City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Mayor Steve Washburn WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Deb Everson Regular Meeting Tuesday, May 22, 2018 Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 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, May 22, 2018 in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Mike Walters, Deb Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, City Engineer Andrew Budde, Utilities Superintendent Doug Kammerer, and City Clerk-Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Guests: Heidi Hoks and Paul Ericsson with Carver County Libraries. 2. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion and 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. WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A. Adopt a motion to approve City Council Meeting Minutes from May 8, 2018 B. Adopt a motion to approve Special City Council Meeting Minutes from May 8, 2018 C. Consider Resolution #2018-69, Approving Step Movement for Jason Raser D. Consider Resolution #2018-70, Determining Performance and Approving Step Movement for Shane Fineran, City Administrator E. Consider Resolution #2018-71, Authorizing Non-Waiver of Tort Liability Limits F. Consider Resolution #2018-72, Approving Low Quote for Sanitary Sewer Televising Project G. Consider Resolution #2018-73, Approving Quote for Trail Maintenance H. Consider Resolution #2018-75, Approving Proposal for Custodial Services I. Consider Resolution #2018-76, Declaring Surplus Equipment and Authorizing Sale J. Consider Resolution #2018-77, Approving Step Movement for Mike Dressel 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business Page 1 of 4 A. State of the Library Presentation Heidi Hoks, the director of Carver County Libraries, began the presentation for the State of the Library. She stressed the fantastic resources available at the Watertown Library. She reminded Council that the City funds the building, and the County funds the operations. Hoks informed about MELSA. The Carver County Library system has begun planning using a five year plan. Their mission statement is a series of promises to the community. Paul Ericsson, branch manager of Carver County Libraries, continued the presentation by discussing the important people who make the library system a success. Ericsson touched on Reaching out to Millennials, Adult Enrichment, and Youth Programs. The library will be rolling out STEM preschool story time this summer (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). B. Youth Community Programming Funding City Administrator Fineran introduced the Youth Community Programming funds available due to an old fund established called “Youth Splatter”. One group applied for the funds: the Watertown National Honors Society. The group is requesting $800 to fund a carnival and other activities. Staff is requesting the remaining funds will be rolled over to the Commission on Aging. Guetzkow and Walters thanked staff for their efforts. Everson is glad to see the funds are going to great organizations within the community. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 74, APPROVING COMMUNITY PROGRAM DISBURSEMENT AND THE TRANSER OF REMAINING SPLATTER FUNDS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. Hwy 25 West Sidewalk Fineran updated that the urbanization project for Highway 25 is slated for 2020. As part of this project, includes an eight foot concrete walkway along the west edge of the corridor. This location for the walkway poses some challenges with drainage, right of way, and the need for 1,000 feet of retaining wall with a handrail. The City would like to see the south leg trail extension through Highland Park between High Street and Hutchinson Road. If the west sidewalk is maintained and the handrail is built, MNDOT would require a Limited Use Permit (LUP) for the City for maintenance of the sidewalk and handrail. Staff is looking for guidance on the southern trail leg and what parts of the west trail the Council sees as important. Everson asked if any feedback has been provided from local businesses. Fineran said that meeting will take place on May 31st to discuss access into the businesses from Highway 25. Walters would like to see sidewalk on both sides of the road if it fits the budget. He added that he would like to hear feedback from the direct stakeholders. Guetzkow echoed Walters. She added the need for crosswalks on Highway 25. Budde stated that in this type of roadway, MNDOT does not paint the road to signify the crosswalk, but it is still a legal crosswalk. Pawelk stated that a crosswalk usually connects two sidewalks, so that is to be considered when deciding on the west walkway. Washburn would like to see a connection from Westwood down to Subway and if the City does not do it at the time of the MNDOT project, it may not get done. Guetzkow would like to see maximum value out of the project. Washburn asked if the City can acquire easement in order to reduce the cost of some of the retaining Page 2 of 4  wall, grading and handrail. Everson asked about the timeline in which MNDOT needs an answer. Fineran said they need it ASAP. Washburn would like to have the west sidewalk with the caveat that business owners are aware that it may not be in the final plan for the road project. Budde added that there are about nine property owners who would be affected by the right away easement. MNDOT follows very strict rules about acquiring right of way. He asked Council if that would be a decision maker if one property held out and forced MNDOT to use imminent domain. Washburn said the value to having the west side connection is to bring residents directly to the businesses. That being the value, he would like to see the west trail. Direction to Staff is to explore the west trail and look for feedback from business owners. 6. Other Reports Budde updated on the Mill & Overlay which will wrap up in the next week. 30th Street Trail will also be complete in the next week. Pawelk reported on the Park Board meeting discussing the redesign of the skate park. The meeting was a virtual meeting engaging local youth with the equipment vendor. Guetzkow reported on the joint EDA/COA meeting. Emergency loans are now available through the EDA. Senior housing needs were also addressed with a presentation from the Carver County Development Authority. The EDA will be focusing on senior housing for their future goal. Walters reported on the Chamber meeting as well as the Planning Commission meeting 5/24. Everson reported that she was impressed with the students who attended the skate park design session. She also noted that during the EDA meeting they reviewed two housing studies, both showing the need for senior independent living. Washburn said that Council does their best job when they take resident input and put it into action. He thanked the EDA and COA for their hard work. He would like to see a 55 plus apartment complex constructed in the next two years. Washburn reported on the Maifest Event celebrating German heritage. A. Doug Kammerer, Public Utilities Superintendent Utilities Superintendent Kammerer approached the podium to present current happenings at the waste water treatment facility. He shared photos of heavy maintenance being completed at the facility. He informed about a recent sewer backup in Wildflower and the extensive process required to alleviate the issue. Kammerer showed Council the fat and grease that was backed up the sewer. He explained to Council that liquid fat solidifies in the sewer. Other items found in the sewer system were paper towels and baby wipes. These items being flushed or washed down the drains are causing problems and creating sewer backups. Staff was required to monitor the pump station for six hours after this event. Kammerer encouraged residents to discard waste appropriately. He showed a baggie of rubber gloves, toys, headbands, etc that were all collected from the clogged sewer lines. He said that Page 3 of 4  the City is doing their part and now the residents need to do their part. Guetzkow asked why certain homes back up and not others. Kammerer stated that there are no alarms in the sanitary sewer. The residents are the City’s alarm. Washburn would like to see some of these pictures and videos shared on social media. Kammerer then showed a picture of the new street sweeper purchased. He also updated on the consumer confidence report that will be complete by July for the water in Watertown. He encouraged residents to not over water their lawns with the warm temperatures nearing. B. Lynn Tschudi, Clerk/Treasurer Clerk/Treasurer Tschudi updated on the first quarter financial results. 7. Claims PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 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. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:10 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 4 of 4