City Council Worksession

Watertown City Council T Work Session Mayor Michael Walters Deborah Everson Jim Kasheimer F Fred McGuire Kay Thul A 1/28/2025 - Minutes 1. Call To Order And Roll Call R Mayor Mike Walters called the Watertown City Council Work Session to order at 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Councilmembers present: Mike Walters, Kay Thul, Jim Kasheimer, Fred McGuire and Deborah Everson Councilmembers absent: None D City Staff present: City Administrator Dan Tolsma and Administrative Services Director Michael Sommerfeld 2. New Business 2.I. Downtown Parking Discussion Dan Tolsma, City Administrator starting the meeting talking about downtown parking and discussions. Mayor Walters provided a background on the parking deficiencies, and there have been lots of studies done. Councilmember Deb Everson mentioned allowing the community to discuss it. I'm open to discussing it at a council meeting, inviting the community's input, along with the other businesses. Kyle Jarvis, Watertown Chamber of Commerce President provided a couple thoughts on the issue of the 100 and 200 block saying that the city had restricted parking signs on the 100 block and 200 block until about 10 years ago when they were removed, as they were in disrepair, hit by cars or rusted and looked horrible. Kyle continued that they will need to have a public hearing and reach out to those business owners. Mayor Walters suggested to reopen the parking discussion at the next meeting. We can get some feedback from the businesses, and we can vote on direction on whether we have these signs. 2.II. Overview Of City Commissions And Current Vacancies  Mayor Walters suggested to reopen the parking discussion at the next meeting. We can get some feedback from the businesses, and we can vote on direction on whether we have these signs. 2.II. Overview Of City Commissions And Current Vacancies Dan pointed out the vacancies that we have open on commissions. Dan also noticed for instance, the planning commission, in our code it states that we will have one appointed Watertown Township board member, they would be a non-voting liaison. Councilmember Thul stated that there are 9 vacancies, asking if we have advertised these vacancies, and could we put on our website and newsletter. T 2.III. Community Grant Program Discussion Michael Sommerfeld requested feedback for sending out letters for grants available. Dan added that staff will get some draft parameters in place, that have some guidelines for how the council wants to prioritize who gets the grants and what amounts and bring to the next workshop. 3. Adjournment F Mayor Walters adjourned the work session at 6:30 p.m. A 309 Lewis Avenue South; P.O. Box 279, Watertown, MN 55388 _________________________________________________ R Michael Walters, Mayor ATTEST:__________________________________________ Dan Tolsma, City Administrator D