City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 10/27/2020 - 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 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020 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 at City Hall: City Administrator Shane Fineran, City Planner Mark Kaltsas, Public Services Superintendent and Clerk Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Guest: Tammy Omdal. Those who signed in: Rhonda Bunn, Ben Bunn, Jim Sandquist, Keith Weber. 2. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval WALTERS MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Of October 13, 2020 3.B. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Of October 13, 2020 3.C. Consider Resolution #2020-128, Approving Letter Of Credit Reduction 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Bond Refunding Series 2020A And 2020B Tammy Omdal explained that the total gross savings for the bond refundings was just over $80,000. The private placement bonds were secured by Citizens Alliance Bank at a rate of 1.91%. The 2020A bonds were originally issued in 2015. The 2020B bonds were originally issued in 2010 as street reconstruction bonds. 5.A. Bond Refunding Series 2020A And 2020B Tammy Omdal explained that the total gross savings for the bond refundings was just over $80,000. The private placement bonds were secured by Citizens Alliance Bank at a rate of 1.91%. The 2020A bonds were originally issued in 2015. The 2020B bonds were originally issued in 2010 as street reconstruction bonds. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2020A & 2020B BOND REFUNDING ISSUES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.B. Interim Use Permit - 605 Lewis Avenue N City Planner Mark Kaltsas said there is a request for an interim use permit at 605 Lewis Avenue North. The applicant would like to sell automobiles and equipment on the subject property and associated with the existing automobile and equipment repair business. Kaltsas said The applicant is proposing an area of 30 parking spaces in a gravel lot for this purpose. The area is zoned I-1 light industrial. The interim use permit would allow the requested activity for a specific amount of time, historically one year. Kaltsas said the planning commission examined the application and found the use requested to be an allowed temporary use of the property without altering the building. The planning commission did note that the suggested area for the sales activity is often low with sitting water. Because of this, the planning commission added a condition to bring in additional gravel to mitigate some of the low lying areas. Planning commission liaison Walters noted that there were previous auto sales at this location. He said there were many discussions regarding drainage and signs at the planning commission meeting. Walters asked if the interim use permit would automatically renew. Kaltsas said the permit would be granted for one year, unless extended by the city council. Guetzkow said if gravel is brought into the parking lot, she would want to make sure additional drainage problems were not created for the buildings around the applicant. Mayor Washburn asked if Hooked on Classics can currently have retail automobile sales. Kaltsas said yes. Washburn asked if Hooked on Classics can park 30 vehicles outside and sell retail. Fineran said Hooked on Classics is operating on a historical zoning district and they can sell retail vehicles. Washburn asked what type of signage would be allowed on the building at 605 Lewis Ave N. Kaltsas said there would be some sign allotment on the east side of the building but would be examined when submitted. Washburn asked if the planning commission discussed screening. Kaltsas said there was discussion on outdoor screening, but with retail car sales, the screening would hinder the sales. Ben Bunn, owner of Midwest Services approached council to explain the purpose of the IUP. Bunn said the intention is to start out slow and build up with the car sales. Bunn said if this opportunity does grow, he would be looking for a different site to operate his business. WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2020-129, APPROVING THE INTERIM USE PERMIT AS REQUESTED BY MIDWEST SERVICES, LLC FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 605 LEWIS AVENUE N. MOTION CARRIED 4-1 WASHBURN VOTING NEY. Washburn expressed that he is concerned about the way this will look while coming into the community. He is also worried about how this type of interim use permit will look to other similar businesses. 5.C. Ice And Snow Control Update Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel addressed council to discuss the plow routes in the City of Watertown. He displayed the various routes on a map. Mayor Washburn addressed hurdle of residents that live on cul-de-sacs and their driveways getting buried after a snowfall. City Administrator Fineran explained to council that with the new Madison Street sidewalk trail from Highway 25 to Lewis Avenue, the council will need to determine if this stretch is a priority pedestrian route. If it is determined as such, the city would be responsible for clearing the snow. Jim Sandquist from 212 Franklin Ave SW approached council. He noted that there is no snow storage on this stretch of sidewalk being there is no boulevard. Sandquist believes this is a priority pedestrian  buried after a snowfall. City Administrator Fineran explained to council that with the new Madison Street sidewalk trail from Highway 25 to Lewis Avenue, the council will need to determine if this stretch is a priority pedestrian route. If it is determined as such, the city would be responsible for clearing the snow. Jim Sandquist from 212 Franklin Ave SW approached council. He noted that there is no snow storage on this stretch of sidewalk being there is no boulevard. Sandquist believes this is a priority pedestrian route and it should be plowed. Keith Weber from 215 Westminster Avenue SW agreed with Sandquist. He would like to see help from the City clearing the snow along the stretch on Madison Street. Guetzkow feels the City should handle the snow removal on Madison. Walters and Everson agreed that Madison is a priority pedestrian route. Pawelk asked Dressel how they will tackle plowing this area. Dressel explained the equipment they will use on the various parts of Madison. Washburn agrees that the residents should not have to take care of the snow, but also that it will be a complex removal process for the City. 5.D. Capital Project #PF – Sunset Ridge Playground Phase 3 City Administrator Fineran said the Park Commission is looking for approval for acquisition of phase three park equipment for the Sunset Ridge Park in Forest Hills. Fineran showed council the various pieces of new equipment that would be installed in spring of 2021. He said the equipment would be purchased now to secure 2020 pricing. Guetzkow added that this addition is paid for by park dedication fees from Loomis Homes and the residents who purchase their homes. EVERSON MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2020-127, APPROVING QUOTE FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR SUNSET RIDGE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PHASE 3. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports City Administrator Fineran updated that the bonding bill was passed at the stated. Clerk/Treasurer Tschudi gave an update on the elections. Guetzkow reminded residents to be safe on Halloween. Everson updated there will be an EDA meeting on Thursday, October 29 to approve technology grants. Pawelk asked for project updates from Fineran. Fineran said hockey rink board installation at the Grove Street Rink is set for the 15th of November. Most major projects are wrapped up with only final punch list items left. 7. Claims 7.A. Approve October 27th, 2020 Claims Roster PAWELK MOVED, EVERSON SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2020 CLAIMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. Adjournment GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:09 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388