City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters Dan Schuette 9/27/2022 - 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. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, by Mayor Steve Washburn. Councilmembers present: Steve Washburn, Mike Walters, Adam Pawelk, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Dan Schuette. Councilmembers absent: None. City Staff present: City Administrator Jake Foster, Administrative Services Director Maggie Reisdorf, Public Services Superintendent Mike Dressel, Fire Chief Tom Hanson, Administrative Assistant, Nancy Pysick. Others Present: Kay Thul. 2. Adopt Agenda COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK REQUESTED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER GUETZKOW SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval COUNCILMEMBER SCHUETTE MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. 3A - September 13, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes 3.B. 3B - September 17, 2022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes 3.C. 3C - Homecoming Parade Use Of Streets 3.D. 3D - 2023 Prosecution Contract 3.E. 3E - Firefighter Resignation  3.B. 3B - September 17, 2022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes 3.C. 3C - Homecoming Parade Use Of Streets 3.D. 3D - 2023 Prosecution Contract 3.E. 3E - Firefighter Resignation 3.F. 3F - 2022 Mill And Overlay Pay App No. 2 3.G. 3G - Winter Seasonal Recruitment 4. Open Forum 4.A. Recognition Of Nancy Pysick For 25 Years Of Service Mayor Walters introduced the recognition of 25 years of service to the City of Watertown by administrative assistant, Nancy Pysick. He thanked Nancy for her dedicated service throughout the years. Pysick explained that she had been hired by the City of Watertown 25 years ago on a temporary basis not knowing how long she would be with the city. She highlighted that it has been 25 years since and noted that “as long as you love your job, it’s easy to come in and do it”. She thanked staff, the City Council and residents. 5. New/Old Business 5.A. 5A - Financial Commitment For PFA City Administrator, Jake Foster, introduced this item to the City Council. He mentioned that staff has been working with representatives from the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MN PFA) to navigate and prepare for the administration of the loan and grant process for the waste-water treatment facility project. He explained that the MN PFA is responsible for the administration of the Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund (CWRLF) And Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG); the two funding sources in which the City of Watertown has applied for to support the waste-water treatment facility project. Foster explained that the application amounts are as follows: CWRLF - $16,723,450 PSIG - $7,000,000 Foster went into detail about a request from MN PFA representatives to formally adopt a resolution that would support the utility rate and debt study and formally commit the city to the financial obligations outlined in the study. He explained that through the adoption, it would show the MN PFA the city’s commitment to taking the necessary steps to fund the waste-water treatment facility expansion project. GUETZKOW MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-75 APPROVING THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS OUTLINED AND RECOMMENDED IN THE MARCH 22, 2022, UTILITY REPORT. WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 5.B. 5B - 2023 Preliminary Levy Foster provided a summary of the discussion that took place at the September 27, 2022, budget workshop. He highlighted that the discussion centered on the staff recommended 2023 preliminary levy of $2,974,322 and preliminary EDA levy of $68,500. He recommended watching the workshop meeting video or reading the minutes to obtain a more detailed explanation on the preliminary budget consensus and discussion. GUETZKOW MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-73 SETTING THE 2023 PRELIMINARY LEVY.  of $2,974,322 and preliminary EDA levy of $68,500. He recommended watching the workshop meeting video or reading the minutes to obtain a more detailed explanation on the preliminary budget consensus and discussion. GUETZKOW MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-73 SETTING THE 2023 PRELIMINARY LEVY. SCHUETTE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. Guetzkow summarized that the preliminary budget will decrease the tax rate and will impact the average property owner by about $59 for the year on the tax bill. She mentioned that after the passage of the preliminary levy, the levy can still decrease, however cannot increase. Pawelk thanked staff for their work on the budget and the collaboration with consultants and the City Council the create scenarios and ideas to set the city up for success in the future. Walters echoed Guetzkow and Pawelk’s statements. He also stated his support for the addition of a full-time fire chief in 2023. He praised staff for the handling of inflation. Washburn thanks staff and everyone’s collective efforts on creating a solid budget in challenging economic times. 6. Other Reports Foster informed that a deputy from the Carver County Sheriff’s Office will be at a future meeting to provide an update to the City Council. Pawelk informed that at the September Park Commission meeting there was additional discussion on future improvement needs and desires for Highland Park. He added that there was more discussion on the prioritization process for the capital improvement plan and what projects would be placed withing the 2023 CIP and which would be prioritized in later years. Guetzkow stated that she attended at Community Education Meeting. She informed that Community Education programming was going well and that kids company was looking for more staff. Walters thanked Fire Chief Tom Hanson and the Watertown Fire Department for their response to the lumberyard fire within the city during the previous week. He stated that he appreciated the hard work and dedication from the entire department. He reiterated the support for the new fire chief position in 2023 stating that safety and prevention measures are important as the city continues to build more properties. Walters stated that the city has reached out to ABC Lumber and will support the business where it can to get through this difficult time and rebuilding period. 7. Claims SCHUETTE MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 27, 2022 CLAIMS PACKET, WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 7.A. 7A - Claims Packet 9.27.22 8. Adjournment SCHUETTE MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:50 PM, WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ Steve Washburn, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director