City Council Worksession

Watertown City Council Work Session Mayor Michael Walters Kay Thul Adam Pawelk Fred McGuire Dan Schuette 1/10/2023 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call Mayor Walters called the Watertown City Council work session to order at 5:30 p.m. on January 10, 2023, in the council chambers of City Hall. Council Members Present: Michael Walters, Adam Pawelk, Kay Thul and Fred McGuire. Council Members Absent: Dan Schuette. Staff Present: City Administrator Jake Foster, Administrative Services Director Maggie Reisdorf, City Engineer Andrew Budde, and Public Services Superintendent, Mike Dressel. Others Present: None. 2. New Business 2.I. 2I - Council Assignments And Organizational Resolution Discussion City Administrator Jake Foster introduced this item to the City Council. He informed that on an annual basis, the City Council reviews, recommends and approves an organizational resolution that establishes various city appointments for the year. He stated that this includes appointing the official local newspaper, consultants, staff appointees, and City Council liaisons. The City Council reviewed the staff recommended appointments for the newspaper and consultants. The City Council discussed and made recommendations for several council liaison assignments. 2.II. 2II - 2023 Mill And Overlay Discussion City Engineer, Andrew Budde, introduced this item to the City Council for review and discussion. He explained that in July of 2022, that the City Council approved staff to prepare plans for the 2023 Mill and Overlay project based on information that was provided in the City’s 2022 CIP. He stated that project planned to include Arnica Drive, the Arnica Drive trail reconstruction, Wildflower court repaving, two downtown parking lots, the north parking lot of the fire station and the parking lots of the water treatment plant. He added that it would also include utility adjustments for The Landings and Reo Road. Budde said that in the fall of 2022, staff determined that the project scope would come in over budget and so proposals were made to push parts of the project to 2024. explained that in July of 2022, that the City Council approved staff to prepare plans for the 2023 Mill and Overlay project based on information that was provided in the City’s 2022 CIP. He stated that project planned to include Arnica Drive, the Arnica Drive trail reconstruction, Wildflower court repaving, two downtown parking lots, the north parking lot of the fire station and the parking lots of the water treatment plant. He added that it would also include utility adjustments for The Landings and Reo Road. Budde said that in the fall of 2022, staff determined that the project scope would come in over budget and so proposals were made to push parts of the project to 2024. He stated that staff continued to review the project and financing options with the financial advisor; Northland Public Finance. Budde explained that upon deeper financial review, it was determined that the city could look into two potential project scenarios and financing options. He explained the two scenarios as: Scenario A: Bond for the 2023 M&O project in 2023 and the 2024 M&O project in 2024. The bonding process cost would be about $55,000 each year. Scenario B: Bond for both the 2023 and 2024 M&O projects in 2023 to potentially save at least $55,000 for one of the bonding issuance costs. Do both projects in 2023. Budde reviewed some pros and cons of both scenarios for the City Council to consider. He asked the City Council for guidance and direction on which way staff should proceed forward with for planning purposes. McGuire asked Budde to explain the Mill and Overlay process. Budde stated that the process includes grinding the top two inches of the pavement surface and replacing it with new asphalt. McGuire asked if the top layer gets recycled. Budde stated that the top layer typically goes back to the contractor site to get recycled with other future projects. He mentioned that for this project the millings will likely be used at some of the public works locations to build up drive and parking areas. McGuire stated that he liked the idea of combining the projects into one year in 2023. Walters agreed. The City Council directed staff to move forward with planning for a project that combines the 2023 and 2024 projects to be done in the year 2023. 2. III. (Added) Ice Rink Flooding City Administrator Jake Foster added this item to the agenda and asked to provide an update to the City Council on city ice rink flooding. Foster explained why the rinks had no been flooded yet this winter season citing either warm weather or large snow fall events that have “tied up” staff’s time. Public Works Superintendent, Mike Dressel, explained that the earliest staff could attempt to establish ice on the rinks would be the week of January 29, 2023. Dressel explained that it is typically early February when the rinks start to close. Dressel recommended to the City Council that because of the weather not flooding the rinks this winter season. He explained that he has been a very difficult decision and recommendation to make, but that it comes after weighing the costs and benefits. Foster added that even if the rinks were able to be flooded, they would be available to skate on (if the ice sticks) for less than two weeks. Foster asked the City Council for direction on how staff should proceed forward. McGuire asked when rinks are usually opened. Dressel stated that the goal is usually the first week of January every year. He said that the week that staff was going to start establishing the base ice layer for the ice rinks was the week that there was extreme weather and heavy snowfall. He explained that staff time was diverted to and almost complete focused on snow removal.  Dressel stated that the goal is usually the first week of January every year. He said that the week that staff was going to start establishing the base ice layer for the ice rinks was the week that there was extreme weather and heavy snowfall. He explained that staff time was diverted to and almost complete focused on snow removal. Pawelk expressed disappointment, but understood that the weather hasn’t been ideal or cooperative. He stated that he was concerned about how residents would react and be disappointed. Thul stated that she was surprised that the rinks don’t get flooded before Christmas because it seemed like it would get used a lot during that time. She also stated that she understood that the weather needs to cooperate in order to make ice. Dressel stated that the rinks are a priority for the department, but that this year the weather has not cooperated. McGuire said that it was unfortunate, but that he understood and appreciated staff for trying. Dressel explained that other cities are struggling as well to get ice established and rinks up and available for use. Pawelk recommended that staff draft a message to the public and post it on social media explaining the situation and listing other locations where ice is available for use. 3. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 6:27 pm. 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 __________________________________________________________ Michael Walters, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________ Margaret Reisdorf, Admin. Services Director