City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters Dan Schuette 10/26/2021 - 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, October 26, 2021, by Mayor Steve Washburn. Council Members present: Washburn, Mike Walters, Adam Pawelk, and Lindsay Guetzkow. City Staff present: City Administrator Jake Foster and Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel. Guest: Tracy Montgomery and Ty Turnquist with MNSpect. 2. Adopt Agenda GUETZKOW MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE AGENDA AS MODIFIED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Building Services Interview - MNSpect City Administrator Jake Foster said the City submitted a request for proposal on September 29 for building services and code enforcement. The City received two responses: MNspect and MetroWest. As of this morning, MetroWest withdrew their submission. Tracy Montgomery introduced herself to council as the office manager and main contact. Ty Turnquist introduced himself to council as being with the company for 16 years. Pawelk: Do you get requests from residents to meet in person before a project? How do you bill? MNSpect: We will meet with them and answer the questions. We do not bill for that as it is considered part of the permit process. Tracy said there are residents that will stop in Waconia at the office as well. Guetzkow: Explain your process for erosion control. When and how often does this occur. How do you contact the contractor. MNSpect: We will meet with them and answer the questions. We do not bill for that as it is considered part of the permit process. Tracy said there are residents that will stop in Waconia at the office as well. Guetzkow: Explain your process for erosion control. When and how often does this occur. How do you contact the contractor. MNSpect: We will monitor as frequently as needed and as frequently as asked. As we move to electronic format, we would email the contractor when we see something that needs to be remedied. Washburn: Will your company take photos of sidewalks before and after for escrows? MNSpect: This is included in the site inspection we complete prior to building. We do not normally take photos, but we certainly can. Walters: Please confirm what you are charging the 75% of on our permit fee. MNSpect: None of the municipal fees. Only permit fee and plan review and site inspection. Walters: Do you do sewer and water inspections? MNSpect: I would like to discuss this with the public works as well as the City Engineer. Pawelk: Do you use GIS to track curb stops? MNSpect: No, we draw and take measurements. Guetzkow: what in your opinion is the most important role that City staff plays in the building permit process? MNSpect: Permitting starts at the city and they will use our computer program. Communication is a big part of the relationship with staff. All scheduling will be completed through the MNSpect office. Guetzkow: what is your process for an expired/old permit? MNSpect: We will send a status update or give a phone call. Extensions can be requested. We send the letter directly to the homeowner because the response is better. Washburn: How easy will it be for staff to check the status of a permit? MNSpect: The software allows staff to log in and run many different reports on permits. Staff can see exactly where the permit is in the process. Walters: Who returns phone calls and what is the response time? MNSpect: There is a model where a staff member can have office time at the City. Most questions should be same day or next day. Walters: how long is it taking to turn around a deck permit? MNSpect: A deck permit should be turned around within a week, but we take plans in order. Easy plans should be going out first. Pawelk: Describe how and why the City ordinances and codes are important and how you educate yourself on them. MNSpect: We will have to work with the City staff and City Administrator, and City Planner to make sure the general set backs are met. We are not zoning officials. Washburn: Can you give an example of how you have handled an angry or upset customer? MNSpect: I’m going to hang up, you can call me back when you have calmed down. People are generally  MNSpect: We will have to work with the City staff and City Administrator, and City Planner to make sure the general set backs are met. We are not zoning officials. Washburn: Can you give an example of how you have handled an angry or upset customer? MNSpect: I’m going to hang up, you can call me back when you have calmed down. People are generally angry when it is about money and time. 4. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval PAWELK MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 4.A. Work Session Minutes From October 12, 2021 4.B. Regular Minutes From October 12, 2021 4.C. Letter Of Credit Reduction For Loomis Homes 5. Open Forum 6. New/Old Business 6.A. Public Works Pressure Washer - Approve Low Quote Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel explained the current pressure washer to wash equipment and vehicles is failing due to age. Dressel would like to replace the pressure washer with a natural gas burning pressure washer that is vented to the outside of the building. The equipment would be used by all departments and therefore funded from all department operating budgets. Dressel said Hotsy Minnesota provided the low quote for the pressure washer at $12,304.90. The installation of the water line, electrical, and gas line will cost a total of $4,825 from three different local vendors. Pawelk asked the timeframe of the utility installation. Dressel said he is estimating in the next couple weeks. Dressel said there is a seven year warranty on all Hotsy parts and he has been pleased with the brand. WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2021-115, APPROVING PUBLIC WORKS PRESSURE WASHER AND RELOCATION OF THE UTILITIES. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 7. Building Services Discussion & Direction City Administrator Jake Foster asked council for direction on the building inspection services after the request for proposals have been reviewed. Pawelk said hiring a consulting firm makes the most sense right now and re-evaluate down the road. Guetzkow agreed with Pawelk. She would have like to have had staff more involved in the interview process. Walters said there are only two choices: hiring a direct staff or hiring MNSpect. Walters said the market is too unstable to hire a direct staff member for inspections. Washburn stated there is consensus to develop contract documents with MNSpect.  Walters said there are only two choices: hiring a direct staff or hiring MNSpect. Walters said the market is too unstable to hire a direct staff member for inspections. Washburn stated there is consensus to develop contract documents with MNSpect. 8. Other Reports Jake Foster said he had a nice tour of the City with Doug Kammerer. He is happy to be with the City. Mike Dressel reported there is one plow truck ready for snow removal. Washburn updated that the Senate Capital Investment Committee will be visiting the wastewater treatment facility on October 28. 9. Claims WALTERS MOVED, PAWELK SECONDED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2021 CLAIMS AS PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 9.A. Claims For October 26, 2021 10. Adjournment WALTERS MOVED, GUETZKOW SECONDED A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:28 PM. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ Steve Washburn, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Lynn Tschudi, Admin. Services Director