City Council Meetings

MINUTES OF THE Steve Washburn WATERTOWN CITY COUNCIL Deborah Everson Workshop Meeting Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawellk Michael Walters 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Mayor Steve Washburn called the Watertown City Council Workshop to order at 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, January 28, 2020 in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Council Members present: Washburn, Deborah Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, Fire Chief Ryan Schroeder, and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. 2. New Business A. Fire Advisory Board Process & Upcoming Meeting Dates City Administrator Fineran said this workshop is a continuation from a previous workshop. He said the city provides contracted fire services to nearby townships and historically created the fire advisory board (FAB). This board is redundant in that they provide direction as well as the council providing direction on certain items such as capital acquisitions. Fineran explained that processes such as capital acquisitions are laid out in the financial handbook. Everson said she noticed redundancies while serving on the FAB and appreciates staff bringing this concern forward. She sees this as a similar relationship to that of the Carver County Sheriff’s office in that the city does not have a vote even though we contract with them. Everson does think the city needs to meet with the townships annually. Guetzkow asked if the redundancy is more than what exists with the planning and park commissions. Fineran said it is fairly similar. Guetzkow asked if the townships have been notified about a possible change. Fineran said the big difference is the park commission’s authority is granted by the council and they are performing work on behalf of the council. Fineran speculates that the FAB members might want to continue meeting. Everson added that there have been attendance issues on the FAB. Pawelk is in favor of changing the meeting structure to an annual meeting only. He asked if the fire department is meeting to discuss purchases as well, creating an additional level of redundancy. Chief Schroeder said there is research and project planning for each large purchase made. He added that every presentation given to council is also given to the FAB. Guetzkow suggested adding the FAB members to an email list when there are fire department topics on a council agenda. Everson said if the council would like to move forward and keep the FAB, then there needs to be clear direction and goals for the board. Washburn asked if anything has ever been brought to the FAB and been turned down. Fineran said prior to his tenure there have been items turned down. Washburn asked what the different townships are getting charged for the fire services. Fineran shared the breakdown. Guetzkow asked about the call volume to the townships versus to the city. Schroeder shared the call breakdown for council: 338 for the city of Watertown and 99 for the townships. Council discussed what the value of the FAB is to the townships. They would like to see the answers Page 1 of 2  from the township members before making a decision to eliminate the FAB. Washburn said it’s important to see what value the FAB adds in five and ten years down the road. Washburn said being that each of the townships are signing a contract, that is how the relationship should be treated. He said the next version of the contract should state clearly what is provided by the city (annual planning services, etc) and other items will be charged on a fee basis. Washburn noted that the February 25th meeting will be canceled due to the caucus. Council is looking to schedule for March 10 and March 31. 3. Adjournment Mayor Washburn adjourned the meeting at 6:18 pm. Page 2 of 2