City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Mike Walters Kay Thul Adam Pawelk Fred McGuire Dan Schuette 5/23/2023 - 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, May 23, 2023, by Mayor Mike Walters. Councilmembers present: Mike Walters, Fred McGuire, Adam Pawelk, Dan Schuette, and Kay Thul. Councilmembers absent: None. City Staff present: City Administrator Jake Foster, Administrative Services Director Margaret Reisdorf, Public Works Superintendent Mike Dressel, Fire Chief Tom Hanson, and Carver County Sheriff’s Deputy, RJ Cripps. Others Present: None. 2. Adopt Agenda COUNCILMEMBER THUL MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval COUNCILMEMBER MCGUIRE MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. THUL SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 3.A. May 9, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3.B. May 9, 2023 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 3.C. Step Movement For Maggie Reisdorf 3.D. Step Movement For Mike Dressel 3.E. Step Movement For Christine Dammann  3.C. Step Movement For Maggie Reisdorf 3.D. Step Movement For Mike Dressel 3.E. Step Movement For Christine Dammann 3.F. WWTF Pay Application #12 3.G. Tort Liability Limits 3.H. 2023 Summer Concert Series 3.I. 3I - Lions Club Temporary Liquor License 3.J. 3J - 2023 Mill And Overlay - Change Orders 1 And 2 4. Open Forum SCHUETTE ENTERED THE MEETING AT 6:34 PM. Sheriff’s Office Report Cripps informed that with the warmer weather, people are more active outside and within the community. He stated that the Sheriff’s Office has seen increased threats of violence happening. Cripps stated that he supports freedom of speech, but that threats will be investigated and can come with harsh punishments. Cripps explained that words do matter and can have consequences. He informed that the Sheriff’s Office will investigate reported threats. Cripps said that other than that, it is “business as usual”. McGuire asked what the Sheriff’s Office protocol was for responding to threats. Cripps explained that the Sheriff’s Office performs an investigation that can include interviewing the involved parties, searching for recordings and other applicable information. He said depending on the findings, some people could obtain a felony or jail time. Thul asked about Juvenile cases. Cripps said that there is a juvenile section of the jail in Carver County. He explained that it usually depends on the juvenile’s age but that the goal is usually to educate, bring awareness, and rehabilitate through County Services. Pawelk recommended that the city include something in the next newsletter about pedestrian safety and traffic safety. He explained that as the weather gets better, more and more people are traveling throughout the city and sharing spaces. He explained that he is seeing all types of motorized vehicles sharing the roads, trails, and sidewalks and that the city should put out some safety reminders. Cripps informed that City Council that there was an incident recently within the city that involved an assault at one of the local parks at 1 am. He stated that one of the night deputies was walking around and patrolling on foot when they came across the incident as it was occurring and was able to stop the incident from continuing. Pawelk stated that it was great to hear that. McGuire asked about four-wheeler activity within the community. Walters stated that this has been an ongoing issue and concern within the community. He said that there is a lot of discussion on social media about golf carts, ATVs, side-by-sides, etc. He stressed enforcement as there were reports of some people running stops signs and going too fast causing dangerous situations.  McGuire asked about four-wheeler activity within the community. Walters stated that this has been an ongoing issue and concern within the community. He said that there is a lot of discussion on social media about golf carts, ATVs, side-by-sides, etc. He stressed enforcement as there were reports of some people running stops signs and going too fast causing dangerous situations. Walters said that some of them are legal per the City Code, and some are not. Pawelk recommended that something be put in the newsletter about this as well. Foster explained the City Code definitions of which vehicles are permitted and which are not. Cripps stated that the City’s Code on ATVs and golf carts is the same as the State of Minnesota law. He said that there is increased training being done on the topic as more and more of these types of vehicles are being used within communities. He explained that the different classes of vehicles can be confusing at times as to which ones are legal and which aren’t. Foster stated that none of the vehicles are allowed on city trails and sidewalks. Fire Department Report Hanson informed that in 2023, the Fire Department has so far received 193 and that 42 of them have been within the past month. He said that the Department is seeing an uptick in calls because people are being more active with the nice weather. Hanson explained that the Ladder truck will start being built in July/August 2023 and will be scheduled for delivery in Quarter 1, 2024. Pawelk asked when Hanson would be transitioning to a full-time Fire Chief. Hanson stated June 5, 2023 is the start date. 4.A. Andy Schmidt - Andy's Masonry NA 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Fremont Street Fence Coating Dressel introduced this item to the City Council. He informed that the railing along Fremont Street and Lewis Avenue have been in place since about 2012 and it is starting to show signs of paint peeling and rust. He explained that the fence is about 500 feet long. Dressel said that the fence was installed by a contractor named Hecksel Machine and explained that when the company started to make these types of fences, they weren’t galvanized before they were painted. He said that as a result, the paint doesn’t last as long. Dressel explained that the painting process would include taking each fence panel down, sand blasting them, galvanizing them, and painting them before they are reinstalled. He said that the fences would be put back together with stainless steel fasteners. Dressel stated that he is recommending soliciting quotes for the project and that the budget is $40,000. Thul asked if a safety fence would have to be installed when the fence is taken down. Dressel said that a safety fence would not be needed with this project. Pawelk asked what kind of paint would be used. He said that he would like to see a process that included maximizing the life of the painting this time. Dressel stated that he thought it would include a powder coating process but that he would check.  Dressel said that a safety fence would not be needed with this project. Pawelk asked what kind of paint would be used. He said that he would like to see a process that included maximizing the life of the painting this time. Dressel stated that he thought it would include a powder coating process but that he would check. Dressel informed that the process has changed in recent years and is different from when the fences were installed in 2012. PAWELK MOVED TO APPROVE THE SOLICITATION OF QUOTES FOR REPAINTING OF THE FREMONT FENCE. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. Pawelk stated that the maintenance needs to be done and that he is glad to hear that the painting process has been improved for the paint to last longer. 5.B. Highland Park Bathroom And Press Boxes Project Foster introduced this item to the City Council. He informed that during the 2023 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budgeting process, that staff identified a need to update the bathrooms and press boxes at Highland Park. He said that they are both in disrepair. Foster explained that the projects are also included within the Highland Park Master Plan that was adopted by the City Council in early 2023. Foster informed that the projects were discussed at the April 19. 2023 Park Commission meeting and that the commission directs staff to work with the City Engineer, Bolton and Menk to develop a project work list that would serve to standardize the quotes for the project. Foster said that Bolton and Menk has not yet completed that project work list, but that the goal is to use that list when soliciting quotes from contractors. Foster stated that the project budget is $75,000 and that staff and the Park Commission are recommending to the City Council soliciting quotes for the project. Pawelk explained that without the project work list, staff has been struggling to obtain real project costs from contractors. He said that the document would create parameters for contractors to bid on. Walters explained that the projects are needed as these park amenities are in disrepair. He said that the park is a heavily used park that attracts a lot of activities and that the park needs functioning facilities. WALTERS MOVED TO APPROVE THE SOLICITATION OF QUOTES FOR THE HIGHLAND PARK BATHROOMS AND PRESS BOXES UPGRADE PROJECTS. THUL SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 5.C. 5C - Fire Station Roof Maintenance Hanson introduced this item to the City Council. He stated that in 2019, the Fire Department Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included the replacement of the roof at the fire station. He stated that when contractors assessed the roof, that they informed that city that the roof was still in relatively good condition for its age and recommended minor repairs and maintenance and to postpone the full replacement until a later date. He informed that at this time, the roof is leaking in some areas and that he is recommending that another assessment of the roof be completed to determine a new timeline and maintenance and replacement schedule. Pawelk recommended that if costly maintenance is needed to do repairs on the current roof, that the City Council should compare the cost of full replacement with the maintenance costs. MCGUIRE MOVED TO ALLOWING STAFF TO WORK WITH A CONTRACTOR TO ASSESS THE CURRENT ROOF AND DETERMINE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND A TIMELINE FOR FULL REPLACEMENT. PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 6. Other Reports  MCGUIRE MOVED TO ALLOWING STAFF TO WORK WITH A CONTRACTOR TO ASSESS THE CURRENT ROOF AND DETERMINE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND A TIMELINE FOR FULL REPLACEMENT. PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Foster stated that there is a Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 8, 2023. He said that at that meeting there will be a discussion on changing the monthly Planning Commission meetings from the 4 th Thursday to the 2 nd Thursday of the month. He informed that the Planning Commission will also be reviewing an application for the Cove Development and a site plan for a project within the Industrial Park. Pawelk informed that the Park Commission did their annual clean up event at Rick Johnson Park and that there was a great turnout of commissioners, City Council, and staff. Walters stated that the city recently received $3 million in funds from the State of Minnesota for its upcoming second Water Tower project. He explained that that city asked the State of Minnesota to support the project and that the ask was for $3 million. He said that the city received the full amount that was asked for. Walters informed that this money directly benefits the community. He thanked the lobbyist groups and local representatives for their support in obtaining the funds. He stated that it is a huge win. Walters reviewed other grants that the city has received in the past three years including $2 million for the Highway 25 project, $7 million for the Wastewater Treatment Facility project, $660,000 for the shoreland park acquisition project and $3 million for the water tower project. Walters explained that the total amount of approximately $13 million is significant to the community with an annual operating budget of about $2 million. Walters stated that it is the City Council’s and staff’s responsibility to ensure it is spent wisely. Walters explained that the city would also be seeing an increase in its annual Local Government Aid allocation from the State of Minnesota. 7. Claims 7.A. Claims Packet 5/23/2023 PAWELK MOVED TO APPROVE THE MAY 23, 2023, CLAIMS PACKET. WALTERS SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 8. Adjournment THUL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:11 PM. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5- 0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 _______________________________________________________ Mike Walters, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director