[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6073820,"mediaKeyId","2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef","parentId",2988480,"title","Council approves development extensions, public works bids, stormwater report and other routine items","audioSeconds",3879,"startMs",2598000,"endMs",6477000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef&start=2598&end=6477","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef/thumbnail_2598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073820/South-Dakota/Council-approves-development-extensions-public-works-bids-stormwater-report-and-other-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073820-e5e0ee6a8124ea37bb5b6e7d2f934209/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150774&Signature=ZQz90i6va2kBg5clVVHJ0eiRqrQFDq0YFfzkjM41LFg3BSVqWDVL-IhDQFidZUQFlP5wQNz5Mh8JYrZyWcKbnfu4WGApkc8Qvsi521fU2hM2z7~AARXg~WqbbWuW214-7z1f5-xK30r43k88tiA1sfPKebgoAQ5UrqlUlr6IzDdaIFaxpRYIicOnnGQ0eaFoYYBbuGnkctVrEyYtG7fZtyWIFmo1jODyibMWWHScGBnGWWuxbZQv82zsmrn2bLSb2IuUFzB22iB-8WlDWEKBXXvB84wzNJm3UqFtKrX7DLHbqo9WnKNkSaNvmwt6nsKaAF7zm~Vsa1SjoMR~l5Tmqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Watertown","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Watertown City Council on March 3 handled a series of routine but substantive actions: extensions for multiple development completion dates, awards for pavement preservation work, a final change order on an airport project, the establishment of a cost‑recovery method for utility work tied to an airport project, authorization to bid a zoo renovation and accept a large donation, a budget supplement for an airport fuel-tank replacement following a failure, and authorization to submit the city's annual MS4 stormwater report.

Key outcomes (summary):

- Development completion extensions (9a): Council approved one-year extensions to the completion dates for multiple residential developments (Andrews Third; Harmony Hill Third; Isabelle's First; CAC's Fourth; Dakota Dunes Fourth; Prairie's Edge Estates; River Ridge Estates Seventh; Lake Willow Creek First; Valley View Second; Valley View Third), moving the deadline to March 3, 2026. The motion was moved and seconded and later recorded as carried.

- 2025 Mill and Overlay bid award (9b): The council awarded the 2025 asphalt mill-and-overlay large patches project (project 2502) to Dunick Inc. in the amount of approximately $1,406,000. City staff said the bid was about 43% below the city estimate; the landfill-road portion is budgeted in the solid waste fund (~$454,000) and the remainder (~$952,000) is from street funds. The motion carried on roll call.

- 2025 crack seal and chip sealing bid award (9c): The council awarded project 2506 to Asphalt Preservation Company for approximately $536,000. The project is budgeted across streets, airport, bike trails and includes a county parking lot reimbursement. The motion carried.

- Change order for taxiway and ag‑arena improvement (9c change order): Council approved change order No. 3 to JTA Earthworks, decreasing the contract by $66,505 for a revised contract price of about $2,684,000; staff said the majority of the project is FAA‑eligible and the city remains under budget.

- Water main and sanitary sewer cost-recovery resolution (Res. 25-09): Council approved a resolution to recover approximately $431,000 of water and sewer work tied to the taxiway/ag‑arena project by splitting cost recovery across four future benefitting areas. Staff said cost recoveries are paid when a building permit is applied for and before it is issued.

- Wolf exhibit renovation and donation (12b): Council authorized proceeding with bidding for the wolf exhibit renovation at the zoo and accepted a donation of $431,431.94 from Lake Area Zoological Society (LAZS). Park and Recreation staff said the donation represents roughly 60% of the project total and that the renovation will improve animal handling and operational efficiency.

- Budget supplement for 100LL fuel tank (12c): Council approved a budget supplement of roughly $70,000 to replace a 12,000-gallon aviation fuel (100LL) tank at the airport after a partial failure; staff said insurance will offset much of the cost and no injuries occurred during the incident.

- MS4 annual report authorization (12d): Council authorized the interim city manager to sign and submit the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) annual report to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources; staff described required program areas including public education, illicit-discharge elimination, construction-site runoff controls, and post-construction stormwater management.

How votes were recorded: For most items the meeting recorded unanimous approval among council members present; where roll-call votes were taken the clerk read ayes and the mayor or deputy mayor announced “motion carries.” No item was defeated or tabled during the March 3 meeting.

What the council asked for follow-up on: Council members requested staff return to a future work session to recommend how to use savings from lower-than-expected bids and to provide detail on capital needs linked to items such as the zoo accreditation recovery effort. The hiring-process and zoning items were discussed elsewhere on the agenda and will return for further action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 3/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Watertown City Council on March 3 handled a series of routine but substantive actions: extensions for multiple development completion dates, awards for pavement preservation work, a final change order on an airport project, and several administrative and capital-authority items.","taxTitle","City of Watertown, Codington County, South Dakota","taxId",64127,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073824,"Council takes first reading on revised Lake Commercial zoning; planners aim to limit intrusive uses",1850,3394000,5244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef&start=3394&end=5244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef/thumbnail_3394000.jpg","/articles/6073824/South-Dakota/Council-takes-first-reading-on-revised-Lake-Commercial-zoning-planners-aim-to-limit-intrusive-uses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073824-c0fd9d5238a6681b1ab8280c35edf32f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150774&Signature=e4bi0YWMKeV8pzmy~1WtMq28~XFl2oRwCs5P6zuSYnCAMdea1IrKbXks1bYKuz9yGFiLSVVSlk7FyBm2kDqVAy-l7gtPa7lpEONzmoPsSxxKz7~Mie9QZdqXaWySGqhEZTwyWYBypcgavPnSS-4AcMMSdvaYqec8wZnpY9spuocfEuVRybDm1m0jED2zQwcYe322o8AmbAz-XyY4rrrwpXIi7TXkz27LvlcQf49VPUMA463gI3A8Vw2DBJ51ywmxQc~jbrLHy-7ZuRrRhWqs1koQDUvEa2YgJxRN2KItTr7o7PRBk7IP3vgtUq6~P0i84Nh3~okcg5BdrWXwRsrCXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and members of the planning subcommittee presented a first reading on zoning text amendments for a Lake Commercial (CL) district on March 3 designed to preserve residential character while allowing limited, lake‑related commercial uses.

Community Development Manager Hanton summarized the package as a set of changes that will: revert the original 2020 CL district’s permitted uses for the three properties already zoned CL; create two new conventional districts (CL1 \"Lake Adjacent Commercial\" and CL2 \"Lake Proximity Commercial\"); and add an overlay, CLX, that would allow additional uses only after a rezoning process with public notice and planning commission and council review. “That kind of, alleviates the concern of somebody utilizing a more intrusive use without it going through the process of informing the neighbors,” Hanton said.

Why it matters: The lake shoreline is overwhelmingly residential, and council and planning staff said the amendments are intended to let limited commercial activity that is compatible with lakeshore neighborhoods while preserving neighbors’ interests. The new districts include permitted and special permitted uses tied to design standards; when a proposed use meets the standards it could be approved as a special permitted use without additional hearings, but the CLX overlay would require a rezoning and public process for bars, motels, and other potentially intrusive uses.

Key council concerns and clarifications: Council members emphasized protecting property owners who purchased under earlier CL zoning from sudden changes. Councilman Danforth said investments tied to approved zoning should be respected; “people make significant financial investments in development as they do buying a home at the lake,” he said. Councilman Jerns said his ongoing concern centers on campground-like uses and tiny-house-style RVs appearing as long-term units; staff replied that units in the campground are registered as RVs, are movable, and cannot be used more than 180 days per year as primary residences under current code.

Process and next steps: This was a first reading; no final vote was taken. Staff said the ordinance language will come back for additional review and has been the product of multiple planning-commission and subcommittee meetings. Council members said any properties already approved under the closed original CL district will retain the rights they were granted under the earlier zoning; new properties would be subject to the updated districts and overlay process.

What was not changed: City staff said the 50% lot-coverage metric will be retained for clarity, and the earlier CL district will be closed to new rezonings (affecting only the three parcels already zoned CL). No final ordinance adoption occurred at the meeting.","The council heard a first reading of a package of zoning text amendments meant to replace the existing CL (Lake Commercial) district with new CL1 and CL2 districts and a CLX overlay intended to allow certain lake-related commercial activities while requiring design standards and public review for more intrusive uses.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073830,"Council liaison says city manager search underway; resident calls for open posting and public meet-and-greets",4834,1589000,6423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef&start=1589&end=6423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef/thumbnail_1589000.jpg","/articles/6073830/South-Dakota/Council-liaison-says-city-manager-search-underway-resident-calls-for-open-posting-and-public-meet-and-greets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073830-d9dcb60ae414f62ce046fa47d22ee727/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150774&Signature=o8LU3~hpuoibN8ujSlEqNvh2FosBqEZSPyBL37ENhV3ZGYWH1WmrS1Txnkezq1d3oMJGMxKcccoGSMHJf0GtDriLaJV6pXnGrduis6T5F-7WRN37op4U1wDMHwtTZu5a43B1pkf90ZnUdzlG4W~A3rWqsvDcMvxnYZNoDQrOt5B-cVwQZRYV4wheRrw3JGmcQQpy7JCgfnRZ54S7-JoVSjW0tbIzUkbKxRVDeF3CY5KHf1RDyRV~6X9QQdKLv27ONJ0bBY6UtZp81vyYET9bX1m5G2WtAY7rm1vrTcJb31~spRwUtcoNPjxD-ICqG23--QUpMKns4G1mXNr4x7-5IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Watertown resident on March 3 criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in the search for a new city manager and asked whether the search firm Robert Half had advertised the opening broadly. Council members and the council’s liaison reported the search had just begun and described planned outreach and next steps.

Resident concerns: Doug Allen told the council the position had not been posted on the city website, the Municipal League or other typical venues he expected, and said he worried the search might be limited to a small pool of candidates. “It just doesn't seem like a very open and transparent process,” Allen said.

Council response and update: Councilman Jason Peters (council liaison to the mayor’s hiring committee) said the hiring firm contract had only been signed “two weeks ago” and that Robert Half was in early stages of outreach. Peters said the posting would appear on the city’s website “as soon as tomorrow” and reported his committee’s outreach numbers: Robert Half had contacted about 70 candidates and 21 had expressed interest so far. Peters said the firm is using direct outreach and LinkedIn in addition to formal postings, and he described ongoing weekly calls with the search firm.

Why it matters: The council is planning interviews with the Home Rule Charter Midterm Review Commission the week after the meeting and the midterm review committee intends to provide redacted survey findings to the hiring committee and to Robert Half to help shape candidate questions. Several speakers urged public meet-and-greets with finalists as part of the process; resident Allen and others argued public interaction is important to evaluate how finalists engage with the community.

Next steps: Council members said Robert Half will coordinate posting and outreach, the city website posting was imminent, and the hiring committee will continue to receive updates. The council did not take formal action on the search at the March 3 meeting.","A resident questioned where the city manager job posting was and whether the Robert Half search firm had widely advertised the position; Councilman Peters, the council liaison to the hiring committee, reported that outreach is underway and said a posting will appear on the city website soon and that the firm has contacted dozens of candidates.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073835,"Resident urges action on Third Avenue safety and roadside litter after ICE Arena traffic rise",492,1367000,1859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef&start=1367&end=1859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988480-e54b9683667e947362583476e25dc6ef/thumbnail_1367000.jpg","/articles/6073835/South-Dakota/Resident-urges-action-on-Third-Avenue-safety-and-roadside-litter-after-ICE-Arena-traffic-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073835-29f8a7ea6ac725bf8e7449000ee1ccca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150774&Signature=gr09x0ZlGhcSyw~y~XxQ9Iyt3hPTreUBkdaO6-92CNQYpUjDpbpc-ceh5fviW2GxDz~Sp-lH6aP0MgoRVyeH882XwoGd~I5tHyzW9wAGPtORwgNBbaiqfR3jslDDlHOJBxwgXuNuPDvVQvAsK~Iam~87lwwiP8o5zRKf09BO4oV4VL7R9roOeYhucy-eDB57RK5fzOGnHBO1sEE4YnWOBGrqtRxeJUgHclJwKz9my6Q6lQjNME4-QtqefzsrSyYaeUUT3lYWcceHsojCvYCy9hDIygJQ6v1Tv2uhaXCydDpyUSkUXNfuQnw48QKEss0K6d0-kQWIOkT44UeG2RFGQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doug Allen, a Watertown resident, told the City Council on March 3 that traffic related to the ICE Arena has raised safety concerns on Third Avenue and that roadside litter has become a recurring problem.

Allen said the roadway carries 30 to 40 additional cars during events, that its surfaces vary from gravel to crushed asphalt, and that many drivers are traveling fast enough to make the rough roadway more hazardous. “The speed limit on township roads is 55 miles an hour. That's pretty fast, when you've got 30 or 40 cars coming by coming from the ice arena,” Allen said. He also reported seeing “cases of bush light cans rolling around in the ditch and on the road,” and said he suspects underage drinking at times.

Why it matters: Allen said people walk dogs and use a nearby bike path that crosses Third Avenue, creating pedestrian exposure where he sees both speed and trash problems. He told the council he has spoken with the township supervisors and Coddington County law enforcement and said those parties have been responsive but that lowering the posted speed is not currently a township priority.

Council response: A council member present said the open forum is not the usual place for extended debate but acknowledged the concerns and said staff would discuss the matter later in the agenda. Allen was invited to remain for that agenda item.

What was said about remedies: Allen said township officials told him a lower speed limit would require additional township meetings and is not at the top of the township’s list. He also said the police have spoken with ICE Arena leadership, coaches and parents about trash and behavior. Council members and staff later referenced continuing conversations with the township and law enforcement; no formal directive or new enforcement action was moved during the meeting.

Next steps and context: Allen suggested a neighborhood spring cleanup but said the problem goes beyond litter removal to traffic speed and public-safety risks tied to roadside activity. The council did not take a formal vote on the matter that evening. The issue was flagged for further discussion later in the meeting and for follow-up by staff and relevant township and law enforcement partners.","A Watertown resident told the City Council that increased traffic tied to the ICE Arena has heightened safety concerns on Third Avenue and flagged persistent roadside litter; council members said they have discussed speed and cleanup options with township and law enforcement partners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves development extensions, public works bids, stormwater report and other routine items

Council takes first reading on revised Lake Commercial zoning; planners aim to limit intrusive uses

Council liaison says city manager search underway; resident calls for open posting and public meet-and-greets

Resident urges action on Third Avenue safety and roadside litter after ICE Arena traffic rise