Oak Grove City Council meeting, April 27, 2023

Motions and votes

7 motions on the record.

• M1MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.

  moved by West, seconded by Wylie

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA. All in favor.

• M2MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED.

  moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED. All in favor.

• M3MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ACCEPT THE 2022 AUDIT REPORT.

  moved by West, seconded by Tradewell

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ACCEPT THE 2022 AUDIT REPORT. All in favor.

• M4MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE B.

  moved by Tradewell, seconded by Wylie

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE B. All in favor.

• M5MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE A.

  moved by Wylie, seconded by Bray Johnson

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE A. All in favor.

• M6MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ADOPT 23-056 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 19151 MAIN ST NW, PID 26-33-24-41-0020.

  moved by West, seconded by Tradewell

  Passed

  All in favor.

  p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ADOPT 23-056 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 19151 MAIN ST NW, PID 26-33-24-41-0020. All in favor.

• M7MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADJOURN.

  moved by West, seconded by Bray Johnson

  Passed

  Motion carried 5-0.

  p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADJOURN. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Dollar amounts in motions

Amounts named in or tied to a motion that passed, each shown with the motion. A motion can approve an amount, cap it, or remove it from a list, so read the motion text. These links are AI-extracted, and the minutes control.

• Mayor requested minutes note under Charitable Gambling stating he was in favor of approving a $500 donation to East Bethel PTO.

  $500

  Motion MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED. Passed(All in favor.)
  p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Mayor Rolf requested to add under Charitable Gambling that he was in favor of approving a $500 donation to East Bethel PTO because that is what the city donated to St. Francis Elementary.

What was on the agenda

20 items as recorded in the minutes, each with a short summary of what was at issue.

1. 1Public Forum

   • Public forum

   Discussion only
   p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 1. PUBLIC FORUM Suzanne Herman 809 Sims Rd NW mentioned that Oak Grove has a great planning commission, city council and city staff.

2. 2Announcements

   • Announcements

   Discussion only
   p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Rolf announced that the St. Francis Career Fair is this Thursday, April 27th from 2:00- 3:30 pm. He also observed a moment of silence for Deputy Josh Owen who was shot and killed on April 15th while responding to a call.

3. 3Setting of Regular Agenda

   Approved by motion; minutes state 'All in favor.'

   • Agenda

   Approved
   p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 3. SETTING OF REGULAR AGENDA MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA. All in favor.

4. 4Approval of Council Minutes for April 10, 2023

   Approve regular meeting minutes as amended (charitable gambling donation note).

   Approved as amended by motion; minutes state 'All in favor.'

   • Minutes approval
   • Charitable gambling

   Approved
   p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 4. APPROVAL OF COUNCIL MINUTES FOR APRIL 10, 2023 Mayor Rolf requested to add under Charitable Gambling that he was in favor of approving a $500 donation to East Bethel PTO because that is what the city donated to St. Francis Elementary. MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO AP…

5. 5AAcknowledge receipt of commission and committee minutes: Parks Commission minutes for April 19, 2023

   Minutes show acknowledgment (no vote recorded).

   • Parks Commission
   • Commission minutes

   No action
   PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.235. ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE MINUTES A. Parks Commission minutes for April 19, 2023 ... The council acknowledged receipt of commission minutes.

6. 6A2022 Audit presentation by BerganKDV

   BerganKDV presented the city’s 2022 audit results, and Council Member Tradewell asked about The Ponds sewer fund; staff explained it has an interfund loan from the Lake George Sewer Fund that is being repaid annually. The council then approved a motion to accept the 2022 audit report.

   • Audit

   Discussion only
   p. 1↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23A. 2022 Audit presentation by BerganKDV Aaron Dahl, Audit Manager for BerganKDV presented the 2022 audit results. Council Member Tradewell asked for more information about The Ponds sewer fund.p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Administrator Wickham replied that The Ponds sewer fund has an interfund loan from the Lake George Sewer Fund that is currently being paid back. Karri Thorsten from Abdo confirmed it is being paid back annually.

7. 6BConsider accepting audit report

   Accept the 2022 audit report.

   BerganKDV presented the city’s 2022 audit results, and Council Member Tradewell asked about The Ponds sewer fund; staff explained it has an interfund loan from the Lake George Sewer Fund that is being repaid annually. The council then approved a motion to accept the 2022 audit report.

   Approved by motion; minutes state 'All in favor.'

   • Audit

   Approved
   p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23B. Consider accepting audit report MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ACCEPT THE 2022 AUDIT REPORT. All in favor.

8. 7AConsent Agenda: Claims and Accounts

   Originally on consent agenda; removed and approved separately.

   The council handled consent items in two steps: staff requested removal of Claims and Accounts, the council approved Resolution 23-055 for firefighter step increases, then approved Claims and Accounts separately. Staff also noted two expenses were coded to Anoka County in error and would need correction.

   Removed from consent and later approved by motion; minutes state 'All in favor.'

   • Claims and accounts

   Approved
   PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 7. CONSENT AGENDA ... A. Claims and Accounts ... Administrator Wickham requested to remove A.p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO APPROVE A. All in favor.

9. 7BConsent Agenda: Resolution 23-055 approving Step Increases for Firefighters

   The council handled consent items in two steps: staff requested removal of Claims and Accounts, the council approved Resolution 23-055 for firefighter step increases, then approved Claims and Accounts separately. Staff also noted two expenses were coded to Anoka County in error and would need correction.

   Approved as a single-item consent motion after removal of item A; minutes state 'All in favor.'

   • Fire department
   • Pay/step increases
   • Resolution 23-055

   Approved
   PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23B. Resolution 23-055 approving Step Increases for Firefighters ... MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER WYLIE TO APPROVE B. All in favor.

10. 8AReview Bids for State Aid Project - University Ave NW/NE

    Review bids; council noted it did not need to act until May 8 and discussed potential lighting and trail extension costs.

    The city engineer presented bids for the University Ave NW/NE state aid project and noted the council could wait until May 8 to act to allow East Bethel time to review, since East Bethel will share costs. The council discussed a request for crosswalk lights; the engineer discouraged adding lights at the roundabout sidewalks and gave an estimate of about $10,000 per leg ($40,000 total) at 100% city cost if pursued. The engineer also said federal reviewers were pushing back on a trail stub on private property, meaning the city would be responsible for 100% of a trail extension (about $25,000), and staff had contacted developer Grant Rademacher about potentially funding that portion.

    No motion recorded in minutes.

    • State aid project
    • University Ave
    • Bids
    • Lighting
    • Trails

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23A. Review Bids for State Aid Project - University Ave NW/NE Engineer Schwartz presented the bids received for the University Ave NW/NE project. He added that the council does not have to act until May 8th. This will allow time for East Bethel to review the bids before awarding the project. He noted that East Bethel wil…p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member Wylie inquired about installing lights at the crosswalks. Engineer Schwartz replied that they strongly discourage adding lights to the roundabout sidewalks because it emboldens pedestrians to press the light and walk out into traffic. If the city still wants to move forward with them, it would be approxi…p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Regarding the trail extension, the feds are pushing back saying that the trail stub on private property is for private benefit and if the city would like to extend it, they would be responsible for 100% of the cost for that as well. He noted that they have reached out to Grant Rademacher, the developer of Bill's Supere…

11. 8BEngineer Updates

    Listed with no additional detail recorded in minutes.

    • Engineer updates

    Discussion only
    PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23B. Engineer Updates

12. 9Fire Department

    Grant application note and Station 2 HeartSafe open house announcement.

    • Fire department
    • Grant
    • HeartSafe

    Discussion only
    p. 2↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Administrator Wickham mentioned that Staff is applying for a Community Safety Grant from CenterPoint Energy.p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member West mentioned that the Open House at Station 2 for the HeartSafe Program is Saturday, April 29th.

13. 10Public Works Department

    Future equipment planning for road maintenance.

    • Public works
    • Equipment

    Discussion only
    PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 10. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Administrator Wickham noted that Public Works is looking at equipment to purchase in the future to help with road maintenance.

14. 11AParks: Trails Discussion

    Trail maintenance budget and plan; overlay trails in The Ponds; discuss updating 2006 plan and mapping/GIS.

    The council discussed parks trails, including a budgeted $50,000 for trail maintenance and a recommendation to overlay the rest of the trails in The Ponds. Staff referenced the 2006 Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan and suggested updating its map and adding trail mapping to the city’s GIS. Parks Commission Chair Jerri Tri described historical developer dedication practices and noted developers often provided $2,300 per lot cash-in-lieu instead of land, which he said negatively impacted the trail system plan; council members discussed the importance of trail connectivity and suggested sharing trail construction costs with developers and improving management processes.

    No motion recorded in minutes.

    • Trails
    • Parks
    • Trail maintenance
    • The Ponds

    Discussion only
    p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## A. Trails Discussion Administrator Wickham mentioned that the city budgeted $50,000 for trail maintenance this year and he has been working with Director Anderson on a plan. Director Anderson recommends overlaying the rest of the trails in The Ponds.p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Administrator Wickham noted that he included the 2006 Oak Grove Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan in the packet for the council to review. He suggested updating the map in the plan since it is almost 20 years old.p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Engineer Schwartz replied that they can add a trail layer to the GIS system on the city's website as well.p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Jerri Tri Parks Commission Chair, noted that in the past, developers were required to give 10% of the land being developed or money for a park. As time went on, it made more financial sense for developers to give $2,300/lot cash in lieu of land instead building a park or trail.

15. 12Planning Department

    Planning applications from April 20 to be on May 8 agenda.

    • Planning

    Discussion only
    PDF↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23## 12. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Administrator Wickham noted that the planning applications from the meeting on April 20th will be on the May 8th agenda.

16. 13ACity Administrator Updates & Discussion Items: Recycle Day update

    Staff reported that 283 residents attended Recycle Day (up from 266 last year) and that total event revenue was $6,303.80.

    • Recycle Day

    Discussion only
    p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Clerk Rieland stated that 283 residents came to Recycle Day which is a small increase from last year, which was 266. The total revenue from the event was $6,303.80.

17. 13BResolution 23-056 authorizing the sale of 19151 Main St NW, PID 26-33-24-41-0020

    The council adopted Resolution 23-056 authorizing the sale of the property at 19151 Main St NW (PID 26-33-24-41-0020).

    Adopted by motion; minutes state 'All in favor.'

    • Property sale
    • Resolution 23-056

    Approved
    p. 3↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23B. Resolution 23-056 authorizing the sale of 19151 Main St NW, PID 26-33-24-41-0020 MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER TRADEWELL TO ADOPT 23-056 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 19151 MAIN ST NW, PID 26-33-24-41-0020. All in favor.

18. 13CAdministrator Updates

    Long-term plan work session in June; sign design behind dais (donated labor/material contributions).

    • Budget process
    • Council chambers sign

    Discussion only
    p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Administrator Wickham mentioned that the work session for the long-term plan will be scheduled in June and will be the beginning step of the budgeting process.p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Administrator Wickham presented a sign design for behind the dais in the council chambers. He noted that Council Member West met a resident while campaigning, that makes metal signs, and he has come up with a design. He added that the resident will be donating his time to make it and a few others have offered to make d…

19. 14Mayor/Council Requests/Updates

    Code enforcement/property updates; CUP mining permit concerns; possible parcel price reduction; discuss changing meeting start time; cemetery board volunteer request.

    Council members asked for updates on violations at Viking Blvd NW and Eidelweiss St NW and raised complaints about animals at large near a Lake George Blvd NW residence. Staff advised residents to call the Sheriff when animals are at large and reported the prosecuting attorney is handling the Viking Blvd NW and Eidelweiss St NW violations; the council discussed code enforcement policy.

    Council Member Tradewell said a mining CUP discussed at a previous meeting was now advertising that it recycles at the location, which he said is not part of the permit, and that permit conditions were not being met; he asked to act on the issue at an upcoming meeting.

    Council Member Tradewell asked whether the city should reduce the price of a parcel for sale on Viking Blvd NW; the administrator said he would discuss it with the agent and return with a recommendation.

    Mayor Rolf suggested changing the council meeting start time to 6:30 pm. Council Member Bray Johnson asked whether Planning Commission meetings would also start at 6:30, and the mayor requested the topic be added to the next agenda for further discussion.

    Topic of meeting start time requested to be added to next agenda.

    • Code enforcement
    • CUP mining
    • Meeting start time
    • Cemetery

    Discussion only
    p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member Wylie asked for an update on the Viking Blvd NW and Eidelweiss St NW properties. He also mentioned a home on Lake George Blvd NW that has received complaints about their animals going into the street. ... The council discussed code enforcement policy.p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member Tradewell mentioned that the CUP permit for mining that was discussed at a previous meeting is now advertising that it recycles at that location which is not part of the permit. He noted that the conditions of the permit are not being met and he would like to act on it at an upcoming meeting.p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member Tradewell inquired if the city should reduce the price on the parcel of land, they have for sale on Viking Blvd NW. Administrator Wickham replied that he would discuss it with the agent and let the council know what he recommends.p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Mayor Rolf suggested changing the council meeting's start time to 6:30 pm. Council Member Bray Johnson inquired if the Planning Commission meetings would start at 6:30 as well. Mayor Rolf requested that the topic be added to the next agenda for further discussion.p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23Council Member Bray Johnson mentioned that on May 6th there is a West Oak Grove Cemetery board meeting, and they are currently looking for volunteer help with the cemetery and office work. The meeting will be held at City Hall.

20. 15Adjournment

    Motion carried 5-0; adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

    • Adjournment

    Approved
    p. 4↗Oak Grove — 04.27.23MOTION MADE BY COUNCIL MEMBER WEST, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER BRAY JOHNSON TO ADJOURN. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Alternatives considered

Options the council weighed, and what happened to them. The record of the road not taken.

• State Aid Project - adding crosswalk/roundabout lights

  mentioned only

  Install lights at the crosswalks/roundabout sidewalks (estimated $10,000 per leg; $40,000 total; 100% city cost)

  Cost comparison: Engineer said it would be "approximately $10,000 per leg for a total cost of $40,000" and "the city would be responsible for 100% of the cost."

  Why: Engineer said they "strongly discourage adding lights to the roundabout sidewalks" because it "emboldens pedestrians to press the light and walk out into traffic."

  Raised by Council Member Wylie

• State Aid Project - trail stub/extension on private property

  under study

  Extend the trail stub on private property (estimated about $25,000; 100% city cost if pursued) versus not extending and/or seeking developer funding

  Cost comparison: "The cost of the extension would be approximately $25,000." Also: if extended, "they would be responsible for 100% of the cost for that as well."

  Why: Record shows federal pushback on public funding because the stub on private property was viewed as "for private benefit"; staff reached out to developer Grant Rademacher to see if he would fund that portion.

• Parks/trails developer contributions approach

  mentioned only

  Require developers to share more of the cost of constructing trails because current collected amounts are not sufficient

  Why: Council Member Tradewell stated "the amount that is currently collected is not sufficient."

  Raised by Council Member Tradewell

Sources

Documents and recordings archived for this meeting, when available.

• Document

  Oak Grove — 04.27.23

  Minutes · Thursday, April 27, 2023

  4 pages

  ↗