Watertown council approves roof repair, playground surfacing, ordinance changes and personnel and procurement policies

The City of Watertown City Council on an evening in February approved a package of routine capital and policy measures, including a bid award for a park roof, a playground surfacing purchase, two ordinance amendments and updated administrative policies.

The approvals came by voice vote after presentations from city staff. The most consequential financial items were a bid award for Prairie Lakes Wellness Center roof replacement and authorization to buy a synthetic turf safety surface for the River Ridge playground obstacle course.

City Engineer Peterson described the roof project as a membrane roof replacement over a steel roof damaged in last summer’s hailstorm; staff received four bids and recommended the low bidder, All American Roofing, for roughly $220,000. Peterson said a portion of the project cost is coming from an insurance claim; he later confirmed the city has already received an insurance payment of about $344,000. The council approved the bid (motion by Councilman Bueller, second by Councilman Danforth). Recorded aye votes included Councilmen Shutti, Tupper, Bueller, Danforth and Councilwoman Pauline; the motion carried.

Parks and Recreation Director Dusty Rodick asked the council to authorize purchase of synthetic turf surfacing for a new River Ridge obstacle course. Staff identified the $115,000 purchase…