City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters Dan Schuette 5/25/2021 - 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 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, 2021 by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Mike Walters, Adam Pawelk, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Dan Schuette. City Staff present: City Administrator Shane Fineran. Guests: Anne Fineran and family, Kyle Jarvis. 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 PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. Adopt A Motion To Approve City Council Regular Meeting Minutes From May 11, 2021 3.B. Consider Resolution #2021-64, Approving Step Movement For Christine Damman 3.C. Consider Resolution #2021-65, Approving Rails To Trails Fireworks Display 3.D. Consider Resolution #2021-66, Approving Step Movement For Mike Dressel 3.E. Consider Resolution #2021-67, Approving Park Commission Appointment Of Jack Lynch 3.F. Consider Resolution #2021-69, Approving Step Movement For Jason Raser 4. Open Forum 4.A. Barb Hohn – Carver County Arts Consortium Barb Hohn of Carver County Arts Consortium approached Council to inform them about the Purple Reigns program. They are naming the late musician Prince an honorary member of the arts consortium. Hohn said there have been invitations sent out to schools, counties and cities asking them to paint the county purple in recognition of Prince. Hohn asked if Watertown could participate by 4. Open Forum 4.A. Barb Hohn – Carver County Arts Consortium Barb Hohn of Carver County Arts Consortium approached Council to inform them about the Purple Reigns program. They are naming the late musician Prince an honorary member of the arts consortium. Hohn said there have been invitations sent out to schools, counties and cities asking them to paint the county purple in recognition of Prince. Hohn asked if Watertown could participate by sharing a photo of their participation. 5. New/Old Business PAWELK MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO MODIFY THE AGENA BY ADDING ITEM 5AA TO RECOGNIZE SHANE FINERAN AS THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5AA. Council recognized City Administrator Shane Fineran for his years of great service to the City of Watertown. Fineran said it has been a pleasure to be a City Administrator for the City of Watertown and work with such a great City Council. 5.A. Utility Billing ERU And Fee Adjustments City Administrator Fineran said that as of Friday, the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for restaurants. Staff is recommending the ERU calculations for restaurants and bars be increased to 100%. Fineran said the City has not been charging late fees on utility bills or online credit card transaction fees since COVID began. Staff is recommending charging late fees and passing on the transaction fees to the users as the City had prior to Covid. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-63, AUTHORIZING THE ADJUSTMENT OF EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND FEES FOR UTILITY BILLING PURPOSES. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.B. Capital Project #PF037 – Sunset Ridge Park Phase 4 Fineran said the Sunset Ridge Park in the Forest Hills development was created in a phased out approach. With the increased development by Loomis Homes, the City has moved up the final phase of the playground. Fineran shared pictures of the playground equipment which will cover ages 2-12. The total cost with installation will be $59,080.17 and will be complete by the end of the summer 2021. Guetzkow asked what will happen to the remaining park dedication funds from Loomis. Fineran said there is an additional park space in Forest Hills that will be finished as a green space. PAWELK MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-68, APPROVING QUOTE FROM FLAGSHIP RECREATION FOR SUNSET RIDGE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT PHASE 4. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.C. Organizational And Team Development City Administrator Fineran said the City has budgeted for team building and organizational development for 2021. This includes goal setting and identifying strengths and weaknesses in the organization. The project will be broken up into two components: one focusing on general staff and one on the fire department staff. The proposal is not to exceed $20,000 including all fees with a budget amount of $30,000. Fineran said the next step would be for the firm to attend a work session with the City Council. GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-70, APPROVING TEAM BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FACILITATED TRAINING. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.D. Wetlands Of Watertown Land Transfer City Administrator Fineran said the Wetlands of Watertown acquisition has been in the works since 2014. Carver County and the City of Watertown partnered together to purchase farmland using the tax forfeiture process with the idea to create a wetland area. The City would be the lead agent on the acquisition and then transfer the land to Carver County who would then realize the wetland banking credits. The City will maintain access and easement over the trails and stormwater ponds as well as a portion by Tuscany Village for future park development. PAWELK MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-71, APPROVING TRANSFER OF LAND TO CARVER COUNTY AND ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENTS.  2014. Carver County and the City of Watertown partnered together to purchase farmland using the tax forfeiture process with the idea to create a wetland area. The City would be the lead agent on the acquisition and then transfer the land to Carver County who would then realize the wetland banking credits. The City will maintain access and easement over the trails and stormwater ponds as well as a portion by Tuscany Village for future park development. PAWELK MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-71, APPROVING TRANSFER OF LAND TO CARVER COUNTY AND ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENTS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Fineran updated that the Mill and Overlay project will be completed in the next couple weeks. Pawelk updated a new park commissioner has been appointed. Guetzkow updated the EDA will meet to discuss a business façade grant for Carver County Cycles. She also said the Rails to Trails fireworks will be Friday, July 30. Mayor Washburn said he is thankful to be meeting in the chambers without a mask. 7. Claims 7.A. Approve Claims Roster For 2021 Budget GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2021 CLAIMS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. Adjournment SCHUETTE MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:24 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388