[0:10] all right we're going to go ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale city council July 23rd 2024 [0:15] Sarah will you take the role council member her here council member Ina britson here council member morham here [0:21] council member will bring here mayor zabble here please join me in the Pledge of [0:27] Allegiance I pledge of aliance to the flag of the United States of America and [0:33] to the Republic for it stands one nation God indivisible with liberty and justice [0:40] for all all [0:46] righty first up on the agenda tonight is approval of the agenda council members no changes in front of us so can I get a [0:51] motion so moved there's a motion to approve the agenda is presented can I get a second second motion a second all [0:57] those in favor say I I oppose and the agenda is adopted next up uh we have [1:03] approval of the minutes first is Workshop meeting minutes from July 9th 2024 uh council members any changes or [1:10] Corrections I'll look for motion so moved there's a motion is there second second motion a second any comments all [1:17] those in favor say I I opposed and the minutes are adopted next up we have regular meeting minutes from July 9th [1:24] 20124 council members any changes or Corrections look for motion they moved [1:29] there's a motion is there second second it got really bright in here we're missing one more set I look better with [1:35] a tan there we are thank you sunglass next [1:41] meeting all right I heard a motion I heard a second any comments all those in favor say I oppose and the regular [1:47] meeting minutes from July 9th 2024 are adopted next up we have a couple public hearings in front of us tonight first [1:54] dealing with property tax abatements Chris do we have a staff presentation Finance director k Jessica [2:05] welcome uh good evening mayor council uh this public hearing is for the [2:10] consideration of a tax abatement on the listed apartment parcel uh the Springs at willbrook uh within the willbrook [2:19] development the tax payment would be used to pay the debt service on bonds to [2:25] fund the construction of four projects these projects are the willbrook commons trails open space and parking [2:32] area the city is responsible for the construction of multiple parks and amenities uh in the willbrook [2:38] neighborhood for the master plan unit development agreement including these four projects are estimated to cost 5 [2:46] million with uh 1.75 million funded uh through the tax payment bonds the [2:51] remaining through the park Capital fund the mechanics of the tax AB bment will put aside a piece of the city's share of [2:58] taxes received from the indicated parcel to pay for the related abatement bonds [3:04] this does not affect the amount of taxes levied against the parcel and the parcel's tax statement will not show any [3:10] different than prior to the tax payment parcel is chosen as it is directly [3:16] benefits uh from the willb projects and its annual tax payments meet the requirements for The Debt Service on a [3:23] uh $1,750,000 Bond uh note this has been a summary review of the tax batement attached to [3:30] tonight's agenda as a PowerPoint with additional information uh along with prior briefings with City Council on the [3:36] subject including at the March 12th Workshop uh finally after the stated [3:41] public hearing Council will consider the attached resolution approving the tax abatement if approved bonds would be L [3:49] uh issued later in 2024 and with that I stand for any questions council members any questions [3:55] for Kyle all right at this time I'm going to go ahead and open the public hearing um [4:00] we propose property tax abatements uh for the purpose of issuing tax abatement bonds to finance certain public [4:07] improvements at this time if anybody in the audience would like to comment on this specific um item please feel free [4:14] to step up to the podium state your name and address for the record and proceed with your [4:20] comments seeing none I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back for Council consideration uh council members let's [4:28] get a motion and then we can go into questions or comments um can I get a motion I'll make a motion to wave [4:34] reading and adopt resolution 2024 63 approving property tax abatements there's a motion is there a second [4:41] second motion a second uh any comments or questions hearing none all those in [4:47] favor say I I opposed and resolution 2024 63 is approved do we is there a [4:53] second one there uh second item this top one [5:01] um that is this right but there SE separate recommendation here I don't no [5:08] but the first recommendation is not a it's not a resolution it's just having the public hearing fair enough okay [5:14] right I'm looking at legal yeah yeah we'll go with that okay sometimes we just we'll figure it [5:20] out as we go public hearing Item B Kyle do we have a presentation on that as well yes uh mayor take it away the next [5:27] public hearing is to consider two items first one preliminary approval to issue Capital Improvement bonds uh the second [5:34] one is to consider approval of the related Capital Improvement plan or CIP note that this CIP reference [5:41] throughout the process is uh not our full comprehensive CIP that the city approves annually uh this CIP is [5:48] specifically uh for the projects to be financed through the capital Improvement bonds uh these projects are the Public [5:55] Works facility the police expansion Remodel and the City Hall renovation [6:00] uh this this CIP is set up to meet State statutes to issue the capital Improvement [6:06] bonds and has been reviewed by the city's Bond attorney uh the CIP is available for public viewing for the [6:12] hearing notice total estimated costs of the three projects uh is currently [6:18] around 66 million over the course of years 2024 through [6:23] 2028 of that the capital Improvement bonds are estimated to fund 25 million [6:29] uh 8 million for the public works 5 million for the police and 12 million for the city hall the remaining funding [6:34] for the project is through Local Sales Tax Grants and other sources uh note this has been a summary [6:41] review attached to tonight's agenda is a PowerPoint with detailed information along with the CIP referenced uh Council [6:49] has also been briefed on this subject including at the March 12th and May 14th workshops after the public hearing [6:55] Council will consider the attached resolution approving the C IP and giving [7:01] preliminary approval to issue Capital Improvement bonds if approved the city would then [7:06] issue the bonds over the next few years based on each Project's budget and schedule this resolution would also set [7:14] a not to exceed of 30 million for the capital Improvement Bond portion note this uh note the [7:20] preliminary approval on the capital Improvement Bond issuance uh at Future [7:26] the actual issuances would follow similar pass practice practice and come back to council with that I stand for any [7:33] questions council members any questions for Kyle on this item saying none at this time I'm going [7:40] to go ahead and open the public hearing for this specific agenda item if anybody in the audience would like to speak on [7:45] um the intent to issue General Obligations uh Capital Improvement bonds please feel free to step up to the [7:51] podium sh share your name and address for the record and proceed with your [7:57] comments saying none I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing and bring it back for a council consideration uh council members any [8:03] final questions or comments I'll look for motion I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution [8:17] 2024-the second motion a second final comments all those in favor say I I opposed and [8:25] resolution 2024 64 is approved next up is our opportunity to move into or next [8:31] up is open Forum an opportunity for anybody in the audience that would like to share any comments that are on their mind please feel free to step up to the [8:37] podium state your name and address for the record proceed with your comments um our house rules for open Forum ask you [8:43] to please keep your comments to three minutes or so um any questions directed at the city council won't necessarily be [8:49] responded to um at the moment but we can send them over to our city staff for further investigation welcome thank you um good [8:58] evening all of you my name is Laura last name fener maker and um I'm here to talk to you [9:04] briefly get your address for the record sure 7559 5th Street North in Oakdale [9:11] 55128 thank you and unfortunately my computer is circling I had my comments [9:17] on a Word document I'll do my best um anyways I'm here and so are some other [9:23] people um we are all members of the LA Fitness here in Oakdale and um we're very concerned [9:28] because there are rumors that the LA Fitness is closing and I think all of you are aware of that as well I did send [9:35] you an email last Thursday and thank you mayor for responding and I did talk to council member her on the phone um you [9:42] know it is the only Club in Oakdale that offers all of the things that it does it [9:49] has the pool I swim five times a week and most of the people that are here are swimmers um anytime that you come to the [9:56] to the gym you will see at least three times a week that there are classes and there are minimally [10:01] 35 primarily women but also men who were taking those you know aquasize classes [10:07] and then on Saturday is usually the bigger day and sometimes you can see as many as 50 in there um so the membership [10:15] is concerned I did go around and started to get petitions and sign um membership [10:20] signing a petition I only got to about 35 people and then the staff at LA Fitness told me to stop may I may I uh [10:27] please hand it to our city okay um anyway I would have gotten you a lot more there is a lot of concern um so [10:36] location it's a fantastic location we have members that come as far as New Richmond Wisconsin that particular [10:42] member works out seven days a week he's there at 5:00 a.m. um so location [10:48] location location as we all know when you're looking at a house they tell you you know to look at property and look at [10:53] the value of it and see where it is and the location location location it's an awesome location it's accessible and um [10:59] the amenities again back to the amenities it has a pool it has a racket ball um it has racketball courts it has [11:05] a basketball court it has a spinning room and then it has two rooms for classes and then it has all the [11:11] equipment so not there's nowhere else you can go for that you can go into Woodberry and you can pay so our [11:17] membership is around anywhere between $43 and $50 a month it's outstanding um [11:23] if you were to go to La if to Lifetime Fitness um their membership is $150 65 [11:29] if you go to the YMCA in um Woodberry the membership for one adult is $75 and [11:35] that does not include tax and it's $120 for a family so um so the economics for [11:43] us as members is very beneficial as well um so amenities economics accessibility [11:51] location um we're just really here to find out what you know too I know that I was told [11:58] that I can ask questions but I am interested in knowing what you do know and I had emailed you to see if your [12:03] staff has reached out I even reached out to um Fitness International in Irvine California to see if I could get any [12:10] other kind of answer you know it was just a standard you know we close some we open some um we're concerned because [12:16] the Roseville one has closed the maple one is not as not as you know adequate [12:21] it doesn't have all of the amenities that the other one does um they did say somebody has said that they are closing [12:27] down and they're redoing it I don't know what that means um so anyway there's [12:34] that I'm sorry that my document is not working um the last thing I would just say is I don't know if there's any you [12:40] know tax increment financing on this kind of a thing that you can do tax abatement um I looked up what tax [12:45] abatement and tax increment financing is I don't know if that's something on the front end of a project that has to be [12:51] done I don't know if any of you can you know get in touch with whoever owns um [12:56] you know that LA Fitness Fitness International talk to them and see what they can tell you I know the staff is [13:02] concerned I can tell you that our membership is 800 plus I asked one of the staff people on a on one daily you [13:09] know just a daily number and she said yes a daily number is we've had 800 [13:14] people in here on a daily basis so um that's what I guess I would ask you and [13:19] I I would really love it I I don't know in this setting um do you not answer any [13:25] questions and okay so then how do you go about communicating with you in terms of a response as to what you guys are doing [13:32] if you would like to stay until the end of the meeting we can chat um about what we know um but as I said during open [13:39] Forum we don't engage in conversation on topics raised okay Mr Mayor [13:45] if um we do follow up so staff will follow up with you and and share what we [13:51] have called them and we'll talk to you about that okay perfect I really appreciate your time thank you so much [13:56] thank you is there anybody else that would like to speak under open form tonight please feel free to step up to the [14:04] podium seeing none we're going to keep things moving and go into our consensus [14:10] motions in front of us tonight we have a through e council members are there any that you would like to pull for [14:15] individual consideration seeing none can I get a motion make a motion to approve [14:21] consensus motions A3 e is presented there's a motion is there a second second motion and a second all those in [14:26] favor say I I oppose consensus motion a through e are pres uh approved as [14:31] presented next up is our opportunity to check in with our advisory boards and commissions we had a couple uh in the [14:37] last few weeks first up Planning Commission council member anger britson is their liaison they met on July 11th [14:42] Jake any update uh just uh the item on the agenda tonight the Murray conditional use permit and then uh we [14:51] there was a discussion about the development uh on the city-owned property at Tanner [14:56] Lake excellent I know I'll just dig a little bit deeper I'm not supposed to I know that is we all know that as a topic [15:03] of great interest to that area um it is working its way through the process there have been I want to clear up some [15:09] um misinformation out there there have been no scheduled Chris I'm looking at you no scheduled city council action on [15:15] that as of today um so it's still working its way through the process so [15:21] um parks and rec council member morham you are there Le yeah know it was a good [15:26] meeting for Parks mer commission uh we talked about the master Parks plan that's in process right now shared [15:32] concept plans at a very rough draft level on what we want our parks to look [15:37] like across Oakdale and so it looks at uh playground amenities um all kinds of [15:43] open space but we've got 27 28 parks in Oakdale uh we want to have a long range [15:49] plan for what we want to invest in those Parks what we want them to look like so right now there is uh surveys open on [15:55] the city website for every park across Oakdale and I encourage anyone uh who's seeing this now please take a minute go [16:02] and fill out some information about what you'd like to see in those parks and the commission is going to get to weigh in [16:07] again the city council will weigh in but that survey is open through August 31st I believe but that is the primary topic [16:15] we covered that is a very important Endeavor our city is undertaking right now so as council member morham said [16:22] public uh involvement is very important uh Awards of bid or Award of [16:27] bids there we go we we have one tonight uh city project [16:33] 20243 up to you all right interum Public Works director Kevin W welcome yeah [16:39] thank you mayor and Council uh before you tonight is the uh Walton Park um Ballfield lighting upgrade to LED um [16:47] this is a project that um would replace the current uh high pressure sodium [16:53] lights that have been that were installed in the late 1980s um this is an upgrade to a full LED [16:59] um lighting system within that complex um it's the main pin wheel complex it's [17:05] Fields 1 through four uh with the concession stand in the middle closest to Hadley um this project was bid into [17:12] two separate um categories one was the material the actual lights themselves we [17:18] had two people bid on that um and then the other one was the actual labor the installation to install the product [17:23] which was um two people bid on or two companies bid on that as well [17:30] um the project timeline uh if approved would start after the um adult softball [17:35] league which is severely behind with all the rain so um we're looking at later this summer or early fall um to start [17:43] and then be completed this year as well um this project here obviously will enhance um the use that people use those [17:51] facilities for with a with a much greater LED component versus these high- press sodiums which aren't reliable and [17:57] old technology and stuff um so staff recommends um approving and [18:02] going with the low bid in each of these categories um and also we're going to amend the budget the budget for this C [18:08] this CIP expense was 500,000 and uh we're amending it to more in line with [18:13] where we're at which is $415,000 and the breakdown is uh the two [18:18] different uh bid amounts as well as Professional Services which uh Council [18:24] approved the um project manager earlier this year to oversee this project which we think that helped in um bringing the [18:31] bud the the amount way under budget with their help and then as well as some contingency um the one thing to note we [18:38] are going to use the existing uh light poles uh if we can but there's some contingency rolled in there if we can't [18:44] and we find the polls some of the other poles are bad or the bases need to be replaced so that total project cost is [18:50] around 415,000 well within the budget so there's an amendment to that as well in [18:55] here and I'll stand for any questions council members any questions for chief wal yeah just one question I know we've [19:02] had a very wet summer and being able to do work high in the air probably depends on having Solid Ground is there a chance [19:09] if it doesn't dry out that this might not actually get done this fall you know we're confident that um we have to do [19:15] some prep especially in the outfields um where they uh some of the tree areas in [19:21] order for to get some equipment back there but uh we're certainly hopeful things will dry out but yes there's always that risk if if we can't we don't [19:27] want to do more damage um to the soil and to the ground in the event that you [19:33] know it is too wet so we'll keep monitoring that and and hopefully it'll dry out sure and as a followup to that [19:38] if for some reason it doesn't happen this fall with the bids still hold through the winter and into the [19:45] spring um that's a great question and I can follow up with that but um I I think [19:51] we would have some struggles with that so we need to address that so we're going to hope we can get it done this year yeah well I mean given the good [19:57] work that's uh being done I have no problem with what's being presented it was just curious so thank you y thank [20:03] you council members any other questions I'll look for motion I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution [20:15] 2024-25 d03 Walton Ballfield lighting upgrade to LED authorizing the mayor and City [20:22] administrator authority to execute applicable agreements and to amend the budget to 415 000 there's a motion is [20:30] there a second second motion second any final conversation looking none all those in [20:36] favor say I I opposed and that bid is awarded thank you Chief thank you uh [20:42] next up we are under staff report uh checking in with Community Development first we have one item [20:48] tonight Max [20:54] welcome thank you and good evening mayor and Council uh before tonight is a request by Jacob Murray for an oversized [21:02] shed at the applicant's property at 4603 hillville Way North the property is [21:07] located in the R4 middle density uh zoning District where sheds may be [21:12] allowed up to 120 square feet by right and larger sheds are allowed through the [21:18] conditional use permit process here the applicant is seeking approval for a shed that is planned to be 180 Square ft uh [21:25] rather than the allowed 120 square ft based on the applicant's plans the shed appears to meet all setback and height [21:32] requirements as well as the specific criteria laid out in the ordinance for oversized accessory structures as a [21:38] result staff is recommending approval Additionally the Planning Commission did hear this request earlier this month at [21:44] the July 11th Planning Commission meeting during this meeting the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval [21:50] of the request uh with that I'm happy to take any questions with regard to this request council members any questions [21:56] from Max all right let's get to the recommendation I'll make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution [22:03] 202462 approving conditional use permit for an oversized accessory building at [22:08] 4603 hillville Way North subject to conditions there's a motion is there a second second motion a second final [22:15] comments all those in favor say I I opposed and that conditional use permit is approved thank you Max uh next is our [22:23] opportunity to check with our City attorney Rachel tney Rachel thanks for joining us tonight thank you it's lovely [22:29] to be here I don't have anything to share with you today council members any questions for Rachel all right and turn [22:35] to your right and we will check in with our city administrator M vkr hi mayor council I have one item on the agenda it [22:42] is um a proposed resolution if for your consideration to govern the right and vote counting um for the elections in [22:50] 2024 and and essentially what it is is is 2023 legislature Minnesota [22:56] Legislature Min they passed min statute section 204b .09 subdivision 3 which authorized [23:04] the city to um approve a resolution governing the counting of right in votes [23:10] um we are proposing that resolution which is before you today the resolution that we're proposing governs that um we [23:18] will or we meaning the county who manages our elections let me be clear on that that um the city of Oakdale only [23:26] requires that WR in votes for an individual candidate be recorded if the total number of WR in votes for that [23:33] office is equal to um or greater than the fewest number [23:39] of WR in votes for one of the balloted candidates so essentially The Proposal [23:44] before you is that the right in votes will not be counted unless that condition [23:50] occurs that is what um is on for your consideration today council members any questions for [23:56] Chris look for a motion make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 202 [24:02] 2-60 governing right-in vote counting for the city of Oakdale there's a motion is there a second second motion a second [24:09] any comments I'm going to make one comment I'm going to vote now you know it's [24:14] personally I don't see a problem with the the way we do it currently um and I'm usually a big fan of government not [24:21] passing new rules if there's not actually a problem so um that's just a personal thing for me I think the way we do it works but that's how it works [24:29] um there's motion as there second all those in favor say I I opposed no uh and [24:35] resolution o 2022 60 should that be 2024 202 24- 60 is the resolution you have [24:42] inform just a little typo on the agenda okay 202 24-6 I I read it as it's on the agenda [24:48] so good catch thought I was having a flashback there to a few years [24:54] ago uh that resolution is um approved 4 to1 Council presentations council [25:00] members we got anything tonight let's check down here Noah yeah U Mr Mayor um [25:05] I would just like to share uh in this public meeting that um it is with a [25:10] heavy heart that I would like to announce that I will not be seeking election uh this fall and that um those [25:17] who are interested I would highly encourage you to um take that leap of [25:22] faith and you know test out this uh civil work of uh trying to do some work [25:27] on ided on behalf of the residents uh of the city of Oakdale I've learned a lot [25:33] um through uh this process I've uh grown a lot uh I've made some great relationships with my fellow councel [25:39] members here um and that would be my you know big uh advocacy right now is really [25:45] to say hey July 30th uh it's going to open up for uh candidates to put in [25:51] their um name in the hand to run for the seat and I would encourage everyone to do so um you know the one [25:59] comment that I would add in addition is you know let's get more people of color up here you know we need people who can [26:06] bring a different and a different voice a diverse voice uh to help um bring some [26:12] different perspective um it's always nice to think that you can come in here and do something and be a game changer [26:19] but at the end of the day um you know there there's more than that and and I think uh that's what I've learned in my [26:26] time here is uh learning to have a unified voice uh learning to find Common [26:31] Grounds where we can uh work together um and so it's uh been my honor and um I [26:37] want to thank uh the residents of Oakdale for allowing me this chance to serve in this capacity and I also want [26:44] to thank these uh four great individuals for trusting me and and appointing me to [26:50] this seat um I really appreciate uh the trust that you guys had bestowed on me [26:57] um and it's a lesson that I will take on uh into my future uh careers uh Chris [27:02] fulus you're an amazing City administrator and thank you so much for everything that you've done to um walk [27:10] alongside me and and help me get um acquainted and and into the groove of [27:17] being a council member um I think I wouldn't be able to do this job if if there wasn't you here so I I really mean [27:23] that and um whoever is looking to run learn to become Chris's best friend does [27:29] it it it does it does help you know having having that relationship does can [27:35] I second that motion and and so it is with that uh you [27:40] know my I'm not sure what my future holds uh but I do want to make that public announcement that I will not be [27:46] seeking uh election so thank you Kevin for the time uh Susie anything actually [27:52] yeah I would like to say to Noah that it was a pleasure meeting you and getting to know you you and working with you I'm [28:00] sad to see you go but I wish you the best thank you soon he let's not say our goodbyes yet he has a lot of work to do [28:06] yes yes yes I'm just said we we got some more work to get out of him before he [28:12] leaves nobody gets to leave [Laughter] yet uh thank you did you have anything [28:17] else you wanted to come no I'm good thanks okay thanks suie uh Jake Randy and I guess for me just piggybacking on [28:24] Noah and you know a comment to Noah and everybody up here it's it's good that you know the friction has been minimal [28:31] um I would tell anybody who's thinking about running for city council um you [28:37] know if you have that axe to grind if you're going to run great but leave that axe at home CU we've got work you've got [28:45] work to do and the biggest thing here is that everybody get along you know we can [28:52] disagree and we often do but you know when when when when the majority votes a [28:59] certain way we put it behind us and move forward and that's uh that would be that [29:05] would be my message to anybody thinking about running so and you want to be Chris's best friend too [29:12] so um but uh yeah no it's been a pleasure and uh Jake I have a feeling [29:18] I'll still see a lot of you for better or worse so always for [29:24] better anything else Jake nope Andy no thanks no for the the heads up appreciate it I'm not saying my goodbyes [29:31] yet because we will cover that in December yes that's what we do around here um but I do have some City [29:37] announcements that um staff wants me to cover first reminder Oakdale Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from [29:43] 2:00 to 6 p.m. in the City Hall Parking Lot through mid- October our outstanding local vendors have all kinds of products [29:49] Sweet Treats produce flowers uh most times you can get your knives sharpened out there there's usually a food truck [29:55] um you can chat with City staff there's a lot going on so please come come out uh come on out every Wednesday 2: to 6:00 p.m. City Hall parking lot it's a [30:01] lot of fun uh we're halfway through our summer concert series so bring your lawn chairs to the Walton Bandell every [30:06] Wednesday uh at 7 p.m right after the farmers market wraps up to enjoy the following live music performances uh [30:12] tomorrow we have the beat Nick Brothers playing hits from the 50s 60s and 70s uh [30:18] next Wednesday we hit on July 31st we have the bazillions a show for kids and families and then on August 7th we have [30:24] the backyard band playing danceable rock and roll and country so that's always a good time I don't think any have gotten [30:31] rained out this year right I don't think so knock on wood um no it looks like a [30:38] lot of people have had fun at the summer concert series so please continue to join us at the ball uh if you have an interest in Civic [30:45] engagement serving the community consider applying for a city advisory body we have openings on our Economic [30:50] Development commission and the Environmental Management commission uh each commission meets eight times per year to learn more and apply visit the [30:56] city website Oakdale lemon .ov uh finally it's hard to believe but night to un night is just two weeks away uh [31:03] taking place on Tuesday August 6th this is a great opportunity to host a neighborhood gathering with a visit from [31:09] the Oakdale Police and Fire Departments to support uh safety and crime prevention uh if you plan to host an [31:14] event please register on the city website at Oakdale m.gov by this Friday July [31:19] 26th um that's always a a really fun night so last year it was a little rainy [31:25] to start and then it cleared up and it was crazy humid but hopefully we're going to have beautiful weather this [31:30] year always really nice to see neighborhoods getting together for that event um let's pay some bills we have a [31:36] claims roster in front of us July 10th through July 23rd 2024 in the amount of 2.1 million in change council members [31:43] can I get a motion make a motion to app approve claims as presented there's a motion is there a second second motion [31:48] and a second any final comments all those in favor say I I opposed and the [31:53] bills are paid can I get a motion to adjourn so mov there's a motion is there a second second motion a second all those in favor say I I opposed we are [32:01] adjourned thank you and good night