City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Mayor Steve WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Washburn Special Meeting Meeting Tuesday, October 29, 2019 Deborah Everson 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 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019 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, City Engineer Andrew Budde, Utilities Superintendent Doug Kammerer and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Those who signed in: Steve & Darlene Duske, Glenn & Judy Thorson, Sabrina Gustafson, Gina Phearman. 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, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. A. Motion to approve workshop meeting minutes from October 8th, 2019 B. Motion to approve regular meeting minutes from October 8th, 2019 C. Consider Resolution #2019-134, Approving Fire Fighter Pension Benefit Level Increase D. Consider Resolution #2019-135, Appointing Hubie Widmer as Fire Chief 2 E. Consider Resolution #2019-136, Authorizing Use of Streets for Chamber of Commerce Trick or Treat Event F. Consider Resolution #2019-139, Approving Solicitor Permit for Americas Best Remodeling G. Consider Resolution #2019-140, Approving Luce Line Trail Connection Cooperative Agreement H. Consider Resolution #2019-141, Approving Fee Waiver for WAFAC Art & Wine Festival 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business A. Territorial Street Pedestrian Connection Page 1 of 4 City Administrator Fineran said that as part of the 2020 capital investment plan, a pedestrian connection is proposed between Highway 25 and Lewis Avenue. Fineran said Territorial Street was identified as the preferred route. The route would be maintained by city staff as far as maintenance and snow plowing. Fineran noted the following regarding Territorial street: it is a busy corridor and there have been three pedestrian vehicle incidents since 2009. Fineran said there is concern from residents about tree impact and driveway/property impact. Fineran noted there were two options proposed: 1. Option 1: six foot sidewalk tied to the back of the curb 2. Option 2: five foot sidewalk with a 2 foot or a 3. Option 3: five foot sidewalk with 5 foot boulevard All options affect tree canopy in the area. Option 1 impacts the least amount of trees. All three options would require a small amount of easement being granted. The most expensive option is #1, with option #3 being the cheapest. Fineran said there was an open house in September where ten comment cards were received. A majority of the feedback was not in favor of Territorial as a pedestrian route. At the park commission in October, no recommendation was made on this item. Fineran is looking to either approve one of the routes, look for additional routes, or abandon the project all together. Gina Phearman addressed council. She would like to see council get something done to provide safety to walkers. Darlene Duske addressed council. She is worried if the trail goes through her driveway she may not see the pedestrians while backing out. She believes the sidewalk will destroy her property value. Sabrina Gustafson addressed council. She is wondering how this trail would serve Watertown. She said she has asked opinions of other walkers in Watertown. The walkers said they welcome sidewalks, but they would not choose Territorial as their first route. Most walkers would choose Madison Street. Gustafson noted that Madison brings people into the downtown. She noted if council does adopt the Territorial Street as the route, she would prefer Option 1. Steve Duske addressed council. He would like to see a different route chosen. Duske would like to see Madison used as the pedestrian connection. Pawelk said he is in favor of exploring a different route. Guetzkow noted that during initial discussion, Madison and White were the routes identified. She clarified the differences between trails and sidewalks. Guetzkow said Territorial became an option after discussion about linking the east side of town to the west side. Guetzkow does believe that Territorial needs a trail, but is reluctant to move forward at this time without support from the community. Walters agreed that Territorial is a dangerous route, however that is part of the reason he was originally in favor of putting a safe pedestrian route on Territorial. He is in favor of exploring another route. Page 2 of 4  Everson said she believes a connection is needed to get people from the Luce Line Trail up to Highway 25. She is interested in looking at other routes besides Territorial. Washburn said he is disappointed that the park commission did not make a recommendation. He is not in favor of doing nothing. Washburn said he is not opposed to exploring a second route, however it comes with a cost. He would like a decision to be made in order to enter into a contract at a reasonable cost to save money for the city. Washburn said if a second route is explored, he would like to see the same process followed and the same opportunities given to the residents along the affected route. Washburn asked Engineer Budde what the timing would be on analyzing an alternate trail. Fineran estimated the entire notification process could be complete by January. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF HAVING A TRAIL OR SIDEWALK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MADISON STREET. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. B. Disc Golf Course Construction Quotes Fineran said council authorized the solicitation of quotes for construction of a disc golf course at Oak Grove Community Park. Council directed staff to connect with local community groups. Fineran said the Lions are not interested in providing the extensive labor or financial assistance at this time. Fineran said quotes were sent out, with low bidder being Barber Construction. The quote is over the initial estimate for the total project. The park commission is recommending accepting the quote from Barber Construction. Guetzkow is in favor of accepting the low bidder. PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019-138, APPROVING THE LOW QUOTE FOR THE DISC GOLF COURSE PROJECT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. C. Utilities Capital Project #UC012, Water Treatment Plant Door Replacement Fineran said there is a water treatment plant door replacement in the CIP for 2019. The current doors are rusting. Staff received quotes back for a fiberglass option which would be a longer lasting product. Low quote was over the original estimate of $16,000 for the doors. Pawelk asked what the life expectancy is on the fiberglass doors. Kammerer said estimated at 20-25 years. GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2019- 143, APPROVING QUOTE FOR DOOR REPLACEMENT AT WATER TREATMENT PLANT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Kammerer updated that the utilities department is out sweeping streets. He asked residents to not blow leaves into the street. There are street repairs being done on Ortloff Trail. Kammerer said additional seasonal measures are being taken to winterize the facilities. He said they are taking in 250,000 more gallons than are Page 3 of 4  being produced at the water treatment plant due to the large amount of rain. Kammerer encouraged residents to look up “what’s under my street” from Bolton & Menk. Tschudi updated on the Q3 financial update. Fineran updated that the FEMA Mapes Creek application has been approved. Fineran reminded residents that winter parking begins on November 1st. Guetzkow noted that she attended the open house at the Community Learning Center. Walters updated that the Park Commission meeting on October 24 resulted in no recommendation being made to council. They will reconvene in November on the same item. Everson reminded residents that there is downtown trick or treating on Halloween. Washburn updated that the Fine Arts council will be holding an Art & Wine Festival on November 2nd. He commended council for their hard work. A. Quarter 3 Financial Report - Lynn Tschudi, Clerk/Treasurer 7. Claims EVERSON MOVED, PAWELK 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. PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:15 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Page 4 of 4