Watertown council approves ordinances, project contracts and policy changes; travel approval rule narrowed

The Watertown Common Council on Monday approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions, contract awards and a license transfer, including design contracts for upcoming street projects and a change to the city's employee out-of-state travel approval process.

The measures, taken largely by voice or roll call vote, included adoption of zoning and traffic ordinances, approval of a side letter with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 877, the closing of Tax Increment District 4 (TID 4), and the awarding of design contracts for the 2027-29 annual street and utility program and the 2028 STP urban Laboree Street design project. The council also approved the transfer of a Class B malt liquor license and accepted a confidentiality agreement with Jefferson County.

Key items and vote results

- Ordinance 25-05 (amend section 410-39): Passed on second reading, motion by Alderman Davis, second by Alderman Board; roll call 8-1 (Schmid recorded as No). Motion passed 8 to 1.

- Ordinance 25-06 (chapter 500-6/vehicles & traffic; amended to strike Jefferson Street rather than Jones Street): Amended and passed, amendment motion by Alderman Davis, second by Alderman Schmidt; final motion passed on roll call 9-0.

- Ordinance 25-07 (comprehensive plan amendment: 1220 Wilbur St and 1220 W. Main St to two-family residential): Motion by Alderman Blanky, second by Alderman Lampe; passed 9-0.

- Exhibit 97-29 (resolution to close TID 4): Motion by Alderman Davis; passed by voice vote 9-0.

- Exhibit 97-30 (side letter agreement to collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 877): Motion by Alderman Moldenhauer, second by Alderman Wetzel; passed unanimously by voice vote.

- Exhibit 97-31 (confidentiality agreement with Jefferson County): Motion by Alderman Lampi, second by Alderman Blanki; passed by voice vote.

- Exhibit 97-32 (award: 2027-29 annual street & utility program design to Kapoor for $172,581): Motion by Alderman Board, second by Alderman Smith; passed 9-0.

- Exhibit 97-33 (award: 2028 STP urban Laboree Street design to McMahon & Associates for $99,417): Motion by Alderman Smith, second by Alderman Moldenhauer; passed 9-0.

- Exhibit 97-34 (out-of-state travel policy change, removing the mayor as approver): Motion by Alderman Davis, second by Alderman Lampi; passed 7-2 (Blankey and Schmid recorded No).

- Transfer of Class B malt liquor license for JDTH LLC (D & J Sports Bar), agent Jerry Heller (license year 07/01/2024 to 06/30/2025): Motion by Alderman Smith, second by Alderman Blanky; council approved by voice vote.

Council members present and roll-call usage

Council members used both roll-call and voice votes depending on the item. When roll-call votes were read aloud the council recorded Davis, Lampe, Board, Barts, Blankey, Smith, Schmid (No on at least one item), Wetzel and Moldenhauer. Where recorded in the transcript, vote tallies in the meeting remarks match the outcomes listed above.

Why it matters

The approved design contracts set engineering work in motion for multi-year street programs; closing TID 4 clears a local financing district from the city books; the side letter with the firefighters addresses labor terms under negotiation; and the travel-policy change alters which official must sign off on out-of-state city employee travel.

What the council said

Aldermen discussing the travel-policy change argued over the need for a second approver. One alderman said removing the mayor's approval removes a useful "second set of eyes" and compared it to dual signatories on organizational checks. Supporters said existing documentation and finance review provide accountability. The motion to change the policy passed 7 to 2.

Looking ahead

Several items approved Monday move the city into design and administrative phases; the council did not, during this meeting, vote to fund the awarded design contracts beyond the amounts presented for approval.