Order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council July 28th, 2026. Sarah, will you please take the role? >> Council member Moore >> here. >> Council member Morham >> here. >> Council member Severson >> here. >> Council member Rich >> here. Mayor Zabel >> here. Uh, please join me for the pledge of allegiance. Sorry, I got distracted like where'd we go? Pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. First up tonight, approval of our agenda. Council members, we have a slightly amended version in front of us. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda as amended? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? Motion a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Agenda is adopted. Uh we'll move into approving meeting minutes. Two sets in front of us tonight. First up, workshop minutes from July 14th, 2026. Uh council members, any changes or corrections here? >> Seeing none, I'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those minutes are adopted. Uh last set in front of us are from our regular meeting on July 14th, 2026. Any changes or corrections here? Seeing none, I'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those are adopted as well. Uh no public hearings in front of us tonight. So we will move into open forum. This is a time on our agenda for anybody joining us that would like to share anything on your mind. Please feel free to step up to the podium. State your name and address for the record. Uh, House rules require that comments be limited to three minutes or less. So, please feel free to do so. >> Hi, I'm Troy. Uh, address 2909 Hyo Avenue North. Um, looking forward to talking to you guys because I feel as everybody kind of below the council hasn't helped out everybody in the city. And some of the examples and I'm looking kind of for feedback because some of the examples I'll give is the address across the house from me 2684 Still Waterway North. Um when you guys approve that variance you guys also part of that variance was he can't use the county road and numerous times he's using that county road for his own construction. And with using that own construction he's impeding traffic. And when impeding he is stopping traffic and at a 45 mph zone you can clear his at at 45 miles hour zone you can cause death you can cause severe injury. I contacted the city police. City police came. City police said that's a county issue. I asked for a county sheriff to come. Then they refused to contact county sheriff. I also then stated to the city police, are you guys okay if someone gets in an accident again dies or get severely injured? They go, if that happens, then we'll interject. So, they want to be reactive, not proactive. And the other issue is I contacted the county sheriff. They said that that's not a sheriff problem. That's a city police problem. So, we're pointing fingers at each other. Um, prior to the 4th of July, I contacted a sergeant at the city police. The sergeant with the issue of that same household of launching class A fireworks. The the sergeant says they do not force anything on the 4th of July of fireworks uphold the law, nor do they uphold the law on the weekend of the 4th, which to me is outright embarrassing considering you take an oath to uphold the law. And then I talked to Chief Newton over the phone. He stated that he will that that's not true. That the city police does in fact enforce that law. So um at about 9:20 p.m. on July 4th, contacted 911. Took about 25 minutes for um a response. At that time it was raining. The police, not only did they not talk to that household, nor did they stop, they just kept on driving. And you can clear as day see class A fireworks sitting on that out out on the out on his grass. I'm in fear that my house will catch on fire. There's shrapnel that's on my roof. There's hot debris that came down. And the other issue was talked to the police was there's uh his trailer is always commercial trailer is always outside not hooked up to anything. Ordinance contact ordinance about it. Ordinance is saying that's a police issue. Police saying that's an ordinance issue. Once again we're pointing fingers. No one's taking responsibility. And he will take that trailer and put it in front of other neighbors households. That's an intimidation factor or that's a harassment factor how I view it. Sorry, >> please keep going, Trey. Thank you. >> But I feel that as a harassment or intimidation and once again not doing anything on that. It an ordinance is broken. When it's broken, it needs to be addressed. Nothing is being addressed. My question is, are we waiting till someone's life is severely impacted to either a death is there, a a house is lost, someone goes to the hospital, or are we just ignoring all the aspects? >> Thank you, Troy. >> Thank you. >> Uh, city administrator, >> critical public safety crisis and a massive drain on our police resources caused by our management's gross negligence. On Thursday, July 23rd, last week, our neighborhood became an active crime scene. There was a wanted fugitive who used our wide openen residential parking garage as a staging ground before multiple squad cars in a drone apprehended him in a swamp nearby. When management was alerted, they explicitly lied to me via email, claiming they had no knowledge of the event, and I have submitted copies of these emails within that packet. This is part of a dangerous systemic pattern. Since RPM Living took over in Midmay, police calls have spiked dramatically. This past July alone shattered records with 12 police calls. And that excludes the yettobe reported data that includes that fugitive manhunt from last week. Meanwhile, our residents are living in terror. We have documented cases of physical assaults, death threats, and pending harassment orders between tenants that management completely ignores. Our community's children are suffering from severe nightmares after witnessing these chaotic police actions and experiencing even verbal harassment from other adults. Despite this crisis, management's priorities seem to be completely backward. They enforce our pool rules and buy new lobby furniture. Yet, they refuse to send safety alerts or close our garage doors at night, which is leaving our building completely unsecured. When confronted, their official response was, "We obviously cannot control people." Which is true. They cannot control human behavior, but they absolutely can control their doors and enforce lease violations. So, tonight I'm submitting the police data, photo evidence of property damage and harassment, and a formal safety tracking incident number to the council secretary. So, I urge you and code enforcement to immediately review this building's conditional use permits and compel them to secure this property before another tragedy occurs. Thank you. >> Thank you, Rachel. >> Is there anybody else joining us tonight that would like to speak under open forum? >> Seeing none, we'll move Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, yeah. Go ahead, John. >> Uh, evening, John Parnell. Um, for those of you who have heard me speak before, you know that I am a big proponent for the uh the Tanner Lake project. Um, when I was looking through all of the, um, the meeting minutes from the previous meetings that I've missed, uh, I noticed that the, um, Tanner Lake LLC was being done away with the big empty open lot. And while I was looking through everything, um kind of had a bit of a an aha moment because with um when the when the mayor had spoken with everyone who lived uh around in the area at at Tanner's Lake, one of their biggest well, I want to say biggest, but one of their complaints happened to be um the boat launch. And I know that it had been brought up about the the boat launch or the um uh the fishing pier. Well, again, kind of in a like a shower thought moment. Um, if the city retains those two or three lots, what's to say you can't take the boat launch that's there now and move it across the water? Uh, this will do a couple things. Um, one, you make it into a motorized one so that if you have an engine, that's where you go. You go across you go across the other side of the lake. Um, it's right off the interstate. people don't have to try and drive through residential parking or residential neighborhoods trying to find where the parking is to be able to go to the boat launch. Um, and the parking lot is huge. Uh, and if it winds up being a success, it would draw in or it could potentially draw in um other investors who are like, "Hey, there's a bunch of guys who go fishing on this boat boat launch all day during the summer. They're probably going to be hungry. they're probably going to be thirsty if I open up a small stand or I open up a restaurant that's right there. You're going to get off the lake and be like, "Man, I could really go for a burger and there's a restaurant right there." Um, and then the old boat launch that's in um that's at Tanner's Lake, you turn that into kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, anything that's manpowered as opposed to engine powered. Again, what this also does is the majority of people who have these like a manpowered watercraft, it's not on a trailer. It's on a on a uh on a luggage rack on top of their vehicle. Then you can take take a line maker and do right [snorts] down the line and now you have double the parking because they don't need the giant parking spot for the trailer. Um, while I was looking over some things, um, what you could also do with that is I know that there is a a plan for other parks in the area. If you make Tanner's Lake a trail head for a bike path that connects all of the other 39 other other part excuse me other parks in the area that will open the door for Minnesota DOT funding and grants which will save the taxpayer money as well as beautify the area. There's a there's there'd be a nice wide open area where or wide open path where people could ride a bike because I like bike. I like biking. I'm a road biker, so I don't really care about bike trails, but other people do. Um, >> hey John, you are at your three-minute limit, so please wrap up your your >> comments. But it would it would be a way to tie in the parks, get everybody in, as well as separate that issue from now we have all these giant trailers coming in to drop their boats off as opposed to Dave who brought his paddle board so that he could go out and fish with his kid. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, is there anybody else joining us tonight that would like to speak on our open forum? Seeing none, we'll go ahead and move into the consent agenda. Uh, we have A through F in front of us tonight. Couple of additions with the amended agenda. Um, are there any that council members would like to pull for individual consideration? >> Hearing none. Can I get a motion? >> I'll move approval of consensus motions A through uh, excuse me, F as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. And those motions are adopted. Uh next we'll check in with our advisory boards and commissions. No meetings occurred since our last city council meeting. So we will move into award of bids. Uh one project in front of us. City project 2025-02 will field park. Uh staff presentation from our public works director, Corey Tits. Corey, welcome. >> Hello, mayor and councel. Um, so today before you is an awarded bid for the uh final phase of the Willoughbrook uh fields uh project that's going on. Back on March 11, 2025, council will approve resolution 25-17 approving plans and specifications for this project. Um uh through that recently uh our consultant SRF consulting group considered or solicited bids uh for the construction of the uh open air shelter and restroom structure. We uh received nine total um bids overall uh with the uh most favorable bid uh being to KA Wit Construction. They're out of New Prague uh Minnesota. The engineers estimate for the project uh including a 10% contingency was about was $400,000. Uh the bid came back at $349,544 plus a 10% contingency for an overall of $384,498.40. So approximately $15,500 under the estimate engineers estimated um budget. Uh on December 10th uh 2024 resolution 24-115 uh gave the overall project uh for all of the Willowbrook fields and um uh trails park project of 2,66,000. Uh to date, awards have been uh awarded and appropriations meet 1,277,695 with the additional construction contract services of K8 and width of $384,49840. That leaves uh total obligations of 1.661,56745, leaving a project balance of $44,000,43255. So staff recommends uh from is seeking recommendation um to the council uh for to award the bids to KA wit um construction for the general contractor and construction services of the Willowbrook Fields restroom and open air shelter. Uh the contractor through vetting has expressed an understanding of the project objectives maintains relevant qualifications and experience to complete the project and submitted the most comp cost competitive proposal. So happy to answer any questions from the council. Council members, any questions for Corey uh in the bid for this project? >> Seeing none. All right. Who would like to make the action? >> I will make a motion to wave reading and adopt resolution 2026-49 awarding the bid for general contractor services for city project P2025-02 Willougherbrook Fields restroom and open air shelter. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Any final comments? >> Come on. You always talk about the parks. >> I'm excited. I'm excited for them to open. [laughter] Let's get her done. >> Uh motion and second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed and resolution 2026-49 is adopted. Thank you, Corey. >> Uh couple items under community development. Oh, moving to staff reports. Start. First up, community development. Uh Luke Luke Mlanahan, city planner. No, city planning manager. Got it. Uh would you walk us through the CUP permit? >> Yes. Thank you, mayor. So, the request is for a second garage at the property address 758225th Street North. So, the property is zoned R2. It contains an existing dwelling and an attached garage. So, the um the request for a second garage is allowed through the conditional use permit process. Uh when staff reviewed the request, it meets the general and specific criteria for the conditional use permit. Uh the planning commission held the required public hearing for the request on July 9th and they recommended approval of the request. So staff recommends approval of this request subject to the conditions found in the resolution in the agenda packet. So this is resolution 2026-45 seven conditions of approval here that I will summarize. So the first one is that the structure shall meet setback requirements and it must be kept out of easement areas. The structure cannot exceed 400 ft in height. It cannot exceed 25 uh uh one correction there. So, it cannot exceed 400 square f feet in size, 25 ft in height. Uh the structure cannot be used for a dwelling unit. The garage door cannot exceed 10 ft in height. A building permit must be obtained and no commercial activities can occur within the structure. And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions. >> Uh anybody have any questions for Luke? All right. uh planning to the public hearing. So, we can go right to action. Anybody would like to make the motion? >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, I'll move we wave reading, adopt resolution 2026-45 approving a conditional use permit for an oversized accessory building, a second private garage at 75825th Street North with conditions included in the attached resolution. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any final comments? >> Seeing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. opposed. Resolution 2026 2026-45 is adopted. Uh, one more action item under community development. Luke, walk us through this, please. >> Thank you, mayor. So, this request is 94 Exchange. Uh, the site is located at the northwest quadrant of interstates 94 and 694. The site is approximately 36 acres. It contains wetland, some flood plane, trees, significant grade changes. So, Capital Partners, they're the the applicant, the developer here. They're seeking approval for a comp plan amendment or comprehensive plan amendment, a preliminary plat and site plan. The developer will have to come back in the future to obtain final plat approval, but the proposal itself is for two light industrial buildings located in the the northwest portion of the site there. Uh, and then they would reserve two future development areas along the frontages of the interstate. So, the zoning of this site is B2, a business campus. If you recall that there was a zoning ordinance amendment approved back in January of this year to allow light manufacturing use in the B2 district. Also, as part of the amendment, uh we added standards for um exterior design standards or heightened standards for industrial uses in the B2 district. So, in terms of the comp plan amendment, the site is currently guided for office and limited business. Although the B2 district allows manufacturing use, the comp plan guidance does not. So as such, the request is to reguide a portion of the site that is outlined in pink there on the screen from office limited business to industrial office. Uh the remainder of the property would maintain its guidance for office/limited business use. So this request requires additional review by other government agencies. Uh we did hear from the watershed district and Metro Transit. They did not have any comments on the the comp plan amendments. Review comments remain pending from Minnesota DOT and the DNR. Taking a look at the the plat here, the prelim plat, the property consists of four existing parcels that will be replatted. So, you can see proposed lot one there again in the northwest corner. That's approximately 13 acres and it will contain the two industrial buildings. Uh the developer must include certain easement requirements as part of this plat and they also have to satisfy park dedication requirements. Uh for the the plat itself uh Mindot has to review and comment on it but those uh review comments remain pending at this time. Moving on to the site plan. So there are two proposed accesses to the site. So here off Hadley Avenue and then another on the north side 4th Street at the intersection of Hail Avenue. Uh the developer must cover the cost for traffic signal improvements and pedestrian improvements at that intersection of Fourth Street and Hail Avenue. For parking, 192 parking spaces are proposed for the two buildings that which meets the code requirements, and the developer is including some proof of parking, which is uh essentially 26 additional parking spaces that would only be built if necessary. for storm water provisions. There's a proposed basin along the the west side of the site and then an underground system located in between the two buildings. Uh as I mentioned there's some wetland on this property and as such impacts to small portions of the wetland and associated mitigation are proposed uh to accommodate the development. There was an environmental site assessment and environmental review that was completed back in October of 2024. Uh besides verification of wetland boundaries, that site assessment did not recommend further environmental investigation. In terms of utilities, as part of the recently completed goal line project, there is an 8 in sanitary sewer line that was extended along Hudson Boulevard that uh stubs out to this property [snorts] um in anticipation of development. Uh with that comes a fee that the developer will have to cover for that um sewer connection extension. For tree preservation, the developer provided a tree preservation plan. So, under the ordinance, they can impact 25% of what is uh considered significant trees, and that's well defined in our ordinance, without prompting replacement requirements. Uh the developer must provide tree a tree replacement fee in accordance with the city's adopted fee schedule because they are going above and beyond that 25% limit. There was a a question at the planning commission meeting when this was was heard and the replacement fee would be restricted in use. Uh in terms of landscaping uh those requirements of the code have been met as 80 trees are proposed on this lot one only 60 trees are required. Uh here's just a couple renderings elevations uh to give you kind of a flavor of what this the two buildings would look like. So, uh, just a point of reference, here's the interchange in the background and then Hadley Avenue on the right side of the screen. Just another sample rendering here showing the proposed industrial building that would be located on the the eastern portion of the site. So, as mentioned, industrial buildings in the B2 zoning district must adhere to higher exterior building material standards. So updated elevations were provided showing the building consisting of of a variety of materials. So brick veneer, glass, metal accent panels, um pre-cast. So based on the updated elevations that the developer provided, the the 70% class one materials requirement has been met. So the uh planning commission held the required public hearing for this request on July 9th and they recommended approval. Uh staff recommends approval of the comp plan amendment the preliminary plat and site plan subject to the conditions of approval in the the resolution. So uh the first resolution is 2026-47 12 conditions of approval here. So bear with me I'll summarize as best I can >> only 12 >> only 12. >> So this is the the plat resolution. So number one is approval for a comp plan amendment to reguide the site uh to industrial office. [snorts] Number two, execution of a development agreement. Number three, approval of the site con site civil construction plans. Number four, updates to the plat for the outlot. Um number five um include the developer must update the easements on the plat. Number six, they must record an e an access easement over the private roads. Number seven, the developer will be responsible for covering the cost of traffic signal improvements and pedestrian improvements at the fourth uh fourth street north and hail avenue intersection. Number eight, the access off street and Hadley Avenue must be built as part of this phase of development. Number nine, satisfaction of park dedication requirements. Number uh 10, satisfaction of tree replacement requirements. Number 11, the developer must pay the sewer connection fee. And number 12 is permits and approvals from outside government agencies must be obtained. Moving on to the other resolution with conditions of approval. So this is 2026-48 for the site plan. So I will not repeat the redundant conditions from the resolution that I just read. So jumping to condition number seven, uh the developer must submit a phototric plan. Uh number eight, they must adhere to the exterior building materials requirements of the code. And number nine is that the developer must provide details on uh rooftop and ground mechanical equipment, trash enclosures, and methods of screening. So with that, the developer is here in attendance if you have questions. Otherwise, staff would be happy to answer questions, too. Thank you. >> Thank you, Luke. Uh council members, any questions for Luke? How about questions for the developer? None and none. All right. Uh let's just jump right into the actions then. Uh who wants to get started? >> I'll take it. I w I move to wave reading and adopt resolution 2026-46 approving a comprehensive plan amendment for certain property located within 70494th Street North and authorizing city staff to submit the amendment to Metropolitan Council. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Any final comments? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Resolution 2026-46 is adopted. >> I move we wave reading and adopt resolution 2026-47 approving the preliminary plat for 94 exchange subject to conditions. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Final comments. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Resolution. >> Did I hear something? >> No, I was >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, resolution 2026-47 is adopted. >> I was jumping in early. I move we wave your turn. >> Reading [laughter] and adopt resolution 2026-48 approving the site plan for 94 exchange subject to commit conditions. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Many seconds. Uh any final comments? >> Uh motion second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And resolution 2026-48 is also adopted. >> Author Oakdale. >> Mhm. Uh uh public works. Corey, welcome back. What do you got for us? >> Uh thank you again, mayor and councel. Um just have uh the last uh section of some bid alternates that were for again the the Willowbrook um uh fields and uh parks project that we were just recently discussing. Um, so, uh, backing up even further, back in May of, uh, 2025, council approved resolution, uh, 2025-43 awarding the base bid to Sunramm Construction for the general contractor work of the Willowbrook, uh, Fields project. And that related to really to the site work, uh, the installation of the pickleball courts, volleyball courts, and some other incidental stuff. Part of that project required uh there was some addition of some bid alternates that were included uh that we ultimately request that the council wave decision on those until we finalized the project plans for the restroom shelter ensuring uh uh sufficient funding was available. Uh on July 14th at the council workshop, the uh city council was uh of 2026, city council was awarded uh was presented with the construction estimates uh for the restroom and shelter followed by a request for staff for the decision of the five bid alternates um that were previously under the sun construction. Uh that there was two alternates for shade umbrellas and then three alternates ultimately for uh field lighting. Upon deliberation, the council chose to uh accept bid alternates uh for the shade umbrellas and at this point forego the uh field lighting. At the same time, city council authorized city staff to seek options for additional shade features in the park. After consulting with landscape architects, city staff, and reviewed past community feedback that we've been gathering through other park projects, uh city have proposed two added alternates for shade feature. There's an alternate A which would be installation of two additional shade umbrellas a size approximately size 10 by 20 [snorts] each on the east side of the soccer park uh for a total cost of $41,000. Uh and then at alternate B for the installation of two shade umbrellas uh same as referenced in at alternate B or A of approximate size 10 foot by 20 foot for um each side of the soccer park. uh and additionally uh increase this existing proposal size of the shade umbrella at the volleyball court from 10 x 10 to 10 x 20 at a overall cost of uh $65,000 for uh just as a reminder for financial considerations uh based on the award that was just done previously uh at this city council session. The overall project uh balance remains at about 1.6 or the uh expenditures are about 1.66 million with an overall budget of uh 2.066 066 million. Uh staff is recommending uh based on the results of the community feedback and prioritizing shade features throughout the parks in the city as well as an increase in popularity uh and consideration for the project balance, sta city staff is recommending that the council accept add alternate one uh for the shade features at the pickle ball court as well as add alternate B uh at an additional cost of $99,000. So again, that would add the shade features uh to at the pickle ball court, increase the existing size of the the initial proposal for the one at the volleyball court, and add two at the soccer uh field. So all athletic spaces would have some form of shade feature in addition to the uh recently approved and soon to be constructed open air shelter at uh at that place. Uh so overall with this uh request the overall project balance will be at approximately 305,000 and some change. So we will be within budget. So happy to answer any questions from the council from there. >> Council members questions. >> Um I just have one. What's the vehicle for making these changes? Is it a contract amendment? I just noticed in the action here there's not a direction you know directing city administrator to sign a contract amendment or >> vehicle >> the all of them were submitted with the sun ram construction project they were just waiting on uh the overall scope of the project was uh approved which these were included into it but we delayed decision on these we just um so at this point their contract has already been approved that's why we're not looking for you to sign anything or prove it we're just looking for guidance and approval approval for staff to um move forward with these alternate selections. >> Perfect. Thank you. Uh council members, who wants to make the action? >> Hi, Ken. Make a motion to approve the selection of alternate one and add alternate B for the installation of shade umbrellas at Willowbrook Fields in the amount of 99,000 as part of city project P2025-02. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Uh any comments? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I >> oppose. That approval is given. Thank you, Corey. Uh, let's check in with our city attorney, Jim. What do you got for us? >> Uh, Mr. Mayor, members of Council, nothing specific, but happy to answer questions. >> Anybody have any questions for Jim for the first time ever? [laughter] >> One of these times, we're going to get one and it's going to stump you. >> You're all stumped me. [laughter] >> Uh, let's check in with our city administrator, Kelly. Anything for us tonight on admin report? >> I have no comments for you tonight. Thank you. >> All righty. Anybody have any questions for Kelly? No. >> All right. Uh, council presentations. Let's turn to my left. Council member Rich, anything for us? >> No. >> More? >> I have two. >> Hit it. >> All right. Well, first, um, I want to say a giant thank you to the city residents who have green thumbs because we did all of our tours for the Acorn Award. And I just was so impressed with um, all the properties out there, all the people who did so much work with the landscaping. um I could never and I appreciate all the work that that takes. Um I as I drove through I made notes of different addresses that I want to revisit next year to nominate even more. So that was one. Uh great job to everybody. And um two, I um in talking to Chief Newton earlier, um he shared that the social worker started today with the police department. And I just wanted to celebrate that because um what a huge uh milestone for our city. I'm so excited for everything that we've done um with with that effort and uh good luck to the police department. Man, that's amazing. >> What one more body crammed into Southfire? Yeah, >> one more. Yes. [laughter] >> No, I >> We're really testing physics at this point. >> We really are. We're tempting fate a little bit too. >> A little bit. [laughter] >> How about down here? None for me. >> Morham. >> Yeah. Well, I will echo council member Moore's comments. I could not be more excited that we've got our embedded social worker here in Oakdale. They're going to be put to work right away. And I know I've spoken to other officers on the forest at our grand opening of Duncan Dunkin Donuts and they shared too. There's a need and they're going to be busy supporting our residents from day one. And so we're excited to have them here. Also, today was the filing deadline for running for city office. We've got a number of people here that have u bravely put their name in to do that and I have a lot of respect for anyone who uh steps forward to be able to serve their community. So, thank you to everyone who put their name in. Best of luck and please show up to meetings because a lot is happening in Oakdale. >> Sure is. Uh I have a number of updates uh from the city. First up, a reminder. Oakdale Oakdale's Farmers Market continues every Wednesday from 2 to 6:00 p.m. at the Walton Park West parking lot off of 15th Street. Uh now through October 14th, we hope you can stop by for a uh fresh array uh an array of fresh produce, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants, and more from local vendors. We always like seeing everybody out there every Wednesday. Uh Night to Unite is just one week away on Tuesday, August 4th. Night Unite is always a great evening for neighborhood gatherings uh with visits from our Oakdale Police and Fire Department and maybe even some of us on the city council if they want us to come. They do. People always do. Um it's a great opportunity for neighborhoods to band together, get to know one another, um especially new neighbors that are moving into neighborhoods. Um talk about safety and crime prevention in your communities. Um a big thank you to all of our city staff that um do such a great job with that supporting that that event. Um, as well as a big thank you to all of the host uh committees kind of around the city. So, uh, we always like going and chatting with everybody. Good chance to get out and meet people. Uh, you can beat the heat with a pop-up splash pad on Friday, August 7th, uh, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Northdale Park located at 5099 Granada Avenue. Uh, hosted once again by the Oakdale Fire Department. You can run through fire hose spray, toss water balloons, play water games. Um, I think this is the third one of the summer. Is that right? Yeah. Thank you, Chief Wold. um with how hot it's been, I bet they've been very popular. So, um a great opportunity to come out, uh cool down, also just to interact, meet our firefighters, um which we know they love doing it because they get to meet families in our community. So, a big thank you to Oakdale Fire for hosting those again this year. And we hope you can join us on Friday, August 7th. Uh another great event. Oh, this is a good one. Join us for the community picnic uh Thursday, August 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station 1 located at 5000 Hadley Avenue North. Um this is put on by the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce. Um a big thank you to them and the business community for coming together offering a free hot dog lunch. Um to anybody that wants to show up. Um you can hang out with the business community. Fire department will be up there. Um big thank you to Oakdale Fire for letting this event take over your space. We know you guys are space is a premium in this city. So, bringing this event back to Fire Station One is is a really cool thing. Um, as I mentioned, uh, residents can grab a free hot dog meal, mingle with local business leaders, catch up with neighbors, as well as city hall staff and officials. So, we hope you can join us Thursday, August 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fire Station 1. Finally, another great event. Oh, I love this time of the year. We have so many cool things going on. Save the date for Oakdale's annual Touch a Truck event on Thursday, August 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Walton Park West parking lot off of 15th Street. Always one of our most popular events each year. Kids can climb and explore public safety vehicles, snow plows, street sweepers, and more. Uh frozen treats will be provided. This free event uh will be sensory friendly with no loud noises, lights, or sirens. In addition to a sensory tent, or in addition, a sensory tent will provide a safe non-stimulating space for children. Um, at the same time, or yeah, pretty much the same time, Washington County will once again be hosting their back to school event, um, that evening, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Walton Park. They will be offering family activities, school supplies, haircuts, and other resources. Um, a couple years ago, the city and and the county kind of aligned these two great events together. We figured if families are coming for one thing, they might as well come for both things. And it has worked so well. We really appreciate Washington County's partnership um and willingness to do these events together. It works out so well. It's always incredibly well attended. We hope everybody can join us out there for well all of these great events that are coming up um over the next few weeks and throughout August. We got to pay bills. Uh claims roster in front of us. 1.7 million and change uh for July 15th through July 28th. Uh, council members, are there any claims requests that we need to pull out for additional information? Seeing none, can I get a motion? >> Make a motion to approve claims as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the bills are paid. Uh, at this time, the city council is going to go into a closed executive session um to discuss matters protected by attorney client privilege pursuant to Minnesota statute 13D.05, 05 subdivision 3B relating to a pending lawsuit between the city of Oakdale and Oakdale Marketplace. At this time, I will look for a motion to close the meeting pursuant to what I just read. Uh I should have just read the script that staff gave me first every time. Um so I will look for a motion to close the meeting. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. >> Mr. Mayor, if I could just before you vote. >> Yep. Yep. Very good. Before you vote, just uh as stated in the motion, the purpose of this is to discuss matters protected by the attorney client privilege. I've determined that there's issues I need to talk to with you in private that outweigh the need for the public to attend. So, that's the basis for the motion. >> Thank you, Jim. Um there's been a motion. There's been a second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Opposed. Uh motion passes. At this time, the council meeting is now closed and we'll go into an executive session.