[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6073852,"mediaKeyId","2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8","parentId",2988577,"title","Watertown council reviews scaled-back plan and funding options for new street facility","audioSeconds",2636,"startMs",828000,"endMs",3464000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8&start=828&end=3464","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8/thumbnail_828000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073852/South-Dakota/Watertown-council-reviews-scaled-back-plan-and-funding-options-for-new-street-facility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073852-608ea7f3b9c6d580b2d44bc63180c722/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639394&Signature=NIcEKNrWJLkm0u2qQ05c-j4ppOC6pP~eJrlyAQ2KrPLgl1Ad2m8ElFhkp~5rppAUBR9bi2YTcO6TjbD9-j~qelwmPP8KaVkMACIZWTppeWZus2~wZoeApaHEIsZTT~9Pu7mgB3XoG4tYXAXahW4NrSm6BJaC6FtJZDi4TFJ-qLFZBhqjYcBV8X~KwFd2m8kdmJWcq2J0NLdLlwts29vHeX9m79RSwvxwLfRYvURhs7vQTN6b83NgwV4SKoOW-X4kA4WvSULk~PJD~yva6G3nv~BOg6~zw91S5WWypYGsYbksN~nMAl21wmhQsa4ZI1Z~BgYTTUuh5Q~HaRDNeMdhNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Watertown","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","A presentation at the City of Watertown council work session laid out a revised plan and funding options for a new street facility, with staff saying design cuts and site modifications could reduce the project estimate from about $23.5 million to roughly $18.5 million.

The council heard that the building as originally designed was a little more than 53,000 square feet. After proposed reductions — including deleting cold storage, removing a wash bay, eliminating one repair bay and trimming office space and pavement — the heated vehicle storage portion would be about 34,000 square feet. Consultant estimates presented to council ranged from roughly $15 million (early, local contractor review of an earlier design) up to JLG’s current estimate of about $18.5 million after reductions.

The presentation described line-item savings: a wash bay deletion estimated to save about $2.3 million, dropping one repair bay worth about $1.2 million, a reduction of roughly $1.2 million in office area and site-modification and miscellaneous reductions estimated to save as much as $1.8 million. Staff also said redesign to reflect the cuts would cost about $125,000.

City engineer Justin Peterson and street staff member Rob explained that some items labeled “cuts” are technically defe rals: several features could be added later because the design accommodates future additions. Peterson recommended keeping the second repair bay as a bid alternate: \"If we only had one repair bay, that could be taken up for months,\" he said, meaning routine maintenance work could be delayed if the single bay is occupied with longer repairs.

On materials and methods, JLG and staff reported metal construction is currently the lower-cost option; a precast option was estimated to add about $2.3 million. Staff said the reduced plan is bid-ready as of February 2024 but would require the $125,000 amendment for redesign to formalize the proposed cuts.

Council members and staff discussed likely project costs in the current market. Peterson said JLG’s $18.5 million figure is based on recent regional bid experience; a local contractor’s earlier review of the prior design was about $15 million, meaning the current design reductions could put actual bids between the local estimate and the consultant estimate. Peterson: \"It's possible it could be less than 18 and a half, but JLG is basing it off their experience.\"

Staff outlined a funding approach that mixes cash and debt. The draft financing shown to the council included roughly $6 million cash on hand (including proceeds from a land sale), about $1 million remaining in an ice-arena bond account, a proposed $1.5 million allocation from the 2026 CIP, and a $10 million bond amortized over 20 years at an assumed 4.9% interest rate producing an estimated $810,000 annual payment. Peterson sketched a tentative schedule: finalize redesign midyear, adopt a bonding resolution August/September, bid in October/November, award in December and start construction in 2026 with an 18-month duration.

Council members repeatedly pressed staff to clarify what is a permanent cut versus a deferral, and how operation efficiencies from the new facility offset debt service. Rob said heated storage will reduce breakdowns and overtime and contractor emergency hires during storms; contracting rates cited in the meeting ranged from about $125 per hour for truck hauling to up to $275 per hour for hired motor graders during major storm events. That operational context informed questions about whether $810,000 in annual debt service could be offset by reduced contractor and repair expenses.

Staff next steps identified in the presentation: ask the council whether to direct JLG to proceed with the $125,000 redesign to incorporate the proposed cuts, then return updated cost estimates and a refined financing plan for further council direction.

Votes at the meeting did not decide whether to proceed with design or bonding for the street facility; staff said they were presenting options and seeking further direction.

Ending: Staff asked council for any additional information needed for the next presentation. Peterson said, \"If the council would like us to move forward, we would come back with the redesign and more detailed financing scenarios.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session 4/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A presentation at the City of Watertown council work session laid out a revised plan and funding options for a new street facility, with staff saying design cuts and site modifications could reduce the project estimate from about $23.5 million to roughly $18.5 million.","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},6073842,"Watertown council reviews portfolio of priority projects; housing and flood control emerge as crosscutting concerns",4624,5664000,10288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8&start=5664&end=10288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8/thumbnail_5664000.jpg","/articles/6073842/South-Dakota/Watertown-council-reviews-portfolio-of-priority-projects-housing-and-flood-control-emerge-as-crosscutting-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073842-d866ba537aa2e7d14c9774da8b0edcc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639394&Signature=IGNAZPNUFPACayTSKeFUU30BzkQ29sb2ApQNKyENaxFehkTwtpJ~SIzO-H1SZzpUJ0LjIxt6lfPUslcz7DiXb9fpXtV8NWOv0wAO-yVRdOEToYr9177u~UxFl5JtwDSbbS7NT72Bfxf344nQdmwSqDv-imXXn9oKN3RlI5uCwrO7heiDEv3GgTzePtqCi3rNv6K2M6Vesvc7~l4hn~heZmpkn~FmfJWjOnUhafts8GI5wlcMpRlz7l2nuQ-pLkLMh~P9MQCuJaU8facQmkztyEQPiHmxWBaFUjo2QzGM~9XnMgO1s2QYrK2FEuSufhO~Qfwoa2Hh5bJfySojcUaBFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Watertown council members and staff used a work session to review a consolidated list of council priority projects, hear status updates and ask staff for more detailed cost and operational information on several items.

Flood control: Staff reminded the council that an updated flood-control plan for the Big Sioux River is expected in June. A current estimate shown in the packet totals about $22.9 million; staff said the city’s share under present assumptions would be roughly 35% or about $8 million, with hoped-for state contributions to be determined.

Housing and economic development: Multiple council members emphasized that housing, childcare and broader economic development are central issues that affect the city’s ability to pay for other capital needs. Staff and Council discussed aligning several stakeholder groups — H2O50, the Watertown Development Company, municipal utilities and school officials — to produce actionable goals; staff identified this as largely an ongoing operational priority rather than a single capital line item.

Recreation, facilities and other capital items: Directors and staff briefed the council on a set of other projects in the packet:
- Cattail Clubhouse (golf): rough cost range presented $3.5–$6.1 million; staff suggested a capital-improvement fee as one funding option.
- Baseball stadium: council approved a short-term agreement with the school district; staff estimates ranged about $3.1–$4.8 million depending on scope and donor support.
- Mace Arena/indoor recreation: staff has formed a committee to study uses and operating models; upgrades could be phased and could involve outside operators or partners.
- Foundation Plaza ice option: staff said retrofitting the downtown plaza for ice would be significantly expensive now and that prior structural provisions had been removed in earlier design steps; an earlier planning-level figure cited in discussion was about $600,000 in the initial planning conversations, but staff cautioned costs and feasibility vary by approach.
- Event center improvements: rooftop units and air-wall replacements were identified in the packet as maintenance and capital items; staff said the facility remains open under interim lease arrangements while longer-term management and potential capital requirements continue to be evaluated.
- Sidewalk program, gravel and collector roads: engineering staff asked for direction on prioritization and whether lower‑cost surfacing options or phased approaches to gravel‑street upgrades should be advanced.
- Old water-treatment plant (Lake Hopaska) and auditorium: staff noted both are aging city-owned assets with deferred maintenance (roof leaks cited) and asked whether council wants estimates for demolition, repair or reuse — staff offered to return figures for estimated demolition/repair costs.

Budgeting and process: Staff suggested the council might re-rank or re-affirm priorities after the meeting and consider separating ongoing policy/priorities (for example, economic development/housing) from single capital projects for budget planning. Multiple council members asked staff for multi-year spreadsheets showing fiscal scenarios, what could be reserved annually for particular projects, and how bonding or G.O. debt would affect property- and sales-tax capacity.

Ending: Council members agreed to more follow-up: a June update on flood control, further cost/operational analyses for the auditorium and old treatment plant, and more financial scenarios for major projects. Staff offered to circulate a revised priority list and run a supplemental vote if the council wanted to re-rank priorities after receiving the requested analyses.","City of Watertown council members and staff reviewed a consolidated list of capital and policy priorities — from flood-control plans with an estimated $22.9 million total to housing and facility upgrades — and asked staff for more detailed cost, operational and funding analyses.",{"_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},6073847,"Council weighs East Side fire station site, staffing and funding options",1655,4006000,5661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8&start=4006&end=5661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2988577-80316883bf83badc97165565507e85c8/thumbnail_4006000.jpg","/articles/6073847/South-Dakota/Council-weighs-East-Side-fire-station-site-staffing-and-funding-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073847-1152ce82aa634522dc9fc297f7801984/orig.mp4?Expires=1773639394&Signature=GNHmjJeADicZYMedIfPzRn3CxWzZEG4eyuiS6sXfDt2uPoVB-xhjgbKE0goHZp10sBDrmONq8pw6Y8LzkIpm1p8DWzRLHGeKAuSRcFRv8IYzd~xBkSzTMYGBEkHtTrFDrDQ1a5H7xGLibLUTMxqcUFCtzhpNX7NzRL64EzqLKlCFaUUnbpJfj0sa4XCSQ7Mw1lN7VQva5s4WxrCg0bLPKWx23NAY8QjctIh7cG~JthmnjPdWdT-p4eNbcFOmrdlWuu-wEJGrKT55-c8lbEfBZert7DL-9SIeSEXtHLup8BlCANOizlY6LYI2VRENQA4s~ZRPxST6Lvr-7U~KSr1p4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Watertown fire officials and staff presented site recommendations, staffing scenarios and funding options for a proposed East Side fire station during the council work session.

Fire Chief Roland and Assistant Chief Scott reviewed a multi-phase proposal that begins with site acquisition, proceeds to phased staffing and culminates in construction. Staff identified five candidate sites and recommended a parcel on 119th Street NE as the top choice based on geographic response-time modeling; staff said response times to large parts of the Northeast and Southeast of the city would fall under the target ambulance and fire response windows at that location.

Chief Roland said the city now handles roughly 3,000 ambulance calls and about 1,000 fire calls per year and that the East Side accounts for roughly a third of ambulance responses. The presentation cited national guidance: the American Heart Association’s standard of arriving in five minutes or less for many ambulance responses and NFPA/ISO metrics for fire response and department grading. Assistant Chief Scott said the city’s ISO rating could drop to a class 3 if coverage to the east is not improved; a worse ISO rating can increase homeowner insurance costs across the district.

Staff offered a three-phase approach: (1) buy a site (staff recommended the 119th Street NE parcel, estimated at about $600,000, with contract-for-deed options), (2) implement staffing (staff proposed nine full‑time firefighters on a phased schedule and suggested 3–6 ambulance staffing if the council wished to begin with ambulance-only service) and (3) build a station. The packet included a rough $5 million figure for a 10,000‑square‑foot building; staff noted cost-per-square-foot data from recent regional station builds.

Council and staff reviewed funding options. Staff flagged these pathways: an ambulance-service district levy (county-level vote April 22 was cited as a pending action that could generate about $1 million to help staffing), use of ambulance billing revenue (estimates of $300,000–$600,000 per year), SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grants — which staff said favor full requests that align with NFPA 1710 staffing levels — general obligation bonds (which would put the obligation on property taxes rather than sales tax) and other grants including Community Development Block Grant and developer impact fees.

On operations, the chief recommended planning for nine full-time firefighting positions and noted a full NFPA 1710 compliant crew on a single engine would require higher staffing (staff noted SAFER grant competitiveness rises if the request is large enough to meet NFPA 1710 thresholds). Council members asked whether the project could begin as an ambulance-only facility with subsequent expansion; staff said it could, but cautioned that running an ambulance-only station with too few staff risks frequent “brownouts” (an unstaffed station when crews are unavailable).

Council members asked about property‑tax impacts and timing. CFO Bob Seaman said the city’s property-tax levy has fallen in recent years because prior bonds were paid off; a general-obligation bond would shift some pressure to property tax. Staff also proposed phasing: purchase the site now to \"put a stake in the ground\" and evaluate funding later. Chief Roland urged council to act on a land purchase to preserve a suitable site for long-term response needs.

Ending: Council expressed broad support for the project’s public-safety goals but sought further information on staffing cost models, funding scenarios and whether an ambulance-only start would be financially and operationally feasible. No formal action was taken; staff will return with more detailed cost and financing options if the council directs.","Watertown Fire Rescue presented site options and a phased staffing plan for an East Side fire station, recommending a site on 119th Street NE and outlining a three-phase approach (site, staffing, construction). Staff estimated a 10,000-square-foot station costing about $5 million and urged early land purchase; staffing and funding remain the core ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Watertown council reviews scaled-back plan and funding options for new street facility

Watertown council reviews portfolio of priority projects; housing and flood control emerge as crosscutting concerns

Council weighs East Side fire station site, staffing and funding options