All righty. We're going to go on ahead and call to order the regular meeting of the Oakdale City Council, May 12th, 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. Please join me for the pledge of
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
the agenda. Council members, can I get a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion second. Those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And the agenda is adopted. Uh, next up, we'll move on to approval of minutes. Two sets in front of us tonight.
So weird. Sorry, I'm just getting settled in. Uh, first up, workshop meeting minutes, April 28th, 2026. Council members, any changes or corrections? >> I'll look for a motion. >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> Opposed. And the workshop meeting minutes are adopted. Uh, last on the list, regular meeting minutes from April 28th, 2026. Any changes or corrections here? >> 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 as well. Uh, no public hearings in front of us tonight. So, we'll move into open forum. Before we open the floor up, I do have two proclamations that we're issuing on behalf of the city. First up, recognizing National Police Week. Make sure I got the right one here. Uh and the proclam
proclamation reads as follows. Whereas in 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officer Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as National Police Week to pay special recognition to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and
protection of others. And whereas International Association of Chiefs of Police have declared police officer safety and wellness a top priority. And the IAP IAP's Center for Officer Safety and Wellness promotes the importance of individual, agency, family, and
community safety and wellness awareness. And whereas it is important that all citizens know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police department and that members of our police department recognize their duty to serve the people by safeguarding life and property and by
protecting them against violence or disorder and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation. And whereas the city of Oakdale commends the brave men and women of our law enforcement community for continually summoning the courage to fulfill their solemn oath to
protect and serve. And whereas the city of Oakdale also takes time or also takes time to pause and reme remember those men and women of our law enforcement community who have lost their lives or suffered permanent disabilities defending their communities. Therefore, I Kevin Zabel, mayor of Oakdale,
Minnesota, do hereby proclaim May 10th through the 16th, 2026 as National Police Week to commemorate police officers past and present who by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities have rendered a dedication of service to our community and in doing so have established for
themselves an enduring reputation and preserving the right rights and security of all Oakdale residents. I know I speak for our entire city council and all of our residents uh when I say a tremendous thank you to our Oakdale police officers. Um Chief Newton, there you are. Here you are. Got to figure out
where everybody is. Um please please extend our deep appreciation to our officers. They every single day they go above and beyond for our community. Um every day they wake up and put on their uniforms and they never know what they're going to encounter and they do it with uh humility and grace and utmost
professionalism and we cannot thank them enough. So please please extend that to your officers. Uh we also have a proclamation recognizing public works week. Whereas public works services provided in our community are an integral part of our citizens everyday lives. And whereas the
support of of an understanding and informed citizen citizenry is vital to the efficient operation of public works systems and programs such as water, sewer, streets, parks, forestry, environmental services, public buildings and fleet services. And whereas the
health and safety and comfort of this great of this community greatly depends on these services. And whereas the quality and effectiveness of these facilities, including our new public works campus, just saying uh as well as their planning, design, and construction are
vitally uh dependent upon the efforts and skill of our public works staff. And whereas the efficiency of the qualified and dedicated personnel who who staff public works departments is material materially influenced by the people's attitudes and understanding of the importance of the work they perform. And
whereas the American public works association will celebrate the 66th annual national public works week which will be held the third week of May with the theme rooted in service powered by community. Therefore, I come mayor of Oakdale, Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the week of May 17th uh through the
23rd, 2026 as public works week and acknowledge the important contributions that the public works department makes every day to our health, safety, comfort, and quality of life here in the city of Oakdale. Uh similarly with uh our police department, our public works staff every single day um they they go
into the elements to make sure um the most uh cornerstone and fundamental elements of um our residents lives from water and sewer and the streets we drive on um are not just satisfactory but really some of the best in the entire
metro. And so Corey, please um extend our appreciation to your team as well. Um, we know we know we've thrown a lot at them in recent years, especially uh now displacing them and letting them settle into their new home, but um we really do appreciate um all of the work
that they do for for our community and we know our residents do as well. So, thank you to to public works. Uh we're still under open forum. Uh this is the time on the agenda where if anybody wants to step up to the podium, state anything uh or talk about anything, please feel free to do so. Uh, I'm going
to welcome up Commissioner Carowski first because he is leaping out of his chair. Stan, what do you got for us? Welcome. >> Good evening. Thank you. Um, Stan Carowski, Oakdale resident and county commissioner representing
district to all of Oakdale. Uh, on behalf of the county, we want to provide some recognition uh to Chris Vulkers. Chris, I'd really like to have you come up here for this recognition. This is partly supposed to be a little bit of embarrassing. We
can't have you just sitting out there. We need to get you There's a camera. We need to get you in front of the camera. Right. Right here. Um I I've got a commissioner award to present. Uh we give those out sparingly
because we we really expect the professionals at the city or the county to do great work and they do. But upon retiring, >> we can uh uh basically uh recognize it. Same with elected officials when they
retire. Otherwise, you do great work and it's expected. So really, I wanted to point out that uh it's been great. I know our county has recognized Chris and her efforts in six years. uh she's really been a great uh
relationship builder between not only the city and our county but amongst other administrators throughout the county. Uh you understand the county business really well and that's made her really effective with our county. uh
she's been a great uh partner not only on road improvements for Oakdale ones where we work mutually with the county. Uh the these are items I'm going to pass uh mentioned that are really led by the mayor and council, but really your
leadership with staff and your ability to communicate with council gives you great confidence where council has confidence in you and you get these projects done. So, not only significant road projects with the county, uh working with the county on the uh
embedded social worker and your police department. Uh there's been some voting challenges that are behind us, but those have been great. Uh recently here now, the Met Council, I noticed the system statement, you're negotiate some uh
positive uh step in the right direction. these great new city buildings. I mean, that's an example that if you don't have great leadership, council doesn't have confidence and maybe you don't proceed with these buildings. And um
you really can work great with our county staff. I know working with you lastly, I consider you a good friend. When you can work with somebody and still consider him a friend, that's great. Um but uh the official uh
document here is uh it's a commissioner service award uh from Washington County. On behalf of a grateful county, the undersigned commissioner Stan Carowski hereby extends recognition and appreciation to Christina Vulkers for
her outstanding career in state, county, and city city public administration and service on this May 12th, 2026. >> Thank you. So >> very sweet. Thank you. Uh,
we're going to go get a photo. Council, uh, please straighten your chairs out so they look nice in the background. >> Um, council, we'll let Stan and Chris go first and then council will jump in on the sides. >> Okay. >> All right.
Two. Where do you want it? >> This way. Okay. >> Fabulous. Now here. >> Yes. Stay right there. >> Okay. >> There we go. I love it.
>> One, two, three. Thank you. There's got to be an order. >> Uh we're still under open forum. So if there's anybody else joining us tonight that would like to step up to the podium uh and share anything that's on your mind, please do so. State your name and address for the record and proceed with your comments.
>> Uh afternoon. Uh my name is John Pernell. Um two of you know me. Um I am a recent uh Oakdale transplant. Um, I grew up in Grand Rapids, Minnesota,
Grand Forks, North Dakota. Um, and spent a long time away from this part of the world. Uh, I don't miss the winters, especially seeing as how I came I came from the East Coast, so like January 1st, I got to go outside and enjoy
coffee and sweatpants and a hoodie. Um, what has what has brought me here is the the TenerLike project. Um, I have I I met with the mayor. Uh, I spoke I spoke with Andy um a couple days ago and I
have some suggestions. I I promise it's not it's not hostile. I'm not I'm not up here going um the big one was uh the concession stand. Um, it's been closed for however long. And when I spoke with uh spoke
with the mayor, he had said that they couldn't find anybody to um to man it. Um, sorry, I made I made like horrible hand scratch notes while I was in here because I just got done ripping apart a deck and then realized that I said that
I would be here. So, like on the way here, I'm like, not that I was driving. Um, that being said, there have been, to my knowledge, there's been three emails that have been sent out, um, by my soon to be wife, uh,
Jessica Velguth. She sent an email to uh the Boy Scout troop um that's local in Oakdale um the Tartan theater group uh as well as the Carver PTO asking if if the concession stand were
to be reopened, would they consider uh manning it voluntarily as a fundraiser? Um, I had I had thrown the uh the suggestion to Andy kind of as a as a sorry, not Andy, Kevin, uh, kind of as a joke be like, "Do what
Costco does. Buck 50 gets you a bottle of water and a hot dog in the middle of July. You you you wouldn't be able to keep it stocked." Um, and then on the flip side, during during the winter, you could have those same groups or whoever
decides that they wanted they wanted to to man it, open it up during um when it when it's nice uh nice enough for people to go out and go not skiing, um, sledding down the hill or go out skating
across skating on the lake and they open up and they sell hot chocolate or hot hot chocolate and a hot dog. Um, two out of the three emails that have been sent out um have said yes that they would be 100% interested. Uh, the only
one that hasn't was the uh the Boy Scouts because I'm not entirely sure if it went to the right person. Um, and then with the
with the project that's coming, um, I I'm a like I said, I'm a recent transplant and so I didn't get a chance to see the plans. I I'm just kind of shooting from the hip on this. Um,
volleyball court isn't used that often. I think part of that has to do with the fact that it's sand. Um it's not the sand isn't very well maintained. So it's kind of who wants to fall in hard packed sand. Um when I had spoken with the mayor, he had said that somebody had
suggested putting astroturf on it, which I think is a fantastic idea. It's no no maintenance. You don't have to try and mow it. You don't have to do anything with it. And then during the winter, you can turn that area, throw up barricades, and turn it into a hockey rink,
which goes into opening up the concession stand, using that as a using that as a warming house because I we walked down to that park almost on a daily basis, and it's never open. It's never been utilized. And when I when I spoke to Kevin, he said that they want
people to use the park. They want people to go there. And I think that making that a hockey rink and having it open, having some sort of something there available, uh, would do would do
two things. One, it would draw people in. And two, who doesn't want to go ice skating, freeze their butt off, and then know that for a buck 50, you get a hot dog and a little thing of Swiss Miss
as well as well as And again, this was just an idea that I threw out to Kevin. What's What's the name of the Blue Ribbon, I think, was the name of the bait shop. A local bait shop. >> Um, I haven't had a chance to speak with him. Uh, his name is Josh. He's the
owner. He's very very cy when you go, "Hi, is the owner here?" He's like, "I'm definitely not here." I'm like, "Well, your name, you said your name was Josh and that's who I know I need to talk to." Um, having them sponsor like a weekend ice
fishing tournament and again have whoever man the concession stand. This would do a couple again a couple things. It would bring people into the park. Um, it would drive business to to um to Blue Blue Ribbon. I keep wanting to say blue line, but I know that's not
right. That's buses. Um, it would drive business to Blue Ribbon, which as somebody who has ran a business, I realize the reason why he's so super KY about me going, "Hi, is the owner in because I also used to sell insurance, so I get that." Um,
but having them even like the first year do have have have be like, "Hey, $100 gift card to the first winner to the first place o over the weekend. They're the sponsors. They get a bunch of revenue because people go, "Oh, Blue Ribbon is
sponsoring it. I'm going to go get my stuff from them because they're a local they're a local business." as well as other people realizing that there's a park there. Um
the only the only kind of caveat to that I guess would be um as somebody who's who's owned and run a business before to be able to get them on board. They're going to ask what's in it for them other than hey you're going to get money
because they have they have to put forth the effort. They they want to know what the bottom line is. And so my other than my ramblings, um, if that were to happen and they were to say yes, they would be interested, what
would that look like from from you guys, from the city? Because the city wants city wants people to use the park. If the city backs this, what what are they going to what are they going to get back into it? Um, and then just, uh, and I
don't know if this is you guys or if this is the county. Um, and I don't know what it would take plowing the lake when it's frozen. There's like a little spot because sometimes there's huge drifts. And as much as I love drift busting, it sucks
when you're wearing hockey skates or figure skates. And after a snowstorm, when everything's frozen and everything's secure, having having a public works Vplow go out and just do a couple swoops so that everybody can go out on the lake
and have a great time. And with the update that I know is coming, as somebody who grew up in Minnesotaish, um it was like right on the border. It still counts. um putting up duck houses
because it's a big lake. You you see there's malards everywhere. There's geese unfortunately. Um but having a place where you know that if you go there there's going to be ducks because what little kid doesn't like seeing
ducks and then in the concession stand have a giant bag of corn. A dollar gets you a little little can of dried corn and they get to throw it into the lake and watch the ducks go. Um, I know that there was I also know that
there was some contention about the plans. I don't know what the plans are. Um, and I brought I brought this up to Kevin. the where the boat launch is
is right next to the fishing pier or the fishing dock. As somebody who fishes a lot, that's horrible. Every time that you you throw a line in the water, there's no fish are going to be there because that's where everybody puts their boats.
So, and when I had spoken with Kevin about this, either moving the fishing pier, because I know moving the boat launch is a is a much bigger undertaking than let's pull a dock out of the water, move it over here, and put it back in.
either doing that where you put a a new dock in or 20 30 foot long little mini docks or like what they have out on out in California where it's just like there's this one huge dock with a bunch of little out like outcroppings where
people can fish off of and then just this this was an idea that I haven't run past Jess because I'm sure she would think I was a crazy person. Um, I know with the with the park project that's happening, as much as everyone
hates to admit it, they're going to cut down trees. So, what I suggest for that, and I I think you would agree agree with this, have them take the trees that they have to cut down and set them to the side. Use them for the Boy Scouts. Hey, you
want to go learn how to use an axe? Hey, you want to go learn how to use the saw? Well, we have all of these giant locks. Let's go take the boy scouts over there and hack them in half or whatnot. I think that is all of my chicken scratch.
>> Thank you, John. >> Yes. Other than that, thank you. >> Uh, is there anybody else that would like to talk under open form tonight? Seeing none, we're going to go ahead and move into consensus motions. Council members A, A, and B in front of us tonight. Uh, do we need to pull either of those for individual consideration
hearing? None. Can I get a motion? >> Make a motion to approve consensus motions as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion was second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. And consensus motion A and B are approved as presented. Let's check in with our advisory boards and
commissions. Nobody met. Uh, since our last meeting. Uh, nothing under award of bids or staff reports. Uh, so let's check in with our city attorney. Jim, anything for us tonight? Uh, Miss May, members of council, nothing specific, but happy to answer questions. >> Anybody have any questions for Jim?
>> All right, seeing none, we'll move into our administrator's report. Uh, we have one item, well, two items technically under here. City administrator Vulkers. >> Hi, Mr. Mayor, Council. I um technically, can everybody pull this in when they talk too? It would it would
help. Thank you. Um, we're getting longer microphones, so um that'll be easier in the future. um about this item on the agenda. Chapter 2, um city code of ordinances chapter 2. We made some updates and you can see in the um
workshop or I'm sorry, workshop the council RCA what the changes specifically are, but it does have a a cleanup. We've been working on it for a while. So, we did post it and now we need the um we are asking for the um two motions in front of you and I'll ask
that somebody read that. There's two separate ones and I'm glad to answer any questions. >> Uh, council members, any questions for Chris? >> All right. Uh, two action items. Who would like to take those tonight? >> I'll take them. >> I move we wave reading and adopt
ordinance number 962 amending the code of ordinances for the city of Oakdale chapter 2 administration. >> Uh, there's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any conversation? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. and ordinance 962 is adopted.
Next, >> I move we wave reading adopt resolution 2026-28 authorizing publication of ordinance number 962 by title and summary. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion a second. Any conversation? All those in favor say I. >> I.
>> Opposed. Resolution 2026-28 is adopted. Chris, anything else under admin report tonight? >> No, thank you. >> All right. Thank you, Chris. Uh, council presentations. Let's look down here. Council Rich, anything? Council member Moore? >> I do. >> All right, take it away. >> All right. Um, I just wanted to point
out the obvious. There's a lot going on and I remain impressed with the dedication and the work of our city staff. So, thank you guys so much for all that you are doing as we navigate, let's just call it one big adventure.
>> So, wanted to say that publicly. >> Thank you. Anything else? >> No. >> Uh, Council Member Severson. No. >> Council member Morham. Yeah. Yeah. I just want to thank John for coming in to share. I mean, you're new to the city, but you obviously care, and that's the kind of attitude and energy that we're looking for. And there's a gentleman right over here. His name's Larry. You
should connect with him because he is very well connected to volunteerism in the city. >> Welcome, Larry. Anything else, Andy? >> All right. Uh, I have a number of announcements. Uh, as Council Member Moore said, a lot is changing in our
city right now. Um, a lot of our staff are on the move. um as we finish one capital building project in public works which opened earlier this month um and then we're starting on the next one at city hall um and the police department and so um I want to get these dates
right and the details right so um the Oakdale police department has officially moved to fire station 2 located at 663315th Street. So police services remain fully available. If you need any of the inperson services, please feel free to visit that that's that address um and you can walk right into the
building. uh our them with them taking over fire station two during the construction our fire department has consolidated and everyone will operate out of fire station one during this time. Um one thing I want to emphasize, I've gotten this question a few times. Um will having the entire fire department based out of the north fire
station impact services at all? Our fire chief has assured us absolutely not. Um, with the change over to full-time career that we made a few years ago, um, having staff on-site 24/7, um, it ensures that wherever they are in the city, they can provide the high
level of, um, service, fire and EMS service that they always have. So, there is no concern about, um, all of the fire department operating out of the north fire station. Uh, most city hall staff will re relocate to the new public works facility um, later this month. uh
in-person city hall services uh like paying your utility bill for example. Um permits um what else? What else we got? Those are the two biggest ones. Yeah. Um you can still do those insert or in person at the new public works campus, 3200 Granada Avenue North. Um starting
May 26th. Um also want to mention we will be closing city hall uh to the public on Friday, May 22nd, the Friday before Memorial Day weekend um as staff will be making that move. And then the city hall uh is closed on Memorial Day or in observance on Memorial Day on uh
May 25th. Um lots of moving dates, lots happening as Council Moore said. Um all of these details can be found on the city website under building projects I believe is the page. Um we do expect construction to take about 18 months. Um and we appreciate everybody's patience
as we're in this kind of transition. Uh, also during construction, uh, city council workshops and meetings will and our advisory board meetings will be right here at the Oakdale Discovery Center, our new home for the next 18 months, 444 Hadley Avenue North. Uh, this is our very first meeting, uh, in this building. I don't actually know
what camera's on us, so uh, there's like four of them over here. Um, so we're still getting used to it. We appreciate uh, everybody bearing with us, but uh, we're excited to uh, bring the the seat of government right here to the Discovery Center. Um, please feel free to join us. We have we have plenty of chairs set up. If anybody wants to come
in uh and observe any of our city council meetings or weigh in on anything on our agendas, we hope you do. So, uh the citywide garage sales hosted by the Maplewood Oakdale Lions Club runs this Thursday, May 14th through Saturday, May 16th. Uh for a full sale directory, please visit the Maplewood Oakdale Lions
Club Facebook page. As always, a big thank you to them uh for taking on this very um well attended and cherished uh community event. Uh we know a lot of people like going bargain hunting and having a Citywide garage sale day uh is such a great thing to have in Oakdale. So a big thank you to the Maplewood
Oakdale Lions Club for that. Uh our events continue. The annual Jane Klein Memorial Spring Planting event will be held this Saturday, May 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to noon here at the Discovery Center. Uh volunteers are still needed to help plant new trees as part of the city's commitment to maintaining the urban tree canopy. You can visit the
city website for more information. If you are interested in volunteering uh and you want to register in advance, please do so by Wednesday or just show up Saturday morning. We'd love to have you. So, um always always a fun time when we can play in the dirt and add a few more trees to our tree canopy here in Oakdale. Uh I mentioned Memorial Day.
Uh just a reminder, city offices will be closed on Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day. Regular hours will resume the following day. In fact, we have a city council meeting that night, so we'll be here. Thank goodness there was no backside. Lots going on in our community. Um claims roster. Uh we have a claims
roster in front of us April 29th through May 12th, 2026. The amount of 1.299 million and change. Uh council members, any claims we need to pull for individual consideration? >> Uh can I get a motion? >> Make a motion to approve claims as presented. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second.
>> Motion in a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed. Bills are paid. Next item on our agenda is going into a close session. Um, at this time I will now look for a motion to close the meeting pursuant to
Minnesota State Statute 13D.05 sub subdivision 3B to discuss matters protected by attorney client priv privilege relating to the pending lawsuit between the city of Oakdale and Oakdale Marketplace LLC. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> There's a motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. At this time, I'm
going to turn it over to the city attorney for a brief comment. >> U, thank you, Mr. Mayor. this uh request to hold a closed session has been my request u because there are things I need to talk to you about the lawsuit that the need for confidentiality under the attorney claim privilege outweighs
the uh the need of the public to be present. So that's why I'm making that request. >> All right. Uh we've had a motion and a second. Uh all those in favor say I. >> I opposed. Uh motion prevails. The council meeting is now closed. Council,
we will meet in the next room over.