Oakdale Staffers get a Royal Surprise

Three unsuspecting city staff members were “knighted” Tuesday when the St. Paul Winter Carnival Royal Family stopped by Oakdale City Hall.

City Engineer Brian Bachmeier, building inspector Sheryl Mellgren and utility billing clerk Jill Crisp received the honor, which requires being nominated by someone on the royal court.

The royal family gave staffers a presentation about their roles and performed a skit, and then Klondike Kate sang, Crisp said in an e-mail.

“She blew the roof off the place with her voice,” she said. “She was amazing.”