16:13A notable highlight of the meeting was the council’s recognition of Madison, a local Girl Scout who became the first female Eagle Scout from an Oakdale troop. Madison completed a service project that involved the construction and donation of 16 duck houses for the Oakdale Nature Preserve. Her achievement was not only celebrated as a milestone for the community but also as a contribution to local conservation efforts. Madison expressed her gratitude for the council’s recognition, stating, “I am just honored that I had the opportunity to help our community and our nature preserves in such a great way.” The council presented her with a token of appreciation and took a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

The council then turned its attention to the amendment of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Willowbrook neighborhood parks. Community Development Director Andy Goff and Public Works Director Corey T. led the discussion, explaining the merging of two separate park projects into one to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. This amendment increased the budget to $2,066,000 for the combined project, which includes features like soccer fields, volleyball courts, and native plantings. The council approved the amended CIP, authorizing the advertisement for bids and allowing the City Administrator to approve change orders.

32:00Another topic was the selection process for a construction manager at risk for the public works project. The council discussed recent changes in state legislation that introduced a two-step process involving a request for qualifications (RFQ) followed by a request for proposals (RFP). The council approved the RFQ and appointed a selection committee comprising the city administrator, police chief, and architect of record. This step is crucial in managing the complex project, which involves a strong collaboration between the architect, city, and builder.

0:04Community Project funding was also a point of discussion, with a representative from Congresswoman Betty McCullum’s office presenting information on funding opportunities for local projects. The council was encouraged to prepare proposals that demonstrate community support and readiness, potentially accessing funds in fiscal year 2026.

The council also addressed the hiring of a probationary police officer, which was pulled from the consensus motions for individual consideration. A split opinion emerged among the council members, with some expressing concerns about the applicant’s past conduct, while others trusted the police chief’s judgment. The motion to approve the hiring was eventually passed with a narrow 3 to 2 vote.

During the meeting, advisory board reports were presented, including an update on a new church construction near the LA Fitness building, which involved plans to cover an existing pool. The council also discussed the upcoming 2025 Street Improvement project and the federally funded Greenway Avenue sidewalk project, authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications and the acquisition of easements.