City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Mayor Steve Washburn WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Deborah Everson Regular Meeting Tuesday, October 9, 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 6:29 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, 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, City Engineer Andrew Budde, Utilities Superintendent Doug Kammerer, Public Works Superintendent Mike Dressel, and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Those who signed in were: Ken Klein, Peter Klein, Kevin Kim, Chris King, Jeff Krieg, Sarah & Joe Sathre, Todd Carlson, and David Trende. 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. PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON 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 20, 2018 B. Consider Resolution #2018-123, Leak Detection Survey Contract C. Consider Resolution #2018-129, Approving 2019 Property Assessment Services with Carver County D. Consider Resolution #2018-130, Approving Engagement with Abdo, Eck, & Myers for Auditing Services for Fiscal Year 2018 E. Consider Resolution #218-131, Approving Use of Streets & Closure for Watertown Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat event F. Consider motion to Approve Pay Appliction #3 for WWTF Heavy Maintenance 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business A. 309 Westminster Ave SW - Variance Mark Kaltsas introduced the request for a variance at 309 Westminster Ave SW. Resident is Page 1 of 5  requesting a reduced 5 foot side yard setback for a driveway. The applicant would like to construct a new concrete driveway off of the alley. The existing garage is 2 feet from the property line. Kaltsas noted that if the driveway was paved and granted, it would conform to that of neighboring properties. The planning commission held a public hearing where several written comments were received in favor of the variance. The commission is recommending Council consider the request for variance. The commission added conditions to their recommendation such as drainage toward the alley. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The applicant, Peter Klein, approached the podium stating he would like to see the council pass the variance. PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 124, GRANTING APPROVAL OF A VARIANCE TO ALLOW A REDUCTION IN THE REQUISITE SIDE YARD SETBACK FOR DRIVEWAYS FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 309 WESTMINSTER AVENUE SW. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. 409 Jefferson Ave SW - Site Plan & Conditional Use Permit Kaltsas presented the request by River Oaks LLC for consideration of a conditional use permit to allow the operation of an assisted living facility. The property is zoned R-3 and is 2.88 acres in size. A similar request was heard by council earlier this year for a conditional use permit as a female drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. The sale of 409 Jefferson Ave SW was not finalized at that time. The current applicant is proposing no notable changes to the exterior or interior of the building. The building will house 60 assisted living residents and 20 independent living residents. Kaltsas reviewed the areas that were examined during the site plan review. Parking would be suffice as is, however there is a recommendation to improve the parking surface. The lighting did not comply with the city’s requirements and applicable lighting standards shall be made compliant prior to occupying the facility. The planning commission held a public hearing in which no comments were received. The commission is recommending approval of the CUP and site plan. Guetzkow asked if the applicant is aware of the future Highway 25 improvements. Kaltsas said yes, and it is noted in the report. Walters asked how many jobs will be generated from this facility. Everson asked if there are aesthetic requirements in this zoning district. Kaltsas said there are building material requirements however architectural features and aesthetic requirements are not noted in the R-3 zoning district. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Chris King approached the podium to speak about River Oaks, LLC. Everson asked about the company’s vision for the facility. King said he is hoping to open the facility by January 2019. He said this is a senior assisted living for ages 55+. The facility will have 60 beds in the skilled nursing and 11 rooms in the independent living. King said he suspects 40 full time jobs will be generated with an additional 30 part time positions. The company is in the process of completing licensing for the kitchen and other required assisted living licenses. River Oaks currently operates two additional Page 2 of 5  facilities in Lake City and Hutchinson. Guetzkow asked if the facility would consider a senior congregate dining option. King said he has not thought about that, however it does not mean they cannot consider it in the future. Pawelk asked for any feedback from the suggestions made by the planning commission. King would like to discuss the road construction on highway 25 as well as the lighting requirements. Walters asked about the residents who will be living at the facility. King said many of the residents suffer from a physical ailment and a mental health disorder, such as depression. He said the residents are all stable. Washburn asked where the residents will come from. King said there are referral sources as well as word of mouth. King hopes that the residents will come from Carver County, however due to their mental health specialty he thinks most will come from other cities. Washburn asked if the primary reimbursement is from the state. King said yes; he expanded on the elderly waiver program. Washburn asked about pharmacy options. King said it is undecided, but prefers that it is somewhere close and is open 24 hours a day. Washburn asked about their staffing model. King talked about Certified Nursing Assistants as well as licensed nurses being staffed. King said the CNA’s are starting at around $16/hour due to the specialty based facility. King detailed the variety of staffing. Everson asked about the facility and the planned upgrades. King said they focus on very nice, clean and functional. Anything additional will take away from the staff wages. Guetzkow asked about the length of stays for most residents. King said the company is only three years old so they are still establishing that data. Guetzkow asked about transportation for the residents. King said there are vans available. Guetzkow asked about the rental rate for the independent living. King said it has not been established but will likely be market rate. PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Washburn asked if the CUP can be revoked. Kaltsas said if any of the conditions set forward in the report are violated, it could be revoked. Washburn expressed his dislike for the plan for River Oaks. Pawelk asked for clarification on the approval process for the CUP’s in the sense that the site plan and permit is being approved, not the type of facility being operating. Washburn requested additional information on security, types of patients and business model. King approached the podium to emphasize that they are a senior assisted living and in no way does that mean they are a mental health facility. These are residents who do not pose a threat. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 125, APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW AND A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AS REQUESTED BY RIVER OAKS AT WATERTOWN, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 409 JEFFERSON AVENUE SW. PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO TABLE THE VOTE AND GATHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE APPLICANT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. Storm Water Pond Assessment & Storm Water Maintenance Policy City Engineer Budde explained that 11 ponds out of the 38 ponds in the city are listed as high priority Page 3 of 5  for evaluation due to their age. The intent is to acquire information on the amount of sediment, levels of contaminants and accessibility to the ponds. Budde explained the different types of contaminants and how it is important to determine for clean-up efforts. The city has allocated $120,000 in the Utility Capital Fund in the 2018 budget to begin evaluating the ponds. Fineran explained in constructing a storm water pond maintenance policy, he researched surrounding cities and developed one to directly relate to Watertown. Pawelk expressed that he believes this is an important step in order to determine the severity of the pond contamination. Guetzkow and Walters agreed. Everson said she is confused as to why they would authorize the pond evaluations if the formal policy is not completed. Washburn brought to the attention areas of Watertown listed in the maintenance plan that he feels should wait due to construction and sediment run-off. Everson asked when the evaluation process would begin. Budde said anytime from now to early spring. Council discussed the policy drafted by staff. Guetzkow identified the difference between contaminated and aesthetically appealing storm water ponds. Council would like to see the policy distinguish the difference between ponds that are on city owned property and the ponds that lie entirely on a resident’s property. Everson asked if there would be a requirement to take action on any findings. Budde said no. Washburn would like language changed on page 1, page 2 and elsewhere in the policy. He would also like language changed on page 3. Washburn would also like to see additional information on encroachment onto City property addressed in the policy. PAWELK MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 126, AUTHORIZING STORM POND EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. D. Toro Mower Replacement Fineran stated that a quote was revived for a Toro 7210 Groundsmaster. The equipment would be used for both snowplowing and mowing. Over the course of a winter, the Toro would increase seasonal labor by 49.75 hours during snow events and 120 hours for the Grove street rink maintenance. The state contract pricing was used and MTI Distributing submitted a price quote of $67,005.47. The Toro 3280 will be sold on Govdeals in order to receive the highest value for the equipment. Council thanked staff for the research on the labor efficiencies. Everson expressed her concern for replacing equipment that is not at end of life. Washburn agreed with Everson. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2018- 128, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF TORO 7210 GROUNDSMASTER. MOTION CARRIED 3-2 WITH WASHBURN AND EVERSON VOTING NEY. E. Consideration of Utility Payment Penalty Fineran said a resident has requested the removal of a $29 insufficient funds fee charged to him by the city. The resident said his account was overdrawn due to a bank error. Pawelk asked if the resident is risking additional late fees. Fineran stated not if the amount is paid in full by October 15th. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO WAIVE THE $25 CITY FEE Page 4 of 5  AND ONLY CHARGE THE RESIDENT THE $4 FEE INCURRED BY THE CITY FROM CITIZENS ALLIANCE BANK. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Guetzkow asked for an update on the Lakeview Clinic construction. Fineran stated more detail will be available after the upcoming construction meeting. Walters updated on the Fire Advisory Board meeting on October 3rd. He stated the fire fighters will be receiving a pay increase in 2019 and will be purchasing new mobile device units and pagers. Walters would like to see additional City of Watertown representation on the FAB meetings. Walters also expressed his displeasure in the road construction at Lakeview Clinic. Washburn updated on the Commission on Aging meeting he attended on October 3rd. The commission listened to a presentation from SmartLink. The annual senior dinner will be Tuesday, December 4th at 4pm. A. 3rd Quarter Financial Update - Lynn Tschudi 7. Claims EVERSON MOVED, PAWELK 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, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:06 P.M. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 5 of 5