City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters Dan Schuette 8/24/2021 - 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, August 24, 2021, by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Mike Walters, Adam Pawelk, Dan Schuette and Lindsay Guetzkow. City Staff present: Interim City Administrator Jeff O’Neill, Administrative Services Director Lynn Tschudi, Andrew Budde, and City Planner Mark Kaltsas. 2. Welcome New City Administrator - Jake Foster Mayor Washburn invited Jake Foster, newly appointed City Administrator to the podium. Foster thanked council for the opportunity to come to Watertown and lead. Foster’s first day will be November 1. 3. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval WALTERS MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4.A. Worksession Minutes From 8-10-2021 4.B. Regular Minutes From 8-10-2021 4.C. Approve City Administrator Contract 5. Open Forum  4.B. Regular Minutes From 8-10-2021 4.C. Approve City Administrator Contract 5. Open Forum 6. New/Old Business 6.A. 216 Territorial Street Fence Variance City Planner Mark Kaltsas said the homeowners at 216 Territorial Street E are requesting a fence variance for a fence that exceeds the allowed front yard height of 42 inches. The property owner will be using an ornamental metal fence to replace the white picket fence that is currently 48 inches. Maximum height allowed is 42 inches and the type of material that is allowed is ornamental metal with some opacity to it. The existing fence exceeds the 42 inches, so by replacing the fence with a similar height would be acceptable in this area. The applicant explained that lowering the fence would create a hardship. Kaltsas showed photos of the proposed fence materials and said the planning commission recommended approval of the variance. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2021-96, GRANTING APPROVAL OF A VARIANCE TO ALLOW A 4-FOOT-TALL FENCE TO BE LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND STREET SIDE YARD FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 216 TERRITORIAL STREET E. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 6.B. Authorization To Submit Conservation Legacy Grant Application City Engineer Andrew Budde said the City is looking to apply for a grant to acquire 32 acres of land south of Stevens Street along the Crow River. The land is currently for sale and valued at $257,000. The grant application states that the property can only be purchased for the appraised value. Budde said staff would like to send a letter of intent to the seller to let them know they are interested in purchasing the parcels for use by the City. The grant states the City could use the land for park open space as stated in the comprehensive plan. Budde shared various maps from the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Budde said after purchase and trail improvements he is estimating a cost of $400,000 with the City responsible for a 10% match. Pawelk asked how much of the purchase the City would be responsible for. Budde said the City would be responsible for at least $40,000 plus $5,000 engineering fees. O’Neill said the funding source has not been discussed. Guetzkow said it sounds like a good idea, but she questions the online land evaluation. Walters asked what the likelihood that the City will get the grant. Budde said the grant is Metro wide, but he does feel this project would qualify. If the City does not receive this grant, there are other grants that will be available this winter that the project would qualify for. Property owner Brian Mullen approached council and said the property has been in his family for 70 years. Mullen said he and his wife are ready to sell the property and move on and if the City is able to use it, they would like to see that happen. Budde showed on a map the difference between the floodway and the floodplain. Mayor Washburn asked if a trail could be made down to the river to go fishing. Budde said yes, that would help the application. Washburn asked if any parking could be added for those who want to go fishing. WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DNR CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0.  WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE STAFF TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DNR CONSERVATION PARTNERS LEGACY GRANT. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. Other Reports Engineer Budde updated that Highway 25 is open. They are waiting for fencing from Hecksel. Interim City Administrator O’Neill updated on the drought conditions in Watertown. Updated on the library moisture conditions. Updated on the vandalism at the skate park. Updated on team building session #1 occurring on August 31 from 7-11. Council Member Pawelk updated on the Wildflower Park neighborhood community engagement session for the equipment replacement. Council Member Guetzkow updated that the fall community education catalog is out with programming for all ages. Rails to Trails has been set for July 29-30, 2022 and it will be the 30th Anniversary of the festival. 7.A. 2nd Quarter SW Metro Drug Task Force Newsletter 8. Claims PAWELK MOVED, SCHUETTE SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2021 CLAIMS. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8.A. Claims For 8-24-2021 9. Adjournment GUETZKOW MOVED, WALTERS SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:26 PM. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ Steve Washburn, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Lynn Tschudi, Admin. Services Director