--- ## author: Sue Barry date: D:20260507133053-05'00' --- 1 ## REGULAR MEETING MINUTES ## OAKDALE CITY COUNCIL April 28, 2026 ## CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Oakdale was held on April 28, 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 ## Brian Bachmeier, Consulting City Engineer ## Jake Foster, Assistant City Administrator ## Andy Gitzlaff, Community Development Director ## Mikaela Huot, Finance Director ## Melanie Lee, Human Resources Director ## 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 ## PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ## APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED FOR THE MEETING OF APRIL 28, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Workshop, April 14, 2026 ## Regular Meeting, April 14, 2026 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 2026. ## 5 AYES 2 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 2026. ## 5 AYES ## PUBLIC HEARINGS ## None ## OPEN FORUM ## a) Proclamation: Building Safety Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of May, 2026 as “Building Safety Month”. He commended City staff members that play a role in building safety within the community. ## b) Proclamation: Mental Health Awareness Month Mayor Zabel proclaimed the month of May, 2026 as “Mental Health Awareness Month”. He highlighted several community-based resources available to residents, as well as the roll out of additional mental health support within the Police Department later this year. Mayor Zabel invited comments from the audience. No comments were heard. ## CONSENSUS MOTIONS a) Request that the City Council approve the temporary on-sale liquor license for Oakdale Summerfest Community Organization for the Summerfest event to be held on the dates of June 26 and June 27, 2026, at the location of Richard Walton Park, 1584 Hadley Avenue North. b) Request that the City Council approve the noise variance for Mr. Billy Xiong for his property at 6310 Stillwater Blvd North on June 20, 2026 for the hours of 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM. c) Request that the City Council approve the janitorial services contract with Cleaning Solution Services and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to execute the agreement. d) Request that the City Council authorize the City Administrator to sign the quote for the intended purchase as noted from Integrated Protection Systems (IPS) in the amount of $49,677.99. e) Request that the City Council approve an amendment to the Public Works Facility project budget from $31,392,323 to $32,600,000. f) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article IV, Sec.2-36 (c) and per City Personnel Policy PE-031, Section 5.0, that the City Council appoint Sarah Jorgensen as a Seasonal/Temporary Summer Program Preparation Assistant effective April 29, 2026 and ending June 12, 2026 with key provisions as outlined, conditioned on passing all background requirements. g) Request per City of Oakdale Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article IV, Sec.2-36 (c) and per City Personnel Policy PE-031, Section 5.0, that the City Council appoint Kristina Handt as Temporary Budget Lead, effective April 29, 2026 through June 21, 2026. 3 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE CONSENSUS MOTIONS A-G, AS PRESENTED. ## 5 AYES ## ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ## Environmental Management Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Zabel) ## Planning Commission (no meeting, Council Liaison Severson) ## Parks and Recreation Commission (met on 4/21/26, Council Liaison Morcomb) Council Member Morcomb reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission discussed possible names for the new Helmo Station park. ## Tree Board (no meeting, Council Liaison Moore) ## AWARD OF BIDS a) Awarding the Bids for City Projects R2026-01 (2026 Street Reconstruction, including the Greenway Avenue Sidewalk), R2026-02 (2026 Street Overlay), and P2026-03 (Tanners Park South Parking Lot ## Repaving), Authorizing Construction-Related Engineering Services, and Amending the 2026 Budget Consulting City Engineer Brian Bachmeier explained that the first contract includes three City Projects – 2026 Street Reconstruction, 2026 Street Overlay, and Tanners Park South Parking Lot Repaving. Five bids were received, with Burschville Construction Inc. submitting the lowest bid at $6,206,687 million. The second contract includes the Greenway Avenue Sidewalk improvements. Eleven bids were received, with Park Construction Co. providing the lowest bid at $411,626. Mr. Bachmeier continued, both bids came in slightly under the Engineer’s estimate, but over the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget, so a budget amendment increase of about 1% is necessary. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-26, AWARDING THE BID FOR CITY PROJECTS R2026-01 ## (2026 STREET RECONSTRUCTION), R2026-02 (2026 STREET OVERLAY), AND P2026-03 (TANNERS PARK ## SOUTH PARKING LOT REPAVING), AUTHORIZING CONSTRUCTION-RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES, ## AND AMENDING THE 2026 BUDGET. ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-27, AWARDING THE BID FOR GREENWAY AVENUE ## SIDEWALK FROM HUDSON BOULEVARD TO 7TH STREET N (INCLUDED AS PART OF CITY PROJECT R2026- ## 01) TO PARK CONSTRUCTION CO. IN THE AMOUNT OF $411,626.00. Mayor Zabel noted that the Greenway Avenue Sidewalk project has been in the works for many years and has incorporated extensive public feedback. With support from federal grant funding, the project will complete a major gap in Oakdale’s sidewalk and trail network by connecting Hudson Boulevard to 7 th Street N , and increase safety along this busy corridor. 4 ## 5 AYES ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR AND CITY ADMINISTRATOR TO SIGN ENGINEERING SERVICE CONTRACTS WITH ## S.E.H. FOR CONSTRUCTION-RELATED ENGINEERING SERVICES IN TOTAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $511,301. ## 5 AYES ## STAFF REPORTS ## COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ## a) Minnesota Economic Development Foundation Community Internship Grant Acceptance Community Development Director Andy Gitzlaff explained that the City was awarded a $2,000 grant from the Minnesota Economic Development Foundation to help fund a portion of the salary of a seasonal intern in the Community Development Department. The intern will support planning and economic development projects, assist with community engagement, and conduct research over the summer. Lastly, as part of the grant, the intern will also participate in a monthly cohort program hosted by the foundation, providing opportunities for collaboration and professional networking. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER WRICH TO ## WAIVE READING AND ADOPT RESOLUTION 2026-24, ACCEPTING COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP GRANT ## AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000 FROM THE MINNESOTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION ## (MNEDF) TO THE CITY OF OAKDALE. ## 5 AYES ## b) Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Recreational Vehicle Storage Mr. Gitzlaff explained that this item is an amendment to the Zoning Code related to recreational vehicle (RV) storage in residential areas. The Council expressed interest in removing existing seasonality requirements, increasing the allowed number of RVs on residential lots from one to four, and allowing parking on permeable surfaces in the side and rear yard at their January 27, 2026 Workshop. The Planning Commission then held the required public hearing for the ordinance amendments at their regular meeting on April 2, 2026, ultimately recommending approval. Mayor Zabel stated that there are additional questions from the Council about the proposed language that require further clarification. Because of that, the discussion will continue at the May 12, 2026 Workshop, and the actions will be tabled until the May 26, 2026 regular City Council meeting. ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY MAYOR ZABEL, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO TABLE ## 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 UNTIL THE MAY 26, 2026 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ## 5 AYES 5 Resolution 2026-25 is also tabled until the May 26, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting. ## CITY ATTORNEY No report. ## ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT No report. ## COUNCIL PRESENTATIONS Mayor Zabel made announcements about the following: • Thank you to all those who attended the Pete Graske Arbor Day Tree Giveaway and the Eco Fair! The Clothing Swap was a tremendous success. Thank you to all staff, advisory body members, and volunteers for their work on these events. • You’re invited to the Grand Opening of the NEW Public Works facility located at 3200 Granada ## Avenue N. Join us on Saturday, May 2 nd for a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:30 AM, followed by walking tours of the facility every 30 minutes until the event concludes at 1 PM. All are welcome to attend. No need to RSVP, just show up! • The Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club will host this year’s Citywide Garage Sale May 14 th to 16 th . Registration is free and closes this Friday, May 1 st at 8 AM. For more information, visit the Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club Facebook page. • The annual free Community Shred Event is set for Saturday, May 9 th from 9 AM to 11 AM in the northeast parking lot at City Hall (1584 Hadley Avenue N). The limit is 10 bags or two boxes. Thanks to Eberhard Group Real Estate Solutions for providing this opportunity for the community. • 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. • The City of Oakdale has partnered with the Washington County Community Development Agency to offer financial assistance through two grant and loan programs to eligible homebuyers and homeowners. The First-Generation Homebuyer Grant Program provides up to $10,000 in grants for eligible residents to purchase a home in Oakdale. Through the Repair and Renovate Program, homeowners are eligible for up to $10,000 in forgivable loans for critical home repairs. For more information about these programs and eligibility requirements, visit www.oakdalemn.gov. • This is the last City Council meeting to be held in this Council Chambers. For approximately 18 months, meetings will move to the Oakdale Discovery Center located at 4444 Hadley Avenue N. After the City Hall remodel project is complete, Council Chambers will be in a new location on the second floor. This current space has played an important role in serving the community over the years. As Oakdale continues to grow, change follows...and we look forward to welcoming the community into our new remodeled space in 2028! ## CLAIMS ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER SEVERSON ## TO APPROVE CLAIMS FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 15, 2026 TO APRIL 28, 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,858,221.33. ## 5 AYES ## ADJOURNMENT 6 ## A MOTION WAS MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER MORCOMB, SECONDED BY COUNCIL MEMBER MOORE TO ## ADJOURN THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 28, 2026, AT 7:30 PM. ## 5 AYES Respectfully submitted, ## Sara Ludwig, City Clerk