City Council Meetings

Watertown City Council Regular Meeting Mayor Michael Walters Kay Thul Adam Pawelk Fred McGuire Dan Schuette 7/11/2023 - 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, July 11, 2023, by Mayor Mike Walters. Councilmembers present: Mike Walters, Adam Pawelk, and Kay Thul. Councilmembers absent: Fred McGuire, and Dan Schuette. City Staff present: City Administrator Jake Foster, Administrative Services Director Margaret Reisdorf, Doug Kammerer, Public Utilities Superintendent. Others Present: Jim Kashiemer – 300 Grove Ave SE, Paul Ericsson, Carver County Library, Jodi Enstrom, Carver County Library. 2. Adopt Agenda COUNCILMEMBER THUL MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3. Consent Agenda Discussion And Approval COUNCILMEMBER PAWELK MOVED TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. THUL SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED 3-0. 3.A. June 27, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 3.B. 3B - June 13, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes 3.C. Step Movement For Doug Kammerer 3.D. 2022 Mill And Overlay Pay Application 3.E. 2023 Mil And Overlay Pay App No.1  3.C. Step Movement For Doug Kammerer 3.D. 2022 Mill And Overlay Pay Application 3.E. 2023 Mil And Overlay Pay App No.1 3.F. Night To Unite Use Of Street Request 3.G. Transient Merchant And Solicitor Application Southwestern Advantage 3.H. WWTF Pay Application #14 4. Open Forum Jim Kashiemer Kashiemer expressed concern about the increased activity of non-side-by-side vehicles, like golf carts, driving around town. He specifically referenced an event of four kids under 12 driving around on a golf cart. He explained that there have been some vehicles driving on the Luce Line trail as well and expressed concerns about safety. Walters agreed that the City needs to work with the Sheriff’s Department to start issuing tickets. He mentioned that the city recently put information on allowed recreational vehicles within the newsletter. He agreed with the concerns regarding safety. Kashiemer asked about some break-ins within the city and if there have been any resolutions. Foster stated that he did not have any updates available at this time. Walters stated that there have been similar events in other cities as well. He said that it is very senseless and frustrating. He said that the public needs to be vigilant and keep an eye on the community. Water System – Break Update – Doug Kammerer, Public Utilities Superintendent Kammerer provided an update on the recent issue of a water break in the system that caused water pressure to reduce significantly and a resulting boil order to the entire city. He explained a timeline of events and staff response to the event. He explained that the event was caused by a cap dislodge at a dead-end location in the system that was installed in 2006 and not identified on the system’s map. Kammerer stated that with an event like this, the Minnesota Department of Health recommended a boil order and water testing. He stated that testing was done on July 11, 2023, and results should be available on July 12, 2023. He said if test results come back ok, that a message will be sent that the consumption of water is safe again. Kammerer stated that he has been on the phone with many residents explaining the situation. Foster informed that the boil order is a precautionary issuance by the Minnesota Department of Health. Kammerer acknowledged that it has been a challenge to communicate the event and reach every person throughout the community. He said that staff has tried to reach as many people as possible through the city website and social media postings. Pawelk expressed concern about the location not being on a city system’s map. He asked if staff could identify why it wasn’t on the map. Kammerer said that it was installed in 2006 when development was happening very quickly. He said that back then, it wasn’t required to install a fire hydrant at a dead end in the system. He explained that today, a fire hydrant would have to be installed. Pawelk asked if the city should install a fire hydrant now. Kammerer said that it is being considered and that he has meetings with the City Engineer and a contractor  Kammerer said that it was installed in 2006 when development was happening very quickly. He said that back then, it wasn’t required to install a fire hydrant at a dead end in the system. He explained that today, a fire hydrant would have to be installed. Pawelk asked if the city should install a fire hydrant now. Kammerer said that it is being considered and that he has meetings with the City Engineer and a contractor to discuss. Pawelk stressed the importance of being proactive and identifying other potential unmapped areas within the system for preventative purposes. Kammerer agreed. Walters explained that development was high in the early 2000s and that planning wasn’t the greatest as far as long-term impacts. He asked that staff try and provide updates to residents as quickly as possible. Foster stated that staff will keep posting information as soon as it is available. Foster thanked Public Works Employee, Ned Schroeder, for him finding the event location. He stated that he was impressed with his problem-solving skills. He thanked all other staff involved. Walters acknowledged that having experienced staff that know the city is a real benefit. 4.A. State Of The Library Presentation Jodi Enstrom, the Carver County Library Director, introduced this item to the City Council. She stated that she has been with the library system since 2011. Enstrom informed that the library was happy to report over 1 million checkouts in the year 2022. She went into detail about other organizational accomplishments for the year 2022 including, but not limited to, in person programming, the increase in eBook/eAudio checkouts, collaborations, grants, and their new 5-year strategic plan. Paul Ericsson, with Carver County Libraries, went into detail about “library promises”, which is system’s and staff’s promise statements to the communities they serve. He explained the variety of collection materials that the library offers and the trends in collection checkout. Ericsson provided information on different programming for Children, Teens, Adults, and Intergenerational groups. Ericsson explained to the City Council the different outreach that the library system does and the many partnerships that allow for expanded services. Ericsson thanked the City Council for the installation of a handicap button door opener at the inner door into the library. He asked the city to consider carpet replacement in 2024 and a review of space needs as programs continue to expand. He highlighted staff retirements in 2022, initiatives by the Friends of the Library group, and changes in 2023. Ericsson stated that he is proud of the dedicated staff and ongoing partnerships. 5. New/Old Business 5.A. Interim Ordinance Prohibiting The Sale Of Hemp And Cannabis Foster introduced this item to the City Council. He explained that at the May 9, 2023 City Council meeting, that the City Attorney, Jack Brooksbank, discussed several items related the (at the time) impending legislation of full strength cannabis, as well as the lower potency cannabis/THC products that is currently legal. Foster said that at that time, the City Attorney reviewed the option of a moratorium. Foster said that Brooksbank recommended waiting on a moratorium until the passage of the final legislation. Foster said that with the final passage, the City Attorney has drafted a moratorium to consider that would temporarily prohibit the sale of low-potency THC products and place allow the city 12 months to discuss how the city will address these types of sales within the city’s zoning code. Foster explained other additional timelines, deadlines, and considerations related to the legislation.  Brooksbank recommended waiting on a moratorium until the passage of the final legislation. Foster said that with the final passage, the City Attorney has drafted a moratorium to consider that would temporarily prohibit the sale of low-potency THC products and place allow the city 12 months to discuss how the city will address these types of sales within the city’s zoning code. Foster explained other additional timelines, deadlines, and considerations related to the legislation. Foster recommended passing Ordinance 438, an interim ordinance prohibiting the sale of hemp and cannabis products. Pawelk summarized that the moratorium is meant to allow the city the opportunity to research the city’s current ordinances to make sure that they align with the state’s new laws. He expressed disappointed in the stating passing the law with some much uncertainty. Foster confirmed. Pawelk asked what would happen to the businesses that are currently selling low potency products. Foster explained that they would be grandfathered in, but that he was not aware of any businesses in town currently selling it. Thul thanked staff for putting all the information together and explaining such a complicated topic. Walters asked about the timing of the moratorium. Foster stated that the moratorium is really a focus on curbing low potency activity and allowing a period of time for the city to plan for both being legal within the city limits. THUL MOVED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 438: AN INTERIM ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE SALE OF HEMP AND CANNIBUS PRODUCTS. PAWELK SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 6. Other Reports Foster stated that staff recently met with the representatives for the Rails to Trails Community Celebration event in July and that everything is looking good there. Pawelk informed that the Park Commission would be meeting on July 19, 2023 to discuss some park projects, a park naming, and a pollinating garden request. 7. Claims 7.A. Claims Packet 7-11-23 PAWELK MOVED TO APPROVE THE JULY 11 th, 2023, CLAIMS PACKET. THUL SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 8. Adjournment WALTERS MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:33 PM. MCGUIRE SECONDED. MOTION PASSED 3-0. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 ________________________________________________________ Mike Walters, Mayor ________________________________________________________ Mike Walters, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director