City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 1/12/2021 - 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 in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:31 p.m. Tuesday, January 12, 2021 by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Michael Walters, Lindsay Guetzkow, Dan Schuette, and Adam Pawelk. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran, Administrative Services Director Lynn Tschudi, and Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel joining remotely via Zoom. 2. Oath Of Office City Administrative Services Director Lynn Tschudi administered the Oath to the newly elected Council Members, Dan Schuette and Adam Pawelk as well as Mayor Steve Washburn. 2.A. Councilmember Adam Pawelk 2.B. Councilmember Dan Schuette 2.C. Mayor Steve Washburn 3. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.A. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes From December 8, 2020 4.B. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes From December 8, 2020 4.C. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Special Meeting Minutes From December 23, 2020 4.D. Consider Resolution #2021-02, Organizational Declarations For 2021 4.E. Consider Resolution #2021-03, Accepting Pay Equity Report And Authorizing Posting  4.C. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Special Meeting Minutes From December 23, 2020 4.D. Consider Resolution #2021-02, Organizational Declarations For 2021 4.E. Consider Resolution #2021-03, Accepting Pay Equity Report And Authorizing Posting 4.F. Consider Resolution #2021-04, Appointing Park Commission, Economic Development Authority, And Planning Commission Members 4.G. Consider Resolution #2021-05, Approving Liquid Waste Hauler Licenses 4.H. Consider Resolution #2021-06, Approving Fire Officer Appointments 5. Open Forum 6. New/Old Business 6.A. Capital Project #CI119 – Loader Plow Solicitation Of Quotes Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel explained that the loader plow that attaches to the CAT loader is in need of replacement because it has become less reliable. It was originally purchased in 2007. The budget for the loader plow is set at $38,000 for 2021. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-07, AUTHORIZING THE SOLICITATION OF QUOTES FOR LOADER PLOW. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.B. Meeting Format City Administrator Shane Fineran explained that November 2020 was the last time the council met in person. COVID rates in the state and Carver County are decreasing. Fineran is recommending that council begin to meet in person for 2021 but the commissions will continue to meet virtually. Fineran said the Council Chambers has been equipped with new technology that will allow attendees to join the meetings and interact virtually. Council Member Guetzkow asked if the City has considered streaming meetings via Facebook live or Youtube TV. Fineran said there may be a streaming capability in the future using the current equipment. Guetzkow would like residents to know that they can view the meeting by joining a posted Zoom meeting. Guetzkow asked if any commission members would prefer to meet in person. Fineran said most of the Commission on Aging members would like to meet via Zoom. Council Member Walters asked if residents could legally speak on an open forum or if public hearings could be held virtually. Fineran said under the emergency orders the meetings would be treated the same as an in person meeting. Council Member Schuette stated there needs to be an end date to the commission virtual meetings. He said there should be training for those users who do not know how to use the technology. Guetzkow suggested adding a tutorial on the website. Mayor Washburn said the council will revisit the meeting structure topic on March 9, 2021. 7. Other Reports Fineran updated on the ice rink opening. Guetzkow updated on the EDA COVID relief programs being offered. There is a $7,500 business relief grant for the businesses who were affected by the latest executive orders. Guetzkow said another round of the Chamber Checks program was approved for households in Watertown to receive $45 in Chamber Checks. The checks will be good for 6 months at any local Watertown business. Guetzkow updated on the Community Education classes being offered as well as the Watertown-Mayer preschool program. Walters noted how big the growth in Watertown has been the past couple years. In 2020, 58 new home permits were issued. He noted how important growth is to the community for capital and tax base.  for the businesses who were affected by the latest executive orders. Guetzkow said another round of the Chamber Checks program was approved for households in Watertown to receive $45 in Chamber Checks. The checks will be good for 6 months at any local Watertown business. Guetzkow updated on the Community Education classes being offered as well as the Watertown-Mayer preschool program. Walters noted how big the growth in Watertown has been the past couple years. In 2020, 58 new home permits were issued. He noted how important growth is to the community for capital and tax base. Walters commented on the EDA Chamber Checks program and encouraged residents to spend the checks at the restaurants and businesses affected by the shutdowns. Council Member Pawelk updated that the Park Commission re-appointed DeAnna Clemens and Terry Gallagher for another term. He also updated on the luminary displays on trails throughout Watertown at the end of December 2020. Mayor Washburn also thanked all participants for their work on the luminaries and the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Washburn commended Council for their can-do attitude and the way they listen to the business and community members and continue to move forward. He is very optimistic for his next two years as Mayor. 8. Claims GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2020-2021 CLAIMS ROSTER. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8.A. Approve Claims Roster For 2020 Budget 8.B. Approve Claims Roster For 2021 Budget 9. Adjournment SCHUETTE MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN AT 7:11 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388