City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Michael Walters Kay Thul Adam Pawelk Fred McGuire Dan Schuette 6/27/2023 - 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, June 27, 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, Fire Chief Tom Hanson, and Carver County Sheriff’s Deputy, RJ Cripps. Others Present: Nancy Burns – 1002 Trebbiano Lane North and Tim Litfin with Tour De Tonka. 2. Adopt Agenda COUNCILMEMBER MCGUIRE MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER THUL SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval Foster referenced a liquor license application within the consent agenda relating to off sale liquor and tobacco licensing. He stated that as part of that discussion, if the City Council chose to do so, that they could pull that item off the consent agenda and discuss Ordinance 437 again relating to a moratorium for the new cannabis laws pasted by the State of Minnesota. The City Council agreed that there wasn’t enough information provided ahead of time to discuss Ordinance 437 and recommended bringing it back to another meeting. COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. Liquor License  COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.A. Liquor License 3.B. 4M Fund Investments 3.C. 2021 Mill And Overlay Pay App No 4 3.D. Accept COA Donations 3.E. 3E - Step Movement For Ned Schroeder 3.F. 3F - Step Movement For Jason Raser 4. Open Forum Sheriff’s Office Report Deputy Cripps informed that summer is going fast and that it has been busy. He discussed recent incidents at one of the local park pergolas. He said that there has been some graffiti and damage to the park structures and that the department is keeping an eye on the park to determine who is causing the damage. He thanked everyone for their calls for service when they suspected activity. He said that this helps significantly. He said that the department is done more “inner city” rounds and educating residents more that these are your homes, this is your community and to be mindful of what is happening. McGuire asked about a Watertown Chamber of Commerce event at the local Baseball Field over the weekend and that there was no police presence. He wondered why. Cripps stated that he was not sure. He said that he could investigate it and respond back. Pawelk informed that sometimes the event planner needs to specifically ask for the Sheriff’s Office to be at the event and may not have. Foster agreed that event organizers would have had to reach out and request the Sheriff’s Office presence. He said it is possible that they didn’t have availability to be there or got called away. Resident, Nancy Burns, stated that she lives in the Tuscany Village development and has concerns about the proposed development in that area that is being looked at by the Planning Commission. She recommended that the City Council walk the current green space area to understand the importance of that space and why trying to retain it is important to the residents. Walters stated that the recent newsletter provided good information about ATVs. He stated that people driving these throughout town have been resulting in a lot of questions and concerns about which vehicles are legal and which are not. Cripps agreed that education is very important. Pawelk thanked Cripps for his report on doing more patrolling within the inner areas of the city and that it is increasing. He stated that it increased perception and builds community trust. Foster provided an update on the Rapid Waters Park and that activity happening there recently. He said that there has been extra patrol at the park to try and deter additional graffiti and damage to the park. He said that the city is taking it very seriously. Walters stated that the goal is to catch who is responsible to prevent more damage. He informed that the damage is expensive and senseless. He explained that parks increase the quality of life in communities and that he appreciated the extra patrol.  said that the city is taking it very seriously. Walters stated that the goal is to catch who is responsible to prevent more damage. He informed that the damage is expensive and senseless. He explained that parks increase the quality of life in communities and that he appreciated the extra patrol. Fire Department Report Hanson provided an update for the Fire Department. He informed that during the current month, that the Fire Department has received 51 calls; with 244 Calls to Date for 2023. Hanson informed that the LSU trailer would be delivered to the detailer within the next week who will install the lights and graphics on the vehicle. He estimated the trailer to be in service by next month. Hanson stated that staff solicited information for redoing the fire station roof. He said that estimates are coming in way lower than projected between $3,000 - $4,500. He said that once estimates are complete that he will bring it back to the City Council to discuss. Hanson advised that people be careful during and throughout the Fourth of July holiday. He said that injuries can happen and discussed common injuries and how to prevent them. He said to celebrate safely. Walters asked residents as well to be mindful and respectful of neighbors that have pets, kids, and sensitivities to fire works throughout the holiday. Tuscany Village Foster informed that the staff had received letters to distribute to other staff, the City Council and the Planning Commission relating to the proposed development near the Tuscany Village development. HE informed that the developer has recently submitted changes to the plans that include a reduction in lots and a shift in the impact to the number of trees impacted. He informed that this information will be presented at the upcoming July 13, 2023 Planning Commission meeting. He said that the letters would be part of the public record within the packet. Burns said that residents are concerned about the impact to the area’s wildlife, wetlands, and natural elements. She also expressed concern about the current 10-foot setbacks of some of the current houses. She also asked that the development be part of a Homeowners Association (HOA). Foster stated the development agreement would include a tree replacement requirement. He said that he wasn’t sure about the HOA requirement at this time but could explore it within the development agreement. Thul said that she has been through the natural areas. Walters stated that he appreciated Burns’ concerns, comments, and participation. 4.A. Tim Litfin - Tour De Tonka 2023 Liftin provided information on the 2023 Tour De Tonka bike event on Saturday, August 5, 2023. He informed that it is the 18 th year of the event is marketed as a “Community Ride”. He stated that the ride goes through 25 cities throughout the western suburb/exurb area and supports these local communities by bringing both riders and visitors to the communities. Liftin thanked the City Council for supporting the event and allowing it to travel through the City of Watertown. He thanked the Watertown Lions Club for dedicating 4-8 volunteers for the event each year. Walters thanked Liftin for the information and stated that the event is a great event overall and for the communities that it goes through. He said he is glad that the City of Watertown is part of the event. 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Solication Of Quote For Fire Department Hanson introduced this item to the City Council. He informed that the Fire Department is seeking to replace the current boat vehicle. He said that the City of Watertown and the service districts have a river 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Solication Of Quote For Fire Department Hanson introduced this item to the City Council. He informed that the Fire Department is seeking to replace the current boat vehicle. He said that the City of Watertown and the service districts have a river that flows throughout the region and is a popular recreation feature for kayakers, canoers, and fishing. He mentioned local lakes as well. Hanson provided information on the current department’s 1995 Rigid Inflatable Boat that is used for emergencies on the river and area lakes. He stated that the boat is outfitted with a 30HP 2-stroke outboard motor. He discussed the size and weight of the craft and how they allow the department to deploy the craft from almost anywhere. Hanson explained that the Capital Improvement Plan identifies the replacement of the boat as one that was originally scheduled back in 2019 and 2021. He said that it is being brought back to the City Council for another recommendation to solicit quotes for a new boat, motor, and trailer that would replace the current 28-year-old boat. He stated that he expected that the fire department would look for something like the current one with a 4-stroke motor. He said that current technology also allows for the potential option to add LED scene lighting to the boat which would make operations safer at night. Hanson estimated the boat replacement to be about $17,000. McGuire asked if the extra motor weight would make it harder to launch the new boat. Hanson stated that the extra weight shouldn’t cause any issues. Walters asked how often the board gets used. Hanson stated that it depends on the year and the weather/seasonal conditions. He said at one time, the boat was used 4 times within a week and other times not as much. He said it depends a lot of the height of the river and people’s activities on it. Walters asked if the fire department was scuba certified. Hanson stated that the fire department is not scuba certified, but that the Carver County Sheriff’s Office is. He explained that the Watertown Fire Department serves as the first responders and that the Sheriff’s Office responds after. Pawelk asked Hanson if the $17,000 is just for the boat or for the trailer and motor as well. Hanson said that the $17,000 is likely just for the boat and that the total cost will likely be about $30,000. THUL MOVED TO ALLOW THE FIRE CHIEF TO SOLICIT QUOTES FOR A NEW BOAT, MOTOR, AND TRAILER THAT WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT 1995 EQUIPMENT. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 6. Other Reports Foster explained that for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, that he is recommending to close City Hall on Monday, July 3, 2023. He acknowledged that it wasn’t a true holiday, but that staff could use PTO if taken off. Foster stated that at the July 11, 2023, City Council meeting workshop, he would present the 2024 budget kickoff information. He said that the meeting would be used to discuss priorities and goals for 2024. Foster said that another topic of discussion coming up would be the Sheriff’s Office Contract for 2024. Foster informed that at the July 24, 2023 meeting, staff and the City Council work do additional budget work and work on the Fire Department Work Plan.  kickoff information. He said that the meeting would be used to discuss priorities and goals for 2024. Foster said that another topic of discussion coming up would be the Sheriff’s Office Contract for 2024. Foster informed that at the July 24, 2023 meeting, staff and the City Council work do additional budget work and work on the Fire Department Work Plan. Thul stated that at the June Commission on Aging meeting, there was a presentation from the Carver County Community Development Authority. 7. Claims PAWELK MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 27th, 2023, CLAIMS PACKET. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 7.A. Claims Packet 6/27/23 8. Adjournment PAWELK MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:21 PM. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 5-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ Michael Walters, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director