff will share space with staff from City Hall. There will be no service disruption. The new desk at Public Works will function for the building department. The Oakdale Police had four officers at a desk, and the change was a long time coming, as more officers cannot be hired due to inability to fit them in. Police vehicles also run 24/7 in winter, so their computers don’t freeze. The new police facility will save tens of thousands in gas alone, and the new space for officers and detectives to park securely will prevent their harassment. • Artwork. The City Hall lobby will be empty and is in need of artwork. ## ADJOURNMENT ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER PROSSER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ## GIANNINI TO ADJOURN THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION ## COMMISSION, DATED APRIL 21, 2026, AT 7:02 PM. 6 Ayes. Motion Approved. Respectfully submitted, ## Laura Linzmeyer, Administrative Assistant