City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 5/26/2020 - Minutes 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 6:32 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in the Council Chambers of City Hall by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present online using Zoom.com: Washburn, Deborah Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow, Adam Pawelk, with Mike Walters arriving late. City Staff present at City Hall: City Administrator Shane Fineran and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. City Staff present online: Public Works Superintendent Mike Dressel. Guest: Heidi Hoks, Carver County Library Director and Paul Ericsson Carver County Library Branch Manager. 2. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 3.A. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Of May 12, 2020 3.B. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Of May 12, 2020 3.C. Consider Resolution #2020-76, Approving Step Movement For Jason Raser 3.D. Consider Resolution #2020-77, Approving Step Movement For Christine Dammann 3.E. Consider Resolution #2020-78, Approving Step Movement For Mike Dressel 3.F. Consider Resolution #2020-80, Approving Animal Impoundment Services Contract 3.G. Consider Resolution #2020-81, Approving Transient, Peddler, Solicitor Permit For Mario's Italian Kitchen Food Truck  3.E. Consider Resolution #2020-78, Approving Step Movement For Mike Dressel 3.F. Consider Resolution #2020-80, Approving Animal Impoundment Services Contract 3.G. Consider Resolution #2020-81, Approving Transient, Peddler, Solicitor Permit For Mario's Italian Kitchen Food Truck 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Capital Project #CI048 - Public Works Stand-By Generator Public Works Superintendent Mike Dressel is looking to purchase a generator for the public works facility. Dressel received two quotes with the low quote being from Midwest Electric & Generator at a total of $19,898.92. This amount is over the budgeted amount of $16,390. Dressel stated there is enough operating cash on hand to cover the difference. Guetzkow asked about the difference in quotes from the two vendors. She is concerned the generator quoted is not sufficient to meet the needs of the building. Dressel explained Midwest Generator was aware of the building’s needs. Dressel noted the generator will run on natural gas and not diesel. Pawelk asked for detail about mounting the generator. Dressel explained the process used by Midwest Generator. Guetzkow asked about the generator maintenance options. Fineran said all generators are maintained annually. Mayor Washburn clarified that Midwest Electric & Generator has supplied the last couple generators for the city. Fineran said yes. GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-79, APPROVING PUBLIC WORKS STAND BY GENERATOR AND TRANSFER SWITCH. MOTION CARRIED 4-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 5.B. State Of The Library Presentation Paul Ericsson, branch manager from Carver County Libraries presented the State of the Library for council. He highlighted that 1,086,804 items were checked out in 2019. Ericsson said 30,749 new materials were added to the collection including books, DVDs, CDs, and digital content. Guetzkow commended the library on their programs offered during the pandemic. Everson asked if there is any idea when the library will open. Heidi Hoks said there will be some sign up spots opening at the larger libraries, but it is still unknown. 5.C. Right Of Way Outdoor Dining Options City Administrator Fineran said the city is responding to the Governor’s guidance for the reopening of restaurants and bars outdoor dining starting June 1. Outdoor seating will be limited to no more than 50 people and reservations are required. Fineran said most of the Watertown restaurants do not have outdoor seating or parking lots to utilize. The current zoning code would allow a restaurant to have outdoor seating with an application and a conditional use permit. Fineran said there are obstacles with selling of alcohol in places other than what is stated on the initial liquor license. There are also concerns with using the public right of way for dining such as streets and sidewalks. Fineran said the sidewalks need to be clear for pedestrians. That would leave the only option to the street, requiring barriers for the seating. The potential liability would then increase for the city. Fineran said if outdoor dining consumed the street, the parking would also be limited. Fineran suggested an EDA grant or funds for business owners to use for renting barriers and tents to operate. Fineran estimated the cost for renting concrete barriers to be around $5,000 per month. Pawelk said he is open to exploring the options available to restaurants and bars. He thinks the best solution would be to use the street but is concerned about negatively impacting the other businesses. Pawelk would like to see businesses use the EDA to assist with their continued operating supplies.  Fineran suggested an EDA grant or funds for business owners to use for renting barriers and tents to operate. Fineran estimated the cost for renting concrete barriers to be around $5,000 per month. Pawelk said he is open to exploring the options available to restaurants and bars. He thinks the best solution would be to use the street but is concerned about negatively impacting the other businesses. Pawelk would like to see businesses use the EDA to assist with their continued operating supplies. Guetzkow is in support of doing anything and everything to help the local businesses. Guetzkow suggested using a few publicly owned lots to place picnic tables and tents for those choosing take-out to eat in town. Walters suggested helping the restaurants accommodate patrons to the maximum of 50 people by closing two blocks of Lewis Avenue. Everson asked Fineran to clarify if tents are allowed. Fineran said he would have to research. Everson asked if Lewis Avenue could be closed for certain periods of time. Mayor Washburn has discussed these options with two restaurant owners. They stated this is not a viable option. Seating required to be six feet apart is difficult. Staffing is hard and unpredictable with the Minnesota weather. Washburn would like this issue discussed on a case by case basis. Restaurant owners need to do what works best for their businesses. Council members Everson and Guetzkow agree with Washburn. Everson asked if Fineran has discussed outdoor seating with other business owners. Fineran said he did speak with the Subway owner and he was not interested at that time in pursuing outdoor seating. Guetzkow would like staff to consider placing picnic tables around town for additional seating for take- out dining. Mayor Washburn would like a letter mailed to Representative Nash and Senator Jensen to call a special session to provide relief to local businesses. Everson would like to add to the letter to suggest to “open” Carver County. 6. Other Reports Fineran updated that City has reacted to the COVID pandemic on their own dime while waiting for the CARES act to pass. Pawelk updated that the Park Commission met to clean up Rick Johnson Park. There will be a meeting in June. Guetzkow said she has been informing residents to call the non-emergency Sheriff’s office when they see crime or vandalism. The phone number is 952-361-1231. Fineran said crimes need to be reported immediately and they are anonymous. He said you can either call 911 OR the non-emergency number. Walters updated there is a Planning Commission meeting on May 28, 2020. He commended council for the Chamber Checks stimulus program. Fineran encouraged residents to visit the Chamber website for FAQ’s regarding the Chamber Checks. 7. Claims 7.A. Claims For May 26, 2020 EVERSON MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2020 CLAIMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 8. Adjournment PAWELK MOVED, GUETZKOW SEDONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:07 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388  PAWELK MOVED, GUETZKOW SEDONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:07 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 AFTER ROLL CALL VOTE. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388