Oakdale approves $66 million infrastructure plan with bond funding
The Oakdale City Council unanimously approved a major capital improvement plan on July 23 that will fund three major city projects—a new Public Works facility, police expansion, and City Hall renovation—through $25 million in bonds over the next four years.
The council gave preliminary approval to issue Capital Improvement bonds and adopted a related spending plan that totals $66 million through 2028. The bonds will cover $25 million of the costs, with a not-to-exceed limit of $30 million. The remaining funding will come from local sales tax and grants. Finance Director Kyle explained that the three projects—the Public Works facility, police expansion and remodel, and City Hall renovation—are critical infrastructure investments for the city.
In other unanimous votes, the council approved a property tax abatement for The Springs at Willbrook apartment complex. The abatement will redirect $1.75 million of the city's tax revenue from that parcel to pay for four public improvements in the Willbrook development: a commons area, trails, open space, and parking. According to Kyle, the abatement doesn't change the total taxes owed on the property—it simply sets aside the city's share of tax revenue for debt service on bonds funding these projects.
The council also approved a $415,000 project to upgrade lighting at Walton Park's ballfields. The work will replace outdated high-pressure sodium lights installed in the late 1980s with energy-efficient LED lights across four fields. The project came in under the original $500,000 budget and is scheduled for completion in late summer or early fall, after the adult softball league concludes.
In a 4-1 vote, the council approved a new resolution governing how write-in votes will be counted in the 2024 elections, based on a new Minnesota state law. Council Member Morham dissented, stating a preference for the current method and concern about adopting new rules without an identified problem, though he supported the motion.
The council also unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing Jacob Murray to build a 180-square-foot shed at 4603 Hillville Way North—60 square feet larger than normally allowed in the residential district. Staff confirmed the structure meets all setback and height requirements.
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Votes (5)
Property Tax Abatements for The Springs at Willbrook
Moved by Unknown [4:32] · Seconded by Unknown [4:41]
Finance Director Kyle presented on the proposed tax abatement for The Springs at Willbrook, explaining it would be used to pay debt service on bonds for Willbrook Commons, trails, open space, and parking projects. These four projects are estimated to cost $5 million, with $1.75 million funded by the abatement bonds. The abatement does not affect the amount of taxes levied on the parcel but puts aside a piece of the city's share. The parcel was chosen due to its direct benefit from the projects and its ability to meet debt service requirements for the bond. The public hearing was opened and closed without comment.
Preliminary Approval to Issue Capital Improvement Bonds and Related Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Moved by Unknown [8:07] · Seconded by Unknown [8:19]
Finance Director Kyle presented the preliminary approval for Capital Improvement bonds and the related CIP. This specific CIP covers projects to be financed by these bonds, not the full annual city CIP. Projects include the Public Works facility, police expansion/remodel, and City Hall renovation. Total estimated costs are $66 million (2024-2028), with bonds funding $25 million ($8M Public Works, $5M Police, $12M City Hall), and a not-to-exceed limit of $30 million for the bond portion. Other funding comes from local sales tax and grants. Council had been briefed on this previously. The public hearing was opened and closed without comment.
Award of Bid for Walton Park Ballfield Lighting Upgrade to LED
Moved by Unknown [20:06] · Seconded by Unknown [20:30]
Interim Public Works Director Kevin W presented the bids for upgrading the Walton Park Ballfield lighting to LED. The project will replace high-pressure sodium lights from the late 1980s across fields 1-4. Bids were split into material (two bidders) and labor (two bidders). The timeline is late summer/early fall 2024 after adult softball league concludes. Staff recommended approving low bids and amending the budget from $500,000 to $415,000, including Professional Services and contingency for existing light poles. Council Member morham inquired about potential delays due to wet weather and bid validity, to which Kevin W expressed hope for timely completion.
Conditional Use Permit for Oversized Accessory Building at 4603 Hillville Way North
Moved by Unknown [21:59] · Seconded by Unknown [22:12]
Community Development staff Max presented a request from Jacob Murray for an oversized shed. The property is in an R4 middle-density district, where sheds up to 120 sq ft are allowed by right, but Murray requested 180 sq ft via a conditional use permit. Max confirmed the shed meets all setback and height requirements, aligning with ordinance criteria for oversized accessory structures. The Planning Commission had previously reviewed and recommended approval. No questions were raised by council members.
Resolution Governing Right-in Vote Counting for the City of Oakdale
Dissent: Council Member Morham (implied 'no' vote based on comment, although the final stated vote tally was 'I opposed no')
Moved by Unknown [23:58] · Seconded by Unknown [24:06]
City Administrator Chris Fulus presented a proposed resolution regarding right-in vote counting for the 2024 elections, based on Minnesota Statute Section 204B.09 subdivision 3. The resolution dictates that write-in votes for an individual candidate will only be recorded by the county (which manages Oakdale's elections) if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of votes for one of the balloted candidates. Council Member morham stated a personal preference for the current method and a general aversion to new rules without a problem, but supported the motion.
Notable Quotes (11)
The tax payment would be used to pay the debt service on bonds to fund the construction of four projects these projects are the willbrook commons trails open space and parking area.
The mechanics of the tax AB bment will put aside a piece of the city's share of taxes received from the indicated parcel to pay for the related abatement bonds. This does not affect the amount of taxes levied against the parcel and the parcel's tax statement will not show any different than prior to the tax payment.
These projects are the Public Works facility the police expansion Remodel and the City Hall renovation.
Total estimated costs of the three projects uh is currently around 66 million over the course of years 2024 through 2028 of that the capital Improvement bonds are estimated to fund 25 million.
This resolution would also set a not to exceed of 30 million for the capital Improvement Bond portion.
Before you tonight is the uh Walton Park um Ballfield lighting upgrade to LED um this is a project that um would replace the current uh high pressure sodium lights that have been that were installed in the late 1980s.
I know we've 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 if it doesn't dry out that this might not actually get done this fall?
We're certainly hopeful things will dry out but yes there's always that risk if if we can't we don't want to do more damage um to the soil and to the ground in the event that you know it is too wet.
The property is located in the R4 middle density uh zoning District where sheds may be allowed up to 120 square feet by right and larger sheds are allowed through the conditional use permit process here the applicant is seeking approval for a shed that is planned to be 180 Square ft.
The resolution that we're proposing governs that um we will or we meaning the county who manages our elections let me be clear on that that um the city of Oakdale only requires that WR in votes for an individual candidate be recorded if the total number of WR in votes for that office is equal to um or greater than the fewest number of WR in votes for one of the balloted candidates.
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 passing new rules if there's not actually a problem.
Ordinances & Resolutions (9)
Approving property tax abatements for The Springs at Willbrook.
Specific plan detailing projects to be financed through Capital Improvement bonds (Public Works, Police, City Hall).
Agreement outlining city responsibility for parks and amenities in the Willbrook neighborhood.
Approving the Capital Improvement Plan and giving preliminary approval to issue Capital Improvement bonds.
Identifies the Walton Park Ballfield lighting upgrade project.
Awarding the bids for the Walton Ballfield lighting upgrade and authorizing budget amendment.
Approving a conditional use permit for an oversized accessory building at 4603 Hillville Way North.
State legislation authorizing cities to approve resolutions governing right-in vote counting.
Governing right-in vote counting for the city of Oakdale in 2024 elections.
Source document
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Other Topics from This Document
Capital Improvement Bonds and Plan (CIP)
Community Concern: LA Fitness Closure Rumors
Advisory Board Updates
Walton Park Ballfield Lighting Upgrade
Oversized Accessory Building Conditional Use Permit
Resolution Governing Right-in Vote Counting
Council Member Noah's Resignation Announcement
City Announcements
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