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Call to order for a Watertown City
Council meeting for August 17th of 2026.

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Please rise while our good friend and
Watertown Fire Rescue Chaplain Hank

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Rosso leads us in prayer.

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» Thank you.
Our heavenly Father, as we come to you

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this evening, we say thank you first of
all for your many blessings. We take so

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much for granted.
Our good health, our families, um a

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loving
uh environment here where people are

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safe and they can say hi to one another
and you don't have to worry about

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getting mugged or your car carjacked.
And we overlook those things and there's

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other parts of this country that aren't
so pleasant. And so we say thank you.

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Thank you for law enforcement,
firefighters, paramedics to keep us safe

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at night, watch over us in the darkest
of times. Thank you, Lord, for the city

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services we enjoy as well.
Things we take for granted. And um we're

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so blessed tonight. I thank you for the
common bond that we share, the love of

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community. It's a pretty rich here as
well. God, we ask for collaboration and

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and uh dying to ourself and good wisdom
and insight in decisions and the work to

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be done here tonight. And we say thank
you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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» Amen.
Okay, before we go straight into the

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pledge,
I'm just going to do a moment of silence

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for Dan Miller.
Dan was a

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If you don't know who Dan is, you
probably haven't lived in Watertown in a

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long time, but uh a guy who really made
an impact upon Watertown

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and the community. So, just a brief
moment of silence.

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All right, thank you.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands, one nation

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.

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» [clears throat]

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» Finance Officer Bob Zein, please call
the roll.

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» Okay. Lawyer?
Absent. Pauline?

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» Here.
>> Mormon?

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» Here.
>> Jurgens?

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» Here.
>> Peters?

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» Here.
>> Shutty?

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» Here.
>> Allen?

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» Here.
>> Thank you.

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» Quorum is established. I'll ask if
anyone has a conflict of interest

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tonight.

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Hearing none, can I get a motion to
approve tonight's agenda?

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» Second.
>> Motion made by Councilman Shutty,

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seconded by Councilman Peters.
All those in favor of approving the

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agenda, please say aye.
>> Aye.

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» Aye.
>> Any opposed say nay.

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Motion carries.
We're on to open forum. If there is

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anyone who would like to address the
council, now is your time to do so.

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Just please identify who you are and
that's about it.

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Uh is the light on?

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Shh, maybe press the button to say your
name. There we go. There we go.

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» So, thank you, Mr. Mayor. My name is
James Simmons. Thank you, distinguished

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council members.
I had a few issues I wanted to bring up,

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but I'll limit it to just one for the
sake of time. I think the one that might

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have a time-sensitive nature to it. I'm
not 100% sure.

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The issue regarding is is regarding
a system that's used by the Watertown PD

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known as automatic license plate readers
or ALPR for short.

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This is For some reason this has been a
hot topic on social media for the last

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couple months. I don't know why. It's
been near and dear to me for quite a

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while now.
And I don't mean to pick on you, Chief

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Toohey. I got nothing but respect for
you. Chief Toohey was was

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very generous with his time, sat down
with me, and answered a bunch of

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ridiculous questions that I had for him.
So, I appreciate you for that. So, this

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is timely because
these systems have been in the news here

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in South Dakota for the last
over this past week. There was two

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different things that came out. One from
the state attorney general,

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Attorney General Jackley, who said that
he made a public statement acknowledging

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that these systems are
susceptible to abuse and misuse. And so,

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he's going to be implementing statewide
policy to try to curb that.

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You know, that sounds
That sounds good and all for the people

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who pay attention on social media, but I
think it's personally too little, too

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late. Um
Any statewide policy or even any

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department level policy is only going to
limit how these gentlemen here utilize

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the system. And to be completely
transparent, I don't think we have an

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issue with
with the officers here in Watertown PD

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or with the
deputies at the county sheriff's office.

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I think we have pretty good officers. I
think they're not misusing the system.

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My concern primarily resides with what
happens to the data that these cameras

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collect
once it goes off to the third-party

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company that
houses that data. You know, we use Axon

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cameras here in Watertown, which I'm
sure everybody here is aware of that.

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Axon is headquartered in Um, Scottsdale,
Arizona.

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So, all the data captured by these
cameras goes to Scottsdale. They have

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it. They have possession of it. They can
do whatever they want with it. They can

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analyze it any way they want. They can
share it with whoever they want, and

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there's nothing we can do to prevent
that.

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And so, that's really the primary
concern that I have. There's no

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state-level policy that can restrict
that. And so, I think the state the

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state's attorney's um
policy is perhaps, like I said, too

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little, too late.
Another um

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public uh announcement that came out
this week was that the South Dakota

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DCI, which is the Department of uh
Criminal Investigations,

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um they made it publicly aware that they
are rolling out a statewide

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ALPR program.
Um, and this only came to my attention

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because the mayor of Aberdeen posted to
his personal Facebook page uh that

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Aberdeen was approached by the state DCI
to have the city uh participate in the

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statewide program. So, the mayor of
Aberdeen posted to his personal Facebook

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page and said, "Hey, Aberdeen, let me
know what you think." And boy, did he

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get some some feedback. Uh I can tell
you the comments were about 20 to 1 in

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opposition of the uh of the program. And
so, he said, "Hey, you know what?

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Message loud and clear. We will not
participate in the program." So, hey,

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way to go, Aberdeen. Good for y'all.
Uh but here we are in Watertown. We

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already have the Axon ALPRs here in the
system here. So,

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um
I suppose what I would like to see is or

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I'd like to understand at least if
we are being approached by the state to

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participate in the statewide program. I
assume it's naturally

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that we are being approached to uh
participate in that program.

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I would ask, what does that program
consist of? You know, the state's

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spending like 300 grand to buy new
equipment. Does that mean we're going to

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have more cameras here in Watertown? If
we are participating, maybe we're not, I

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don't know. But, uh
if we do participate, well then

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who does that open the door to gain
access to this information? Uh what are

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they going to do with the system? What
the what the uh what the data collected?

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So, again,
the biggest concern is what happens to

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the data, who has access to it once it
leaves Codington County. And if we

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participate in this program, all that
data automatically leaves Codington

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County. So, what's happening to it?
That's the big concern that I have. So,

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are we participating in that statewide
program?

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Who has access to that data? Does that
involve any additional technology, more

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cameras in our community? Like, what are
those answers? So, and then I would like

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to wrap up with maybe a request, if I
could.

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There's a So, there's a meeting in
Brookings tonight

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talking about this exact topic. Um,
Brookings has Flock cameras.

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Codington County Sheriff has Flock
cameras. Sioux Falls has Flock cameras.

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Sioux Falls is having a meeting on this
topic Friday night. Um, I would ask that

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we in Watertown also host some kind of
public forum to discuss it. I'd like to

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invite, you know, the chief and the
sheriff and maybe the mayor, city

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uh city manager, maybe the Codington
County um commissioners. Let's all get

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together in a room, invite the public,
and let's just have an open civil

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conversation about it, and let's see
where the public sits and you know,

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where the
the people who oppose and and object to

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and the people who advocate for the
system, let's see where we all sit and

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if it's right for the community or not.
And I'd be happy to facilitate and

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coordinate that type of a forum in any
way I can. So, that's all. Thanks for

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your time.

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» Thank you very much, Mr. Simmons. Is
there anyone else who would like to

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address the council?

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I will close open forum.

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And we'll go to item 11A, which is a
first reading of an ordinance amending

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chapter 7, Bicycles and Other Personal
Conveyances, of title 19, Traffic, of

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the Revised Ordinances of the City of
Watertown.

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We are going to our Assistant Chief,
Ryan Remmers.

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» Thank you, Mr. Mayor and members of the
council. Um, as you recall, 2 weeks ago

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I was here and we did a different first
reading um for this same topic, but the

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language has been slightly changed after
hearing some feedback from members of

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the council and in conversing with city
manager Stager um

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so what you have in front of you today I
believe is a

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second first reading.
Another first reading just to keep it

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less confusing. Um, what I'd like to do
is just highlight some of the changes

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that were made in an effort to make it
more palatable for the council and the

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community.
Um, in that first version we used the

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kind of some canned language in the
existing ordinances that defined

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business district and just for further
clarification that business district in

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the existing language is includes 1st
Avenue North, 1st Avenue South East as

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far as 2nd Street and then West as far
as 1st Street West.

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Um, the feedback that we got was that we
don't necessarily have a known problem

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with wheeled vehicles on 1st Avenue
South, 1st Avenue North.

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Um, so um, what we did is we changed the
language a little bit here to go away

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from that business district language and
just include where signs or other

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notices
say that you cannot ride them.

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Um, so that gives us the flexibility to
change

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uh, without having to change the
ordinance. Um, that may sound scary to

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some
but it's not a situation where we just

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go up and put up a sign and make a
change. What we would be proposing to do

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is to run those locations through our
city's traffic safety committee. And for

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those of you who may not be aware of
what that is is it's a a group that

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meets quarterly.
Uh, we take feedback from the community

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throughout each quarter and then create
an agenda based on the comments that we

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receive from the public, concerns about
speed limits here, turning lanes added

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there, stop signs, yield signs.
And uh they get put on an agenda and

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then it's the the the committee is made
up of city manager Stager, uh the police

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department, the street division, the
city engineer's office.

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And uh we all get together collectively
and and uh look at those individual

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items. This would potentially be one of
those items that we would look at in

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that group to try to decide where
exactly we would want to prohibit

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wheeled vehicles. And I can tell you at
first glance without meeting with that

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committee, but the feedback that we've
heard is that we're primarily concerned

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with the most densely pedestrian heavy
areas and that would be from the again,

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this is just initial thoughts from
Unkefer Avenue, from Foundation Plaza

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over to Broadway.
So, we're essentially um this would be

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making a change instead of having the
entire downtown business business

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district to just potentially changing it
to something as small as that.

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Um
that's really all that I have unless you

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have any other questions about some of
the changes that were made from the last

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time 2 weeks ago.
>> Well, we will ask you to stand by for

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any questions, but Council, this is a
second first reading as the assistant

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chief said, but uh we encourage
questions. Does anyone have any?

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Councilman Shetty?
Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, assistant

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chief. So, if you could repeat which
section you're considering, of course,

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this if this were to pass,
you would you would we wait until it

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goes to the committee to really properly
vet this? Is that would be the proper

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protocol to do this?
>> That would make the most logical sense

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to me. That committee just met 2 weeks
ago and it meets every quarter, but it

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wouldn't take much effort for us to have
an impromptu meeting of that committee.

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Nothing that binds us to the once every
quarter

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thing. So, if we wanted to or if if you
guys wanted us to, we could move faster

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on it than
uh I'm sure there's going to be a a

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little waiting period before the
ordinance goes into effect, but that

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would give us enough time to to meet and
sit down and look at it logically. Where

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do we want to do this?
>> And the reason I ask follow up is, you

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know, it's we get feedback from the
community. As a council, we get feedback

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on certain topics. But there's always
wisdom in

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breathing for a moment and thinking it
through and and having the committee

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work through it and not just a knee-jerk
reaction. So

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I really appreciate the direction we're
going on this wording so we can maybe

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just have it fit certain areas. So I
would recommend you that we just have

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the committee get together whenever the
time is right to

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to do this.
However, if we if it passes, um my other

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question I guess would be then what was
the You had mentioned

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What sections were you at least was on
the radar, I guess, for this

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potentially?
>> Sections of the ordinance proposed or

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the geographical locations of the
>> locations for the walk your bike

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scenario.
>> Right. What we've heard um feedback from

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a couple of council members and we think
that makes logical sense as a starting

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point would be
everything just on Camp Avenue

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in a restricted area of Camp Avenue from
Foundation Plaza, so we'll call that I

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00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:42,880
think that's Third Street that T
intersection there at Foundation Plaza.

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00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:48,080
Over to the west would be Broadway.
>> So in front of the uh Foundation Plaza

215
00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:51,920
is considered as walking your bike in
front of the plaza or would it be

216
00:14:50,120 --> 00:14:55,480
» Those would be the restricted zone, but
there again that would be something that

217
00:14:53,120 --> 00:14:58,640
we would have to take feedback from you
and from the community, put it in front

218
00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:03,760
of that
uh that traffic safety committee and see

219
00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:05,600
what the various entities want for that
restriction.

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00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:08,720
» Which geographical area?
>> The reason I bring that up is, you know,

221
00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:13,000
we we put that park downtown and it's
going to draw, you know, bicyclists and

222
00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:16,120
stuff like that downtown.
I believe, and maybe I'm wrong, is the

223
00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:19,160
issue more in front of certain
businesses with pedestrians and

224
00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:23,160
businesses and coming in and out of the
businesses or alleys. So So, would tell

225
00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:27,360
me that maybe the park road doesn't have
to be walked because it's not really

226
00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:31,400
that's not the issue. But, that's just
one man one guy thinking it out with

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00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:35,360
with direction. So, that's why I think
with with feedback you get, you know,

228
00:15:32,840 --> 00:15:37,720
having our committee work on it and I
look forward to what we what we come up

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00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:39,720
with. So,
>> Yeah.

230
00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:43,560
» One of the other advantages we thought
of with that area is that there for all

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00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:47,560
we know there might be a another
location a year from now. Just

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00:15:45,840 --> 00:15:52,280
completely speaking in hypothetical
here, but you may have the Lake Lake

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00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:57,920
Erie Tech might that they want to make
the sidewalks around their campus. So,

234
00:15:54,680 --> 00:16:02,640
this would be handled via that committee
signage, but we wouldn't necessarily

235
00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:05,360
have to change any ordinance this way.
And and Lake Erie Tech has not

236
00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:08,840
approached us. I'm just speaking
hypothetically.

237
00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:14,080
» Councilman Peters.
>> Just a maybe a couple quick questions to

238
00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:18,360
piggyback off what Dan said. So,
what about like

239
00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:21,840
residential areas? And what is this
committee gets together quarterly? What

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00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:25,600
what are they looking for? Is it vehicle
counts? Is it, you know, population

241
00:16:24,360 --> 00:16:29,920
density? Like what are the
qualifications to say

242
00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:34,200
this is a highly trafficked area? What
what is that defined by?

243
00:16:31,839 --> 00:16:40,160
» We haven't addressed that yet. Typically
at at present the issues that are taken

244
00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:42,760
upon by this committee are generally I
wouldn't necessarily call them

245
00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:46,839
complaints, but maybe concerns of
citizens where they say, I would like a

246
00:16:44,960 --> 00:16:50,680
stop sign at this intersection or I
would like the speed limit reduced from

247
00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:54,960
35 to 25.
So, instead of knee-jerk reacting at

248
00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:59,480
those, what we do is we bring those in
front of this committee and it's again

249
00:16:56,600 --> 00:17:04,319
made up of the engineers office, police
input, streets,

250
00:17:01,839 --> 00:17:08,199
city manager, and we sit down and we we
each have our different hats on and why

251
00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:13,880
why this makes logical sense to make
this change or to leave it as is.

252
00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:17,959
So, it's typically parking issues and
stop signs and speed limits and turning

253
00:17:16,280 --> 00:17:22,040
lanes need to be added here. Can we
reconfigure a stoplight to cycle in a

254
00:17:20,319 --> 00:17:24,760
different format?
>> Got it. Okay, that's helpful. And then

255
00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:28,439
where I was going with that is if we
have one side of the community that

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00:17:26,560 --> 00:17:34,360
says, "Hey, we don't want these things
here." And they pass the sniff test of

257
00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:37,360
vehicle counts or whatever. And
you know, 300 ft over, this

258
00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:40,400
neighborhood's like, "Well, yeah, we're
okay with it." And we're now we're

259
00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:44,200
checkerboarding all these areas of where
we can or can't have bikes. And And how

260
00:17:42,720 --> 00:17:47,720
do we monitor or how do we manage that
appropriately? So, thank you for that.

261
00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:51,320
» Yeah.
>> Councilman Allen or City Manager Steger,

262
00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:56,440
did you have something to
>> I I did. I was just going to point out

263
00:17:53,920 --> 00:18:00,800
that one of the benefits of utilizing
the committee is we are looking at the

264
00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:05,000
traffic system for the community as a
whole. And the traffic system wouldn't

265
00:18:03,280 --> 00:18:10,560
flow appropriately if we had the
checkerboard you know, neighborhood A

266
00:18:08,120 --> 00:18:15,680
versus neighborhood B. And so, we do
take changes very seriously.

267
00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:20,200
And and even reversing changes, we
consider very carefully because you

268
00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:25,960
don't want people to have the muscle
memory of where a stop sign is and to

269
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:30,800
flip and flop on that stop sign uh
meeting to meeting. So, I I wouldn't

270
00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:37,440
anticipate ever having a checkerboard
type of of system in place here.

271
00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:44,440
» Thank you, Councilman Allen.
>> Thank you, Assistant Chief. Um

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00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:47,280
Can you talk a little bit about the
uh

273
00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:51,560
We have a relatively long list of
personal conveyances.

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00:18:49,560 --> 00:18:56,160
And what was your thinking about that?
Cuz it's I mean, skateboards and a lot

275
00:18:54,040 --> 00:19:00,800
of things that I don't think probably
are really

276
00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:06,560
as much of an issue as electric
scooters, electric bikes. So.

277
00:19:03,480 --> 00:19:10,840
» Right. So, the list that is in the
current proposed ordinance is

278
00:19:08,760 --> 00:19:15,160
essentially the same list that's been
there for quite some time. Um so it

279
00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:20,000
would have been council members long
before you guys were here that would

280
00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:23,920
have created that that list. Now we did
propose changing there's some just some

281
00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:27,240
like um
we're using inline skates instead of

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00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:32,880
rollerblades cuz rollerblades is a
brand. Um I guess I would equate it to

283
00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:37,080
like Kleenex or or Pop-Tarts. Um it it
just makes sense to using the generic

284
00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:40,640
term as opposed to a
um

285
00:19:38,000 --> 00:19:44,960
a specific brand. Other than that, I
think it's basically largely unchanged

286
00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:47,200
as far as what the
the list is.

287
00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:54,360
Um
>> Cuz I guess carts, I don't know exactly

288
00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:57,840
what a cart is or or a toy vehicle, what
>> I'm I'm assuming what a toy vehicle

289
00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:59,840
would be is like those little tiny
police cars that little boys and girls

290
00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:02,680
ride
>> controlled stuff.

291
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:05,400
» maybe maybe it's that, but I don't I
don't think it'd be a radio controlled

292
00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:09,120
thing because it's not going to be
you're not riding in that. I'm assuming

293
00:20:06,920 --> 00:20:12,480
we're talking about like little kids toy
vehicle. I think somebody mentioned it

294
00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:17,280
on the council last week like a or a
couple weeks ago like a little battery

295
00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:20,520
powered toy cart or toy car that
somebody rides on.

296
00:20:17,840 --> 00:20:24,480
» seen those little
convertibles or tractors or whatever

297
00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:27,240
kids riding on that are electric.
>> I've never written a ticket for that so

298
00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:29,760
I
I spent a long time and haven't run

299
00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,720
across that.
>> Yeah.

300
00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:33,240
» They They existed sometime in the
ordinance so

301
00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:38,720
» Yeah.
I mean I I don't have a particular issue

302
00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:42,000
with the number of personal conveyances,
but it it uh

303
00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:46,800
um
I guess I'm just interested in being as

304
00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:50,880
simplistic as possible and and my bias
is that I think if people just used a

305
00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:54,000
little common sense,
um

306
00:20:51,840 --> 00:20:58,200
probably we'd be better off than we are
right now cuz I'm sure you don't want to

307
00:20:55,640 --> 00:21:03,200
be writing a lot of tickets
uh for you know

308
00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:06,480
somebody not walking their skateboard or
whatever, but I

309
00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,880
Yeah.
>> I know that it's it's our goal at the

310
00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:12,440
police department this would be a
voluntary compliance thing more than it

311
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:16,680
would be a I mean we don't want to be
writing tickets to people for riding

312
00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:22,680
their bicycle or their scooter. We we
feel that if you were to prominently

313
00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:26,680
display signage and the other passersby
on the road would maybe give somebody a

314
00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:30,560
sideways look if they're and and before
long they would hop off and just comply

315
00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:34,120
with that out of respect for everybody
around them.

316
00:21:31,360 --> 00:21:38,560
» Yeah. I would hope so. Thank you.
Thank you. Any other comments?

317
00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:41,680
I would just like to thank the everyone
at the police department who has been

318
00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:46,680
working on this, members of the
community, members of our staff.

319
00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:51,240
I think we're getting very close to a
good solution and I'd like to say that

320
00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:56,160
from what I've heard from at least a
couple business owners downtown is that

321
00:21:54,600 --> 00:22:00,680
the conversation that we have been
having over the last couple weeks has in

322
00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:04,440
and of itself made a difference in
raising awareness

323
00:22:02,440 --> 00:22:08,560
and that is a good thing.
Um

324
00:22:05,160 --> 00:22:13,480
I also like the flexibility that this
proposed ordinance has. The one concern

325
00:22:12,120 --> 00:22:17,920
that I had with the old one was it
seemed like so broad with the entire

326
00:22:15,520 --> 00:22:21,600
downtown district, but this seems to me
much more appropriate. You're using a

327
00:22:19,600 --> 00:22:26,200
scalpel to cut out the problem area
instead of a broadsword.

328
00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:30,120
And I approve of that and it also gives
you flexibility

329
00:22:27,800 --> 00:22:35,280
because let's say if um
the awareness raises to the point where

330
00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:42,040
it's no longer an issue then
the police department can amend the area

331
00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:46,160
potentially taking it down or up and
I think that's probably a really good

332
00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:49,800
thing. So, thank you for the work that
has been done on this and we'll see it

333
00:22:48,520 --> 00:22:53,880
back
in a couple weeks.

334
00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:57,800
Thank you.
Item 12A is an annexation and zoning of

335
00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:01,720
property to be known as Martin's
addition

336
00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:05,960
and we have two separate motions under
there. One is the approval of a

337
00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:09,040
resolution initiating annexation of
attractive land contiguous to the city

338
00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:13,280
of Watertown.
And item two under there is a second

339
00:23:10,800 --> 00:23:18,040
reading of an ordinance 26-29
establishing the zoning designation of

340
00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:23,320
R1 single-family residential district. I
will allow

341
00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:27,320
conversation and questions on both, but
I think that we need to take two

342
00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:31,120
separate actions when the time comes.
We'll go to our community development

343
00:23:29,120 --> 00:23:36,640
manager, Brandy Hanten.
>> Thank you, Mayor. So, this is the second

344
00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:42,800
reading for the annexation and zoning of
a piece of property that abuts

345
00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:50,280
already annexed and already annexed lot
and development to the north. This

346
00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:56,840
property encompasses 13,557
uh square feet, and it will connect to

347
00:23:54,960 --> 00:24:03,160
as you can see on the map that's pulled
up, that blue hatched area is the

348
00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:08,360
lot being proposed for annexation and
zoning as R1 single-family residential

349
00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:14,520
district, and then it will be added on
to the lot directly to the north that is

350
00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:19,080
already annexed and zoned as it's under
one ownership. So, with that, I'll stand

351
00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:23,320
by for questions.
>> Thank you. I will open a public hearing

352
00:24:21,200 --> 00:24:27,080
on this item.
Is there anyone who would like to

353
00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:27,080
testify?

354
00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:36,960
I'll close the public hearing. Council,
can I get a motion to approve item 12

355
00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:36,960
A1, which is the resolution?

356
00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:43,240
Motion made by Councilman Shutty,
seconded by Councilman Peters. And

357
00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:47,960
again, Council, you can talk on both one
and two, but we will be voting on one

358
00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:52,440
first. Council, anything?
Councilman Mormon.

359
00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:56,760
» Uh just a quick question. Um
community development manager Hanten,

360
00:24:54,440 --> 00:25:00,720
for the benefit of the public and for
I've had a few people ask me this

361
00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:04,360
question.
How

362
00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:08,080
how they're allowed to annex a small
portion like that when typically in

363
00:25:06,360 --> 00:25:12,760
Cottonwood County you have to have 35
acres.

364
00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:17,920
» Yes, so that is actually why they're
annexing and zoning because

365
00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:21,040
they did try to get a building permit in
the county to build the accessory

366
00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:24,640
structure.
And they were unable to because of that

367
00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:30,240
35-acre
requirement. So that is why they have to

368
00:25:28,120 --> 00:25:35,920
look at annexing and zoning it because
the city for an R1 lot we only require

369
00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:41,360
9,000 square feet minimum.
So that's why they're going this route.

370
00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:41,360
» Okay, thank you.

371
00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:45,160
Any other questions? Councilman Allen.

372
00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:51,080
» So
uh

373
00:25:48,600 --> 00:25:56,120
essentially we're annexing because it's
the only option for them because they

374
00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:59,280
tried to work through the county but the
county's

375
00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:05,680
uh
regulations are such that they're not

376
00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:10,720
there's no flexibility for them.
Did they did they try and the county

377
00:26:08,080 --> 00:26:16,960
commissioners said no, we're not doing
that or how did that work?

378
00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:20,520
» There there is the attachment that has
the

379
00:26:18,120 --> 00:26:24,800
um the minutes or the background to the
county's

380
00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:27,000
uh action on this on this property.
Um

381
00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:32,120
but
it's actually beneficial when property

382
00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:36,640
that's directly abutting city limits
is annexed and zoned and regulated than

383
00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:41,840
just within the city. And that's
something that the joint jurisdiction

384
00:26:38,680 --> 00:26:47,880
ordinance also protects. So
we would rather see that.

385
00:26:44,400 --> 00:26:47,880
» I'll review that. Thank you.

386
00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:56,400
Any other questions or comments?
Council, the motion in front of us is to

387
00:26:53,960 --> 00:27:01,080
approve the resolution initiating the
annexation of the land. All those in

388
00:26:58,680 --> 00:27:05,120
favor will say I, oppose nay. Finance
Officer Bobzien, please call the roll.

389
00:27:03,320 --> 00:27:06,440
» Okay. Pauline?
>> I.

390
00:27:05,680 --> 00:27:09,520
» Mormon?
>> I.

391
00:27:07,000 --> 00:27:09,520
» Jurgens?

392
00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:11,520
» I.
>> Peters?

393
00:27:11,080 --> 00:27:12,480
» I.
>> Schutty?

394
00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:15,040
» I.
>> Allen?

395
00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:19,120
» I.
>> Motion carries.

396
00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:24,480
Item Can I Council, can I get a motion
on 12 A 2, which is the

397
00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:27,800
ordinance establishing the zoning
designation of R1.

398
00:27:27,920 --> 00:27:32,320
Councilman
Motion made by Councilman Mormon, second

399
00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:36,200
by Councilman Peters.
Council, any discussion?

400
00:27:37,360 --> 00:27:43,800
Hearing none, we'll go to a voice vote.
All those in favor of approving the

401
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:47,040
ordinance,
please say I.

402
00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:50,880
» I.
>> I.

403
00:27:47,920 --> 00:27:55,600
» Any opposed say nay. Motion carries.
Item 12 B is an application for a

404
00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:59,440
transfer of ownership of a retail malt
beverage and South Dakota farm wine

405
00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:06,040
license and video lottery license from
727 Incorporated, Freedom Watertown, 225

406
00:28:02,880 --> 00:28:10,320
West Kemp West Kemp Avenue to K&L
Investment Group Incorporated, Freedom

407
00:28:07,800 --> 00:28:13,640
Watertown at the same location.
Finance Officer Bobzien.

408
00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:17,240
» Okay, thank you, Mayor. Yes, in front of
the council, this will just be a

409
00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:21,320
transfer of ownership. So, the location
stays the same. Everything else is is

410
00:28:19,680 --> 00:28:25,080
exactly the same. All fees have been
paid. Notices published. Everything's in

411
00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:27,920
line. If you have questions, I can
answer them. Thank you.

412
00:28:26,600 --> 00:28:33,080
» Thank you.
I will open a public hearing. Would

413
00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:33,080
anyone like to testify on this item?

414
00:28:33,640 --> 00:28:39,800
I'll close the public hearing. Council,
can I get a motion to approve the

415
00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:39,800
transfer?

416
00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:45,800
Motion made by Councilman Mormon, second
by Councilman Peters. Any discussion,

417
00:28:43,360 --> 00:28:45,800
Council?

418
00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:51,240
Hearing none, the motion is to approve
the transfer of ownership. All those in

419
00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:53,640
favor, please say aye.
>> Aye.

420
00:28:54,120 --> 00:29:00,200
» Any opposed say nay.
Motion carries.

421
00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:07,160
Item 12C is an approval of a 25-year
lease renewable for one additional

422
00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:12,280
10-year term with Dynaware LLC on
5,625 square feet of city-owned real

423
00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:17,680
property located at the Watertown
Regional Airport on which on which the

424
00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:23,160
lessee's [snorts] privately owned 75-ft
by 75-ft hangar will be situated in the

425
00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:29,680
amount of $1,125
per year with a 2% annual increase.

426
00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:32,640
Airport Director Ian Merryweather is
with us tonight to tell us more.

427
00:29:31,360 --> 00:29:36,800
» Thank you, Mayor. [clears throat]
Uh Councilman,

428
00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:43,120
um as the Mayor stated, this is 75-ft by
75-ft hangar, um and I do want to note

429
00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:48,640
that it is the land upon which the
structure is um so you can purchase it,

430
00:29:47,200 --> 00:29:52,560
and that's what happened in this case.
It was taken over by a different entity,

431
00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:57,120
and as such, um they are assessed
property taxes. So, this is simply for

432
00:29:54,920 --> 00:30:00,640
the land, not the structure itself.
Um and with that, I'll stand by for any

433
00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:06,200
questions.
>> Thank you. I will open a public hearing.

434
00:30:02,880 --> 00:30:06,200
Would anyone like to testify?

435
00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:14,680
I'll close the public hearing. Council,
can I get a motion to approve the lease?

436
00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:20,680
Motion made by Councilman Shutty.
Seconded by Councilman Mormon. Council,

437
00:30:17,800 --> 00:30:20,680
any discussion?

438
00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:26,920
All right. Hearing none, all those in
favor of approving the lease, please say

439
00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:29,520
aye.
>> Aye.

440
00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:35,640
» Any
Any opposed say nay. Motion carries.

441
00:30:33,240 --> 00:30:39,440
13A is an approval of insurance policies
and authorization for payment for

442
00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:42,880
premiums for general liability, auto
liability, and physical damage, law

443
00:30:41,120 --> 00:30:46,720
enforcement liability, buildings and
contents, equipment property damage and

444
00:30:45,240 --> 00:30:51,280
equipment breakdown, boiler and
machinery coverage, and authorization

445
00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:54,840
for the chief financial officer to issue
a special check. We will go to said

446
00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:58,800
chief financial officer
to tell us more.

447
00:30:56,240 --> 00:31:02,240
» Thank you, Mayor. That was a a long
motion there. Um

448
00:31:00,440 --> 00:31:07,880
Nick is going to pull up I have just a
very short PowerPoint. So, um it's that

449
00:31:05,960 --> 00:31:12,400
time of year, annual renewal for our
liability insurance.

450
00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:15,680
Um I wanted to just go over a few things
cuz we had some conversations last year

451
00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:20,960
about this.
Of the 18 first-class municipalities,

452
00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:24,120
only one of those is not um currently
part of the pool.

453
00:31:22,440 --> 00:31:27,760
Um I've listed all the ones that are
currently part of South Dakota Public

454
00:31:25,720 --> 00:31:32,480
Assurance Alliance. We have been a
member since 1991.

455
00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:38,840
Um in the last 5 years, the pool has
only had two members leave, um and then

456
00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:43,840
one has returned. And re-entry into the
pool does have a 2-year

457
00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:46,800
time frame. So, just so we're kind of
aware of that.

458
00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:52,840
Um
Our current renewal for 2026-2027

459
00:31:49,720 --> 00:31:59,280
came in at just shy of 1.2 million. This
is an increase overall of $1,408,

460
00:31:56,560 --> 00:32:05,600
so relatively flat. The majority of that
was due to the property values um up

461
00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:08,920
from 373 million to 401 million.
Um otherwise, costs have stayed pretty

462
00:32:07,760 --> 00:32:14,040
steady.
The next slide here just kind of shows

463
00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:18,280
over the last 3 years where we've sat
between our liability, our property, and

464
00:32:16,240 --> 00:32:22,600
then our equipment breakdown.
Um and then on the right side there's a

465
00:32:20,360 --> 00:32:28,320
comparative where you can see the
changes. I will say that part of the

466
00:32:25,320 --> 00:32:32,760
liability and auto is we did have the
fleet committee go through and look at

467
00:32:31,080 --> 00:32:36,240
how we are um
maintaining coverage on certain pieces

468
00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:40,960
of equipment, whether that's full
replacement value, or there's just

469
00:32:38,640 --> 00:32:46,880
liability, stuff like that. So, after
that review, um we did decrease the

470
00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:51,360
liability in auto 11% and then, like I
said, property's up 12.

471
00:32:49,080 --> 00:32:55,960
Uh the next slide here
kind of says what's driving those

472
00:32:52,960 --> 00:32:58,840
changes. Um the main
change is due to the property

473
00:32:57,320 --> 00:33:04,120
valuations.
We are currently receiving a 7 and 1/2

474
00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:08,000
uh percent inflation guard. The reason
we're receiving that is cuz we haven't

475
00:33:05,720 --> 00:33:13,520
had our full evaluation of our property.
They were here this summer. Um HCA Asset

476
00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:17,280
Management came in. They take pictures
of every single piece of property. They

477
00:33:15,640 --> 00:33:20,640
write down all the details, square
footage, what the materials are.

478
00:33:19,520 --> 00:33:23,560
Um
South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance

479
00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:27,320
will be going through that and then we
will sit down with them and we will look

480
00:33:25,480 --> 00:33:31,440
at that and there could potentially be
adjustments to our property valuations.

481
00:33:30,640 --> 00:33:34,840
Uh
and then

482
00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:38,360
yeah, kind of went over the auto, how
the fleet committee did look at our

483
00:33:36,440 --> 00:33:42,920
coverages on those.
Um

484
00:33:40,120 --> 00:33:47,760
so, last but not least, the city's
portion of the premium will be 866,000

485
00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:52,360
and the municipal utilities will be
around 318,000.

486
00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:56,960
Um I guess
for us, uh we're looking for an approval

487
00:33:54,800 --> 00:34:02,160
of this renewal and then the next steps
that the staff will do is once we do

488
00:33:59,040 --> 00:34:02,160
receive that

489
00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:09,120
assessment from HCA and South Dakota
Public Assurance Alliance, we'll sit

490
00:34:06,720 --> 00:34:13,600
down and kind of look at the replacement
actual cash value and some of those

491
00:34:11,240 --> 00:34:17,480
different options for our property.
So, if there's any questions, I can

492
00:34:15,159 --> 00:34:22,240
answer them. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Council, can I get a motion

493
00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:22,240
to approve the policies?

494
00:34:22,280 --> 00:34:28,840
Motion made by Councilman Mormon.
Seconded by Councilman Shutty.

495
00:34:26,240 --> 00:34:31,120
Council, any discussion?
Councilman Peters.

496
00:34:29,720 --> 00:34:35,040
» I just have a quick question, Kristen.
Thank you for this um PowerPoint. This

497
00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:38,679
answered a lot of my questions, but why
would Rapid City not be the pool? What

498
00:34:36,639 --> 00:34:42,480
would there What do you think that
they're currently doing? Is it something

499
00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:45,480
for us to consider as well, or what's
the reasoning behind that?

500
00:34:43,720 --> 00:34:51,919
» I wouldn't know. I'd probably have to
reach out to them. I did reach out to

501
00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:55,480
some of the other I Brookings, Aberdeen,
um

502
00:34:53,760 --> 00:35:01,080
What was the other one I reached out to?
Mitchell, I think. And yeah, I think

503
00:34:58,760 --> 00:35:05,320
others have went out and looked, and
they just never feel like they can quite

504
00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:09,200
get the same amount of coverage as what
we get through South Dakota Public

505
00:35:06,640 --> 00:35:13,160
Assurance Alliance, just because of some
of the uniqueness to our We even have

506
00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:15,840
our law enforcement liability and things
like that.

507
00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:18,520
» Got it. Okay. Yeah, I'd be curious to
know

508
00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:22,040
who they go with just as another option
in the future, but thank you.

509
00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:22,040
» Yep.

510
00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:25,880
» Any other
>> I may have

511
00:35:24,720 --> 00:35:29,840
» Councilman Johns.
>> Yeah, I have a second.

512
00:35:27,880 --> 00:35:33,240
» Yep. Yes.
>> Being in the business doesn't make me an

513
00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:36,080
expert.
Um

514
00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:41,760
what I do know though is that when I go
through Rapid City and I see hail

515
00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:46,800
shields over the top of trailer sales
and vehicle sales, and they're the only

516
00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:50,280
city in the state that has uh
extra protection because those

517
00:35:48,520 --> 00:35:55,600
dealerships are having difficulty
finding coverage. Uh we can be blessed

518
00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:59,600
that they're not in this pool
uh because uh

519
00:35:57,440 --> 00:36:05,240
I've had one hail claim in my agency
this week. Guess where it's from?

520
00:36:03,000 --> 00:36:09,440
Rapid City.
It's not from Watertown. It's not from

521
00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:14,600
Brookings. It's not from Castlewood.
It's not from Clark.

522
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:20,600
It's Rapid. They get whacked every year
out there, so

523
00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:25,760
I don't know if I'm understanding
uh this completely, but I do understand

524
00:36:24,600 --> 00:36:30,400
uh
I do understand uh where hail claims

525
00:36:28,080 --> 00:36:34,080
come in South Dakota and I just have a
hunch we can be blessed that they're not

526
00:36:32,760 --> 00:36:37,800
in the pool.
Thank you.

527
00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:40,840
» Thank you, Councilman. Any other
discussion, Council?

528
00:36:41,440 --> 00:36:48,040
The motion is to approve the policies.
All those in favor will say I, opposed

529
00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:49,880
nay. Finance Officer Rob Zine.
>> Okay. Coleen?

530
00:36:49,400 --> 00:36:50,960
» I.
>> Mormon?

531
00:36:50,440 --> 00:36:53,680
» I.
>> Juron's?

532
00:36:53,080 --> 00:36:54,640
» I.
>> Peters?

533
00:36:54,200 --> 00:36:55,640
» I.
>> Shaddy?

534
00:36:55,160 --> 00:36:57,440
» I.
>> Allen?

535
00:36:56,240 --> 00:37:01,520
» I.
>> Motion carries.

536
00:36:58,880 --> 00:37:06,760
We're on to item 13B as an approval of
the resolution 26-35, a resolution

537
00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:10,280
approving the city manager's employment
agreement.

538
00:37:08,400 --> 00:37:15,840
We'll go to City Attorney
Lisa Carico to kick us off.

539
00:37:13,360 --> 00:37:19,640
» Thank you, Mayor. As you know, the
there's it's been a year since our city

540
00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:23,680
manager has been employed with the city
of Watertown. Pursuant to the employment

541
00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:27,080
agreement, you guys then conducted a
performance evaluation.

542
00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:30,960
Um it's my understanding that it was
satisfactory. Congratulations.

543
00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:34,680
Um
and as a result of the performance

544
00:37:33,200 --> 00:37:39,080
evaluation,
we have revised pursuant to the

545
00:37:37,000 --> 00:37:42,480
Council's direction, revised the
employment agreement.

546
00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:46,160
It should be noted that his probationary
period is over.

547
00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:50,680
Um and so that part has been taken out
of the agreement. And the rough

548
00:37:48,520 --> 00:37:53,560
highlights, which are also
stated in the resolution and in the

549
00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:56,120
agreement that you can read for
yourselves,

550
00:37:54,600 --> 00:38:00,360
is um
an increase to the his salary of

551
00:37:58,120 --> 00:38:02,720
approximately 5%.
Um

552
00:38:01,320 --> 00:38:06,920
a
contribution to a qualified deferred

553
00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:12,320
compensation plan
annually at 22,500.

554
00:38:10,040 --> 00:38:16,920
And we revised
the section on vehicles to provide for

555
00:38:14,360 --> 00:38:19,960
an allowance for use of his personal
vehicle.

556
00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:24,560
Um and with that, I can stand for any
questions, but I believe the agreement

557
00:38:21,680 --> 00:38:28,240
is as you as council have directed and
is ready for your approval.

558
00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:30,920
» Thank you very much, Attorney Carrico.
Council, can I get a motion to approve

559
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:33,600
the resolution?
>> So moved.

560
00:38:31,560 --> 00:38:38,040
» Motion made by Councilman Peters.
Seconded by Councilman Shetty. We'll

561
00:38:35,480 --> 00:38:42,040
open it up for council comments. I think
uh Councilman Jirens, you have something

562
00:38:39,600 --> 00:38:42,040
to say?

563
00:38:44,840 --> 00:38:49,880
» Uh
thanks, Mayor. Um

564
00:38:47,280 --> 00:38:53,791
really uh
didn't

565
00:38:50,960 --> 00:38:56,400
prepare to lead this off other than
>> [laughter]

566
00:38:54,480 --> 00:39:02,880
» that um I've made [snorts] public
comments in the past whether that to the

567
00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:06,720
media or in in during city council
that um there are some big differences

568
00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:11,560
in
who you hire and who you have

569
00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:16,800
uh as your city manager and this goes
for every city um that is in this form

570
00:39:14,360 --> 00:39:22,360
of government um
I likely won't make comments in regards

571
00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:26,360
to nays and yeas uh to that and
comparing ourselves to Sioux Falls and

572
00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:28,800
Rapid City, but I will make
uh

573
00:39:27,160 --> 00:39:34,400
a quick comment
on the amount of dollars, these are

574
00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:38,640
factual dollars uh
just in 12 months

575
00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:44,080
that um
the taxpayer in the city Watertown has

576
00:39:41,160 --> 00:39:51,280
saved and
we've saved this without

577
00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:51,280
I believe even feeling

578
00:39:51,360 --> 00:39:58,000
that we've been shorted somewhere.
Uh first position was a position that

579
00:39:56,520 --> 00:40:03,320
was made up
um by the previous administration called

580
00:40:00,640 --> 00:40:06,640
an assistant city manager
who had a uh

581
00:40:04,880 --> 00:40:12,080
payroll and incentives of close to
200,000

582
00:40:08,240 --> 00:40:16,360
and I think it's really really
good for all of us to know

583
00:40:14,960 --> 00:40:23,120
that
that position has been absorbed by

584
00:40:19,400 --> 00:40:29,720
employees, current employees, and the
city manager. That position with

585
00:40:25,920 --> 00:40:29,720
incentives is $200,000.

586
00:40:29,840 --> 00:40:38,680
Um yeah, we might need
this down the road, but

587
00:40:36,440 --> 00:40:44,000
this year
zero of that money was spent to the

588
00:40:41,160 --> 00:40:48,520
200,000. Second thing, there was a there
was a project that came up a few months

589
00:40:45,920 --> 00:40:52,720
ago and I was like, "Wow, most of the
time these engineering costs on these

590
00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:56,480
highway projects,
you just think,

591
00:40:54,360 --> 00:40:59,680
'You know what? That must be the way it
goes, you know.' Previous

592
00:40:58,120 --> 00:41:05,800
administrations, I don't know if they
haven't caught it, but our city manager

593
00:41:03,480 --> 00:41:11,480
caught something in the engineering
costs on that big project that's going

594
00:41:07,800 --> 00:41:17,520
on in Northwest Watertown right now. And
in the engineering section alone, there

595
00:41:14,560 --> 00:41:24,760
was a $140,000
in savings to the taxpayer and to the

596
00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:28,920
budget and to the city of Watertown. And
I mean, you start adding the numbers up

597
00:41:27,160 --> 00:41:35,880
and you start adding
uh things like no vehicle purchases. In

598
00:41:32,440 --> 00:41:40,440
fact, a you know, quick story. Um
the vehicle that was purchased for just

599
00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:44,920
under $50,000
um

600
00:41:42,120 --> 00:41:50,440
here just a couple years ago, just under
50,000 because it never became in front

601
00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:55,560
of the the council. That vehicle is not
being used by the city manager.

602
00:41:52,880 --> 00:42:02,480
That vehicle had better use to be used
in the police department. And and I I I

603
00:41:59,200 --> 00:42:10,640
admire that. So, the few dollars that
our city is spending for a vehicle

604
00:42:05,400 --> 00:42:14,760
stipend um is I believe incredibly fair.
Um so, you know, you start adding things

605
00:42:12,960 --> 00:42:18,680
up and all of a sudden pennies become
dollars and you know the old adage and

606
00:42:16,920 --> 00:42:24,920
before we know it dollars becomes a
hundred thousand. Um,

607
00:42:21,240 --> 00:42:30,240
this this is really really
a good night for Watertown. Um,

608
00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:35,840
let's not talk about some of the convert
controversial things that we dealt with

609
00:42:32,960 --> 00:42:41,120
um, with the previous council and and
and and it was in regards to travel.

610
00:42:38,480 --> 00:42:48,400
Uh, uh, it was so hard because we
couldn't make decisions uh, on travel

611
00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:52,360
for uh, putting initials behind uh, you
know, people's names. And I'm all for

612
00:42:50,600 --> 00:42:57,120
initials, but I'm really not that type.
I don't care if I have initial behind my

613
00:42:54,000 --> 00:43:03,720
name uh, because I'm not looking for um,
all the ACM uh, awards and the the

614
00:43:00,800 --> 00:43:06,960
statues and the and and the trophies and
and the room and and pins and plaques.

615
00:43:06,360 --> 00:43:11,440
Um,
but the travel budget alone this last

616
00:43:10,520 --> 00:43:15,680
year
has had a twenty-five thousand dollar

617
00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:20,040
reduction.
Uh, uh,

618
00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:25,840
things are adding up here and and and I
had a a text from a constituent.

619
00:43:23,240 --> 00:43:29,400
Great great questions. He goes, I cannot
see why

620
00:43:27,400 --> 00:43:33,720
the city manager would need a raise. How
does he even know enough after a year?

621
00:43:32,400 --> 00:43:44,320
Well,
there's a lot that is known just because

622
00:43:38,640 --> 00:43:48,280
of the years spent in in dedicating time
to understanding what

623
00:43:46,400 --> 00:43:53,120
we do for a city.
And

624
00:43:49,680 --> 00:43:59,560
you know, a comment that I saw on on uh,
crazy book uh, uh, from uh, a downtown

625
00:43:57,560 --> 00:44:04,720
business person was, you know, what's
really interesting is to see

626
00:44:01,840 --> 00:44:11,040
that at 7:30 a.m.
the vehicles there at city hall and when

627
00:44:07,320 --> 00:44:14,360
she leaves downtown area in most nights,
that the vehicle's still there.

628
00:44:13,400 --> 00:44:18,480
And
and

629
00:44:15,360 --> 00:44:21,040
knowing from questions over the last few
months

630
00:44:19,640 --> 00:44:25,600
that
then he leaves

631
00:44:23,040 --> 00:44:30,360
the office and spends time
uh studying things like you know, the

632
00:44:27,840 --> 00:44:35,640
bankruptcy court that's going on up in
in Fargo right now over the ruins. And

633
00:44:33,480 --> 00:44:40,280
and you know, all of a sudden we get
briefed on that. And I mean, we kind of

634
00:44:38,560 --> 00:44:46,080
we're we've been kept in the loop. And
and there's so so many

635
00:44:42,960 --> 00:44:50,320
hidden things that that we've uh we've
been uh blessed with. Is it perfect? No.

636
00:44:48,520 --> 00:44:54,360
Do we need to be questioning?
Absolutely.

637
00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:56,520
We we we we need to continue to work
together though

638
00:44:55,960 --> 00:45:01,200
uh
while we question and while we have

639
00:44:58,320 --> 00:45:07,080
dialogue on on things that are
you know, important to Watertown. Uh one

640
00:45:03,440 --> 00:45:12,000
other thing um previously the city
uh was pushed and the council was pushed

641
00:45:09,400 --> 00:45:15,480
to approve a $27
million

642
00:45:13,480 --> 00:45:20,400
street department facility.
Needed? Yes, but not at $27 million. And

643
00:45:18,520 --> 00:45:24,600
we kept talking, "Hey, can we get
something in that seven to

644
00:45:23,160 --> 00:45:31,240
$12 million?"
You know what? I I'm I'm here to report

645
00:45:27,360 --> 00:45:35,280
that we are working on something that we
feel one day will be important. And that

646
00:45:33,240 --> 00:45:38,800
depends on priorities and that meetings
coming up uh

647
00:45:36,840 --> 00:45:42,920
uh uh uh soon. And and I'm looking
forward to that. So, those are a couple

648
00:45:40,840 --> 00:45:47,880
of things so far here in this discussion
that I wanted to add to uh

649
00:45:45,160 --> 00:45:52,400
to what we um what we have in front of
us here. Thank you, Mayor.

650
00:45:50,200 --> 00:45:57,200
» Thank you, Councilman Jordahl. Council,
any other comments?

651
00:45:54,840 --> 00:46:00,600
Councilman Mormon.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um

652
00:45:58,840 --> 00:46:05,440
I appreciate everything that Councilman
Jordahl had to say. I will be voting

653
00:46:03,160 --> 00:46:08,960
against this. Um
and the only reason I'll be voting

654
00:46:06,560 --> 00:46:13,320
against it is simply because I believe
that the city manager, his raise,

655
00:46:11,000 --> 00:46:18,680
compensation, benefits package should be
equal to that of what the all the rest

656
00:46:16,360 --> 00:46:23,720
of the 200 plus city employees were
given. I believe whatever is given to

657
00:46:20,920 --> 00:46:26,720
your lowest employ- paid employee should
be good enough for your highest paid

658
00:46:25,120 --> 00:46:30,240
employee when it comes to raises and
benefits.

659
00:46:28,080 --> 00:46:34,480
This has nothing to do and my my
decision for voting against it has

660
00:46:31,960 --> 00:46:37,560
nothing to do with city manager Stager.
Um it's about the position and not the

661
00:46:35,960 --> 00:46:41,360
person.
I really appreciate the

662
00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:46,960
uh great working relationship I have
with city manager Stager. Um I'm

663
00:46:43,920 --> 00:46:52,280
extremely appreciative that. I enjoy
every meeting I have with him and it's

664
00:46:49,560 --> 00:46:58,240
uh it's a wonderful experience to sit in
his office and discuss

665
00:46:54,800 --> 00:47:01,960
issues pertaining to Watertown and be
able to bounce ideas back and forth. So,

666
00:47:00,880 --> 00:47:07,240
I
I thank him for that and I greatly uh

667
00:47:04,960 --> 00:47:10,400
greatly appreciate what he is doing for
our city.

668
00:47:08,440 --> 00:47:13,520
I know a lot of employees, city
employees

669
00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:19,320
are going to be watching this meeting
tonight online or on TV.

670
00:47:16,840 --> 00:47:23,920
And I just want to say I remember
working for the city when we had a wage

671
00:47:21,560 --> 00:47:27,400
study about
roughly five or six years ago.

672
00:47:26,680 --> 00:47:31,720
Um
and I watched as

673
00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:37,680
you could use any descriptive word you
want to use. You could use any

674
00:47:35,560 --> 00:47:44,000
descriptive phrase you want to use to
describe what happened to morale in the

675
00:47:40,880 --> 00:47:51,000
workforce after what I will label as a
100% complete failed disaster of a wage

676
00:47:47,840 --> 00:47:55,200
study for anything
for anything to help out recruitment and

677
00:47:53,520 --> 00:47:58,360
retention.
So, I understand that. I understand

678
00:47:56,560 --> 00:48:03,280
where the city employees are coming
from. And uh

679
00:48:01,080 --> 00:48:08,040
I just want I just want them to know
that uh the reason why I can't vote for

680
00:48:05,240 --> 00:48:12,760
this is I cannot vote and I never will
ever vote and support something that I

681
00:48:09,800 --> 00:48:18,360
know will have a negative impact on
morale of our city workforce. And I just

682
00:48:15,360 --> 00:48:23,040
believe singling out somebody, handing
them a lot more money and benefits than

683
00:48:20,800 --> 00:48:26,840
anybody else when so many of our city
employees could make the exact same

684
00:48:24,560 --> 00:48:32,960
argument about how hard they work and
how much they donate extra um to the

685
00:48:29,480 --> 00:48:38,680
city. So, with that, I'm voting against
it. Um you know, what I have to say are

686
00:48:35,160 --> 00:48:43,240
my opinions and my thoughts alone. And I
appreciate uh the time to be able to

687
00:48:40,400 --> 00:48:43,240
discuss that.

688
00:48:44,040 --> 00:48:50,360
» Council.
Any other comments?

689
00:48:48,520 --> 00:48:54,960
Now, Councilman Durance has something to
say. I will just add uh

690
00:48:52,800 --> 00:49:00,240
little bit of something.
Just to describe to the public in case

691
00:48:57,240 --> 00:49:03,520
they were curious as to how this process
worked.

692
00:49:01,560 --> 00:49:08,360
I would like to thank Councilman Allen.
He put together a questionnaire that

693
00:49:05,520 --> 00:49:13,840
went out to the council where we graded
City Manager Steger on quite a few

694
00:49:11,200 --> 00:49:18,960
different performance metrics.
Then we collated those ratings from all

695
00:49:16,840 --> 00:49:24,520
the councilmen and
we had a very long, productive

696
00:49:21,560 --> 00:49:29,080
conversation with just council members
in executive session a few weeks ago.

697
00:49:27,440 --> 00:49:33,720
Afterwards, we brought City Manager
Steger in.

698
00:49:30,640 --> 00:49:39,160
We listened to his requests for what he
would like to see revised in his

699
00:49:36,480 --> 00:49:45,440
contract going forward.
After that, we broke and uh as per our

700
00:49:42,680 --> 00:49:49,400
home rule charter, the deputy mayor,
Councilman Peters and I entered into

701
00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:52,960
some negotiations with City Manager
Steger

702
00:49:50,800 --> 00:49:58,840
where there was some give and take, but
overall it was very cordial.

703
00:49:56,200 --> 00:50:03,480
And that comes from people sharing a
vision for where they want Watertown to

704
00:50:00,720 --> 00:50:07,760
go and how they want it to run.
And that is without the animosity,

705
00:50:06,080 --> 00:50:13,640
without the vitriol,
and always keeping your eyes on where

706
00:50:11,240 --> 00:50:19,560
you want to reach and what you want to
achieve.

707
00:50:16,360 --> 00:50:23,720
The job of a city manager is very
difficult. And then after that, we did

708
00:50:21,280 --> 00:50:30,200
go back to City Council,
showed everybody what the

709
00:50:26,320 --> 00:50:34,120
negotiations resulted in, and that is
pretty much what you see in the contract

710
00:50:32,080 --> 00:50:38,520
before you tonight.
The job of a city manager is a very

711
00:50:35,760 --> 00:50:42,920
difficult job to fill in the entire
country.

712
00:50:40,800 --> 00:50:46,760
The position of a city manager usually
gets filled at a much, much higher rate

713
00:50:44,960 --> 00:50:51,440
than what Watertown is currently doing
it at.

714
00:50:48,040 --> 00:50:59,600
What you see here is partly bringing
City Manager Steiger into some level of

715
00:50:56,680 --> 00:51:03,760
agreement with what other communities
pay their city managers, but we are

716
00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:08,600
still underneath that amount, which I
would like to point out is

717
00:51:06,600 --> 00:51:14,640
very impressive from what City Manager
Steiger accomplishes because

718
00:51:12,040 --> 00:51:21,800
unlike other cities, Watertown actually
has as much if not more than most cities

719
00:51:18,880 --> 00:51:26,840
in what is going to fall on the city
manager's job performance or in job

720
00:51:24,960 --> 00:51:30,560
description.
I know City Manager Steiger has called

721
00:51:28,400 --> 00:51:34,800
it from A to Z.
Start with an airport. Not every

722
00:51:32,760 --> 00:51:38,520
community that has a city manager that
pays them

723
00:51:36,440 --> 00:51:44,120
a similar amount if not more, not
everyone has an airport. Very few has an

724
00:51:41,360 --> 00:51:48,280
airport or have an airport that is as
vital to the local economy that

725
00:51:46,560 --> 00:51:56,360
Watertown has.
And has the EAS service and has to

726
00:51:53,360 --> 00:52:00,320
analyze everything including what we did
tonight, which is hangars and solar

727
00:51:58,720 --> 00:52:05,440
panels over
over the parking

728
00:52:02,720 --> 00:52:09,640
lot and things like that.
These are obligations that not every

729
00:52:07,680 --> 00:52:15,120
city has to deal with.
You go to Z, which is the zoo.

730
00:52:11,800 --> 00:52:20,480
Watertown is justifiably very proud of
Bramble Park Zoo.

731
00:52:17,520 --> 00:52:24,480
And I think only two other cities in
South Dakota have a zoo.

732
00:52:22,400 --> 00:52:28,080
And that's obviously something we all
know how much that is on the budget and

733
00:52:26,360 --> 00:52:31,680
how many people that we hire there and
what that does to the community. So

734
00:52:29,720 --> 00:52:35,680
these are things that not every
community has.

735
00:52:33,440 --> 00:52:41,720
Then you have like we have more green
space than any other per capita than any

736
00:52:39,600 --> 00:52:47,240
other community in South Dakota. That's
all on our parks and rec.

737
00:52:44,000 --> 00:52:50,880
We have more roads per capita than any
city in South Dakota.

738
00:52:49,160 --> 00:52:54,360
You look at a city of like size in
Brookings, we have 70 miles more road

739
00:52:52,760 --> 00:52:58,360
that we take care of
on a on a given year.

740
00:52:56,200 --> 00:53:03,480
That's all falling on I mean it's a
team, but it's obviously on the city

741
00:53:00,680 --> 00:53:07,280
manager that is at the top of that.
We have a river, we have lakes, we have

742
00:53:05,120 --> 00:53:11,920
all sorts of things. So
it is a very hard job to fill and I

743
00:53:10,000 --> 00:53:18,840
think the community saw that when it
took us many, many months

744
00:53:14,680 --> 00:53:21,920
of hiring in a process that
took applications from across the

745
00:53:20,560 --> 00:53:27,400
country.
And I'm very happy with the person that

746
00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:31,960
we have filling that role right now.
Um the scores from the council were very

747
00:53:30,800 --> 00:53:35,840
high,
very favorable.

748
00:53:33,840 --> 00:53:40,520
And that is what you see reflected in
the contract.

749
00:53:37,240 --> 00:53:44,440
So, thank you for Watertown for staying
with us in this.

750
00:53:42,360 --> 00:53:50,360
I think we've got a very good system of
government and we're looking forward to

751
00:53:47,520 --> 00:53:55,480
what more we can achieve.
Councilman, anybody else here?

752
00:53:52,640 --> 00:53:55,480
Councilman Shady?

753
00:53:55,600 --> 00:53:58,200
» Thank you, Mayor.

754
00:53:58,560 --> 00:54:03,720
So yes, just to kind of help hopefully
clarify, help people work through this

755
00:54:02,280 --> 00:54:08,680
process in the in the city in our
community and and within within

756
00:54:05,960 --> 00:54:11,640
employees of our city.
You know, we have we have employees here

757
00:54:10,000 --> 00:54:14,880
that are faced with sometimes a career
choice. Sometimes it's paid, maybe

758
00:54:13,000 --> 00:54:18,360
they'll move from
well, maybe from being employed by the

759
00:54:16,640 --> 00:54:21,640
city, they'll go work for another agent
another organization, maybe the county,

760
00:54:20,320 --> 00:54:25,400
maybe
the private sector. And sometimes the

761
00:54:23,600 --> 00:54:29,760
motivation is pay because they can maybe
make a few extra dollars. And I don't at

762
00:54:28,200 --> 00:54:33,000
all blame them for we got to make
choices based off you know, where we're

763
00:54:31,360 --> 00:54:36,440
at in life. Sometimes that's not the
choice. Maybe it's not pay. Maybe we're

764
00:54:35,200 --> 00:54:41,720
working where we're working because we
enjoy the job we're at. There's so many

765
00:54:39,640 --> 00:54:45,120
oh, so many things that that that bring
us to why we do what we do as a career.

766
00:54:43,680 --> 00:54:50,080
When I look at
current city manager Steiger,

767
00:54:48,360 --> 00:54:54,480
you had mentioned here, Mayor, that he's
still underneath the average.

768
00:54:52,200 --> 00:54:57,760
I got to believe that with the even
having a year under his belt in private

769
00:54:56,040 --> 00:55:01,600
sector,
my guess is city manager Steiger could

770
00:54:59,520 --> 00:55:05,160
probably
for more pay, could probably move

771
00:55:03,120 --> 00:55:08,920
somewhere and and
that might you know, might motivate

772
00:55:06,640 --> 00:55:12,160
somebody. He's under the average, but it
doesn't appear like Al really wants to

773
00:55:10,800 --> 00:55:15,520
leave this position, city manager
Steiger,

774
00:55:13,240 --> 00:55:19,920
because of pay. And and technically,
he's under probably what the national

775
00:55:18,320 --> 00:55:25,280
average or even the state average is for
city manager potentially.

776
00:55:22,040 --> 00:55:28,840
So, what my point on that is is
I don't believe he's in this for the

777
00:55:26,480 --> 00:55:32,840
money. He's not doing this just to for a
paycheck. I believe his heart's in it

778
00:55:30,960 --> 00:55:35,760
and he wants to he wants to serve the
community Watertown. So, I just don't I

779
00:55:34,640 --> 00:55:38,560
just don't want people to think that
it's it's because of money that that

780
00:55:37,240 --> 00:55:41,800
city man I don't want to speak for city
manager Steiger but just getting to know

781
00:55:39,840 --> 00:55:45,200
him over the last year
it isn't the money that motivates him

782
00:55:43,520 --> 00:55:48,800
and again
we're we can compare ourselves and and

783
00:55:47,440 --> 00:55:52,080
some employees will leave their their
position for for the county because of

784
00:55:50,560 --> 00:55:56,080
they're making a few dollars more
working for the county. You know, maybe

785
00:55:53,840 --> 00:55:59,600
we need to review maybe not but what
motivates us to work somewhere and again

786
00:55:57,800 --> 00:56:03,120
that's you know, we're not losing him
because of that.

787
00:56:00,960 --> 00:56:08,200
Um the other thing is why we came about
this particular

788
00:56:04,880 --> 00:56:12,360
compensation package was sort of a reset
from from the first the first year we

789
00:56:10,640 --> 00:56:17,160
were we decided as a council with city
manager Steiger on

790
00:56:14,200 --> 00:56:20,360
on we kind of were under even more on
the lower end of this and and actually

791
00:56:18,920 --> 00:56:24,920
city manager Steiger was good with that.
He wanted Watertown he wanted a year to

792
00:56:23,160 --> 00:56:28,680
to show Watertown that what he can do
what that he's into this and there was

793
00:56:26,560 --> 00:56:32,480
it was below again it was well below
what we maybe would have offered

794
00:56:29,760 --> 00:56:36,960
somebody else.
So this year we seen it as a reset to

795
00:56:34,920 --> 00:56:40,600
kind of get him to what's what he's what
he's deserved to pay and so we all we're

796
00:56:39,080 --> 00:56:43,280
kind of in agreement some of us aren't
but as a whole as a team here we're

797
00:56:42,120 --> 00:56:47,000
we're
I think we all believe that the the job

798
00:56:45,440 --> 00:56:49,920
performance is is there so it's just how
to properly compensate. So this is a for

799
00:56:48,960 --> 00:56:54,400
those of us who have been here a little
bit longer this is a reset

800
00:56:52,120 --> 00:56:58,480
um from from the first year.
I believe moving forward as councilman

801
00:56:56,360 --> 00:57:01,720
Moorman is saying I'm one too. I'm not
for showing partiality. I don't want to

802
00:57:00,120 --> 00:57:05,000
show partiality.
Um

803
00:57:02,600 --> 00:57:09,800
I don't I personally don't see this as
as favor showing favor to somebody. This

804
00:57:07,280 --> 00:57:12,200
is a position we can't compare it
I mean I guess you could look at the

805
00:57:10,960 --> 00:57:15,400
department heads. I don't know if all
the department heads make all the exact

806
00:57:13,920 --> 00:57:18,440
same amount. They probably is a range
there.

807
00:57:16,360 --> 00:57:22,000
Um we we probably have
um we we

808
00:57:19,960 --> 00:57:24,680
trying to be uniform you're going to
have positions that require more

809
00:57:23,400 --> 00:57:30,280
responsibility there's going to be more
pay. City manager's at the top.

810
00:57:27,560 --> 00:57:35,120
And that position does deserve um proper
pay and compensation. And so

811
00:57:33,240 --> 00:57:39,320
um it's it's one thing if we had two
city managers, I guess, working for a

812
00:57:36,720 --> 00:57:42,440
city, right? That was one was making x
amount dollars more, but we don't He's

813
00:57:40,920 --> 00:57:46,400
This is the the one position that
deserves to be

814
00:57:44,160 --> 00:57:49,720
at a at the it's at the
where he's going to be. I believe where

815
00:57:47,520 --> 00:57:53,120
we're at is is is fair and just. So, I
just wanted to share those couple points

816
00:57:51,080 --> 00:57:56,200
there that this is by no means
um this could this could create Yeah, as

817
00:57:55,080 --> 00:58:00,480
Councilman Mormon says, there might be
some city employees that are uptight.

818
00:57:58,560 --> 00:58:06,000
I would say to city employees, hang in
there.

819
00:58:02,440 --> 00:58:10,280
See continue to to see to try to resist
the temptation to grumble and complain

820
00:58:08,720 --> 00:58:13,080
uh because
there's there's a a positive future

821
00:58:11,920 --> 00:58:17,320
ahead of us, but it takes the right
person in the job to lead this. It takes

822
00:58:15,280 --> 00:58:21,200
the council. It takes city manager. And
then yes, it takes department heads and

823
00:58:18,680 --> 00:58:25,320
every single employee. Not one is better
than the other. However, there's certain

824
00:58:23,000 --> 00:58:30,080
skill sets that we need to have in in
those positions and properly so, we got

825
00:58:27,240 --> 00:58:32,240
the right skill set at city manager. So.
Thank you.

826
00:58:30,720 --> 00:58:35,080
» Thank you. Councilman Peters.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um I don't need to

827
00:58:33,880 --> 00:58:38,800
rehash what's been said. I think
Councilman Shetty said it very well, and

828
00:58:36,720 --> 00:58:42,840
I agree um with him, and I'm in full
support of this uh

829
00:58:40,520 --> 00:58:46,800
this resolution and to increase the city
manager salary, but there's a there's a

830
00:58:45,240 --> 00:58:50,600
story, I guess, I want to tell from
earlier today.

831
00:58:48,200 --> 00:58:54,000
I had a constituent reach out to me
um

832
00:58:51,400 --> 00:58:58,040
and uh she was very much not in favor of
this resolution or approving an increase

833
00:58:56,560 --> 00:59:02,120
in salary for the city manager, not
because um she did she doesn't know Alan

834
00:59:00,920 --> 00:59:04,840
um has never worked with him, but
because she said her taxes keep going

835
00:59:04,000 --> 00:59:08,080
up.
And so, as we had this conversation, I

836
00:59:07,160 --> 00:59:12,320
asked her, "Well, what do you mean by
taxes?" And she was referring to her

837
00:59:09,960 --> 00:59:15,960
property taxes keep going up. And so, I
wanted to take a moment here just to

838
00:59:13,640 --> 00:59:20,240
explain how we, or at least myself, look
at the city budget and our revenues.

839
00:59:18,520 --> 00:59:23,760
A very small percentage in the grand
scheme of things actually come from

840
00:59:21,720 --> 00:59:30,040
property taxes for the city's revenue.
We are funded, I I say, roughly about 70

841
00:59:26,400 --> 00:59:35,000
70% by sales tax in the city.
And so as I was explaining this to her,

842
00:59:32,520 --> 00:59:39,280
she became quite comfortable with uh I
think it's 5% we've been increasing in

843
00:59:37,040 --> 00:59:43,320
sales tax. Does that sound close? Um
since last year.

844
00:59:40,840 --> 00:59:47,880
And um as I explained this and explained
that the city continues to grow and how

845
00:59:45,040 --> 00:59:52,520
it becomes more complex and and you know
we're not yes the the property tax

846
00:59:50,400 --> 00:59:56,800
revenue is significant and and we
certainly need it to operate, but we're

847
00:59:54,560 --> 01:00:01,760
more focused on growing the sales tax.
And so as I explained that, she became

848
00:59:59,280 --> 01:00:04,920
um more supportive of uh the resolution
and more supportive of of ensuring that

849
01:00:03,880 --> 01:00:09,280
we're more in line with other
communities in the city. So I just want

850
01:00:06,920 --> 01:00:12,920
to take a moment to share that that yes
we look at everything holistically, but

851
01:00:11,000 --> 01:00:17,160
we get sales tax revenue numbers and
they have consistently grown month after

852
01:00:15,200 --> 01:00:20,920
month um and we need good leadership to
continue that. So thank you.

853
01:00:19,520 --> 01:00:25,680
» Thank you. Councilman Allen, did you
have anything before I go to Councilman

854
01:00:22,280 --> 01:00:25,680
Jerns? Councilman Jerns.

855
01:00:26,520 --> 01:00:35,600
» Uh thank you, Mayor. Um
I I believe we should again um talk

856
01:00:31,920 --> 01:00:40,040
about um and listen to the concerns of
the city employees. The city doesn't go

857
01:00:38,120 --> 01:00:43,720
anywhere unless we have employees,
unless we have good morale, unless we

858
01:00:42,120 --> 01:00:48,520
have uh
people that are uh

859
01:00:45,920 --> 01:00:52,080
really just excited to get to work. So
I'd really like to uh speak to the city

860
01:00:50,760 --> 01:00:56,560
employees
and ask one question.

861
01:00:55,240 --> 01:01:01,720
Um
would anyone

862
01:00:59,480 --> 01:01:08,360
ex- let me rephrase that. Is there
anyone in the city in on the city staff

863
01:01:05,920 --> 01:01:13,480
that would lose their job if the
citizens of Watertown decided that

864
01:01:11,560 --> 01:01:16,640
city manager form of government is not
for them,

865
01:01:14,600 --> 01:01:21,960
strong mayor is.
And and ask yourself, would any of you

866
01:01:20,160 --> 01:01:26,600
lose your job?
And who would lose their job if that got

867
01:01:25,120 --> 01:01:31,400
switched
in the next few months?

868
01:01:28,920 --> 01:01:37,200
Yes, there's only one person who would
lose their position, and that's the city

869
01:01:33,480 --> 01:01:42,320
manager. So, it really we have to look
at this position way different.

870
01:01:39,920 --> 01:01:49,120
And and to be honest with you, one of
the constituents that reached out to me

871
01:01:44,920 --> 01:01:53,680
uh was concerned when I uh explained the
amount of

872
01:01:50,640 --> 01:02:00,320
uh solid savings that we've seen as a
city over the last year.

873
01:01:56,120 --> 01:02:03,800
Now, this city employee also said, "Hey,
I think you should talk about this

874
01:02:01,960 --> 01:02:08,040
tonight. I think people need to know
this." So, really speaking out about

875
01:02:06,640 --> 01:02:12,280
some of these savings was really
motivated by a city employee who said,

876
01:02:10,640 --> 01:02:16,680
"I really understand this better now."
So, uh very good dialogue tonight. We

877
01:02:14,840 --> 01:02:21,960
thank you for this. And there's one
other thing in some comments that the

878
01:02:19,360 --> 01:02:29,240
second constituent brought up. And that
is, "Glenn, I'm not aware and and and

879
01:02:25,480 --> 01:02:33,960
they read they read very closely to uh
what we were voting on tonight. I'm not

880
01:02:31,400 --> 01:02:41,000
aware in there, but I've seen on crazy
book that there's some incentives that

881
01:02:36,520 --> 01:02:44,360
are in uh this this plan." Uh he goes,
"Ask

882
01:02:42,160 --> 01:02:48,960
if there's any incentives
or whoever said that if they can explain

883
01:02:47,240 --> 01:02:51,240
what they mean by incentives. Thank
you."

884
01:02:52,400 --> 01:03:01,040
» I'm not exactly sure who said that, but
at the very least I think Councilman

885
01:03:00,600 --> 01:03:04,920
» Willis.
>> Maybe a question for our city attorney.

886
01:03:03,400 --> 01:03:09,600
Uh it's fair to say that there's no
incentives in this contract or

887
01:03:07,400 --> 01:03:12,440
milestones or anything like that that
the city manager has to hit for

888
01:03:11,000 --> 01:03:15,920
additional compensation.
>> Correct. There's nothing in there.

889
01:03:17,080 --> 01:03:21,800
» Thank you very much.
I think

890
01:03:20,160 --> 01:03:24,480
» Thanks, Mayor. That's all I have.
>> Thank you.

891
01:03:23,000 --> 01:03:29,520
Allen might be getting uncomfortable
hearing all these good things about him.

892
01:03:27,200 --> 01:03:32,520
Allen, did you uh City Manager Steiger,
did you have anything that you would

893
01:03:30,680 --> 01:03:37,000
like to add?
>> I I'm sure I could think of something.

894
01:03:34,320 --> 01:03:41,480
I've I've just say this has been great.
I I will also say this, a couple of you

895
01:03:39,080 --> 01:03:45,760
know who who served on the council
before,

896
01:03:42,920 --> 01:03:49,840
I'm the world's worst negotiator.
I I sat down, I'm not going to break

897
01:03:47,920 --> 01:03:53,760
confidence of executive session, and I
don't care if you pay me anymore.

898
01:03:51,920 --> 01:03:58,480
This this is still fun, and it's going
to be fun, and we're making

899
01:03:55,840 --> 01:04:02,520
we're making a lot of progress.
But, also in terms of the reset, I want

900
01:04:00,440 --> 01:04:07,800
to say publicly what I told you
gentlemen in executive session as well.

901
01:04:05,920 --> 01:04:12,840
This is a reset after the first
probationary year.

902
01:04:09,680 --> 01:04:17,120
This isn't something we should do
every year.

903
01:04:14,440 --> 01:04:20,680
Um this is a one-time reset, and as some
of you know,

904
01:04:18,760 --> 01:04:25,040
I came in with one expectation of
salary,

905
01:04:22,000 --> 01:04:28,560
and guess what? It was actually $7,000 a
year less than what we negotiated in the

906
01:04:27,160 --> 01:04:34,080
process.
The whole time the executive search firm

907
01:04:31,520 --> 01:04:39,080
was mad at me toward the end because I
wouldn't ask for more.

908
01:04:36,960 --> 01:04:43,920
Remember, gentlemen,
I told you guys I want to be treated

909
01:04:41,160 --> 01:04:49,160
like any other employee.
And so, I was told everybody comes in as

910
01:04:46,600 --> 01:04:52,080
step five. Here it is.
Less than we had even negotiated a year

911
01:04:51,080 --> 01:04:55,880
ago.
So, I appreciate all of your

912
01:04:54,080 --> 01:05:00,960
perspectives,
all of your kind words, and I appreciate

913
01:04:58,640 --> 01:05:04,520
you taking the time to make this
adjustment for

914
01:05:02,600 --> 01:05:08,000
for me and the position.
Um

915
01:05:05,640 --> 01:05:15,120
I'll also tell you this, I appreciate
Councilman Mormon a lot.

916
01:05:10,840 --> 01:05:19,560
Um he has the public sector service
employment record.

917
01:05:16,920 --> 01:05:24,360
And so when he talks, I listen.
He brings me a perspective I haven't

918
01:05:21,480 --> 01:05:28,840
seen elsewhere. And so I I don't want
anybody to say, "Hey, Brent and Allen

919
01:05:26,880 --> 01:05:32,040
don't get along over this."
We we do.

920
01:05:30,280 --> 01:05:36,520
I enjoy
the perspective he brings. It's just a

921
01:05:34,200 --> 01:05:40,320
different perspective than I have.
And that's okay.

922
01:05:38,360 --> 01:05:47,040
Um, so again,
thank you. If there's anything else I

923
01:05:42,440 --> 01:05:50,880
can answer for you, I'd be happy to try.
>> Thank you, City Manager Steiger. I would

924
01:05:48,680 --> 01:05:55,000
like to say thank you.
And Watertown is blessed to have you in

925
01:05:53,520 --> 01:05:58,160
your position.
The motion is to approve this

926
01:05:56,280 --> 01:06:01,480
resolution. All those in favor will say
I, opposed nay. Finance Officer Bob

927
01:06:00,080 --> 01:06:03,840
Zein, please call the roll.
>> Okay.

928
01:06:02,840 --> 01:06:05,800
Pauline?
>> I.

929
01:06:04,520 --> 01:06:09,240
» Mormon?
>> Nay.

930
01:06:06,600 --> 01:06:09,240
» Jurgens?

931
01:06:09,280 --> 01:06:11,240
» I.
>> Peters?

932
01:06:10,560 --> 01:06:12,480
» I.
>> Shady?

933
01:06:11,800 --> 01:06:14,560
» I.
>> Allen?

934
01:06:13,000 --> 01:06:18,800
» I.
>> Motion carries. We're on to the city

935
01:06:16,640 --> 01:06:21,135
manager's report.
>> I wasn't expecting to have to give one.

936
01:06:20,760 --> 01:06:22,480
But
>> [laughter]

937
01:06:21,560 --> 01:06:26,080
» no.
Um, a couple of things. Uh, to start out

938
01:06:24,600 --> 01:06:30,320
with, I'm actually going to turn it over
to City Engineer Peterson to give an

939
01:06:28,080 --> 01:06:34,600
update on some of our major road
construction projects. So we will go to

940
01:06:32,320 --> 01:06:39,600
the screen if if Nick, you could bring
up the website

941
01:06:36,480 --> 01:06:39,600
uh, and the map.

942
01:06:44,600 --> 01:06:51,320
» Hi. Thank you. Um,
just a kind of a quick update where

943
01:06:48,600 --> 01:06:53,800
we're at. Um, projects are
kind of wrapping down as towards the end

944
01:06:52,480 --> 01:06:57,960
of the season.
Um, there's four of them I want to

945
01:06:55,200 --> 01:07:03,200
highlight. The this area in red, this is
5th Avenue. You may mark it there.

946
01:07:00,960 --> 01:07:09,440
The other mark in here red is
uh, 4th and Highland.

947
01:07:05,520 --> 01:07:15,440
Uh, the kind of center area here,
blue area, that's the WMU project. And

948
01:07:12,600 --> 01:07:19,440
then up here in River, um,
yeah, Northridge

949
01:07:17,280 --> 01:07:22,880
is is purple. Uh, that's the mill and
overlay. Um,

950
01:07:21,360 --> 01:07:27,840
the mill and overlay project, that that
was the top lift was paved today. I

951
01:07:25,840 --> 01:07:30,760
assume they finished already, but that
that should be done today.

952
01:07:29,560 --> 01:07:35,440
The
this long street kind of here in the

953
01:07:32,920 --> 01:07:40,480
middle of the WMU project is Second
Street. That will be paved, uh, starting

954
01:07:39,320 --> 01:07:43,920
tomorrow.
Um, should be done by the end of the

955
01:07:41,880 --> 01:07:50,840
week. Um, so,
um, the schools kind of right in this

956
01:07:45,720 --> 01:07:55,000
area, so that should be, uh, good. Um,
uh,

957
01:07:51,480 --> 01:08:00,600
Fourth and Highland, there was, um,
some spongy material. When we we took

958
01:07:57,760 --> 01:08:04,520
that out, so we had we did, uh,
what's called a cement treated base.

959
01:08:02,200 --> 01:08:07,840
They just finished that up. Did a proof
roll

960
01:08:05,400 --> 01:08:13,960
and it's hard to rock, so we're going
to, uh, start grading that and, um,

961
01:08:11,640 --> 01:08:19,640
doing conc- uh, curb and gutter
uh, this week and then, um,

962
01:08:16,680 --> 01:08:24,600
paving is tentatively scheduled for,
uh, September 2nd.

963
01:08:21,920 --> 01:08:28,839
And then Fifth Avenue, um,
that also is tentatively scheduled for,

964
01:08:27,560 --> 01:08:33,759
um,
September 2nd. They're are finishing up

965
01:08:31,080 --> 01:08:35,839
grading and curb and gutter on that as
well.

966
01:08:34,960 --> 01:08:39,120
Um,
I guess

967
01:08:37,120 --> 01:08:41,680
if there's any other questions, I can
answer them.

968
01:08:42,520 --> 01:08:49,080
» Thank you. Back to you, city manager.
>> Thank you for that update. Um, a couple

969
01:08:46,920 --> 01:08:56,680
of other projects, uh, we have
previously foreshadowed our desire to,

970
01:08:53,440 --> 01:09:02,080
uh, do a a reseal of 14th Avenue North
including a restriping plan. Um, just

971
01:09:00,120 --> 01:09:05,720
for full transparency in the budget,
that was not a project that was budgeted

972
01:09:04,200 --> 01:09:11,000
this year.
We think we can cover most of it with

973
01:09:08,359 --> 01:09:15,640
the existing street budget. But that is
a project we we likely will have to come

974
01:09:13,560 --> 01:09:20,520
back with some level of supplement for
the budget. We do think it's an

975
01:09:17,440 --> 01:09:26,839
important project for the community to
to protect uh the public that utilizes

976
01:09:23,279 --> 01:09:30,759
the bike path, to protect the road. Um I
don't know if you are all aware, but the

977
01:09:28,600 --> 01:09:35,480
shoulder we are driving on as driving
lanes was not designed to be the road.

978
01:09:33,480 --> 01:09:39,600
And even the the confusing pavement
markings where you see the old markings

979
01:09:37,319 --> 01:09:43,120
and the new ones, from a safety we think
that's important, so there likely will

980
01:09:41,319 --> 01:09:47,759
be a supplement.
Um

981
01:09:44,520 --> 01:09:51,759
like to talk about Elmira Township. Um
we have brought forward a memorandum of

982
01:09:49,640 --> 01:09:55,560
understanding in the past.
Uh the township has made a request that

983
01:09:53,920 --> 01:10:00,120
we take over
uh

984
01:09:56,120 --> 01:10:06,640
additional portions of about 1.5 miles
of 26th Avenue Northwest.

985
01:10:03,600 --> 01:10:14,080
And that is a section that uh the
township argues is used quite a bit by

986
01:10:09,280 --> 01:10:16,920
city traffic. It's used actually very uh
very little

987
01:10:15,680 --> 01:10:22,120
um
with township traffic. And so I'll just

988
01:10:20,360 --> 01:10:26,600
alert you to that. I know that there are
some opinions, sometimes some strong

989
01:10:24,280 --> 01:10:31,400
opinions on what we take over there. So
that's just a heads up if if you do have

990
01:10:28,720 --> 01:10:36,480
opinions, I'd be very happy to to hear
them.

991
01:10:32,360 --> 01:10:40,160
Um school safety speed signs went up
starting today, so watch for those

992
01:10:38,640 --> 01:10:43,360
signs.
Um

993
01:10:41,280 --> 01:10:48,520
our next governance policy that we will
be working on in advance of the budget

994
01:10:45,520 --> 01:10:53,840
year is a policy on our relationships
with external organizations.

995
01:10:51,640 --> 01:10:57,680
And I say our relationships versus just
funding of external organizations

996
01:10:55,920 --> 01:11:02,280
because we need to address more than
just who do we fund and how do we fund

997
01:11:00,160 --> 01:11:08,120
them. I want to take that governance
policy to go as as far as to determine

998
01:11:05,920 --> 01:11:11,440
how we appoint people to boards of these
organizations. What what are the

999
01:11:09,720 --> 01:11:16,440
requirements in the memorandum of
understanding? I think that's something

1000
01:11:14,120 --> 01:11:21,240
the public would appreciate having and
even the outside organizations would

1001
01:11:18,160 --> 01:11:25,800
appreciate having that clarity in a
governance policy.

1002
01:11:23,360 --> 01:11:25,800
Um

1003
01:11:27,080 --> 01:11:35,960
one final thing that I'll throw out
this council chamber

1004
01:11:32,680 --> 01:11:42,520
and this addition that that
all of you approved um is rarely used.

1005
01:11:40,480 --> 01:11:47,880
So we use it twice a month for this
meeting and and our citizens have put

1006
01:11:45,640 --> 01:11:51,640
millions of dollars into this and and as
I

1007
01:11:49,320 --> 01:11:56,000
think about government transparency from
a perspective of a citizen and I look

1008
01:11:53,960 --> 01:11:59,240
around at the other units of government
and even

1009
01:11:57,240 --> 01:12:03,960
committees and even our own Watertown
Municipal Utilities and how those bodies

1010
01:12:02,600 --> 01:12:09,000
don't have the same degree of
transparency as we do

1011
01:12:06,520 --> 01:12:13,520
here at the city of Watertown
just like to make this room available to

1012
01:12:11,320 --> 01:12:17,720
all of the other governmental
units in the community. We will find a

1013
01:12:15,640 --> 01:12:21,240
way to accommodate you.
We will ensure that we have the

1014
01:12:19,240 --> 01:12:25,360
recording equipment, the broadcast
equipment, the investments that have

1015
01:12:22,760 --> 01:12:31,000
been made here and we can make Watertown
the most transparent city in the state

1016
01:12:28,880 --> 01:12:35,560
when it comes to open government and
that's the commitment that we can make

1017
01:12:32,520 --> 01:12:39,880
here from a staff standpoint. You know,
I just just today the state's open

1018
01:12:38,720 --> 01:12:44,640
meeting
law task force

1019
01:12:42,800 --> 01:12:49,640
kicked down the road a requirement to
record public meetings

1020
01:12:47,360 --> 01:12:54,680
because most bodies don't have the
recording capabilities. We've made the

1021
01:12:52,000 --> 01:12:58,160
investment here. We have the capability
of doing it. You know, there should be

1022
01:12:56,440 --> 01:13:03,160
no reason that a joint planning
commission with the county and the city

1023
01:13:00,520 --> 01:13:07,240
takes place in an extension building
without a recording for the public. And

1024
01:13:05,560 --> 01:13:11,560
so, I'd like to just make that
available. Uh just contact us here at

1025
01:13:09,960 --> 01:13:16,640
City Hall and we can get a schedule
together for the for the public.

1026
01:13:14,080 --> 01:13:20,320
Um with that, I just uh also like to
thank Mr. Simmons for coming forward in

1027
01:13:18,680 --> 01:13:24,320
the open forum.
Um I've met with Mr. Simmons a couple of

1028
01:13:22,520 --> 01:13:28,680
times. He mentioned he's met with with
Chief Toomey as well.

1029
01:13:26,320 --> 01:13:34,360
Um he's brought forward many of the
privacy concerns uh

1030
01:13:31,200 --> 01:13:40,520
around some of the stationary cameras
um early on in the process that that are

1031
01:13:36,880 --> 01:13:45,040
now being talked about uh on a a broader
broader basis.

1032
01:13:42,400 --> 01:13:48,960
I do feel that we've got great policies
in place with within our our local

1033
01:13:47,480 --> 01:13:55,200
police force and would welcome a
community conversation to show what we

1034
01:13:51,680 --> 01:13:59,400
have. Um I do know that um further
conversations are happening as Mr.

1035
01:13:57,240 --> 01:14:04,440
Simmons mentioned. So, just want to
state publicly we are we are open to

1036
01:14:01,440 --> 01:14:08,440
that and we we thank you for keeping uh
keeping us advised of what's happening.

1037
01:14:07,360 --> 01:14:10,800
With that, I'll turn it back to the
mayor.

1038
01:14:14,240 --> 01:14:19,120
» Thank you. Does any city council member
have an

1039
01:14:17,680 --> 01:14:22,800
topic for a future discussion they'd
like to introduce?

1040
01:14:21,160 --> 01:14:27,920
Councilman Moran.
>> Uh just a quick topic and for the

1041
01:14:24,840 --> 01:14:32,840
public, since we had a discussion about
traffic committee earlier tonight, I've

1042
01:14:30,040 --> 01:14:37,920
had a few people reach out to me about
uh our new football stadium.

1043
01:14:34,920 --> 01:14:42,160
And when you're leaving there at night,
um there's so many people walking across

1044
01:14:40,280 --> 01:14:47,480
3rd Avenue
with the stadium lights, when it's dark,

1045
01:14:45,040 --> 01:14:51,200
the one street light that is right there
at the crosswalk doesn't come on. I'm

1046
01:14:49,480 --> 01:14:57,320
assuming it's probably got a sensor on
it. And so, we have hundreds with a

1047
01:14:54,840 --> 01:15:01,080
football game coming up.
We have We'll have thousands of people

1048
01:14:58,920 --> 01:15:05,560
walking across that road right there in
basically pitch black.

1049
01:15:03,880 --> 01:15:10,720
And there I'm sure there's three
entities involved between the school,

1050
01:15:08,000 --> 01:15:16,200
municipal utilities, and the city. I I
have no idea who that would fall on. If

1051
01:15:12,760 --> 01:15:16,200
Yeah, if you want to comment.

1052
01:15:17,240 --> 01:15:22,480
» Very quickly. Um
during the varsity football games for

1053
01:15:20,200 --> 01:15:26,320
both GPL and Watertown High School, that
road is closed down. They They put in a

1054
01:15:24,040 --> 01:15:30,320
permanent request. That doesn't fix
soccer and JV football, but for those

1055
01:15:28,920 --> 01:15:35,120
thousands of people that you're talking
about, they close that road down from I

1056
01:15:33,240 --> 01:15:38,440
think it's like 6:00 p.m. until
everybody's gone from there. So, no

1057
01:15:36,800 --> 01:15:40,040
vehicle traffic. It's just pedestrian
traffic. Okay.

1058
01:15:39,520 --> 01:15:42,760
» Thank you.
>> That might be helpful, but we'll check

1059
01:15:41,240 --> 01:15:46,160
into the
the sensors on the top of the light.

1060
01:15:44,320 --> 01:15:48,400
It's probably something that nobody
caught.

1061
01:15:46,680 --> 01:15:51,160
» Yeah, I just noticed, you know, leaving
the soccer

1062
01:15:49,800 --> 01:15:55,760
game
Friday night, you know, there's there's

1063
01:15:53,360 --> 01:15:59,840
anything from the littlest toddler
running across the road to, you know,

1064
01:15:57,960 --> 01:16:05,120
grown adults, and they they're walking
across the in pitch black. So.

1065
01:16:02,640 --> 01:16:05,120
Thank you.

1066
01:16:05,840 --> 01:16:12,200
» Anything else?
>> All right, thank you.

1067
01:16:09,400 --> 01:16:12,200
» Councilman Shetty.

1068
01:16:12,400 --> 01:16:15,960
» Just to put it on the record, someone
has a birthday tomorrow.

1069
01:16:14,960 --> 01:16:18,502
» Correct?
Does the mayor have a birthday tomorrow?

1070
01:16:17,200 --> 01:16:20,522
» someone does.
>> [laughter]

1071
01:16:21,600 --> 01:16:26,880
» Well, happy birthday, mayor, tomorrow.
>> [laughter]

1072
01:16:24,280 --> 01:16:26,880
» Thank you.

1073
01:16:28,440 --> 01:16:33,622
» That's uh something for executive
session.

1074
01:16:31,602 --> 01:16:33,622
» [laughter]

1075
01:16:34,000 --> 01:16:40,720
» Any other topics?
All right. We have no reason to go into

1076
01:16:39,000 --> 01:16:44,200
executive session. I will entertain a
motion to adjourn.

1077
01:16:42,480 --> 01:16:48,760
Motion made by Councilman Allen,
seconded by Councilman Peters. All those

1078
01:16:46,400 --> 01:16:51,120
in favor of adjournment, please say I.
>> I.

1079
01:16:49,400 --> 01:16:55,880
» Any opposed say nay.
Motion carries. Good night and God bless

1080
01:16:53,240 --> 01:16:55,880
you, Watertown.