Common Council - Regular Meeting

from the First Baptist Church. Um, I also want to mention before the meeting starts that our mayor um is traveling. uh his son is at Fort Sil and is going to be graduating from boot camp and so he's going to be doing some um flying today and then flying on the way back. So I guess it would be good time to remember him in prayer as well. So uh Pastor Juvenile, thank you for coming.

Let's pray. Father in heaven, we thank you that we can pray to you as the powerful God who is sovereign over all human government. And we praise you as the God in whose hands you hold the hearts of kings and rulers, turning them as you design and who, as Jesus declared to Pilate before his crucifixion, gives to all governing authorities their power. May we use this power that you have given each of us whether that's to govern or to vote and engage with our governing authorities in order to reflect your image in the world and to love love our neighbors as ourself. We thank you this evening for the many people who serve our city in less visible ways. We want to thank you for those who care for our roads by repairing them and by plowing them in the winter. We want to thank you for giving those who plow the streets the grace and energy to get up early and to clear the streets before the rest of us leave for work. And we particularly thank you that it looks like those who plow our roads might be able to focus their energies on other work here soon as we anticipate the more pleasant weather to come. We also want to thank you for those who pick up our trash, who maintain our parks. want to thank you for the many office workers who perform tasks related to HR, to IT, engineering, and for those who work in our library. We want to thank you for these and for the many others who perform unseen tasks. And we ask that you would bless them in their work. We want to pray tonight for Mayor Stocks. Please give him safety as he travels. Um I pray that this would just be a sweet time for their family um as they rejoice in his son's graduation from boot camp. We pray that you would protect his son as he serves our country. We thank you for the freedom that you've granted us to participate in our local government. And we thank you for those citizens who currently serve in elected capacities here in our city. We pray that you will give our elected officials wisdom as they discuss and make decisions on

behalf of the people of Watertown. And may their decisions result in freedom and flourishing for the people in this city. We also pray that you would protect our police, our fire department workers, and the EMTs as they labor to protect our freedoms. We pray that Watertown citizens would have wisdom as they vote in the primary election tomorrow, and that they would elect people into our city's government that would be able to promote freedom, peace, and flourishing for our citizens. We thank you again for the opportunity that we have to play a part in these decisions. We ask that our elections would not be marked by contention, but by thankfulness for the freedom to vote and confidence in your hand of providence in the results of our votes. Father, as our city council members gathered tonight to discuss the well-being of our citizens and to govern our city, please give them wisdom in this task and enable them to come to unity in their decisions. Please help the good of Watertown citizens to be at the forefront of their discussions and please help them to successfully govern towards this end. Finally, I pray that if any of these individuals here tonight does not know forgiveness and new life through your son Jesus Christ, that you might give them a new heart so that they might repent of their sins and believe in Jesus and that on the last day they might rejoice in being citizens of the kingdom of heaven under the rule of King Jesus. Again, bless these council members with wisdom as they perform the task that you've appointed them. May they establish righteousness and aid the citizens of Watertown in their flourishing. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thank you, pastor. Okay, I will call our common council meeting to order at 7:04. Um Megan, would you please call the role? Davis here. Lampy here. Bert. Barts here. Blanky here. Smith here. Here. Wetzel here. Moldenhower here. Mr. Mayor. Um. Yes. Uh, Alderman Wetzel. Excuse me. A point of order if I may.

Yes. make a motion that we move under new business 9B through 9F to after the resolutions. Okay. Um we've got a motion uh to adjust the agenda which is basically going to result in moving the two closed sessions to the end of the meeting. Is there a second? Second. Okay, there's a second. Um, on that point, I will just simply ask for a voice vote. Those in favor of making this agenda move indicate by saying I. I.

Opposed. Okay. Then we will move all of the new business with the exception of a the committee appointments uh to the end of our agenda. And now I would invite everyone to stand. And as we pledge allegiance to the flag,

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. In your packet, we have the council minutes for February 3rd. Uh, is there any discussion relating to those minutes? Then we will be voting on those minutes as published. Those in favor of approval sign. I'm sorry,

Mr. Mayor. I move that we accept the minutes as presented. Okay. Motion to accept the minutes uh by Alderman Arnett, second by um older person Davis and um questions on that or any other discussion. Those in favor of the motion to accept the minutes as published signify by saying I. I. I

opposed. Okay. The minutes are approved. This is the opportunity in our uh meeting where we receive comments and suggestions from citizens present. Um there's a little um caveat which we read at the beginning which I will also read now. Members of the public who wish to address the council must register their request in writing before the meeting begins. Each individual who requests to address the council will be permitted up to 3 minutes for their comments. Members wishing to speak during the public comment section may only speak once per meeting. Um, Megan, are there any individuals registered to speak? Okay, we have none, but we do have a an additional opportunity at the end of the meeting for comments uh from the public as well. We have two public hearings uh scheduled this evening and the first one is a public hearing to reszone 510 South 2nd Street from multifamily residential MR8 uh zoning district to central business zoning district. Um, I will now open the public hearing and ask if there are any individuals here wishing to speak on the possible reszoning of 510 South 2nd Street.

All right, seeing none, then I will close the public hearing. Our second public hearing is somewhat related to the first. It is to allow comments relating to um amendments to the comprehensive plan. Changing the future land use category shown for 510 South 2nd Street um with a specified parcel from two family residential to institutional and changing the future land use categories shown for 410R 507 514 and 515 South First with a variety of partial identification numbers from central mixed use to institutional. Are there any individuals here to speak on the proposed amendments to the comprehensive plan? Okay, seeing none, then I will close that public hearing. We have a number of reports which are here this evening for our consideration and acceptance. The police and fire commission minutes for January 12th, the licensing board minutes for January 14th, the plan commission minutes for January 26, finance committee minutes for January 26, finance committee meetings uh minutes

for February 3rd, public works minutes for February 10th, Tourism minutes for February 12th. Any questions or discussions on those minutes and the um reports? Okay. Then um we'll go ahead to the um agenda item 8. And for the employee recognition section um this evening we have a 30-year certificate of appreciation for Tom Nichols from the DPW and street division. And I'm going to ask uh Stacy to come up here to present that, please. I think that mic is live. You can go ahead and grab that. Tom, thank you for your service.

Okay, just a few words about Tom. So working for the same place for 30 years is quite an accomplishment. Tom is truly one of my favorite people. Not just for all he brings to our division every single day, but because he is just a great human. Tom started his career in 1996 as a recycling laborer at the old recycling center on Katy Street. In 1998, he transferred to the street department. And Tom has literally performed every task this division has from recycling and solid waste laborer to a street division laborer, light equipment operator, a heavy equipment operator, and now his current position of street foreman and heavy equipment operator. Perhaps this is why Tom is so respected among the crew. He has seen and done it all. Tom's skills as an operator are exceptional. He is patient with new employees and is still willing to get on a leaf machine or hang on the side of a rear loading garbage truck if needed. That is who Tom is. Honest, hardworking, and dependable. He never misses an after hours call. And in all honesty, he kind of ticks me off because he is so awake and put together, ready to take on the call no matter what. When I come in, I'm head spinning, feeling disheveled, and Tom is there early so he can plow our lot out first. That's who Tom is for the city. The city of Watertown is truly fortunate to have an employee of his caliber.

Recording in progress and I would like to congratulate and thank Tom for his 30 years here. Stacy, this certificate was prepared by Mayor Stocks and I would ask you to present that to Tom. Congratulations. We like each other. Thanks.

Thank you. Congratulations. We also have a certificate of appreciation for Laura Bulman uh from our police department. For 25 years of service, she was not able to be here this evening and that will be um presented to her uh by the chief um at a future point. Okay. under under um our modified agenda uh we have um one item of new business which is um committee appointments. Um do we have a motion for that?

Okay. Moved by Alderman Wetszel and seconded by Alderman Lampy. Um this is um this is an appointment um for Chris Cops by um to the library board um for a partial term to complete the remainder of an existing uh term. Do we have any um any discussion on that motion? Okay. Um, would you please call the role? Megan Wzel. Hi. Moldenhower. Hi. Davis. Hi.

Lampy. Hi. Berg. Barts. Hi. Blanky. I Smith. I'm not aware that I do. I vote accept in a tie. I don't think so. Uh, Arnette I.

Motion carried. Okay, then that appointment is approved and uh welcome to the library board. Okay, the rest of the new business has been moved to the end of our agenda. Uh we do have uh some miscellaneous business this evening. um three financial reports. One is the payroll summary, the uh invoice paid invoice report and the cash and investment report. Um, there's no need for any motions here, but opportunity for discussion if anybody has any questions or any comments they'd like to make. Okay. Um and we have um this evening uh licenses uh for us to consider. First one is an application for a change of agent from Moravian Home LLC doing business as the Marquort, 1045 Hill Street from Jennifer Johnson to Carol Jessica Doyle for the licensing year expiring June 30th, 2026. Have a motion on that. So move

moved by Alderman Moldenhower for approval. Is there a second? Second. Second by Alderman Blanki. Discussion. Okay. Uh those in favor then of granting that license signify by saying I. I. I.

Opposed. Very well. It's approved. Um we have a second. um license which is application for a class B malt liquor transfer uh from one place to another uh request from um Crescent Sienna Sanchez agent for Fiesta Las Margaritas located at 1512 South Church Street to the new location at 115 South 2nd Street starting March 10th, 2026 for the licensing year July 1st of 25 through June 30th of 2026. We have a motion on that. Um, Alman Lampy,

I would uh move for that uh application to be uh approved. Okay. And I believe there are conditions still with that. Uh do you wish to add any conditions? I believe the conditions that would be added to that would be um related to the licensing year which would begin on July 1st, 2025 and through June 30th, 2026. I'm going to quickly check the memo here. Make sure I'm not missing anything. City inspection. Okay. Um and uh requirement for them to pass city inspections, I believe. Um yes, and surrender of their current license issu issued.

Okay, I'll add those uh conditions to my motion. Thank you. And second by Alderman Barts. Discussion on that. Okay. Those in favor then of granting that license subject to the conditions specified signify by saying I.

I opposed. Okay, that motion is approved. And lastly, uh, an application for a class A premises amendment for A1 Oil LLC by Rajenda Singh. Uh, agent located at 821 North Church Street. There's a motion for that. Move by Alderman Bart, second by Alderman Moldenhower, and um Okay. Um question.

Yeah, I just had a question. Um it says the premise is currently listed as the entire building. Um and then the amendment is reducing the area where alcohol is stored and sold as class A for the one side. Um, is this because of a remodel or is this because it was incorrectly listed as the entire building or what's the what was the rationale for this? Okay, now the council repres

I can take this one. So they have a current proposal that is still being considered by licensing right now to have us the other section of the the facility to be a class B. They are still working through that and coming up with a a a proposal that satisfies the concerns of city staff but also the licensing board. So that will come to this uh body when when once it has moved through those processes, but currently they sell class A throughout their whole store

and they're permitted to. So just educate me, is there um per the law, do they have to be separated A and B? There has to be a separation. Yes, you cannot have overlapping premises descriptions for um two liquor licenses. Okay, thank you. Any other questions or comments relating to this license or the amendment? Okay, those in favor signify by saying I.

I opposed. Okay. Then the application for this premises amendment is approved and we have um three ordinances. The first one here on its second reading that is ordinance 261 to amend chapter 550 of the zoning code through the amendments of language to sections 550-32C1 55033 C1 550 36 C1 and 55037C1 1 and 55056. This is here from Mayor Stocks and the plan commission on its second reading. Moved by Alderman Blanki for adoption. Seconded by Alderman Lampy. Discussion. Megan, please call the role.

Blanky. I. Arnett, hi Wetszel. Hi Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Hi Lampy. Hi Barts. Hi. Motion carried.

Okay, that is adopted on its second reading. Uh the next two ordinances are here on their first reading. Um, first one is ordinance 2602, which is an ordinance that would amend the adopted planned development overlay district, the general development plan for the Oxbow at 100 East Division Street, uh, with a partial number and 104 East Division Street and corresponding partial number. Uh that's here from Mayor Stocks and the plan commission. Moved by Alderman Lampy, seconded by Alderman Blanky. Discussion. Alman Blankie. Just to give a brief overview of what the change is. It was um due to the plot limitations and architectural challenges. Um as the architect was developing the plans, they discovered that um several of the townhouse uh units that would be on the end of the development were no longer able or were not feasible to be constructed. So, they removed those and did some changes, added some studio apartments and I believe another three-bedroom. And with that, they've also removed I believe it was two underground and added four surface stalls. So, it was a a minor change. Uh I asked in the plan commission meeting about the changes and if they anticipated any of the other any more changes to the architectural plan. The

architect was confident that this would be the only change that they would need. Okay. Any other discussion? Um, Megan, please call the role. Lampy. Hi. Barts. I. Lankkey. I. Arnett. I. Wetszel. Hi. Moldenhower. I. Davis. I. Motion carried.

Okay. The last ordinance this evening also on its first reading ordinance 263 somewhat related to the earlier is to adopt the plan development overlay district precise implementation plan for the Oxbow at 100 East Division Street uh with the identified property identification and 104 East Division Street with its corresponding property the identification number. Let's also hear from Mayor So, um, I had asked if there was any discussion. I believe there was not. And Megan, if you could please call the role.

And no, we don't. Okay. I guess we're jumping ahead here a little bit. Uhhuh. Little disconcerting there. Um, okay. Then on that introduced ordinance on its first reading, is there a motion by um Alderman Lampy for adoption? Seconded by Alderman Blanky. Any discussion or questions? Okay, now we can do the the roll call. Lampy. Hi, Barts. Hi, Blanky. Hi, Arnett. Hi, Wetzel. Hi, Moldenhower.

Hi, Davis. Motion carried. Okay. Now uh for the three resolutions before us this evening. First one is exhibit 9825 which is a resolution to approve a developer a development agreement between the city of Watertown and the Habitat for Humanity of WA Walkshaw County. That's here for Mayor Stocks and the finance committee. Do we have a motion on that?

I'll move on exhibit 9825. Okay. Moved by older person Davis and seconded by older person Barts. Um discussion on that. Okay. Megan, could you do the roll call, please? Davis, hi. Ny, hi. BS. Hi. Blinky. Hi. Arnett, hi. Wetzel. Hi. Moldenhower. Hi. Motion carried.

Okay. And um exhibit 9826 is a resolution to establish world migratory bird day. That's here from all person Lampy and the park rushkin forestry commission. We have a motion. Alderman Lampy moves for adoption. Seconded by all the person blanky. Discussion. all the person um lamp.

Thank you, Mr. Smith. This is an advisory motion uh resolution and it basically just encourages especially our parks department and anybody else who's involved in education in the city to be aware that birds are traveling through the area. This is especially of course huge with given our proximity to the Horacon Marsh and other places where migratory birds gather. this year. Uh this this date will fall on the day before Mother's Day in case you're wondering what the actual date is and looking forward to what uh our park department might do with the state in the future.

Okay. Thank you. Any other comments relating to this resolution? Voice vote would be sufficient. Those in favor of its adoption signify by saying I. I

I opposed. It is adopted. And our last resolution this evening, exhibit 9827. That's a resolution to update the license fee schedule for the Watertown Department of Public Health. That is sponsored by Alder Person Davis and Aldererson Smith from the Watertown Board of Health. Alder person Davis. I'll move for this motion to update the fee schedule.

Okay. Move for adoption. Seconded by all the person Lampy. Okay. Uh discussion on that. Okay. Megan, could you call the role on that, please? Davis. Hi. Lampy. Sorry. Lampy. I Berts. Hi. Blankie. Hi. Arnett. I Wetzel. Hi, Moldenhower. I motion carried.

Okay, that completes our um agenda up to the point where we have modified and moved portions of new business to this point in our agenda. Uh so these are going to be um two uh probable close sessions. Um and um I'm going to read the uh notice relating to that. uh to convene into close session per 19851G to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved uh specifically Walgreens versus the city of Watertown uh relating to an excessive tax claim. Uh do we have a motion? Uh aler person Moldenhower making a motion to call into close session. Seconded by older person Arnette. Those in favor of excuse me.

We'll do roll on that. Roll call on that. Yes, please. Moldenhower. Hi. Davis. Hi Lampy. Hi Barts. Hi Blinky. Hi Arnett. Hi Wetzel. Hi. Motion carried. Okay.

move to approve and uh execute the settlement recommended by external counsel. Second. And I heard a second by all the person uh Davis. Okay. Uh um discussion on that motion. Okay. Um uh Megan, please call the role. Lampy. Hi. Barts. I. Blanky. Hi. Barnett. Hi. Wetzel. Hi. Moldenhower. Hi. Davis. Hi. Motion carried.

Okay. We have um one more matter which is excuse me. Thank you everyone.

You can Okay. Um, in relation to this next possible close session, um, that we consider convening into close session per 1985 1G to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation. in which it is or is likely to become involved. Uh specifically, Dodge County comprehensive plan and the town of EMTT boundary agreement. Do we have a motion for close session? So moved. Moved by Alderman Blankie, seconded by Aldwin Wetzel. Um please call the role. Megan

Blanky. Hi Arnett. Hi Wetzel. Hi Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Hi Mampy. Hi Marts. Hi. Motion carried. Okay we are um in close session now.

Yes. Hi Wetzel. Hi Moldenhower. Hi Davis. Hi Lampy. Hi Barts. Hi Blanky. Hi. Motion carried.

Okay. Uh we are back in open session. The only portion of the agenda remaining is comments or suggestions from citizens present. Are there any individuals who would wish to address the council? Very well. A motion to adjurnn would be in order. Moved by Alderman Bart, second by Alderman Moldenhower. Uh all in favor of adjournment signify by saying I. I opposed. Okay, we're adjourned. Thank you all for being here.