The most newsworthy topic of the meeting was the council’s decision to support the Open Cupboard Food Shelf. This came after council members highlighted the expected increase in community need due to upcoming SNAP cuts scheduled for November 1, 2025. These cuts will impact millions of Americans, thereby increasing the demand on local resources like food shelves. The council voiced a strong commitment to assisting those in need and emphasized the importance of community involvement. The mayor stressed the significance of small donations and volunteer efforts, noting that they can make a substantial impact. The motion to approve the donation passed without opposition.

In a parallel move to enhance public safety, the council backed Chief Newton’s proposal for a $12,195 grant from the state to purchase two additional stationary license plate readers. These devices, to be installed near 34th Street in Marketplace, aim to aid in combating autotheft. Since their initial deployment in early 2024, the existing readers have scanned nearly 8 million license plates and contributed to 58 actionable law enforcement items, including multiple arrests and the recovery of eight stolen vehicles. Chief Newton assured the council and public that the license plate readers prioritize data privacy, adhering to strict policy guidelines. The council unanimously approved the acceptance of the grant funds.

The meeting also saw the council issue a proclamation recognizing October 28th as First Responders Day, honoring the daily contributions and sacrifices made by emergency services personnel. The mayor encouraged community appreciation and support for first responders, acknowledging their critical role in ensuring public safety.

Further discussion ensued regarding updates from the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and the Parks and Recreation Commission. The EMC shared progress on their 2026 work plan, having engaged in a productive brainstorming session to generate future project ideas. The council expressed enthusiasm for the commission’s potential contributions. Meanwhile, the Parks and Recreation Commission reported on a successful public meeting at Tanner Park, which received positive community feedback. Plans are underway to hold more public meetings to encourage resident input on park usage and improvements. Additionally, two new parks in the Willoughbrook area are nearing completion, with ribbon cuttings anticipated in the spring and public announcements of their names forthcoming.

In staff reports, the council authorized an operations and maintenance agreement for the Fourth Street bridge over Highway 694, reconstructed as part of the Gold Line BRT project. This agreement delineates responsibilities between the city and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), with the city handling minor maintenance. The council also approved a professional service agreement for a comprehensive utility rate study, the first since 2020, with AE2S selected to conduct the study due to their engineering and financial expertise.

These included an upcoming Halloween trick-or-treating event at Fire Station 2, pumpkin recycling at City Hall, and the nomination process for Oakdale’s Volunteer of the Year. Winter parking restrictions were also announced, beginning November 1.

As the meeting concluded, the council addressed matters related to an upcoming election, including voting locations and ballot questions, and expressed gratitude for the election judges. Additionally, they prepared to enter a closed session to discuss preliminary allegations against a city employee.