City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters Dan Schuette 2/23/2021 - 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, February 23, 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, Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel, City Engineer Andrew Budde, and City Planner Mark Kaltsas. Guest: Minnesota State Representative Jim Nash. Those who signed in: Erik and Scott Loomis. 2. Adopt Agenda PAWELK MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval SCHUETTE MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes From February 9, 2021 3.B. Motion To Approve Letter Of Support For CSAH 24 LRIP Application By Carver County 3.C. Motion To Approve Pay Application For 2020 CIPP Capital Project #UC033 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Representative Jim Nash Representative Jim Nash approached Council to update about the current session at the State Capitol. Nash said he is working on bills as normal, yet the process is slower than normal due to the remote 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Representative Jim Nash Representative Jim Nash approached Council to update about the current session at the State Capitol. Nash said he is working on bills as normal, yet the process is slower than normal due to the remote process. One bill that is notable is the bonding bill to provide funding to those cities “outstate”. Nash said he is unaware of when there will be a bonding bill. He told Council that he is going to bat for them on the wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Washburn thanked Nash for carrying the City’s bill and for attending the meeting. He said he has confidence and trust in Nash. Council Member Walters agreed with Washburn and is glad that Nash is a financial steward for the County. CouncilMember Pawelk said that Nash brings a common sense rational to the Capitol. Pawelk asked Nash what the legislature can do to shift control from the Governor’s Executive Powers. Nash said the voice of the legislature is almost irrelevant right now due to the executive powers. He wants the legislature to be able to have their powers back. Council Member Guetzkow thanked Nash for carrying the bill for the wastewater treatment facility. She offered the Council’s support to Nash in testifying for anything he needs down at the Capitol. Representative Nash noted his office handled the top 5 constituent requests in the state. Representative Jim Nash provided his email and phone number to the public so that he can help his constituents in any way they may need him: rep.jim.nash@house.mn 952-807-6416. 5.B. Forest Hills 10th Addition Preliminary And Final Plat City Planner Mark Kaltsas said applicant, Loomis Development, LLC, is requesting the City consider the following for the property known as OUTLOT A, Forest Hills 7th Addition and Outlot A, Forest Hills 5th Addition. a. A Preliminary and Final Plat which will allow the replat of OUTLOT A, Forest Hills 7th Addition and Outlot A, Forest Hills 5th Addition to create 32 single-family lots. b. Site Plan Review for the proposed residential development. Kaltsas said the property has the following site characteristics: Property Information: Forest Hills 10th Addition Zoning: PUD FH – Planned Unit Development Forest Hills Comprehensive Plan: Medium Density Residential Acreage: 14.90 acres Kaltsas said the current proposal would reduce the number of units from 61 townhomes to 32 single- family homes. The proposed preliminary plat and site plan would require the City to allow a conversion of these properties from Subzones E and D to Subzone C. Subzone C is a single-family subzone that is consistent with the recently developed property to the northeast. Kaltsas stated the overall street and lot layout are cosistent with the initial concept plan for Forest Hills. The plans show a sidewalk on both sides of the streets throughout the development except for the cul- de-sac. Public Works is recommending that the sidewalks not be provided on the cul-de-sac due to the limited area for snow storage. The proposed landscape plan meets the requirements of the City’s buffer ordinance. Kaltsas explained that the City requires 1 street tree for each 40 lineal feet of public road frontage. The plans adheres to the requirement. The City requires monument signs to be placed at the property corners abutting Outlots to identify property boundaries. City Planner Mark Kaltsas said there was no public comment provided at the Planning Commission public hearing on January 21, 2021. The Commission found the proposed plats to be consistent with the overall master plan for the Forest Hills development and recommend approval to the City Council with the conditions and findings incorporated into the resolution. Council Member Schuette would like the Council to consider the placement of multi-family housing on the same block as single-family housing.  public hearing on January 21, 2021. The Commission found the proposed plats to be consistent with the overall master plan for the Forest Hills development and recommend approval to the City Council with the conditions and findings incorporated into the resolution. Council Member Schuette would like the Council to consider the placement of multi-family housing on the same block as single-family housing. Pawelk is in favor of installing the monument signs so that residents are aware of their boundaries. Guetzkow is also in favor of the monument signs to prevent residents from mowing property that is not theirs. She asked about the multi-family lots in the 7th Addition and if they could be re-platted as single-family homes. Kaltsas said the lots are platted as twin home lots. Fineran clarified that these lots are owned by a completely different owner. Washburn asked how the size of the lots compare to the other Additions within Forest Hills. Kaltsas said the lots are in Subzone C so they are generally 30-foot front yard, 20-foot rear yard, and 5-foot side yard. This is consistent with the most recent Forest Hills 9th Addition. Washburn asked if there is anything being placed in the middle of the cul-de-sac. Kaltsas said it will be a clear cul-de-sac with appropriate sizing for turning around. Washburn asked for clarification on the reason for no sidewalks in the cul-de-sac. Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel explained that removing the sidewalk and the island in the cul-de-sac helps the City store snow in the winter. Washburn asked where the mailboxes will be located. Kaltsas said the boxes will be clustered at the entrance to the cul-de-sac. Schuette asked why there is no center island on this cul-de-sac but there are islands in all other cul-de- sacs within the development. Fineran clarified that there is only one other cul-de-sac in the development currently. He stated that those landscape islands should be the responsibility of each development’s Homeowner’s Association, however now these developments do not have HOA’s, so they become the responsibility of the City. Fineran said it is the recommendation of the City that the islands are not constructed within cul-de-sacs moving forward. Scott Loomis with Loomis Homes addressed council to explain the townhomes are owned by Baton Homes and they plan to continue to use them as rentals. Pawelk shared examples throughout Watertown where multi-family homes exist adjacent to single family homes. Schuette would like to see a decorative island and sidewalks on both sides of Linden Court. Guetzkow agrees with the plans, but she is undecided on the need for sidewalks on Linden Court. Washburn likes most of the plan, but he is not happy with the Linden Court plan. He understands that there is a future maintenance issue for staff, but he thinks the design was short sighted. Kaltsas said the only other cul-de-sac in Forest Hills is in Hawthorne Lane and the dimensions are the same so he believes there could be an island installed. Fineran said the City is maintaining these islands by default. If the original documentation is read, it would say the City is not responsible for any maintenance. Dressel noted that the circular cul-de-sac (current proposed design) is harder to plow than a tear drop cul-de-sac. Pawelk asked Dressel about the maneuverability of fire trucks within the cul-de-sacs. Dressel said the larger vehicles would a three point turn around to get through. WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-20, APPROVING SITE PLAN REVIEW, PRELIMINARY PLAT AND FINAL PLAT FOR THE SUBDIVISION TO BE KNOWN AS FOREST HILLS 10TH ADDITION. MOTION CARRIED 4-1, SCHUETTE VOTING NAY. 5.C. Ordinance 423 – Critical Water Deficiency Fineran said this item was originally brought to council on February 9, 2021 to update the Ordinance 423 on critical water deficiency. The City Council conducted a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance amendment and directed staff to revise the ordinance language. Council wished to seek paired down language that provided more discretion to the local unit of government in declaring local water emergencies. Fineran said the DNR would accept the language in the ordinance. SCHUETTE MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 423, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 58, ARTICLE III. – WATER OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF  ordinance amendment and directed staff to revise the ordinance language. Council wished to seek paired down language that provided more discretion to the local unit of government in declaring local water emergencies. Fineran said the DNR would accept the language in the ordinance. SCHUETTE MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 423, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 58, ARTICLE III. – WATER OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF WATERTOWN BY AMENDING TO ADDRESS CRITICAL WATER DEFICIENCY. MOTION CARRIED 4-1, WALTERS VOTING NAY. 5.D. 2021 Mill & Overlay Project Plans And Specifications City Engineer Andrew Budde approached council to discuss the plans for the 2021 Mill and Overlay Project. He said this includes portions of the Wildflower development, ADA improvements to Rick Johnson boat landing, and Sugarbush Park play container. Budde said casting improvements will be made during this process as well. Total project budget is $637,000 with engineers estimate at $630,000. Staff is seeking approval to go out for bid for the 2021 Mill and Overlay project. Schuette asked why Arnica Drive is not included for the 2021 Mill and Overlay Project. Budde explained that with Arnica being the main drag, it will be done in 2023 along with the trail. This will allow the City to work their way out of the development without damaging newly milled roads with construction vehicles. Pawelk asked about the resident living near the Sugarbush Park and Madison Street trail and if he is aware of what will occur during the construction. Budde said they have had good communication. Guetzkow clarified that the contract would contain language to ensure the project would be completed within a certain timeframe after it is started. Budde said he will make sure to include such language. Mayor Washburn asked if Budde is confident that bids will come in underestimate. Budde said he is not positive that bids will come in under engineer’s estimate. He does feel that a Mill and Overlay project is a little easier to control so he is hopeful the bids will come in close. Washburn asked if the scope can be reduced if the bids come in over. Budde said there are no alternates, but the City can always do a change order and change the scope. Fineran said the Sugarbush project would not be pushed out another year so the Rick Johnson Park ADA improvements would need to be the alternative. Schuette asked what is being estimated for the asphalt cost due to high increase in commodities. Budde said they are using 10% over last year’s costs. He has seen bids for other cities and they are not astronomically high. GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-21, APPROVING THE 2021 MILL AND OVERLAY PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE AND TRAIL PROJECT PLANS AND AUTHORIZING BID. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.E. Capital Project #CI095 - 1-Ton Dump Truck Public Services Superintendent said Council adopted resolution #2021-16 authorizing the solicitation of quotes for an additional 1-ton truck chassis with a dump body, chipper box and snowplow on February 9, 2021. Dressel received a quote from Ranger Chevrolet using the state cooperative purchasing contract. The cost of the 1-ton truck chassis is $42,134.80. Dressel said staff solicited one quote for the dump body, toolboxes and attached equipment from Towmaster Truck Equipment using the state cooperative purchasing contract. The cost of the dump body, toolboxes and attached equipment is $24,916.00. Staff solicited two quotes for the chipper box. The first quote is from Towmaster Truck Equipment at a cost of $4,775.00. The second quote is from Hecksel Machine Inc. at a cost of $3,300.00. Staff is recommending Hecksel Machine for the chipper box. Staff solicited two quotes for the snowplow. The first quote is from Central Hydraulics at the cost of $8,015.06. The second quote is from Snowplow Plus at a cost of $8,500.00. Due to the project being over budget, staff is recommending not to purchasing a plow currently. Dressel said the City could purchase a plow later in the year using operating funds that have not been spent. The second option would be to have a plow mount and wiring installed on the 1-ton and use one of our current plows that we own. The issue with this option is that we wouldn’t have a backup plow to use in case one broke  Staff solicited two quotes for the snowplow. The first quote is from Central Hydraulics at the cost of $8,015.06. The second quote is from Snowplow Plus at a cost of $8,500.00. Due to the project being over budget, staff is recommending not to purchasing a plow currently. Dressel said the City could purchase a plow later in the year using operating funds that have not been spent. The second option would be to have a plow mount and wiring installed on the 1-ton and use one of our current plows that we own. The issue with this option is that we wouldn’t have a backup plow to use in case one broke down. Mayor Washburn asked what the difference between a diesel and the gasoline motor is. Dressel said the cost upgrade is around $8,800 for the diesel and this is the preferred transmission. It works well for plowing and hauling so Dressel would rather have the diesel now and wait to purchase the plow later. GUETZKOW MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-22, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF GMC CHASSIS AND APPERTUNANT EQUIPMENT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Fineran updated that MNDot will be hosting an open house for the Highway 25 project. The work that will be happening in Watertown is the full reconstruction from High Street to White Street. They are looking to start construction as soon as possible. Walters updated on the Park Commission meeting. The Commission worked on their project list for the next two years. Guetzkow update on the Community Ed advisory board. They are planning on releasing a full catalog for summer. Guetzkow asked about City Hall community center re-opening. Fineran said this will be discussed at the next meeting. Mayor Washburn wanted to note the hard work that is done on planning and preparation activity in Watertown. He appreciates staff coming to meetings prepared and planning ahead. 7. Claims GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE 2021 CLAIMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7.A. Approve Claims Roster For 2021 Budget 8. Adjournment PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:36 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388