--- ## author: Sara Ludwig date: D:20260507094609-05'00' --- ## WORKSHOP MINUTES ## OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL ## APRIL 28, 2026 The City Council held a Workshop on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 5:30 PM. ## Present: Mayor Kevin Zabel ## Council Members: Kari Moore ## Andy Morcomb ## Gary Severson ## Katie Wrich ## City Staff Members: Chris Volkers, City Administrator ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk ## Brian Bachmeier, Consulting City Engineer ## Greg Brady, Chief Building Official ## Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator ## Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director ## Mikaela Huot, Finance Director ## Melanie Lee, Human Resources Director ## Max Lohse, Planner ## Luke McClanahan, Planning Manager ## Nick Newton, Police Chief ## Lori Pulkrabek, Communications Manager ## Mark Statz, City Engineer ## Ivan Stepanov, Outgoing Finance Director ## Cory Tietz, Public Works Director ## Kevin Wold, Fire Chief ## REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES – BACKGROUND AND SITE ANALYSIS Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that the information shared is intended to be informational at this stage of preparation for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. City staff have re-examined the redevelopment sites in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, identifying additional sites through an objective process. Of note, the analysis was prepared in-house by Community Development staff with assistance from former Special Projects Manager John Stark using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. Planner Max Lohse stated that when looking at the 2040 Comprehensive Plan greenfield sites, almost half of the sites are fully developed or there is an active application on the site. Mr. Lohse explained the structured and reproducible methodology for redevelopment site selection using a set of criteria which yielded 153 eligible sites. The 3D visualization of assessed property values (2026) per acre was presented. In response to Mayor Zabel’s question about how the methodology can account for undevelopable lots within a developed neighborhood, Mr. Lohse explained that staff filtered ## WORKSHOP MINUTES ## APRIL 28, 2026 ## PAGE TWO out 0.5 acre lots and rated their redevelopment potential very low. Mayor Zabel suggested using a tailored methodology for filtering out these types of parcels across the City. Mr. Lohse offered to run an analysis of specific neighborhoods, if desired. Council Member Morcomb inquired whether the Comprehensive Plan is supposed to be drilled down by neighborhood or address a larger geographic area. Mayor Zabel posed the question, ‘if the canvas was blank, what land use opportunities are available?’ Mr. Lohse added that the Comprehensive Plan prescribes that the City identifies both areas for development and redevelopment. Mr. Gitzlaff explained that the Comprehensive Plan must show that the City can support its population growth with land use. Mr. Lohse continued, low feasibility does not mean the site is unfit, but rather it will likely not be redeveloped under general market conditions. Key takeaways from the analysis were new opportunities for commercial infill, Geneva Avenue/Highway 120 corridor, lack of geographic concentration, and an understanding that sites could have been missed due to the scale of the exercise. Mayor Zabel pointed out that the City has deviated from future land uses within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, and cautioned the group not to put too much stock into what is currently reflected. Mr. Gitzlaff noted that the site analysis model can be adjusted, but it is truly a snapshot in time. Council Member Morcomb added that there are many unknown factors related to identified sites. Regarding the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Mr. Gitzlaff said that City staff will be broad and inclusive with land use and redevelopment identification, which lends itself well to coordinate with the Century Avenue Coalition discussions as transportation investment can be a driver for a redevelopment site. Mr. Lohse noted that public and institutional sites were rated as low feasibility. Mayor Zabel brought up the Jacobson Farm as it relates to identifying sites through a practical lens as identifying sites like this one in the 2050 Comprehensive Plan may send the wrong message to property owners and developers. The language used to identify these sites is critical to capture the City’s intent. Mr. Gitzlaff stated that subjective analysis is used to identify sites, but there is flexibility at this point because the 2050 Comprehensive Plan process has not started. The Council complimented City staff on their work to develop the methodology and present the findings. ## PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MANAGEMENT OF TURF GRASS AND VEGETATION ## ORDINANCE ## WORKSHOP MINUTES ## APRIL 28, 2026 ## PAGE THREE Ms. Volkers requested Council intent on whether to continue to allow alternative landscapes in the City’s right-of-way, and if so, outline an approval process and standards that the City’s Code Enforcement staff can follow and enforce. Mr. Gitzlaff noted that the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) suggested removing the requirement for alternate landscapes to be approved by City staff. Mayor Zabel inquired whether this language should be in Chapter 20 – Right-of-Way Management versus Chapter 24 – Management of Turf Grass and Vegetation. It was determined it will be kept in Chapter 24. Currently, residents are allowed to plant managed natural landscapes on their property under State law. Public Works Director Cory Tietz pointed out a specific visibility issue along Helmo Ave N that is outside of the vision triangle (as referenced in City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 25, Article 25-10, Division 25-10-100, Sec. 25-10-103). Even at 32” – the current allowable height under City Code – it is causing a visibility issue. The Council agreed to restrict native plantings in the right-of-way to 18” in height (excluding trees) with no City staff review/approval process, and to add language to clarify that plantings can be removed for safety and maintenance reasons. Staff will create a one-page turf grass and vegetation management information sheet for residents and update the City Code accordingly. ## ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE Ms. Volkers brought up the Oakdale Athletic Association’s (OAA) inquiry into paying regular field rental rates for upcoming games because the agreement between them and the City has not yet been signed by OAA (the City of Oakdale signed some time ago). The Council was comfortable with this request if no additional City services are provided and the fields are not altered by OAA. If an OAA practice or game is held without a field rental or signed agreement, the City will turn them away until they go through the proper channels and rent the field accordingly. City Clerk Sara Ludwig reviewed last year’s Acorn Award process and sought Council direction on the 2026 process. The Council requested no changes. ## COUNCIL TOPICS Council Member Morcomb welcomed City Engineer Mark Statz and Finance Director Mikaela Huot. Regarding the Summerfest Parade, Council Member Morcomb inquired about the timing of the parade entry deadline especially if Council wants to discuss the number of entrants and whether the parade will continue as planned. The Council agreed to discuss this item again with a status update at the May 12, 2026 Workshop. Mayor Zabel reported that the Oakdale ## WORKSHOP MINUTES ## APRIL 28, 2026 ## PAGE FOUR Area Chamber of Commerce will put a call out for entrants in the Tuesday Tidbits; he will also send a follow up to any units that have not signed up or replied to initial City staff outreach. Council Member Wrich stated that she visited the Oakdale Nature Preserve as part of her day job. Mayor Zabel brought up the creation of a time capsule and inviting key stakeholders from the community to contribute to it. Ms. Volkers offered to send a list of contributors to the Council for their feedback prior to sending information. The time capsule will be 2’ x 2’ and should be buttoned up by the end of May. Elected officials and department heads will write a note to their future selves. Mayor Zabel noted that he is hosting a neighborhood meeting in the Tanners Lake Park beach house on Thursday, May 7 th . Council Member Moore offered to attend as well so there is more than one Council person at this neighborhood meeting. Mayor Zabel prefers to do it by himself and explained his reasons for doing so. Council Member Morcomb mentioned safety as it relates to the temporary Council Chambers in the Discovery Center. ## ADJOURNMENT The Workshop was adjourned at 6:53 PM. Respectfully submitted, ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk