[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6179373,"mediaKeyId","5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242","parentId",5128933,"title","Council awards design contract for South Shore shared‑use path; project expected to link Kwik Trip to Walmart","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",7672000,"endMs",7786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242&start=7672&end=7786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242/thumbnail_7672000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6179373/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-awards-design-contract-for-South-Shore-shareduse-path-project-expected-to-link-Kwik-Trip-to-Walmart","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179373-f794b2e6e1d7c00513c95246f3f80a2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146956&Signature=kqcrqlOle7gotghZNqyDUGZfaxob-jpFBGddFzZVkZsCTG0kbCFj93rAwozTFUhN1xfLE9pqKPflhdPlAARDyC~zYzGkhCjrv8jRcihogmJaK9eoHY8B5Loxg2TABaNWNa~max8kvwoMGXIVLrShEoyyg9vlFQibBDKrqVKB9xkET5HhASCOrFQwnlYYZvMvCJSKfODEArx3pImbtPA8ZDvVD4Cf3XKVZCLuN1u2JMsd8HqN5chWqum65lWUy9mVttD4Ej34KuwX7~~qMBHKVNnqGnOGHQ-gaC-fR1M854aOQV9CgeJf2YHoItD~qFiGZyilqvHOOcw1gUwM-MV36A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Watertown, WI","date","2025-07-02T02:21:43Z","article","The Watertown Common Council on July 1 approved a resolution to award design services for the South Shore Street shared‑use path to Rusch‑Baderman Company (name in transcript RH Baderman Company Inc.) for $228,039 under a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

Alder Arnett said the project will connect the Kwik Trip area to the Walmart corridor, adding much‑needed pedestrian infrastructure where residents currently walk along high‑speed roadways. Arnett and others noted the design contract is only the first step; construction costs will follow and were estimated in discussion to bring the overall project cost to close to or above $500,000. City staff said the state will cover 80% of construction costs through the TAP grant if awarded.

Council members suggested the remaining funds in TID 4 might be a reasonable local source for matching dollars; no formal TID reallocation was decided at the July 1 meeting. The council approved the design award on a voice vote; the public‑works sponsor noted the project had been pursued by the city for several years and represented a long‑sought pedestrian connection.

Why it matters: the path addresses public‑safety concerns where pedestrians currently use a high‑speed corridor and supports future development patterns by improving active‑transportation links. Design work will move forward, followed by construction scheduling and funding decisions that will require local matching dollars.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council Meeting | The City of Watertown | July 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a $228,039 design contract for the South Shore shared‑use path under a Transportation Alternatives Program grant; councilors said the total project could approach half a million dollars and noted state coverage of 80% of construction costs.","taxTitle","Watertown, Jefferson County, Wisconsin","taxId",69184,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179378,"Council votes to open Riverside Park restrooms for Riverfest, city to cover restroom‑related overages beyond $60,000",1692,5245000,6937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242&start=5245&end=6937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242/thumbnail_5245000.jpg","/articles/6179378/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Council-votes-to-open-Riverside-Park-restrooms-for-Riverfest-city-to-cover-restroomrelated-overages-beyond-60000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179378-052354fbed3de35bab7de86acc52d277/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146956&Signature=lpa~xaoeDOU4cpX2iFBOBMwysLH1nwQr3lphHi7vCDyQ-AF9Y4cPd7MHdnUgL1m~ieYi60H0-CJm9FPO38DngjZHiGr7TViz2WFXoIBXcwvSSeK2mwtL2d6VBHxb~j1LrAv0y8Qyh~rnF4gvrqsR-VFtoaYeLOIHgtOJ4hX8qVLKPqcNHngZT7OCqaxJHZDj~F6VKLKcAYFEHV5jxMpIsGxUrDPHtvr5jWI24WNePp5QYUJFjMXeSjCZ~PFBZQzuZGqMRoTgBLcY5IXvP3P1-~ScRG~Q8Fdr0xAosu4nM7KfELFlPIjH8XfTpxeJlxuAqFKNUD77Oc4esYoKLNTU7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Watertown Common Council on July 1 approved making newly renovated Riverside Park restrooms available for the upcoming Riverfest celebration and amended the existing cost‑sharing agreement with the Riverfest Committee to address possible additional costs.

Alderman Berg moved that the Riverside Park restrooms be opened for Riverfest; the motion drew extended debate. Supporters said keeping the restrooms open during the city’s largest celebration was common sense and would allow visitors to use permanent facilities rather than only porta‑potties. Critics and the Riverfest Committee had previously preferred porta‑potties for reasons they cited as safety, patrol logistics and contracted cleaning.

Alderman Smith proposed an amendment that the existing cost‑sharing arrangement remain in place — specifically, that the city and Riverfest Committee split Riverfest costs up to $60,000 — and that any additional costs caused by opening the restrooms be covered by the city. Councilors accepted that amendment.

On a roll call after the amendment, the motion passed. The vote recorded multiple ayes and one no: Alder Davis voted no; the chair recorded the motion as carried. Councilors asked staff to coordinate cleaning and operations with Parks and Recreation so restrooms can be staffed and cleaned during the event.

Why it matters: Riverfest is a major local event with thousands of attendees; the decision affects event logistics, the Riverfest Committee’s budget and the city’s short‑term operating costs. The council’s amendment leaves the preexisting budget split in place up to $60,000 and assigns the city responsibility for any additional cost attributable to opening the restrooms during Riverfest.

Council staff said they will prepare a draft resolution reflecting the action for the council’s records and that Parks and Recreation will handle cleaning and staffing logistics in coordination with event organizers.","After heated debate about cost and safety, the Watertown Common Council approved making newly renovated Riverside Park restrooms available during Riverfest and adapted the existing cost‑sharing arrangement so the city will absorb any expense above the previously agreed $60,000 cap tied to Riverfest costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179383,"Watertown updates council on housing pipeline, industrial strategy and Highway A rezoning",384,1856000,2240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242&start=1856&end=2240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242/thumbnail_1856000.jpg","/articles/6179383/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Watertown-updates-council-on-housing-pipeline-industrial-strategy-and-Highway-A-rezoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179383-3dea074b56e530f3348d9d9329c3fb94/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146956&Signature=XADGNVGVH2y3KCJkYPP0BSwnOR4PgJDDdR1~kqNqi46oFDAQPE4i5Fqj2JvfjL9k~hoFTC89fnJ8ma56zAEW3sN5YcU9NVQlV4iMYc2awsQc~11DrjFGrmiHoVSnVGnJCm06LuJSW6zu5~wUGvG6p2RBlcbMjhUjcl1bXznwKZdPOXpWeIxsOk718dvgdfUYpDrz86iM5ReX1T3GAq3holQ8hMNNnP1wgb3urorHDcaUo4Y1-LpEAm2u4k7p~JyjWtqYS603K7izyBjsUpzGdaRzhsIJJ4wj5vCjO74NY76kirZRPyXTgIl7SRqImke~t69-UXVdmVlSWfn4VF2J3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An economic development update presented July 1 outlined multiple housing projects underway, employer expansions and a proposed rezoning of a 60‑acre city parcel known as Highway A to “plan industrial.”

The presenter, identified as Mason (city staff), said Rock River Ridge (on the former Bethesda campus) has single‑family lots selling faster than anticipated and that Harbor Homes is a year ahead on lot purchases from the Greater Watertown Community Foundation. Lumen Terrace Horizon is expected to break ground later in the summer on four buildings totaling 92 apartment units; the city created Tax Increment District (TID) No. 9 to support that project.

Other housing work includes the Edgefield subdivision (43 single‑family homes and 12 twin‑home units), the Balinski enclave (single‑family lots averaging about 1,500 square feet and targeting a mid‑$300,000 price range), and College Park, a Habitat for Humanity project across from Madison College described in the presentation as “2 12 duplex units… so 6 builds in an affordable range” (language in the presentation was not fully clarified at the meeting). The presentation also noted a Wilbur Street extension likely next year funded in part by a Dodge County Development Fund grant.

On industry, Mason said Johnsonville announced 75 new second‑shift jobs paying between $25 and $45 an hour and that discussions continue with other firms about potential expansions. He described Highway A — roughly 60 acres — as the only large buildable site owned by the city and said staff intend to rezone it to a plan‑industrial classification that would allow higher aesthetic and green‑space standards; a first public hearing is expected at Plan Commission and then council later in the month.

Councilors raised infrastructure questions. Alder Lampe asked whether contingency‑fund sizing happens at budget season; Alder Arnett urged long‑range utility planning (water, wastewater, electrical) to make the city competitive for larger industrial uses. Mason noted private utility capacity limits that make large‑scale data centers unlikely but said the city can accommodate light industry, food and beverage, and biohealth uses.

Why it matters: the projects described would add housing units, jobs and tax base; rezoning Highway A and coordinating utility planning are prerequisites to attracting larger employers. Several councilors asked staff to fold development priorities into longer‑range capital and utilities planning so the city can present shovel‑ready sites to prospective employers.","Economic development staff reported housing projects breaking ground, employer expansions and plans to rezone a 60‑acre city parcel for industrial use; councilors asked for long‑range utility planning and coordination with capital projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179388,"Watertown council reviews five-year parks and open-space plan; restrooms, staffing and river access get scrutiny",66,3432000,3498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242&start=3432&end=3498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242/thumbnail_3432000.jpg","/articles/6179388/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Watertown-council-reviews-five-year-parks-and-open-space-plan-restrooms-staffing-and-river-access-get-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179388-383b2de002060536a7c422cd71a5d792/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146956&Signature=d0BjspYK4iITureCC6cuz5PXfMDcXhS6LAmsKV33KRYKeARkWdbakUjS87psIqS8-DdxpJP6gjt~RngbIJ5weh1nCkq~NXtBdB9ijP6DNMTixK4p1TKMn5gSK2lo9wqwcHKoj9G~0SQc0tHSvdvZaeT0pHzU~1PQKHA7eN4F8UN-xzvXtS4xK94vri2~HWNhVxETLQSCZ2PkVjRSFD2QwhascHxRMNCcg~dFwnM7Zxlyk8LKamyHk51HC6sOMUaLRCFfpaPczqA9TjUPt6O6tWmkCR8XOIKl-DNipsUWHCSmYEf1yGGyuRxzwOYQmKUGKTopJ8XCH5NXNDpQ688nnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Consultants and staff presented a draft five‑year Parks and Open Space Plan to the Watertown Common Council on July 1, describing a community engagement process and a list of prioritized projects that officials said will be used for Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grant applications and capital planning.

Jody Raider of consulting firm HKGI said the plan began in December and includes goals, an implementation strategy and a project list aimed at meeting Wisconsin DNR requirements for outdoor recreation plans. “We welcome any questions,” Raider told the council.

Council discussion focused on maintenance and prioritization. Alder Polanky called the plan “extremely comprehensive” and asked the staff to add adjournment times to minutes; Alder Davis and several others noted the city already has many parks and raised whether maintenance should take priority over adding new sites.

Several council members pressed for clearer, itemized information about restroom condition and replacement needs. Staff said Lincoln, Union, Timothy Johnson and one other set of restrooms have recently been renovated and will remain; Riverside restrooms by the tennis courts and some units at Washington Park will need “complete removal and rebuild” or modular family‑style replacements because of plumbing and fixture deterioration. Chamberland Playground is listed as a roughly $1 million capital renovation need.

The plan includes these near‑term details: nine neighborhood playgrounds in need of immediate replacement, three slated new parks tied to housing subdivisions, recommendations for improved river and water access, and a suggested facility‑use agreement to coordinate programming with organizations such as the YMCA. Staff reported a parks staffing gap equivalent to about 7.5 full‑time employees compared with national benchmarks and said the housing and population projections from upcoming developments will increase park demand.

Councilors asked that the draft plan’s recommended projects be merged into the city’s capital improvement program for 2027 budget planning. Christine (city staff) said she would return with a formal resolution at a future meeting that integrates the plan into the capital schedule.

Why it matters: the plan sets the city’s park priorities for the next five years, determines eligibility for DNR grants, and drives capital‑budget choices. Councilors emphasized preserving current assets and directing future investments toward active river uses, restroom replacements that match expected usage, and clearer cost estimates before committing funds.","Consultants presented a five-year Parks and Open Space Plan intended to qualify the city for DNR grants; councilors asked for clearer restroom condition inventories, funding conversion into the capital plan and stronger emphasis on active river use.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179393,"Local advocates press Watertown council to back warming shelter before winter",388,952000,1340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242&start=952&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5128933-90dd372d3ef54bb90cf535995c9f3242/thumbnail_952000.jpg","/articles/6179393/Watertown/Jefferson-County/Wisconsin/Local-advocates-press-Watertown-council-to-back-warming-shelter-before-winter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179393-c62bf53ec9177dc3853280a73b9cbe1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146956&Signature=cL1~N7jWXuX8XEn5-WGzevBZ0kJSfhSGqkHp4jX6qXChp0-wj~iBlSsKQ3vYeGeBhgoNthdu~n7jsxDy8-aNTmBevMxttAK6vAVjM3Hy-fJ09Cy3iun6kTIF3V7UzFwVmzAVZqkJs3Cqco431hcUmm6rc1IHyT~srj8L2wQATWfT4E1wyAKvDtLIAby5tq7oFIlVi80X6h5acr219Qs3dQ2haRN7GsReO6WdFju0umc3EqamMQQSx9Jrok6UPs5fanWDlLSNDmocSbl2snAhSMG9Ml1diQWefPiU-4ZWt0PAQyzDHKz9snTZYCjFge4g4i99RDv9xBBXk0BzRh1mEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the volunteer group Building a Welcoming Watertown urged the Watertown Common Council on July 1 to accelerate work on a proposed public–private warming shelter to prevent further cold-weather deaths among people without stable housing.

Jennifer Hedrick, a member of the group who lives on Garfield Street, told the council she had worked as an occupational therapist across the state and observed students who “were living in some degree of homelessness” and food insecurity. “This is not the city I grew up in,” she said, asking the council to “support funding a warming shelter as we have proposed.”

The appeal continued through multiple speakers. Elizabeth Fritz, president of Building a Welcoming Watertown, described a proposal that she said includes staffing, safety measures and a “sustainable operating model that makes use of existing city space and leverages community volunteers.” She told the council the proposal is “working its way through city committees” and asked the council to collaborate so the shelter could be in place before next winter.

Other speakers described local need and national examples of deaths in public places. William Reichert recalled the city’s tradition of mutual aid and said addressing homelessness “is our conscience being pricked.” Jeremy Schmidt, who identified himself as pro tem treasurer of Building a Welcoming Watertown, read a list of regional cases where advocates and coroners listed exposure or homelessness as factors in deaths.

Mayor Stocks and council members did not take immediate formal action on the public comments. Fritz said the group is prepared to do the operational work but needs city collaboration; funding sources and a timetable beyond “working through city committees” were not specified during public comment.

Why it matters: speakers warned that without a dedicated, coordinated shelter the city risks further preventable deaths and that the city’s existing emergency responses (for example, opening the senior center during a heat wave) show the municipality can play a role in temporary relief. The proposal’s next steps are committee review and a future council decision on funding or formal partnership.

The council did not vote or direct staff to a specific funding plan during the meeting. Building a Welcoming Watertown members said they will continue to press the issue with the city’s committees and provide details to councilors as the draft plan advances.","Members of Building a Welcoming Watertown urged the Common Council to expedite a public–private warming shelter proposal after several speakers described homelessness, food insecurity and recent deaths in the region.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council awards design contract for South Shore shared‑use path; project expected to link Kwik Trip to Walmart

Council votes to open Riverside Park restrooms for Riverfest, city to cover restroom‑related overages beyond $60,000

Watertown updates council on housing pipeline, industrial strategy and Highway A rezoning

Watertown council reviews five-year parks and open-space plan; restrooms, staffing and river access get scrutiny

Local advocates press Watertown council to back warming shelter before winter