City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Mayor Steve Washburn WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Deborah Everson Regular Meeting Thursday, September 20, 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 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 20, 2018 in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Deb Everson, Mike Walters, Lindsay Guetzkow and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, City Planner Mark Kaltsas, and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Those who signed in were: John Fisher. 2. Adopt Agenda EVERSON MOVED, PAWELK 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. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS 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 September 11, 2018 B. Adopt a motion to approve City Council Work Session Minutes from September 11, 2018 C. Consider Resolution #2018-122, Municipal Will Inspection Service Contract 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business A. Public Hearing - Easement Vacation at 116 Angel Ave NW City Administrator Fineran explained that the resident at 116 Angel Ave NW is requesting a variance in a drainage and utility easement on his lot. The original easement was increased to 20 feet in 2003 by the City. The resident has requested a five foot easement in order to fit a garage on the lot. A five foot easement is typical for residential lots in Watertown. Staff was unable to determine why a ten foot easement was determined in 2003. Fineran stated that a five foot easement will not interfere with any City utilities. GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Property owner, John Fischer, approached the podium to thank the Council, City Administrator Page 1 of 3  Shane Fineran and Scott Dornfeld for their assistance with the process. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 119, PARTIALLY VACATING THAT PORTION OF THE DRAINAGE, UTILITY AND WALKWAY EASEMENT, LAST EXECUTED JUNE 11, 2003, RECORDED JUNE 16, 2003, AS DOCUMENT NO. 354629, OVER LOT 1, BLOCK 40. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. Preliminary Levy Certificaton Fineran explained that the preliminary levy will need to be certified with the county by September 30th. Council will be setting the ceiling, as the levy can only be decreased after that date. Fineran reviewed that the market value has increased by 14%. Overall there is a decrease in the tax rate by 5%. Total proposed levy after factoring the fiscal disparities is $2,459,568. The operating budget continues to fund capital, police and parks. Walters asked amount represents the “average valued home”. Fineran said the average valued home is $226,000. Everson stated she would like to see funds continue to get allocated to the park fund as well as capital investment. Washburn asked for clarification on the transfer out of the fund of $93,000. Fineran clarified that amount is necessary to pay the bond payment for the South Lewis improvements that would be covered by TIF had a project been completed. Washburn said he feels the budget is tight and the City is managing expenses well. Although the 3.3% is higher than he would like, he is satisfied with the preliminary levy. PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018-120, ADOPTING A PRELIMINARY 2018 TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY OF WATERTOWN FOR COLLECTION IN 2019. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. EDA Levy Concurrance Administrator Fineran stated the EDA met on September 19th and approved their budget. Fineran is looking to Council to approve concurrence on the EDA levy. Fineran reviewed the accomplishments on the EDA thus far in 2018: sale of the 313 Territorial land, a developer’s day, and many grants and loans available to residents. Everson stated that she is satisfied with the proactive nature of the EDA. Pawelk echoed Everson. Washburn said it is important to help the community understand the value of the City’s investment in economic development. GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO PROVIDE CONCURRANCE ON THE EDA LEVY. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. D. Winter Seasonal Maintenance Assistant Fineran said staff is recommending a change to the part-time winter seasonal maintenance positions. Staff is recommending eliminating the five part-time winter staff and hiring a temporary part-time Page 2 of 3  staff to work up to 40 hours per week. Pawelk asked if there is a plan if staff is unable to fill this position. Fineran said staff would absorb the duties. He said this position will govern more interest since there is a potential for 40 hours a week. Everson asked if this could become a full-time position into the summer. Fineran said it could without affecting the budget too much. Guetzkow asked if this position will have a dedicated plow route. Fineran said they would be focused on trails and smaller equipment plowing. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 121, APPROVING JOB DESCRIPTION AND AUTHORIZING RECRUITMENT FOR SEASONAL MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Fineran reminded residents to attend the Fire Department open house on Monday, September 24 from 5-8pm. Pawelk updated the park commission met on September 18 to discuss Park CIP. They also discussed a potential name for the 30th Street Trail complex. Guetzkow asked Fineran for an update on the CDA land in Forest Hills. Fineran said the CDA is looking for a partner in development for the project. Walters updated on the Chamber meeting September 19th. He said the school district was in attendance to update on the schools. He also said the Educator’s Dinner was hosted by the Chamber on September 19th. Washburn updated on a FEMA meeting he attended September 18th. He said the re-mapping of the floodplain began in 2005. Watertown has over 200 homes affected by the floodplain. He explained how the DNR and FEMA determined the recent mapping change. Washburn said residents need to pay attention to any communication they receive because they may or may not need flood insurance. 7. Claims 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. Members of the public are welcome to attend. EVERSON MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:26 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 3 of 3