Oakdale council moves to ban large commercial vehicles from Ackley Circle during sports events
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Summary
City council introduced an ordinance that would prohibit parking of large commercial vehicles on Ackley Circle from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., citing tournament crowds at Davis Sports Park; the council voted unanimously to proceed with the ordinance’s first reading and schedule a second reading.
Oakdale — The City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance aimed at keeping large commercial vehicles from occupying on‑street spaces near the city’s sports complex during the daytime.
City staff (Jerry) told the council the proposed amendment to Oakdale Municipal Code chapter 18, section 8 would bar commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds or longer than 26 feet from parking on Ackley Circle between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Staff said the change is intended to protect pedestrian safety and preserve parking for families using Davis Sports Park, which the presentation described as supporting roughly 1,800 registered youth soccer players and tournaments that can draw 2,500–3,000 daily attendees.
"One semi tractor can occupy four to six passenger spots," Jerry said, explaining why the restriction is targeted at large rigs. The ordinance would allow a 30‑minute exception for active loading or unloading that does not obstruct traffic, and signs would be posted to notify drivers.
Residents at the public hearing queried enforcement and penalties. Christopher Smith asked whether the penalty would be steep enough to deter truck drivers. Jerry said staff expects enforcement under existing police resources and that the citation would be the jurisdiction’s normal no‑parking fine (staff estimated it is typically in the $25–$40 range). He also told the council the city does not currently have authority to tow parked big rigs absent unpaid citations: "We're not gonna tow them," Jerry said.
Councilmembers expressed a desire to try the sign-and-ticket approach first, and staff said they would return with a higher fine proposal if initial enforcement fails to change behavior. The council approved a motion to accept the item and proceed with the ordinance’s first reading by a 5‑0 roll call.
The council scheduled a second reading and adoption for the next council meeting; no amendments were adopted at first reading.