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Oakdale council certifies delinquent utilities to county, approves police grant, bridge agreement and utility rate study
Summary
At its Oct. 28 meeting the Oakdale City Council adopted multiple routine and programmatic actions: certifying delinquent utility accounts for referral to Washington County taxes, accepting a $12,195 auto-theft grant for license-plate readers, authorizing a bridge maintenance agreement tied to the Gold Line BRT corridor, approving a $99,500 utility rate study contract, and approving a one-time donation to the Open Cupboard food shelf.
Oakdale Mayor Zabel and the City Council on Oct. 28 adopted several resolutions and authorizations covering utility accounts, public-safety equipment, infrastructure maintenance and a professional services contract.
The council held a public hearing on delinquent utility and inactive accounts and adopted Resolution 2025-97 to certify outstanding balances for inclusion on Washington County property tax statements in 2026. Staff outlined the typical notice process and a payment deadline; no members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Council also approved a $12,195 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to purchase two additional stationary license-plate readers; the council accepted the grant under Resolution 2025-98 and authorized the city administrator to execute related documents. Police Chief Newton told the council the department’s existing readers have “scanned nearly 8,000,000 license plates” and produced “58 actionable items for law enforcement, including several arrests and recovery of 8 stolen vehicles.” Chief Newton said department policy limits retention to 30 days (state law permits up to 60), with restricted access for criminal investigations only.
On infrastructure, engineering staff recommended approving an operations and maintenance agreement for the 4th Street bridge over Trunk Highway 694, reconstructed as part of the Gold Line BRT project. Staff said MnDOT will retain ownership and responsibility for major maintenance and inspections while the city will continue minor maintenance tasks such as snow removal and lighting. Council authorized the mayor and city administrator to sign the agreement; staff noted a clerical discrepancy in bridge-identification numbers on the paperwork that they will correct.
The council approved a professional services contract with AE2S to complete a comprehensive utility rate study. Assistant City Administrator Jake Foster said AE2S was selected from three proposals and that the work will be covered by $100,000 programmed in the utility replacement fund; the AE2S contract amount is $99,500.
The council also approved a one-time donation from the city’s charitable gambling funds to the Open Cupboard food shelf. Mayor Zabel cited the organization’s growing demand and framed the donation as a local response to anticipated federal changes to SNAP; that comment was presented as the mayor’s view rather than an independent finding.
Votes and motions were taken by voice vote on the listed items; council recorded aye responses and no oppositions during roll calls on each action. The meeting later recessed into closed session for preliminary consideration of allegations against a city employee.
