Common Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, sorry.

Trying to do a 630 licensing and a 645 board review. Okay, I'd like to invite Pastor Loggins from Calvary Baptist Church to come up and give an invocation. All right, let's pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace to us. Thank you for the privilege we have to live in America and to live here in Watertown. Thank you for these men and women. Lord, I pray that you give them wisdom and good discernment in their discussion and decisions that they make. We thank you for this wonderful community in which we can be part of. Thankful for your goodness, for your grace to us, for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we pray for your wisdom and discernment in all of the discussion tonight. And we'll give you the praise in Christ's name. Amen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Loggins.

Okay, I'll call tonight's Common Council meeting on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 to order. It's 7.07 p.m. Could you take the roll, please?

Davis? Here. Lampe?

Here.

Berg?

Here.

Natecky? Here. Blankey? Smith?

Here.

Arnett?

Here.

Haas? Here. Moldenhauer?

Here.

Okay, can you please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance, please? 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.

Thank you.

All right. We have the minutes from the last council meeting from May 19th.

Mr. Mayor, I'll move that we approve.

Motion by Berg.

Second that.

Second by the techie.

Okay.

Questions on that? Okay, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Thank you. Next we have comments and suggestions from citizens present. Members of the public who wish to address the council shall register their request in writing with the city clerk prior to speaking. Speakers shall be permitted up to three minutes for their comments.

Okay. Okay.

Next in our reports, we have the Transit Commission Minutes from March 23rd, Planning Commission Minutes from May 11th, Board of Health Minutes from May 12th, RDA Minutes from May 20th, and Public Works Minutes from May 26th. Okay, on our communication recommendations, we have the Health Department 2025 Annual Report. Any questions on that? We have the fire department monthly report in April. Chiefs online. Okay, and then we have a presentation from the Greater Warwick Town Community Health Foundation presentation on child care ARPA funds.

Thank you, Mayor and City Council, for the opportunity to give you an update of where we're at specifically with child care and the funds that you contributed to the conversation on child care. And so as we get ready for the presentation, and I apologize for the lateness of that getting to you today, is a conversation how we got to this point. And it's a conversation what is child care for our community, for our region, and what does it mean and how do we look at the solutions related to it. And so the first slide that was in the packet was really a conversation that took place over years of how do we look at partnerships, how do we look at feedback, how we look at policy issues. So you're going to see a variety of folks in there from a private sector, from state lawmakers, et cetera, looking at the issues of really what was the focus point of the need for child care for a region and what are some of the solutions to help make it a little bit easier for our communities and our families to move forward. Overall, there's just a recognition that child care is a critical infrastructure with three key areas. One is how does that support our families to have that reliable child care? And second, how does this strengthen our employers as they look at the workforce needs of the future? How do they ensure that their employees have a safe place to send their kids so they can be productive members? And then finally, how does it strengthen our communities going forward? This is just part of it as you look at the collective and what that means of child care plus the YMCA plus housing that just creates the idea of community to move forward. And so that really moves us on to what were some of our strategies. So one of the things that as we look at child care, it just is ultimately a math problem. We look at the affordability of care, especially for young infants. versus the true cost of providing a care for a business, and what the delta is to move forward. And so I think the data will show us that there's almost about an $18,000 difference when you look at the cost for a family, cost of care for an infant, versus the cost to provide the care on an annual basis, versus that delta to move forward. And so coming out of that conversation piece, there's ultimately five strategies that were developed with various partners, including the City of Watertown, Maranatha Baptist University, Raising Wisconsin, the YMCA, both Jefferson and Dodge County, along with WECA, which is the Early Childhood Association. So these five key principles or areas of strategy included startup business planning. So as part of the foundation's work and partnership, there's about nine plus entities that went through our coaching opportunity. and what that is is how do you develop a business plan how do you look at market shares what does it need to look like going forward the second key area is capital obviously one of the biggest areas of capital that were invested was the collective for the new child care center that gingerbread just reopened this past week monday but it was for other centers across the two county regions really helping with that startup capital to endeavor to move forward to develop child care centers Another thing that we will often hear that I'm sure many of you have heard as well is workforce development. How do we get those who are trained in early childhood education and get them ready to take care of the staffing needs for the kiddos? And so in partnership with Madison College, we went through their grant program and it's still ongoing. And we have trained with Madison College about 122 educators that are serving Dodge and Jefferson County. Some who have bilingual services as well. And one of the pathways as part of that program is a certain level percentage was the goal to get them advanced in school as well through Madison College. So that was an exciting program that's still ongoing as we speak. But the big one, why we're here tonight is really to talk about the employer sponsored care. And that's where the significant investment came from the city of Watertown through the American Rescue Plant Act dollars. And this is kind of report out of how that took place to move forward. And in the memo that you got earlier today, it was really kind of a pilot opportunity. What does this look like? How do we engage employers and how do we engage childcare centers to look at how do we create some affordability and how do we create some opportunities to retain and recruit staff to move forward? And so two of the key partners right away was the YMCA Childcare Center and Kitty Campus at Maranatha. And there's some key goals related to that included the staffing levels that looks at providing the benefits, looking at the base wages and a collaboration of professional development opportunities. They had to accept what's called Wisconsin Shares. Wisconsin Shares is a program for the state of Wisconsin that if you qualify, it's a subsidy to help with the childcare costs and move forward. It also was an opportunity of what employers would offer a 10% match for childcare tuition. And so that's ultimately where the grant moved forward to as we move forward. And so there's been some pretty good results and some great learning lessons. And so we have spelled out in the slide deck and the grants where these dollars have gone. So in 2023, we had one quarter for both YMCA and Kitty Campus. So about almost $15,000 went to the YMCA and about $8,400 went to the Kitty Campus. And then in 2024, a total of about $81,000 went to the YMCA, and then about $54,000 went to Kitty Campus. And then to close out 2025, about $15,500 went to the YMCA, and then they closed. And then the Kitty Campus continues roughly at $16,000 per quarterly basis of the qualification for about $60,000. So all in, about $235,000 of what this city has appropriated. has gone out to those various entities to move forward. So part of this also is just to understand where we're at with childcare in general in the physical spots. So I think we just, we try to highlight where spots are in general. Over the course of the last few years, the work that's taken place has also helped with about a total of 532 slots. But ultimately became a net gain of 150 when we also had some centers close as well. And so with a gingerbread coming on board, that adds into another 150 spots. Another key investment area as well has been the conversation of policy. And so that specifically has been with WECA and also with a funders collaborative that we're part of with foundations across the state of Wisconsin to look at the needs of communities and families move forward. This last buy-in budget cycle saw one of the largest investments in childcare by the state of Wisconsin, about $330 million. And that's in three key bucket areas. One is to focus on the idea of enhanced payment pilots. This is focused on infant care and up to toddler care. This also is what's called child care bridge payments. This is ending at the end of June, but approximately $110 million was allocated for that. There's about $123 million that was added to the Wisconsin Shares Program. Again, that program that we talked about earlier. And then finally, a new program that's been started. It's called Get Kids Ready. About $66 million was appropriate for that. The whole idea is how do we get the young kiddos ready for kindergarten and move forward. Also in the state budget with some regulation changes as well in terms of how we look at ratios for kids and assistant child care providers, educators to move that age down to 16 in state law to move forward. And so as we look at the remaining funds that came to us and still potentially will come to us from the city, we've allocated in the budget where we're looking at that moving forward. Our recommendation is to continue to look at allocating approximately $16,000 per quarter to Maranatha based on what their trending is right now. We're also working with Gingerbread of some startup costs. And so potentially up to $65,000 that could go to Gingerbread as well. So That's a very quick snapshot of the work that's taken place with many partners over the course of about three to four years, but also trying to provide a quick snapshot on the investment and the collaboration with the City of Watertown that had $400,000 towards the program. So with that being said, Mayor, open to any conversations or questions related to this.

Okay, thank you. Mr. Arnott, go ahead.

Thank you for the materials and for the brevity of the presentation. So particular to the city's funds, and I was not on council at the time this was done, what was the plan for when those funds run out? Given that they're structured as a subsidy and it has an end date, what was the plan?

So my understanding, since I came onto the program as well, is it was to be a pilot base. And as we worked with employers as how this could help them to move forward, is could the pilot turn to a more of a sustainable model to move forward? So beyond that, in terms of outside that $400,000, part of it was that bridge to look at what, because it was to look at for employers, was there opportunities in terms of conversations with the state, or was there other partnerships that could evolve over the years to bridge a sustainable model?

Okay. And then just to verify, the city dollars just straight up went as a subsidy to defer costs to the To the parents?

It went to the employer-sponsored care, yes. Yes, okay.

So no other work going on with those two providers in terms of helping them work on sustainability of their own enterprise or anything like that?

No, and that would be more of that coaching opportunity that was done last week.

Okay, all right.

Thank you. You're welcome, sir.

Mr. Lampe.

Mayor, thank you. Just to follow up on Aldo Arnett's thing, there's some minutes on May 22nd, 2023 from the Finance Committee that talks about the allocation of the $400,000 by our body.

I have a question.

Yes, sir. All the providers in town, one of those two, were there other ones that were looked at that

There were others that were approaches, my understanding, but then we had to look at the qualifications based on, did they accept shares? Where were their wages related to, wages and benefit packages related to that as well for their employees to create this sustainable model? And also there's a quality of care in terms of we were looking at the pyramid model at that point in time and who enacted that pyramid care model.

Okay. I know you're, when it started, you weren't in that position. I'll get there. So new to you too. Okay. All right, thank you. You're welcome, Mayor. Mr. Iapico, go ahead.

I just wanted to say thank you for continuing this program. When we allocated these dollars, we were essentially hoping for some immediate impact on the community. I know we've had a setback or two in terms of provider availability, but really happy to see that we're able to essentially restart the program, get it moving, and that we still have some funds from our original allocation to work with. So thank you for doing a great job.

Thank you. Appreciate it. And Gingerbread's off to a good start. They opened Monday. I think we're at least 50 kiddos there. They had an open house last week. It was right after our board meeting. It was pretty full. So great opportunity for extended care for the community as well.

It opened up just yesterday or next week?

On Monday. The first round of kids were there. Yes. I think there was actually a preschool graduation. I think it was the other site though, right?

Yeah. My boys both graduated from there too. Anybody else? Thank you, Mr. Ramer. Thank you for the opportunity tonight.

Thank you.

All right. Ms. Lange's business payroll summary, April 29th through May 12th. And then licenses review and take action application for a temporary class B beer and temporary class B wine license from Habitat for Humanity for the Dream Builders Gala at 113. 109 and 117 North Bowtech dry water town June 13th 2026 during hours of 530 p.m. To 10 p.m. Mr. Molenhauer, okay motion by Molenhauer Second by Lampe, okay questions comments on that Okay, all those in favor say aye Opposed thank you. Okay ordinances Ordinance 26-15, ordinance to amend section 428-7, special event definitions, and 428-7, special event exemptions, sponsored by Alder Davis, from Public Safety and Welfare, and its second reading. Motion by Davis. Second by Lampe. Okay. All right. Questions, comments?

Ordinance?

Okay, Megan.

Davis? Aye. Lampe?

Aye.

Berg?

Aye.

Ntukie?

Aye.

Smith?

Aye.

Arnett?

Aye.

Haas? Aye. Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Motion carried.

Okay, thank you.

Next under resolutions, Exhibit 9868, Resolution to Amend the Employee Handbook of Policies and Procedures Related to Compensation, Section A. Sponsored by myself and the Finance Committee.

Mayor, I move for 98-68.

Okay, motion by Arnett and second by Moldenhauer. Okay, questions, comments on A. Okay, Megan.

Arnett. Aye. Haas.

Aye.

Moldenhauer.

Aye.

Davis. Aye. Lampe.

Aye.

Burke.

Aye.

Nitteki. Aye. Smith.

Aye.

Motion carried.

Okay, B, Exhibit 9869, Resolution to Amend the Employee Handbook of Policies and Procedures Related to Compensation, Section B-G. Let's pass it to myself and the Finance Committee.

Motion.

Motion by Haas. Second by Arnett. Okay, questions, comments on that? Okay.

Haas?

Aye.

Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Davis? Aye. Lampe? Aye. Burke?

Aye.

Nottecki?

Aye.

Smith?

Aye.

Arnett?

Aye.

Motion carried.

Okay, thank you. Next, see Exhibit 9870, Resolution for Drinking Water Well Number 9, Rehabilitation, sponsored by Alder Arnett and the Public Works Commission.

All right, I'll vote for 98-70.

Motion by Arnett.

Second.

Second by Haas. Okay, questions, comments on that one?

Okay.

Arnett?

Aye.

Haas? Aye. Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Davis? Aye. Lampe?

Aye.

Berg?

Aye.

Matecki? Aye. Smith?

Aye.

Motion carried.

Can we make a motion to change yet? I'll entertain a motion to put Exhibit 9872 in front of Exhibit 9871.

better to allocate money before we were the contract let me just get a motion to I would make a motion then to amend our agenda moving item nine eight seven two

Ahead of 9871. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Smith. Okay.

Motion by Smith. Second by Davis. Thank you. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay. Thank you. We'll move on to E-first then. Exhibit 9872. Resolution authorizing borrowing from Exonia Bank in the amount not to exceed $1,100,000 for the Emmett Utility Extension Project. Sponsored by myself and the Finance Committee.

Mr. Smith. I'd move for the adoption of... Exhibit 9872. Okay.

Thank you. Motion by Smith. Second that. A techie? Okay. Thank you. Second by a techie. Questions, comments on E? Excuse me.

Bless you. Since this went to the packet, I have interacted with Exonia Bank looking for the items that they would need for their packet of things and they were asking if the resolution would include the fact that this is a general obligation of the cities and that that verbiage was not in this resolution as presented.

So you're looking for a motion to add the verbiage general obligation loan?

Okay.

Mr. Smith.

I move for the amendment previously suggested by our finance director. Thank you, Mr. Smith.

Okay, motion by Smith to add the term general obligation loan to Exhibit 9872. Second. Second by Molenhauer. Thank you. Okay, questions, comments on that? There's a vote on this amendment only. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Okay, thank you. Verbiage is added to E. I'll go back to the original question. Anybody else have questions, comments on the amended version of E now? I had a motion by Smith, second by Ntuky. Okay.

Smith? Aye. Arnett?

Aye.

Hess? Aye. Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Davis? Aye. Lampe? Aye. Berg?

Aye.

Ntuky? Aye. Motion carried.

Okay, thank you. All right, then we'll move on to D, Exhibit 9871, Board Contract Number 11-26, EMA Utility Extension Project to Forest Landscaping and Construction Incorporated for $1,472,390.25, sponsored by Alder and Nett from the Public Works Commission. Mayor, move for 9871. Okay, motion by Arnett.

Second.

Same as. Thank you. Okay, questions, comments on D. Mr. Smith, go ahead.

Yep. I just have questions relating to the component that's summarized here. There are two different entries for the Boulder Road section of the contract. I'm particularly interested in the sanitary sewer extension section next to the last individual component, the 139.825. Looking through the bid specs, that does not include any funding for a lift station. What I'm wondering is, is that a component of the sanitary sewer portion of this and will come later or has it since been determined that this is not necessary?

The scope of the project is to install a force main on Boulder Road. The intent is that the property owners would pay for a grinder pump or a private lift station at the time of connection to that force main. So we're providing the infrastructure on the street for the homeowners to connect to. Those lift stations will be privately owned and installed by the homeowners.

So no city-owned lift station, just grinder pumps for each of the properties where that would be necessary to reach gravity flow?

Not with the city project, but as part of the private project at time of connection, yes.

Okay, so this is something that... As it relates to the individual property, it would only attach at the point where that property was connected with an individual lateral or a hookup.

Correct. The improvements would be in the right of way. So the grinder pump would be on the private side of that. So at the time of connection, the homeowner would pay for that improvement and connect to the available infrastructure in the street.

Okay. Now there are four existing residential properties. This contract is calling it Boulder Road. Is it Boulder Road or is it Boulder Drive? I think the official name is Boulder Drive. So of those four individual properties, how many of those are going to fall in the category that would need this grinder pump? One of them looks like it's about at the gravity flow point up near Center Street. Is it just the three that are lower in elevation? Do you have a number of those that are going to be requiring it?

I believe it's three, but I'll confirm and I can follow up with you after the meeting.

Okay. I appreciate that. Thank you.

Okay.

Any other questions on 9871? Okay.

Arnett?

Aye.

Haas? Aye. Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Davis? Aye. Lampe?

Aye.

Berg?

Aye.

Nteki?

Aye.

Smith?

Aye.

Motion carried.

Okay, thank you. F, Exhibit 9873, Award Professional Real Estate Services Contract for the 2028 Downtown Main Street Reconstruction Project to MSA Professional Services for $168,875, sponsored by Alderman Nett and the Public Works Commission.

Move. Second.

Motion by Haas and second by Moldenhauer. Okay. Okay. Questions, comments on F?

Okay.

Haas? Aye. Moldenhauer?

Aye.

Davis? Aye. Lampe? Aye. Berg?

Aye.

Nottecki? Aye. Smith? Aye. Arnett?

Aye.

Motion carried.

Okay. Thank you. Okay. Next, 12, comments and suggestions from citizens present. The powers of the public who wish to address the council shall register their request in writing with the city clerk prior to speaking. The speaker shall be permitted up to three minutes and shall confine their comments to agenda items only. Okay. All right. Seeing none, I'll move on. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn.

I move to adjourn.

Okay. Washed by Lampy.

I'll second.

Second by Davis. Okay. Thank you. Sorry. A little discombobulated trying to run on means before. Okay. Thank you. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Okay. We're adjourned to 735. Thank you very much.