City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council T Regular Meeting Mayor Steve Washburn Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk F Michael Walters Dan Schuette A 10/11/2022 - 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 R order in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, by Mayor Steve Washburn. Councilmembers present: Steve Washburn, Mike Walters, and Adam Pawelk, D Councilmembers absent: Lindsay Guetzkow, and Dan Schuette. City Staff present: City Administrator Jake Foster, and Administrative Services Director Maggie Reisdorf. Others Present: Kay Thul, Jordan Taylor, and Brayden Buiry. 2. Adopt Agenda COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK REQUESTED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval COUNCILMEMBER WALTERS MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3.A. 3A - September 27, 2022 City Council Workshop Minutes 3.B. 3B - September 27, 2022 City Council Minutes 4. Open Forum 5. New/Old Business 5.A. 5A - 2023 CCSO Contract City Administrator, Jake Foster, introduced this item to the City Council. He explained that this item 5. New/Old Business 5.A. 5A - 2023 CCSO Contract City Administrator, Jake Foster, introduced this item to the City Council. He explained that this item has generally been a consent agenda item in the past, however because of significant cost increases and some questions that were brought up at previous meetings, he felt it was more appropriate to have it placed on the agenda in a way that allowed for discussion. Foster stated that between 2022 and 2023, the contract budget will increase 9.27%. He explained that the increase comes mainly from wages increase throughout the department. He explained that the city currently contracts for 3 FTE and provides some financial support the Southwest Metro Drug Task Force. T He explained that the contract is essentially maintenance of the status quo in that the contract will not change between 2022 and 2023. F Foster reviewed some questions that have come up recently at other meetings. School District Resource Officer: Foster said that there has been ongoing discussion between the city and the school district regarding A them needing a resource officer in the near future. There has been continued concern about the school district needing the city deputy for a significant periods of time that then takes away from coverage throughout the city. Foster informed that he met with sheriff department personnel to request information about the past 5 years related to calls for service at the school addresses. Foster said the data would be used to push R forward the discussion with the school on them hiring their own resource officer. Staffing Vacancies: Foster mentioned that during the pandemic, the Sheriff’s office faced a staffing shortage for various D reasons including people leaving the policing service, retirement and/or transferring to another area. He provided an update that the sheriff’s department has reduced its vacancies significantly by making their wages/benefits more competitive Foster stated that the Department is currently sitting at three open positions with two job offers for two of the positions. He projected that all positions will filled be by the end of the year. Command Vehicle – Back Up Foster provided some background on the future benefit of considering a second command vehicle for the City of Watertown’s deputies. He explained that at times, the transition between the day and evening patrol can be delayed because the deputy on the prior shift is stuck on a call. As a result, sometimes one of the deputies has to drive to a neighboring city to pick up a different vehicle to use. Foster informed that it isn’t a decision that needs to be made at this moment, but that if the City Council wants to continue the discussion on this, he said it could be planned for in 2024. Pawelk informed that he appreciated the information on ongoing questions and concerns. Pawelk commented that about a year and a half ago, there were concerns within the community about reckless and dangerous driving in town. He explained that at that time, the sheriff’s department was asked to keep an eye on certain areas to address these issues. Pawelk mentioned that these occurrences are happening again throughout the city and it needs to be addressed again. Pawelk stated that he has expressed his concerns to staff and the sheriff’s department. He stated that he would like to see more parking within these areas by the department. He stressed how dangerous this is for the community and that the city needs to be active in controlling the situation. Pawelk suggested that the Sheriff’s Department come and talk with the City Council about their approach on addressing the concerns.  asked to keep an eye on certain areas to address these issues. Pawelk mentioned that these occurrences are happening again throughout the city and it needs to be addressed again. Pawelk stated that he has expressed his concerns to staff and the sheriff’s department. He stated that he would like to see more parking within these areas by the department. He stressed how dangerous this is for the community and that the city needs to be active in controlling the situation. Pawelk suggested that the Sheriff’s Department come and talk with the City Council about their approach on addressing the concerns. Walters agreed with Pawelk’s concerns and that it needs to be addressed immediately. Walters suggested that the City Council invite the Sheriff’s Department to come to the City Council on a regular basis to provide updates and to answer questions that the City Council may have. Walters explained that the 9% contract increase was reasonable in the sense the most of it relates to increased wages. He stated that with increases in cost of living, oil prices, and inflation that it makes sense. He also stated that the retention of good employees is important. Walters agreed that the city needs to continue to assess how much time the school district is needing to call the deputy for services. He T stated that if it continues to be ongoing and a significant amount of time, that the school district will need to look into hiring someone. Foster agreed that the town cop deputy model is not meant to provide the services that the school’s need. He explained that the Sheriff’s Department is able to provide a resource officer that is under a F model that focuses on specific programming and relationship building. Washburn expressed disappointment that the sheriff’s department commander was not present at the meeting to discuss the contract. He stated that he wanted quarterly updates from them. He stated that he currently believes that the city is not getting its money’s worth for services. He said that there is a A major drug problem in the city, and it is not being addressed. Washburn stated that he believes that the issue is a leadership issue and that patrol officers need more guidance and direction. Washburn said that department needs to be more present and accountable. WALTERS MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2022-76 APPROVING THE 2023 POLICING R CONTRACT WITH CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE. PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. Pawelk stated that he appreciated the mayor’s comments and that he is right about the concerns presented and that the city needs to work with the sheriff’s department to figure this out. D 6. Other Reports Foster explained that he and the City Engineer are planning an open house in November for the 2023 Mill and Overlay Street project. Foster stated that Peace Lutheran Church will be doing and door to door food shelf drive on October 23, 2022. Foster informed that staff is continuing to work with Metronet on the future fiber installation through the city. 7. Claims 7.A. 7A - Claims Packet 10.11.22 WALTERS MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 11, 2022 CLAIMS PACKET, PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 8. Adjournment WALTERS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:05 PM, PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 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 F T R A D