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Watertown council passes Riverfest ordinance with compliance condition on $30,000 extraordinary services
Summary
Council approved Ordinance 25-22 creating a municipal code section governing Riverfest and tying a city contribution of up to $30,000 for extraordinary services to compliance with ordinance requirements; some council members voiced concern the language could be punitive but said committees retain discretion.
The Watertown Common Council gave second reading and approved Ordinance 25-22 on Sept. 2, which creates a new municipal-code section related to Watertown River Fest and includes provisions for extraordinary city services. The ordinance states the city will contribute 50% of extraordinary costs up to a maximum of $30,000 “provided Watertown River Fest Inc complies with the requirements of this section.”
Council member Burke objected to what he described as potentially punitive language that could withhold the city’s contribution in future years for late reporting or other technical noncompliance, saying Riverfest provides community value and that a single late submission should not automatically foreclose future support. “I don't like the idea of us punishing them by not giving them their portion,” he said.
Alder Davis responded that written language is necessary so the city has a legal mechanism if the organization does not meet its obligations; she noted committees could exercise discretion and provide leeway in extenuating circumstances. “There has to be some sort of verbiage where the city has a legal action that they can take,” Davis said, and added that the ordinance’s written terms also make the conditions visible to the public.
A recusal was recorded for council member Lampe on this item. The roll call showed Davis, Lanke, Barnett, Wetzel, Moldenhauer and Blankie voting aye and Berg voting no; the motion carried.
The ordinance’s language as adopted links eligibility for the $30,000 extraordinary-services contribution to compliance with the ordinance’s requirements but leaves discretion to the committee to consider extenuating circumstances when making funding decisions.
