City Council - Regular Meeting

I call the order for a Watertown City Council meeting for July 6th of 2026. Please rise while our good friend Hank Rosso, the chaplain of Watertown Fire Rescue, leads us in prayer.

Please join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, as we pause this evening and look to you for your great wisdom, your great love, your great hand on our community, we say thank you for your presence here. Your word is clear. Wherever two or three are gathered in your name, there you are in the midst of them. God, as we give you thanks, we thank you for this great community we live in. We thank you for each one that serves in their part in making what it is. Lord, I thank you for, first of all, our first responders, our police and fire personnel. I know throughout the weekend they were running from one end of the city to the other, ministering to people in crisis. And thank you for them. I pray that you will continue to watch over them, provide safety, and your loving touch on their family members too. Thank you for each one here and for the common bond we share, and that is the love for Watertown. Thank you for wisdom and insight and all those good gifts that we need tonight. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, Finance Officer Bob Zien, please call the roll, but please do note that we have excused absences from both Councilman Juerens and Councilman Schutte tonight.

Okay. Peters?

Here.

Schutte is absent. Allen?

Here.

Hoyer?

Here.

Holleen?

Here.

Moorman?

Here.

Juerens? Absent. Thank you.

Quorum is established. Chair will ask if there is anyone who has a conflict of interest to disclose tonight. Not hearing one, can I get a motion to approve tonight's agenda? Motion made by Peters, seconded by Councilman Moorman. Any discussion on the agenda? Hearing none, the motion is to approve the agenda. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, say nay. Motion carries. We are on to open forum. If there's anyone who would like to address the council on something not on tonight's agenda, now is your time to do so. Don't see anyone coming forward. We will move into presentations and reports. We have a good friend of the council and of the city here. I'll let him tell you his name.

You forgot it already? I'm Randy Tupper. I've had the privilege of course sitting where a lot of you gentlemen are sitting right now, but I've also had the privilege of doing the fireworks for the past six years. I'm kind of a kid at heart when it comes to fireworks. I've seen the mayor the other day, and I said, well, we've got to find somebody else to do this. And he said, no, no, no, no. So I think it started out as a voluntold deal, but I enjoy it every year. And, God, what a great night we had. 250th celebration in the United States. Biggest crowd we've ever had. Of course, being on 250th and falling on a Saturday in great weather, It was just excellent. I mean, it was a very, very early crowd. Matter of fact, before I got there, I got a call that one of the inflatables was going down. So any guy that puts up the inflatables, he was out picking up some other ones from earlier in the day. And I got there, and the only problem was there was too many kids in it. So that's just, I mean, the kids were just having a blast. Like I say, it was an early crowd. About 9 o'clock, I drove to the parking lot over at Premier Softball Field. There wasn't a Single parking spot left, and I've never seen that before, and there wasn't a whole lot left at Anza's. So tons of people talking to Ryan from the police department. He agrees that that's by far the biggest crowd we've ever had, and we've always estimated that at 8,000 to 10,000, I'm going to say it's probably 10,000 to 11,000. Brings a lot of people into the community from out of town, but also a good place for the citizens of Watertown to celebrate the 4th. I'll start out with the night before. We always have the consumer shoot over at Premier Softball Field. There's two gentlemen from those fireworks that set it all up. Safety's always their biggest concern, so they set up shooting stations that are measured so far away. I got there about seven o'clock, and Scott Driscoll from Outertown Ford always lets me use one of his six-wheel golf carts, so I shuttle people back and forth, Well, as soon as I got there, there was already five stations taken at 7. As soon as I got there, I didn't slow down until 9.30. So biggest crowd we've ever had over there. I would say spectator-wise, it was around 200 people. I've never seen that many people just come out to watch everybody else shoot their fireworks off. But first off, on the 4th, I got a lot of thank yous. So we'll get into that part of it. Because without these businesses and the city of Watertown, with a lot of different departments, we couldn't pull this off. First off, I want to thank the mayor and his brother Darren for helping me do a little bit of the fundraising. Now I'll get into reading the sponsors, and that's why I've always been a firm believer in shop local, I always will be, because these are the things that are important in our community. It's all local businesses that gave. So when you hear these names, next time you see them, thank them, do business with them, because This part's actually, it takes me a lot of time, but it's actually a piece of cake because most people give and give every year. In our bronze category, we had Elite Drain and Sewer, Glenn and Darla Billhauer, Stein Sign, Exit Realty, Cornerstone Bank, Eastside Equipment, Magic Mile Casino, Highlands Roadside Gas, First Bank and Trust. In our silver category, we had American Bank and Trust, Cowboy Country Stores, Four Amigos, Watertown Ford Chrysler, Watertown Box, Montgomery's Furniture, Platinum Real Estate, Mack Steel, HDR Engineering, Active Heating and Air Conditioning, Two Valley Credit Union, Titan Machinery, Dakota Land Federal Credit Union, Riley's Repair, Plains Commerce Bank, Relia Bank, B&G Industries, Evolution Power Sports and Marines, In our gold category, we had Lake Area Technical College, McKeever's Vending, Custom Fabricators, Watertown Municipal Utilities, Stone's Truck Stop, J&J Land Sales, Visit Watertown, and Dakota Bank. In our platinum, we had First Premier Bank, Premier Bank Card. And this year, we had a Diamond Giver, which was Glacial X Energy. So I think those people deserve a round of applause. I visited with Chief Remmers, or Assistant Chief Remmers just a few minutes ago, asked him if he had any troubles out there with people. Not a single one. So people were patient this year getting out. Usually if you're parked in the end of the parking lot, They send you south, but then the fireworks people got to check the street first, make sure there's no live fireworks out there. So he said there wasn't a single person complaining. So I got to thank the community for their patience getting in and out. It can sometimes take quite a while, but a show like that's well worth it. We spent a total of $40,000 on the display. It's one of the region's largest fireworks display. I used to say the state's largest, but I think they probably beat us out at Mount Rushmore this year. I don't know. Maybe if you were their mayor and, you know, being the, what do I want to say, the keynote speaker, we might have gotten more honors. I did not get invited. You're invited every year. You tell me the Fourth of July is your family vacation. It really is. So I couldn't do this without a lot of people other than the sponsors. There's a lot of people behind the scenes that helped me do this. And I lean a lot on the city departments. I got to thank you and city manager Stager for allowing me to reach out to these departments and ask for their help. And that gets easier every year because they all know what their role is. So, but some of those departments, first off, I want to thank Bruce and Molly Bueller for coming out, singing the national anthem. They did a tremendous job, you know, just, Bruce had called me earlier in the day and said Bruce was going to do it, and he called me earlier in the day and said, hey, my daughter's in town from New York. So she passed up one of the biggest displays in New York. Give them a lot of charge is what I was giving them. Gave them a joke about it anyhow, but they did a tremendous job, and I want to thank them personally. My thank you goes out to the city departments that help a lot in this, and of course... Watertown Police Department. They got a pretty big job out there moving the traffic and keeping everybody in line. Watertown Fire Department. This year they brought out a ladder truck being the 250th. Parked it down on 20th Avenue and it had the big flag up. That was in the background. It really looked neat. The Street Department. The Finance Department. Solid Waste Department. Not a whole lot that I don't touch. There's a few in there I don't. Mark Luno and his crew from the fireworks, they did an outstanding job. They were there at 7 o'clock that morning starting to set up 10 of them, and it was about 8.30 when they got done. So that tells you how many hours it takes to set up. And that's before all the preparations. I know they used to spend 50 to 60 hours behind the scenes just designing it all. And I'd like to thank KXLG and Terry Canasta did the music out to the soccer field for synchronizing the music to the fireworks. It was great. I guess that was the last one I had. Pretty long list, but I couldn't do it without any of them. So they all worked together as a team and Now Kristen gets to send out all the bills and pay all the bills.

Yeah, and the finance department, thank you for sending the invoices.

Oh, one other thing, I did raise right around $32,000 for the show, so $32,000 of local money that people believe in Watertown, and they're all local businesses, so let's not forget to shop local. Don't push that buy button on Amazon. Amazon has never donated any money to us, so. Good point. With that, that's a wrap-up for 26 fireworks. I guess I'm doing it again next year. What do you tell me, anyhow? Anybody who wants to help, I'll take all the help I can get.

And that is a good thank you for mentioning that, because we are always looking for help to make it always bigger and better, the best show that we possibly can for the community. I do have a little bit of proof that I do remember your name, and I did prior to tonight's meeting, because I actually have a little something for you for the thanks of everything that you have done for the city of Watertown. And I have a proclamation here in your honor, which I have never done. And as people know, I don't just throw these around, but there are very few people in the community who donate their time to literally save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the tenure of your time. And that should not go underestimated. So whereas Randy Tupper has served the community of Watertown and the surrounding area for many years, and whereas Randy Tupper has put in countless hours of public service in an official capacity as a member of the Watertown City Council, as deputy mayor of Watertown, and with many other official boards and committees, and whereas Randy Tupper has also put in countless hours for other community groups, nonprofit organizations, and volunteering to help others, And whereas for many years now, Watertown's 4th of July fireworks show, which has several times been the biggest fireworks show in the state, has depended upon the selfless dedication of Randy Tupper to raise money to make the show possible. And whereas he has never taken any credit for these efforts, but has instead given all the credit to the many people and businesses in town who so generously donate to make the show possible. And whereas Randy is right to give credit to the donors, but it is also proper and good for a grateful community to also give some credit to the man who coordinates our annual Independence Day celebrations. So now, therefore, I, Reid Holien, Mayor of Watertown, on behalf of all of the citizens of Watertown, do hereby express our sincere gratitude to Randy Topper for all he has done and continues to do for Watertown. And I do hereby present to him the key to the city.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you.

We are moving into contracts and change orders. Item 10A is an approval of a change order number two for the Neighborhood Street Reconstruct Fifth Avenue North project number 2503 to SiteWorks Incorporated in the amount of $31,000 roughly for a new contract price of $3,051,214.85. We'll go to our city engineer, Justin Peterson, for more information on this. Thank you, Mayor.

WE'VE NOW COMPLETED MOST OF THE UNDERGROUND WORK FOR THE FIFTH AVENUE PROJECT AND THIS CHANGE ORDER MAKES SOME ADJUSTMENTS FOR THAT UTILITY WORK. KIND OF THE BIGGEST CHANGE IS THERE'S SOME SOFT SPOTS THAT WERE ENCOUNTERED WHILE PUTTING THE UTILITY WORK. Change order is $30,000, a little over $30,000. The total contract is a little over $3 million. That is divided up into city share and WMU share. So the city share is now $2,549,000, a little over. And then the remaining half a million is WMU share. I guess with that, I'll stand by for any questions.

Thank you. Council, can I get a motion to approve the change order? Motion obeyed by Councilman Allen, seconded by Councilman Peters. Open it up for discussion.

Councilman Hoyer. Just out of curiosity, the soft spots, where specifically were those? I'm just kind of curious with it because Fifth Avenue feels like it's higher up in our community, but I was curious what the depth was and kind of where it was hit.

It was kind of a low spot. right about Broadway-ish, a little west there, and water tends to collect there for whatever reason, so.

Fair enough. Any other discussion? Motion is to approve the change order. All those in favor will say aye. Opposed, nay. Officer Bobzi, please call the roll.

Okay. Peters? Aye. Allen?

Aye.

Hoyer?

Aye.

Helene?

Aye.

Mormon? Aye. All in favor?

motion is unanimous in favor motion carries item eleven a so we're on to ordinance first readings we have three separate we're going to take them separate but just to let people know these are all basically updating our codes from 2018 to the 2024 additions. So item A is a first reading of ordinance number 2618, a zoning text amendment to chapter 5.0301, building codes adopted with modifications of the revised ordinances of the City of Watertown updating the International Residential Code. from 2018 to 2024. And then the next, we'll just highlight the codes that they're dealing with. So we'll go to our community development manager, Brandy Hinton.

Thank you, Mayor. So the title really does describe the high level of what we are accomplishing here. This was discussed at the work session last week, and I did not receive any additional comments or questions from what was proposed. A lot of these are... It's consistent modifications from the 2018 to the 2024 code. It is just something for our insurance service officer, office, sorry, that we adopt a more current code. And now that the state legislator from this session has went into effect, the 2024 residential well, actually, all international code is effective for our state, so it's appropriate at this time for cities to now adopt and modify as we have presented. This also was presented to the Watertown Area Home Builders Association, and there were not substantial comments to address, so with that, I'll, oh, no, that's my presentation.

Manager Hanton, I know we talked about it at the work session, but could you highlight any potential changes that anyone might notice?

Yeah, and so the main one that was discussed for the International Residential Code, which in short, I'll say IRC, was the contemplation of the climatic and geographic design criteria changes. And that would have added costs to single family homes or actually just any home underneath a fourplex. is covered by the International Residential Code. And so the city and staff together are presenting to keep that snow load, the pounds per square foot, the same as it was in the 2018 TO THE 2024 CODE. SO WE MADE THAT. THAT WAS A LARGER MODIFICATION. AND BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ROOFS COLLAPSING. AND WE ALSO HAVE OUR GOALS FOR MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND JUST ADDITIONAL HOUSING IN GENERAL. And so that would add costs. And so we are, staff is keeping a pulse on that. We're staying at the 50 pounds per square foot versus going to the 64.4, which is a pretty significant jump with the 14.4 pounds per square feet. But we are staying in contact with other municipalities in the state to see how it's handled. And regardless, we did add a caveat in there that this specific climatic and geographic design criteria chart would not be effective until 180 days just for people that are in the middle of their projects or have their projects designed so they don't have to go back to the drawing board.

Council, any questions? Councilman Hoyer.

Just thanks again for looking at the affordability of things, keeping costs down. I know that some of that red tape can really complicate things, and I would agree that if we're not seeing historic issues, it's probably not that big of an issue here. Did we touch on by chance the little bit about windows and doors and replacing them at the bottom? Because I think that'd be worth highlighting as well, because I know there's a lot of questions about that for folks. I know that anytime I've looked at replacing my window, I've had a spouse that always mentions permits, so it'd be great to highlight this one.

Yeah, so after Senate Bill 3 that went through the legislator this year was adopted and is now effective, that removed cities being allowed to require permits for windows and doors when they are being replaced in owner-occupied homes. So we have made that modification now, too.

Just follow up. So is that just as long as they're staying the same size same everything you're just switching out like modernizing You're good to go.

Yep.

Perfect Any other comments on the IRC We'll move on to 11 B which is the ordinance 26-19 and updating the International Building Code Manager Hanton, would you just highlight any of the differences? I

Yes, so International Building Code covers all other types of buildings after the IRC and the residential structures under four units. And there were not significant changes whatsoever with the building code. this going from the 2018 to the 2024 edition, and this was discussed with the commercial contractors that we have licensed, and really the main thing that we memorialized in this proposed ordinance amendment is the, let me get down to it here, The exemption for multi-story buildings allowing occupancies to have the same amenities on the first floor that are provided on the second floor. And then just the note of, yeah, everything else was really just bringing it up, making just a cleanup between potential different section numbers from the 2018 to the 2024. Thank you. Council.

Councilman, Councilman Allen.

Just to follow up on that multi-story thing. So essentially, if you have the same amenities on the first floor that you do on the second floor, say laundry service or something like that, there's no need for an elevator, right?

Correct. Or like a chairlift.

Yeah, I just I wonder about how that gets communicated to potential residents and facilities like that I mean, I assume everybody would check but you know, I think about people that it's not the fact that they that the amenities aren't the same or they have to go up or down to get to the amenities, but It's the very fact of having to go up and down where some people maybe live on a second story and You know at some point they're unable to walk up and down stairs as well as they were in the past So I just wonder about how we communicate that to people that are maybe renting apartments on second floors and assuming they've got a lift when they don't have a lift or

Yeah, and I I mean that would be for the property managers This is really we run into it with like commercial businesses Because as far as residential goes I think that there might even be higher standards that take care of Those concerns, okay.

Thank you Any other councilman

We'll move to item 11C, which is the ordinance 26-20 on the International Fire Code. Manager Hatton, back to you.

Thank you, Mayor. Once again, this is just us updating from the 2018 to the 2024 edition. Not many changes made between this updated edition either. Anything that you see in the proposed amendment really is just outlining I'm trying to put the sections of the IFC that apply to Certain sections in the ordinance all in one place So but otherwise no no major changes there with this one either Thank You counsel any questions All right, we'll move on to

13A, which is an authorization for the city manager to sign the Hall Road Agreement between the City of Watertown and J&J Land Sales, LLC, for the maintenance and access on 31st Street Southeast and 3rd Avenue Northeast for the mining use on the property located at the south end 1,800 of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 27 township 217 north Range 52 west of the 5th p.m.. In the county of Coddington, South Dakota known as parcel 1 I Could have just gotten known as parcel 1 manager hand back to you

Thank you, Mayor. So if you recall, this property that the mayor just legally described was annexed and zoned into city limits by city council on June 15th of 2026. And a plat, a subsequent plat that will have a better and easier addition name will be coming forward as well. But then with that approval, the conditional use for the property's use of mining operations was required to be granted by the Board of Adjustment, which happened on June 18th. And as a condition of that approval, IT WAS NOTED TO HAVE A HALL ROAD AGREEMENT MEMORIALIZED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THAT MEETING. SO STAFF ALREADY HAD THE DRAFT FORM. WE HAD PRESENTED THAT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER AS WELL AS THE BOARD AS A PART OF THEIR APPROVAL CONTEMPLATION AND THEN ALSO BECAUSE IT WAS A CONDITION. AND SO WE HAD THAT DRAFT FORM. AND SO THAT IS WHAT IS BEFORE City Council, and as stated, it outlines the agreements for the haul road that were agreed upon as far as, or this will memorialize that as long as City Council approves of what J&J land sales, the current property owner is, what maintenance activities they are partaking in as far as 3rd Avenue and 31st Street, trying to create or reduce any nuisances that those gravel roads may cause. produce for especially residential properties. So that has been outlined in there. And then as far as the actual routes that the traffic will be using as they utilize that mining site. So with that, I will stand by for questions.

Thank you. Council, may I please get a motion to authorize the city manager to sign the agreement?

Motion made by councilman Mormon second by councilman Peters any questions council councilman Allen So a couple of things one is does this have any impact on dunnock?

So it's not between the city and dunnock And it really just comes down to how the maintenance will be performed and that will be on J&J and

What I'm thinking about is the use of 3rd Avenue, because Dunnick regularly uses 3rd Avenue with their trucks. I witnessed several today. So they're going to continue to be allowed to use 3rd Avenue without restriction. It's only J&J and their subcontractors that will be required to use 31st for access. Is that correct? Yes.

City Manager Steger has something that he'd like to say on that one.

To the extent that Dunnock is not hauling out of J&J's gravel mining operation, it doesn't bind them to this agreement. However, we are also looking at the speed limit on 3rd Avenue as well as the dust control measures that J&J land sales is required to implement should help with the Dunnock traffic as well.

I just, I mean, the speed limit's 25 currently, and I don't think we're changing that. You wouldn't reduce it below 25 miles an hour, would you?

We generally would not reduce it below 25 unless we would do a special speed limit for trucks over a certain weight limit.

Yeah. And that was another question I had. It's about the weight limit requirement. Do they weigh their trucks at the scale there that Webster scale that exists along 31st? Or is that because that's the dunnock scale, isn't it?

I don't know They have a scale of their own in their pit.

They do. Okay Is there any change to weight limits that those I mean, they're kind of the way they always were right? I assume So we didn't reduce the amount of weight that those trucks can carry or...

Correct. Through this agreement, no.

Okay, thank you.

Councilman Moorman.

Just curious if Dunnock has a haul road agreement like what we're discussing with J&J.

No, they do not. And Dunnock also exists still within the county. Not to my knowledge.

Okay. Okay. That's all I was wondering and yeah Just for the public's knowledge the primary route that J&J will be hauling out of there Gravel pit will be on 31st going south to highway 212 Yep as the as the primary route. Okay. Thank you. I

Councilman Allen so just to follow up on that there's language in the Road Hall agreement about violations and if Violations, I think there were if as many as three violations were reported then we the city would be Able to take action With J&J is that correct?

City attorney Carrico

Correct. So the way that we're looking at the violations any violations of the agreement affects their conditional use So then that's how we basically Take the remedy to fix it.

So yep, so the but the violations must be reported more than light I mean, we don't have code enforcement out there watching or anything It would likely be citizens that would report that they were seeing J&J vehicles using Third Avenue and Assume reported to someone that you know hey, they're they're still running trucks out here Or their subcontractors are which would also be not permitted unless the city engineer has approved it for a special reason or unless 31st for some reason is closed

Yep. And we do have code enforcement. So then it would be a matter of contacting Terry Ingalls with the police department or the community development department as the enforcer of the conditional use permit for the Board of Adjustment. So that would be the remedy of that.

Tracking the violations like any any other violation Is usually citizen like citizen led and then we'll follow up on it Thank you one last thing the And I may have misunderstood this when when we made the decision to annex, but I thought J&J had indicated that they were Paving that little section of Third Avenue. That's adjacent to their property and There's curb and gutter there now. I thought they were going to do that. They had indicated like it was a couple of weeks ago they were going to pave that. Maybe I misunderstood that. Is there any timeline for when they're going to put asphalt on that section of 3rd Avenue?

They are required that they will pave it. I imagine this construction season. I believe there is a development agreement that engineering...

Overseeing so maybe Justin has more detail City engineer Peterson It it is anticipated. They'll complete it this This construction season don't have a firm timeline yet, but we expect it'll be this time this fall. Thank you. I

Councilman Hoyer, your microphone is on.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I got two things. That sparked a question. Did the paving happen where the couple houses were? Did those at least get paved? Because I know I'd asked about that directly. They said it would happen in the next week. There's three homes that had pieces of wood bump up into their driveways.

I am unsure.

It has happened. At least they put one layer. I don't know if it's

And I'm only it's all right I'm only imagining that third is not being paved at this time just because it's a collector route So but it but later in this construction season I

Fair enough. I'm just glad to hear there was movement on it. The question I had was in Section 4 in the road maintenance and repair, where it says, nothing in this agreement shall obligate either party to repair damage caused by third parties. The parties may separately negotiate maintenance cost sharing agreements, road use agreements, reimbursement agreements with the mining operator if extraordinary wear occurs. So who proves that a third party did it? Like, how do we enforce that?

City Attorney Carrico?

Yes. So apparently it would just be the facts and circumstances of each case. It depends on who the third party is, who saw it, what happened. If nobody saw it, then there's nobody to charge. So it would be based just like code enforcement. It would be all information based on who comes forward and what they have. I mean, sometimes we get just statements. Sometimes we get photos. Sometimes we get video. And then we would, you know, pursue it that way. The reason that they're not liable, again, is because... they're already responsible to maintain the road. So that's their responsibility regardless. But if all truck hits, I don't know, a mailbox or something, I mean, that's not on J&J. That's going to be on the actual truck and the driver.

Right. I guess my concern with it is that I was driving on 19 the other day, on my bike and there was a hauling truck that came out of Third Avenue and it did not have a license plate on the back, which was concerning because then you don't know who that is. And so I guess that's just some of where I get concerned on it. And I'm sure this is just a standard agreement and looks exactly like all our other ones. I'm just trying to look out since we got the road coming. So I just want to make sure we're looking out.

Yep. And actually in that instance with the no license plates, that would actually be a direct call to the police department and they'd checking that out because obviously they need to have license plates so yeah and the whole road agreement also does require I mean I don't know if J&J has cameras on their site you know I mean we're not requiring it but you know that's a question but then we also require signage so that when they're exiting and coming the truck drivers also know so that we don't have to worry about the communication we are trying to make sure that they are communicating to the drivers that hey you can't be using the non-primary route unless allowed.

And so on that, when we go up to the use of Third Avenue, 19th Street shall be limited to circumstances where one, detour traffic control measure, if that makes sense. Two, emergency or safety conditions make use of the primary haul route impractical. How is that determined? Is that just like if there's snow and then we decide like, we're going to go this way? I guess, what's the mechanism on that?

That's to cover circumstances that we haven't foreseen.

They're just at their discretion?

Not at theirs. I mean, we would be able to determine whether or not whatever it was that they were doing, whether it had some validity to it or not. That would be assessed by the city.

Okay, that's what I was wondering because the third one, it says the city engineer or designee authorizes its temporary use in writing. So is that second one rolled up under that?

It could be also that rather than an emergency detour, it could also be that something spilled or that nobody's reported yet where there's actually emergency vehicles on site. It could be something where, yes, something's blocked on 31st that no one's been notified yet, so the truck is now going on 3rd, like those type of instances.

Like obstruction.

Yeah.

I would even go as far as to think, you know, it was mentioned that they're going from 31st all the way to Highway 212. They could turn on to 28th, you know, and go south to Willow Creek Drive. So not necessarily all the way to 212. But I mean, for example, I would think what would be applicable too is like, as Dakota Commons is expanding, because it's right there and there is no other access to it. So it would make sense for really efficiency to instead of having them loop all the way around, just, I mean, I would think that would be a...

reason for authorizing temporary use okay, and then if we do go that route Brandi, that's just a They'll notify us that they want to and then we just say thumbs up because I agree I think that makes a lot of sense that's kind of what I'm asking about it, too Is there's a lot of development there? I'm like I don't want to be a bureaucrat that says you got to go all the way around when it's literally one block You know so I just been looking to make sure we have some efficiencies in there.

I guess Councilman Allen

One last thing so do you know is the Dakota Commons development utilizing J&J for gravel I Do not know So I don't think that they are I don't I'm not sure where it's Clawson That's doing that work, and I'm not sure where they're getting their gravel, but I don't think it's coming from J&J I could be wrong, but the trucks are not J&J trucks that are hauling that in so I Apparently, they can get gravel elsewhere, too. City Manager Steger?

Mr. Mayor, it's clear from the Home Rule Charter that I don't vote. However, I do ask a procedural question. Can I call the question? I believe the debate has wandered off into things completely unrelated to a haul road agreement. And for the benefit of the developer, I think it's time to call the question.

I would say thank you for the input. You do not have the power to make a, I mean, your comments are taken, but comment or request to call a question would come from an elected official. Councilman Allen?

Yeah, I can appreciate the desire of the city manager to call a question. A lot of my purpose for the questions that I've raised has been to clarify for the public what the road haul agreement consists of and how it actually operates, not trying to slow the process down or keep us here unduly. So I'm fine. I can say, let's call the questions.

All right. Is he supported? Yes. Okay. Motion is to call the question. Any objection to that? All those in favor of calling the question, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. Motion carries. We are now going to vote on the authorization for the city manager to sign the haul road agreement. If you're in favor of that, you'll vote aye. Opposed, nay.

Okay. Peters?

Aye.

Allen?

Aye.

Boyer?

Aye.

Pauline?

Aye.

Mormon?

Aye. Motion carries. Last item on tonight is an approval of a memorandum of understanding between the City of Watertown and Sheridan Township for agreement on road maintenance. Manager Hanton, back to you. Oh, sorry, City Engineer Peterson.

Thank you, Mayor. Nick, if you wouldn't mind opening up. the agenda item and moving it to page, to the last page, exhibit A. Over the last year, we've worked with all the townships in the county to get MOUs, memos of understanding for road maintenance for the roads adjacent to the city. The city in Sheridan Township, Sheridan Township's kind of in the south, east side of town. We've actually had an agreement with the Sheridan Township since 1990, and it was amended in 1994, and it's mostly related to the roads around the landfill and the landfill operation. This MOU modifies that agreement in a couple ways. One of them is So in the original agreement, the city maintains 6 1⁄2 miles of road and provides the gravel for that 6 1⁄2 miles. This modifies it, and the city is only responsible for the blading and grading of the two miles on 29th Street from the south bypass down to what I call the landfill road.

I can't see it.

But it's shown on the exhibit there. And so the city just is responsible for those two miles and excludes the culvert crossing the Big Sioux River. The township still does the mowing, still does the snow plowing, and does the maintenance for the other roadways in the township. the idea behind that was that that roads there's some commercial haulers that use that road to get the landfill and so That's where the township has asked the city just to maintain that that stretch the second one is There's a some roads highlighted. It's about a two mile radius from the landfill or a mile radius from the landfill two miles total that City staff will pick up ditches as needed and Right now the the agreement is basically just the the road in front of the landfill and discuss just expands it There's still a couple other portions agreement that stay in place. There's a USGS gauging station there's dumping for the original township residents and the city maintains the paved road in front of the landfill between 81 and the landfill entrance and Yes, that's with that.

I'll stand by for questions Thank You counsel, can I get a motion to approve the MOU? Motion made by councilman Mormon. May I please get a second? Seconded by councilman Peters counsel any discussion? The motion is to approve the MOU. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, say nay. Motion carries. City Manager, anything to report?

A couple of things, Mr. Mayor and Council Members. First of all, tomorrow I anticipate, assuming the candidate is available, that we will be announcing our new Park and Rec Director at our afternoon media briefing at 1.30 p.m. Secondly, the annual financial report has been completed and has been submitted for review. We will get that in your hands shortly and publish it as well. In a coming meeting, our audit firm, I. Bailey, will be here to answer any questions that you have on the audit report as well as the comprehensive annual financial report. We have been advised That work will be resuming on the air stay Watertown Hotel, but we do not yet have the specifics in terms of the date That the work will will be commencing We've only been told that it will be after the 5th of July that the next phase will begin we will 48 hours prior to the beginning of any work as required in in our resolution and uh... ensure that appropriate notifications provided around the street closure uh... we do anticipate it's coming soon but do not have the exact date At our next council meeting on July 20th, we do have some visiting executives from a local business that would just like to make an introduction. So we will be inviting them to the council meeting for a real brief introduction to you to be part of the community. I have nothing else for tonight. Thank you.

City Council, does any member have a topic for future discussion? All right, I'm not aware of any requests for executive session tonight. Chair will entertain a motion to adjourn. May I please get a motion? Motion made by Councilman Hoyer.

I'll second. Seconded by Councilman Moorman.

All those in favor of adjourning, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed, say nay. We are adjourned. Good night and God bless you, Watertown.