City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Mayor Steve Washburn WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Deborah Everson Regular Meeting Tuesday, January 22, 2019 Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the Watertown City Council was called to order at 6:29 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Deborah Everson, Michael Walters, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, City Engineer Andrew Budde, and City Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Those who signed in were: Jim May and DeAnna Clemens. 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 ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A. Adopt a motion to approve City COuncil Regular Meeting Minutes from January 8, 2019 B. Adopt a motion to approve City Council Worksession Meeting Minutes from January 8, 2019 C. Consider Resolution #2019-12, Declaring Surplus Equipment & Sale D. Consider Resolution #2019-13, Approving Step Movement for Logan Pysick E. Consider Resolution #2019-16, Approving the summary Publication of Ordinance 412 and 412 regarding Cable Franchise F. Consider Resolution #2019-17, Approving Amended SCORE Grant Agreement 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business A. Watertown-Mayer Robotics Team B. Kings Highlands Lots Donation Fineran said this item was tabled from the January 8th meeting due to some concerns regarding trash and debris on the parcel. Fineran said additional information was received from the developer and an evaluation completed by staff. Fineran said the original parcel was farmstead with some debris left Page 1 of 4  behind from the farm. The developer did complete a phase one environmental which came back with “de minnimis” statements. They found there was a heating oil tank in the home, an above ground fuel storage tank and a floor drain in the garage of the original homestead. Fineran share aerial photos of the property to give council an idea of what types of debris are on the land. He believes that staff would be able to easily remove the trash. Everson asked how much it would cost to remove and dispose of the debris. Fineran estimated equipment rental at around $200 and staff time of one to two days. Guetzkow noted that there are a total of three parcels, all which would add value to the city. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019- 04, ACCEPTING DONATION OF REMAINDER LOTS OF KINGS HIGHLANDS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. Park Fund Donation Fineran explained to council that Jim May, owner of Marketplace Foods, would like to make a donation to the city for construction of a disc golf course. Fineran said a course is currently being designed for use at Oak Grove Community Park. May approached the podium. He said he has been in the community for ten years and would like to make a donation toward something he is passionate about. May shared his love for the sport and showed council examples of Frisbees. May noted that frisbee golf is a great opportunity for families to get out and exercise and a great opportunity for people to visit Watertown. May presented the city with a check for $5,000. WALTERS MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019-15, ACCEPTING DONATION AND DIRECTING ITS USE. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. D. 2019 Legislative Priorities Fineran read through the 2019 Legislative Priorities document and noted changes made from last meeting. The three priorities will be: transportation, local government aid, and support for waste water treatment grants. Specifically relating to transportation, the city is in support of continuing the small cities assistance grant. Council expressed they were in favor of the new format created in the shorter, more concise document. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019- 14, ADOPTING THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES STATEMENT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. E. Fire Capital Project #FC008 - Rescue 12 Fire Chief Ryan Schroeder approached the podium to inform council a new piece of equipment has been identified. Schroeder reviewed Utility 11, which is a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban with many mechanical issues. The department would like to purchase a new Rescue 12 and move the current Rescue 12 to a different use within the fire department. The Utility 11 would then be sold. Walters Page 2 of 4  clarified that Schroeder is asking to advance the purchase of Rescue 12 by one year. Everson asked about the cost of the Rescue 12. Schroeder said it will cost $90,000. Guetzkow asked if any modifications will be required in the repurposed Rescue 12 to be used as a command vehicle. Schroeder stated minor changes are required, but will monetarily fit into the budget. Pawelk asked about the timeline for the new purchase. Schroeder stated a couple months. GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019-18, AUTHORIZING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR RESCUE 12. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. F. 2019 Mill & Overlay - Newton Avenue Alignment City Engineer Budde stated that while planning the 2019 Mill and Overlay, it is necessary to determine the placement of the pedestrian area along Newton Avenue. Budde presented three options: 1. Widening three-foot shoulders on both sides which provides four-foot shoulders. 2. Widening six-foot shoulders on the east side and providing an eight-foot shoulder. 3. Widening six-foot shoulders on the west side and providing an eight-foot shoulder Budde pointed out the on street parking near Trinity Church. This parking would shift traffic to the east curb line, creating an issue for option 2. Budde said that as the road widens south of Ivanhoe, there would be an encroachment issue on a property on the west side of the street. Option 1 would avoid any encroachment issues on the west side of the street. Pawelk asked about option 1 and option 3 and if there are any foreseeable additional hurdles. Budde said no. Guetzkow asked about the three twin homes’ driveways and if there would be adequate driveway remaining after the shoulder widening. Budde said the widening stops right before the first twin home driveway. Everson asked if any resident properties could be affected with option 1. Budde said not that he is aware of. Everson asked how the traffic will be guided around the on street parking at Trinity Church. Budde said that with the road striping, cars would be guided on the road to avoid the parking stalls. Washburn asked if any other property owners would be affected by option 3 other than the earlier stated property. Budde said that one property off of Ivanhoe would be encroached into the utility and drainage easement. Walters asked about drainage on the Ivanhoe property. Budde said the drainage shouldn’t be changed dramatically. Washburn recalls some drainage issues on the spoken of property. Washburn asked how the striping would look from a birds eye view. Budde demonstrated on the screen for Washburn. Washburn asked if the parallel parking spots south of the church are necessary. Fineran said they are talking with the church currently to determine the need for those stalls. Pawelk would like to see the four stalls not restriped in order to leave room for pedestrians. Council discussed parking along Newton as well as pedestrian traffic and safety. Everson clarified that option 3 is a safer option for pedestrians. DeAnna Clemens from 605 Chaucer Lane approached the podium. She shared some information on pedestrian safety. She spoke of the 8/80 rule and making sure that both an eight year old as well as an eighty year old would be able to navigate this space. Clemens would like council to consider option 3. Page 3 of 4  Walters moved to use option 3. He believes an eight foot buffer on the west side will provide a safe option for pedestrians. Walters stated he believes Newton Avenue is one of the most dangerous pedestrian routes in Watertown. Guetzkow would like to see due diligence taken on researching the drainage for homes along Newton avenue. Washburn summarized that council has the resident’s safety in mind as they are making decisions as well as making Watertown a walkable city. WALTER MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OPTION 3, WIDENING SIX-FOOT SHOULDERS ON THE WEST SIDE AND PROVIDING AND EIGHT-FOOT SHOULDER. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Fineran reminded residents that the Park and Planning Commissions both have vacancies. Fineran noted the ice skating rink is open for skating from 3-10p m during the week and from 10 am-10pm on the weekends. Pawelk reported that during the last park board meeting, the commission worked on a name for the 30th Street Wetland Trails. The commission will also be looking at developing a trail and sidewalk master plan. Walters reported on the Chamber of Commerce meeting where the county commissioner was there to present information on a road improvement outside of Watertown. Walters noted that Watertown was highlighted as the 26th hottest housing market in Minnesota. Walters reminded residents to be responsible pet owners and do not keep your animals out in the cold. Washburn thanked Bolton & Menk for their help in preparing the LOMR for Mapes Creek. 7. Claims A. Approve Claims Roster for 2018 Budget GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS ROSTER FOR THE 2018 BUDGET. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. Approve Claims for 2019 Budget PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CLAIMS ROSTER FOR THE 2019 BUDGET. 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. EVERSON MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:02 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 4 of 4