Common Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'd like to ask Pastor Katie Vanderland from Ebenezer Church to come up and give an invocation.

Recording in progress.

Oh, there we go. Hiu, a very warm blessing to you and our fellow siblings who are celebrating the second night of Hanukkah as we are gathered here today. So, and we also especially remember those especially in uh Bondi in Australia who unfortunately experienced a very horrendous uh first night of their Hanukkah celebration. So, we lift them up this evening. It is a wonderful time of year as many of us gather for many different reasons under many different uh understandings and celebrations and I wish to lift up to you the excitement of Quanza. Quanza begins on December 26th and I thought these principles these daily principles of light very much reflect what you all do um for the city. The first is fostering unity in families, communities, and nations. The second, defining oneself and shaping one's future. The third celebration, building and maintaining community. The fourth, supporting businesses and economic growth, especially for some of our marginalized folks. restoring traditional greatness, leaving community more beautiful and beneficial. Isn't that what we all hope to do? And believing in people and leaders and the righteousness struggles. Many of us probably don't celebrate those evenings of light in the Quanza

tradition, but what a reminder and what an inspiration for us as we all see the value in community, in family, in traditions, in connections, in support, and in responsibility. And so I invite us now at this time to bow our heads and to think of whoever our creator is as we listen. Holy and wonderful creator, we thank you for this time and this responsibility. We thank you for the support of the community. And we thank you for the challenge of leadership. We know this is not an easy task and there are decisions to be made that not everyone will agree with, but we ask that you help us to reach peace and to seek community and to understand the greater good and the benefit of all. We thank you for those gathered here and those gathered online. We thank you for the decisions and we ask that you guide and guard all of us in the way of peace and service and help and hope. And as this is the last common council meeting of the 2025 year, may we look back and see progress, see building, and look forward to a brighter future. as we remember the tenant to leave this world and this town more beautiful than when we stepped in. Amen.

Thank you.

Okay, I'd like to call tonight's common council meeting on December 16th to order. It is 7:04 p.m. Davis here. Lampy here. B here. Blanky Smith here. Arnett here. Wel. Moldenhower here. Okay. Thank you. Can you please stand for the pledge of

allegiance? United States, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay, first agenda, minutes of the common council meeting held on December 2nd and December 9th. Mr.

Motion by second by Berg. All those in favor say I. I. I.

Opposed. Thank you. Next we have we have comments and suggestions from citizens present. If you wish to address the council, please state your name and address. You have up to three minutes. Okay. Next, we'll move on to reports. We have licensing board minutes from November 12th. Parks Recreation Force minutes from November 17th. WMSP board of directors minutes from November 18th. Site plan review minutes from November 24th. Plan commission minutes from November 24th. Finance command minutes from November 24th. Downtown Main Street minutes from November 25th. Public safety and welfare minutes from December 3rd. And public works minutes from December 9th. Questions, comments, anything there? Yeah, I I want to ask if uh a person from our our park and wreck can make a comment here and I and it's only to clarify, but it shows on the the minutes from November 17th that they had under item C just explaining their increases in their pool pass rates that they're going to have for um for next year apparently and that it's showing 150% for non-resident resident rates and I I I I mean there's a a point at which raising rates has a disaffecting or a a diminishing effect on revenue and it and it could have um you know a very negative type of consequence by raising a rate that much but give me a rationale or a reason why as long as it's in the minutes here if you could.

You got Mr. Lampio as I could too. I want to emphasize here that the 17% increase essentially across the board. Thank you. Uh the 17% increase was opposed or proposed across the board. The um I'm not exactly sure if it's stated uh clearly here. The 150% is essentially an adjustment from all of the resident rates to all the non-resident rates. So the the method here is essentially to recalculate the pool fees based on the 17% increase and then as has been done in the past essentially add 50% to get to that 150% for all of the rates that non-residents pay. So it's not an increase of 150. It's an increase for everybody at about 17%.

And a non-resident would be how much more? 17% more than what they're paying today. I don't understand the math, but it'll be a different day. The math doesn't make sense to me on on how you just gave your explanation, but I I I I thought I'd get some get some type of a of a clarification and and you you seem to understand the the view of the park and wreck behind this motion, but uh I I'll look into it further. I don't I don't think that the map you just gave me does not add up.

So I will say one of the things that we debated within park and wreck was whether we want to emphasize the use of round numbers. So there's a little bit of wiggle room. We essentially afforded the park and wreck director to come up with that. So 17% is essentially the target. And you notice the the note there about rounded to the nearest dollar. Essentially, if today's fee is $10 for residents, it's $15 for non-residents. If that goes up to $170 for residents, that's going to go up, let me do some math here, about $2 and about about$,750 for a non-resident. So, it's it applies to both. It'll go up by the same percentage for residents and non-residents. But the index that we want to keep in place was residents at 100% non-residents at 150.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Mr. Blankie, so if I could just I want to make sure I'm understanding as well. Just to simplify, the current rate is 150% of what for non-residents and we want to keep that basically that rate. Thank you. That ratio as we raise it 70%.

Yes. And I think that last sentence where it says with non-resident rates remaining at 150, the adjusted resident rate is meant to emphasize that that's a ratio calculation after we apply the new resident fees. Okay, thank you. Anything else in reports? Okay, we'll move on to communication recommendations.

Okay, appreciation of your of years service to Elizabeth dispatch has been working for 10 years for the city. We got to thank her for her service. Next, new business review and take action committee appointments. Mr. Smith, the approval of your appointment to the health board. I got a motion by Smith. Second by Davis. Okay. Questions on that? We'll take a

Smith. Arnett. Hi. Wetel. Hi. Moldenhower. Hi. Davis. Hi. Lampy. Hi. Berg. Hi. Barts. Blanky. I. Motion carried.

Okay. Thank you. Next. Review and take action. Election Inspector Special Boing Deputies municipal canvaser appointments for 2627 election term. Couple of them there. Mr. Smith, I would u move for the approval of each of your numerous appointments to election inspector and voting deputies etc. Okay. Got a motion by Smith, second by Barts. Okay. Questions, comments? I know Mr. B just a comment. I know how hard it is to get people to uh involve themselves on a lot of these types of duties, but tell me Megan, has has this been a a challenging type of task or are you getting a lot of retention from existing people?

Yes, we have a lot of retention from prior ones, but we are also receiving new ones a lot. You'd like to spread the word. We have an Thank you, Megan. Okay. All right. Megan Smith. Hi, Arnett. Hi, Wetzel. Moldenhower. Hi, Davis. Hi, Lampy. Berg, I Barts, Lanky, I. Motion carried.

Okay, thank you. Nine, we have a payroll summary for November 12th through November 25th. also cash investments on for November 30th, 2025. Okay, move on to licenses. Review and take action application for a temporary class B wine and temporary class B beer license from St. Henry Church for casino night located at 300 East Katy Street. in the gym on January 17th, 2026 during the hours of 6:00 to 10 p.m. Okay. Motion by Berg.

Second by Mullenhower. Thanks, Marin. Okay. Questions on that?

Yeah. Okay. All in favor say I. I I opposed. Okay. Thank you. Next ordinances. Ordinance 25-24. Adopt the plan development overlay district general development plan for the Oxbow at 100 East Division Street. Pin number 291 0815 0412 029 and 104 East Division Street. PIN 291 0915 3343 053. sponsored by myself and planning commission on second reading.

Mr. Mayor, I'll move for ordinance 2524 on it. Second reading. Okay. M blanki second by Arnette. Okay. Questions, comments on that, Mr. Bird?

Yeah, maybe Brad can uh comment on this one, but I I read through the the ordinance and everything looks uh fine, but On the last page, uh, it shows under public comment summary that, uh, a Sandra TGO ended up making comments about the proposed oxbow structure and how it would affect privacy and shading on the backyards of properties to the north. That was a uh, an issue um, you know, a month or maybe two months ago. Has anything moved forward on that addressing that concern they had? So that was uh the issue of the county line comes into play. Um she had recommended or requested that they mirror basically the building so that the shading would be reversed. Unfortunately, due to the county line, you can't have that run down the center of the building and that's what would happen. So you'd be splitting actual units in that building into two separate counties and that's against state law. So the way the building is currently structured, there's actually a wall where the county line is that allows for the delineation between the two counties. That's why it it's actually not possible on that parcel to do what the resident requested.

Thank you,

Linky. Hi, Smith. Arnett, hi Wzel. Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Hi Lampy. Hi Berg. Hi Barts. Hi. Motion carried. Okay. Next resolutions. Exhibit 9810. Resolution to approve transit agency fair increase effective January 1st, 2026. Sponsored by myself and the finance committee, Mr. Smith. Adoption of exhibit 9810. I got a motion by Smith.

Second by BS Mr. Blankie. Go ahead. Um on this item, it's a 33% increase uh to the current fair from $9 to $12. And I'm just curious as to what is the uh factor that caused that large of an increase in one one rate increase I guess looking for the rates myself or Fred want to say something but got them here.

Yeah, Mr. Smith. Well, there was a deficit that the transit commission was recommending means to bridge in the least painful way possible. Uh first of all um this agency has not increased for a large number of years. I think uh 2019. Um in addition, it is uh the only fair that is not uh paid by riders. In other words, there are agencies that provide vouchers or payments for those that are taking the rides. Um lastly, we did a u an evaluation on all the rates, but in this particular instance, comparisons of all of the different shared ride cab systems statewide, and we were um um not the lowest, but we were among the lower end at $9. and there were many that were already at uh the $12 rate. So these basically are fairs that come to the city uh to pay for the rides of individuals who are not actually paying for uh the ride themselves. And while it may seem like it's not that big a percentage of the total fairs, it actually uh this uh recommended fair increase would cut our deficit about $10,000, which went a long way to keeping us from having to raise rates for actual rate payers. There's a recommendation for a rate

increase for adults, but there are many, many other categories that weren changed at all. I believe adults went from four to five, which was the first raise, first increase since 2021. Uh, kids with an adult stay at $2. Any older children under age of 18 remained at $3 and then senior citizens and disabled remained at $3. So, all the other ones stayed the same. Adults was one up at $1. And then the agency as you just most of them stay the same. Thank you M Davis.

But the agency I think you mentioned this they are generally subsidized is generally through the federal government. Yes. uh different um government entities um provide those u payments for the rides uh not the actual um writers. So still tax money. Yes, it is. So there you go. Still tax money. Our tax money. Smith Arnett. Hi, Wetzel. Moldenhower.

Hi, Davis. Hi, Lampy. Hi, Berg. Hi, BS. Hi, Blanky. Motion carried. Okay, thank you. B. Exhibit 9811, resolution to authorize a three-year contract with with Glacier Ridge Landfill LLC for solid waste disposal, sponsored by myself and the finance committee. Go ahead and Okay. Motion by Wetzel. Second.

Second by Davis. Thank you. Mayor, I wanted to I noticed uh somewhere in the in the minutes that were um given to us that there was a uh potential savings of like $71,000 from maybe the current rate that we're paying. And that's uh very significant, but I'm interested in in what we budgeted. I didn't have the ability to look at that to see are there savings that we can actually uh benefit from as far as what we budgeted versus what is in this year. And if so, where are those savings going to go to?

I believe Stacy had said that she had budgeted for the contract we've been using last couple years. That would should be 70,000 under budget. What happens to the 70,000? Be in there. Mr. Stevens wants to maybe speak on that a little better. You obviously have the ability to modify the budget. Nothing has done yet with that, but there is the savings built into the budget. And it's solid waste, right?

And um when we asked Stacy that question at the finance committee meeting, she said that um it's a it would help them because they have been considering rate increases too and this may mean that they don't have to do that. Wel Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Lampy Berg. Hi Barts. Hi Linky. Hi Smith. Hi Arnett. Hi. Motion carried.

Okay. Next D. Exhibit 9813. Resolution to enter into mutual aid services agreement with Wauaaw fire department sponsored by alderman net in the public works and I believe everybody's given a hard copy response today Mr. Move for 9812

okay motion by arnette okay second by Wetzel clarification sorry Mr. I believe you read off the 9813 and alder move for 9812 is actually the surplus energy agreement. I thought that I you know did I did I read D by accident? I apologize. I'll go back and just read reread C. We'll do the same one.

Okay. Sorry. Exhibit 9812, resolution. Thank you, Mr. Blank. Resolution for surplus energy agreement between Watertown Wastewater Treatment Plant and Wisconsin Electric Power Company. Sponsored by Alder Arnette and the Public Works Commission. Okay. Motion by Arnette and second by Wetzel on 9812. Is there a motion already? We got Yeah, I think we're good.

I I wanted to ask if I could then with our older person, Arnette. Um I mean it's an intriguing type of uh topic here of generating apparently an alternate type of uh energy source with electricity. uh but what's the impetus behind this uh resolution and and u what is the the amount of electricity that can apparently be generated by this method of um of energy I'm actually going to say this is essentially busy work courtesy of the state so we put the solar array in over the plant to generate power for the plant we are not going to be generating any spare But in order to do it, the state requires just in case it should ever happen that we have one little speck of spare energy to sell, we need to have an agreement in place already with the rate established. And that's what this does.

It's a statutory requirement, too. So, we can't even modify any provision of this contract. It's all we would have to appeal to the PSC in order to make any changes. I I think I've heard And I appreciate the insight. Thank you. Thanks, Mr. Arnett. I Wetszel. Moldenhower. I Davis. Hi. Lampy Berg. Hi. Barts. Hi. Blanky. Hi. Smith. Motion carried.

Okay. Thank you. Then we'll move move on to exhibit 9813 resolution to enter into mutual aid services agreement with WA fire department sponsored by Alderette in the public works. Mr. Mayor, I move for 9813. Okay. Motion by second. Okay. Second by Mullen. Chief's online. If anybody has questions, is this a cost to our department right here. Looks like Tanya,

um this cost will be covered by the water department. Um they have funds available for it and this is more um to support their needs and then also a secondary benefit to Watertown Fire Department for additional training for our personnel. Our personnel are not trained and certified in confined space. Um and the hazmat teams and availability in Jefferson County are limited. Um where this can be a simple phone call to get immediate help and support. Very good. Thank you, Chief.

Okay. Arnett, hi Wetzel. Hi Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Hi Lampy. Berg. Hi, Barts. Hi, Blanky. Hi, Smith. Hi. Motion carried. Okay, thank you. Next. Exhibit 9814, resolution to approve mechanical for wastewater primary pump installation sponsored by Alderman and the public works commission. Motion by Barts, second by Blanky. Okay. Okay. Megan Barts. Hi.

Blanky. Hi. Smith. Hi. Arnett. Hi. Wetzel. Hi. Moldenhower. Hi. Davis. Lampy. Hi. Berg. Motion carried.

Okay. Thank you. Next. Exhibit 9815. Resolution to approve change order number one with me hunt for engineering design and construction services for wastewater bioolids dryer project sponsored by net and the public works commission blankie I'll move for exhibit 9850 a motion by blankie second by berg okay questions comments on the last one Thank you. Blinky. Hi Smith. Hi Arnett. Hi Wetzel.

Hi Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Ay Berg I BS. Motion carried. Okay. Thank you. Last in the agenda, comments and suggestions from citizens present and my wish to address the council up to three minutes. Just please state your name and address. You're okay, Mr. Cash. Come on up. I'm

think is it green?

Oh, there it is. Okay. John Cage, 204 West Main Street. I'm just um trying to get some clarification. I'm at the age now to where I have to be uh figuring out my uh end of life financial decisions. And what I had thought of doing was to leaving my estate to the Watertown Public Library. But after seeing what occurred with the last donation to the endowment fund and how it ultimately ended up in the U decrease in the library budget, I'm just wondering is there is there a maximum that can be in an endowment fund? Is that set by a state statute? Is that a municipal thing? Um because my estate though not gigantic would be more than what that last donation was that set off this firestorm. So I'm just trying to uh get an idea what what number is too much in an endowment fund for what could be used 10 years from now, 20 years from now. for the next major addition or expansion to the library. So, if I could get some guidance guidance on that, I would appreciate.

Thank you, Commissioner Catish. Thank you. Okay, seeing no one else, I'll look for a motion to adjurnn. So moved. Okay. Motion by Blankie. Second by Wetzel. Okay. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. Merry Christmas everyone.