City Council Worksession

Watertown City Council Mayor Steve Washburn Deborah Everson Lindsay Guetzkow Adam Pawelk Michael Walters 6/23/2020 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Mayor Steve Washburn called the joint Watertown City Council / EDA Workshop to order at 5:31 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2020. Council Members present online using Zoom.com: Washburn, Deborah Everson, Lindsay Guetzkow, and Adam Pawelk. EDA Members present online using Zoom.com: Ken Grotbo, Roxanne Wilmes and Cory Mitteness City Staff present at City Hall: City Administrator Shane Fineran and Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Tschudi. Guest: State Representative Jim Nash Those who signed in: Kyle Jarvis 2. New Business 2.I. CARES Act Memo City Administrator Fineran explained that the CARES Act funding was being debated at the legislature with no action being taken at the special session. The CARES Act is federal funding that is flowing through the state for COVID-19 relief. Some variations of the bill would have about $350,000 being allocated to the City of Watertown. Expenses to be covered could be things such as extra janitorial, technology, PPE, and other COVID preparation expenses. In addition, the CARES funding could be used to assist local Watertown businesses. Representative Jim Nash gave council history on the CARES Act. He explained that the bill that was not intended to become political did just that. Nash would like to hear what the council intends to use the funds for if they are granted. Kyle Jarvis from Chiropractic Specialists shared how business has decreased since COVID-19 and the cost of doing business has increased significantly. Washburn asked Nash if businesses would be able to recover their PPE costs. Nash said the list of what is not covered is significantly shorter than the list of what is covered under the CARES Act.  Kyle Jarvis from Chiropractic Specialists shared how business has decreased since COVID-19 and the cost of doing business has increased significantly. Washburn asked Nash if businesses would be able to recover their PPE costs. Nash said the list of what is not covered is significantly shorter than the list of what is covered under the CARES Act. Ken Grotbo with the EDA would like to see some grant programs developed for local businesses. Guetzkow shared her disappointment in the House ways and means committee. She would like to see some of the already spent costs at the EDA and city level to be reimbursed. Guetzkow is also in favor of grant programs. She also suggested extending the commercial utility bill credit and the Chamber Checks program. Everson would like to see the city explore the technology program to assist Watertown businesses with operating with new technology during the pandemic. She asked Jarvis if the businesses are experiencing a need for revenue or reimbursement. Jarvis said the needs vary from business to business but ultimately more resources are needed. Walters is in favor of getting relief to all the Watertown businesses in need. Pawelk noted the urgency for a resolution to be passed to show legislatures that the funds are needed. Washburn clarified with Nash that a resolution would need to be passed prior to June 30. Nash said yes. Washburn said a special meeting would need to be called. Nash does not want to see the funds get passed along to the state or somewhere other than Carver County. Council discussed scheduling a special session in the next week. 3. Adjournment Mayor Washburn adjourned the workshop at 6:28 p.m. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388