City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 23, 2018 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Watertown City Council was called to order at 6:31 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2018 in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Michael Walters, Deborah Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran and City Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Those who signed in were: Tim Lynch, Jim Nash and Dawn Kroonblawd. 2. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion & Approval All items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion on an affirmative vote by roll call of a majority of the members present. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member or citizen so requests, in which event, the item(s) will be removed and discussed prior to the adoption of the consent agenda. EVERSON MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A. Adopt a motion to approve City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes from January 9, 2018 B. Adopt a motion to approve City Council Meeting Minutes from January 9, 2018 C. Consider Resolution #2018-14, Approving Use of Municipal Parking Lot and Outdoor Concert for Riverside Bar & Grill Parking Lot Party D. Consider Resolution #2018-15, Accepting the 2018 Pay Equity Report E. Consider Resolution #2018-16, Approving Step Movement for Logan Pysick F. Consider Resolution #2018-19, Approving Medical Leave of Absence for Fire Fighter Roger Roy G. Consider Resolution #2018-21, Calling for a Public Hearing Regarding Criteria for Business Subsidies 4. Open Forum 5. New / Old Business A. Corporal Kaitlin Otto, Carver County Sheriff’s Office Kaitlin Otto approached the podium for an update. Watertown’s new night deputy is James Lundell. Guetzkow asked about local thefts who stole décor during the holidays. Otto replied that no one has been apprehended. She encourages people to record serial numbers for anything of value. Otto also wants people to let her know if they need additional patrol. Fineran added that it's important to report information so that data can be generated for the Carver County deputies. Otto reminded residents to remove vehicles from the street overnight to avoid being ticketed and towed and to allow the plows to get through. Page 1 of 4 B. 2018 Legislative Priorities Tim Lynch, Carver County Commissioner, gave update on Coney Island in Waconia. There have been two archeological digs finding pieces of pottery older than 2,000 years old. Lynch reviewed roads in Carver County to be changed in the next five years. Washburn asked Lynch about the route on County 20 and 6. He stated that we would like to have some discussions with Hennepin County in the future to make sure that artery will support the growth to the west. Lynch is more than happy to draft a letter or make a phone call. Guetzkow asked about safe pedestrian crossings on state highways and county roads. Lynch is also happy to help with crossings and the legislative plan. State Representative Jim Nash approached the podium. Nash said the small cities road fund is something he works hardest for. He mentioned this year they are also working on funds for townships. He thinks this past year has been successful for local businesses. He asked Council for their feedback. Washburn noted the expansion of our transportation system, specifically highways 5 & 7. He also tells Nash that LGA is very important to our city and that our growth strategy depends on it. Nash replied that the transportation issue is a big deal. The needs out "here" are just as important as the metro roads. Nash said he will advocate for LGA even though he is not a big fan of it. He encourages cities not to prop their budgets up on LGA and to put it into their CIP since the number can fluctuate from year to year. Everson asked about MNLARS (the Minnesota Licensing software). Nash explained that the software failed on day one and was not close to being ready to operate. County offices are having to pay staff overtime to process transactions. Nash estimates around $30,000 in overtime paid out so far for Carver County. Normal transaction time is 16 per hour, now it is 4 transactions per hour with the new system. Total pay-out for the failed software is $100M. Council thanked Representative Jim Nash for his time and support for their Legislative Priorities. EVERSON MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018-17 ADOPTING THE 2018 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES STATEMENT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. Naming of Community Park Fineran stated that in 2008 the City was the beneficiary of a donation of land for park use. Since then the park has been known as Community Park. The donors have approached the City with the proposed name of Oak Grove Community Park. This is related to the fauna and flora located in this area and is consistent with other destination parks in the City. The Park Commission approved and recommends the name Oak Grove Community Park. Pawelk said the Commission was unanimously in support of the name. Page 2 of 4  WALTERS MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018-18 NAMING OF OAK GROVE COMMUNITY PARK. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. D. Request for Waiver of Trunk Fees – 133 Lewis Avenue S Administrator Fineran said that the City has received a request from Watertown Floral to waive Trunk Fees in the development process for the Small Cities Development Grant. As part of the overall project the owner is planning on rehabbing the exterior of the building at 133 Lewis Ave S. Other improvements contemplated by the property owner, not eligible for grant funds is the build out of the 2nd floor residential space. The multi-use concept is allowed by the Central Business District zoning code. The building would then have credit for two ERU applied to the property for monthly usage. Dawn Kroonblawd, owner of Watertown Floral,approached the podium. She stated she is excited about using the grant money and likes what other local business owners have done with the grant money. Pawelk asked for clarification about the recommendation laid out in the RFA. Fineran explained that if the resolution is approved, the waiver of the trunk fee exists for six months. This clause is built in because the waiver is a tool that the City uses to spur investment in the property. Pawelk asked Dawn if she has intentions to submit a permit in a six month time frame. Dawn stated that she will have the permit pulled within 6 months. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2018-20 APPROVING RELIEF FROM SEWER, WATER AND STORM WATER TRUNK FEES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Fineran updated that winter finally came to MN with five inches falling on January 22nd. The ice rink will continue to be flooded. Planning commission will meet on January 25th. Pawelk updated on the Park Commission meeting held January 17th to discuss Evergreen Park improvements. Guetzkow updated the EDA meeting will be February 7th at 8 a.m. to discuss the Lakeview Clinic site at 313 Territorial. Page 3 of 4  Washburn added that there are still spots open for the Developers Day on February 15th. 7. Claims GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2017 & 2018 CLAIMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. Adjournment Members of the City Council and City staff may convene directly following the adjournment of the meeting at the Luce Line Lodge in a purely social event. Membes of the public are welcome to attend. WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:42 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 4 of 4