Watertown council approves ordinances, zoning-code contract, water-main award and event license; many measures pass on voice votes
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Summary
At its March 18 meeting the Watertown Common Council approved two ordinances, authorized a zoning-code rewrite contract, awarded a water-main project, approved annual stormwater reporting, authorized several administrative agreements, and granted a temporary license for Watertown River Fest. Most measures passed unanimously or by voice vote.
The Watertown Common Council on March 18 cleared a slate of ordinances, resolutions and administrative actions affecting city code, zoning, public works and local events.
Key outcomes included passage of two ordinances on first reading, authorization of a contract for a zoning-code rewrite, awarding a water-main relay contract, acceptance of the annual stormwater report submittal and approval of event licensing for Watertown River Fest.
Ordinances: The council approved Ordinance 25-05, an amendment to section 410-39 of the city code, on first reading with a recorded vote of 7-1 (Councilmember Schmidt cast the lone no). The council also approved Ordinance 25-06, amending chapter 500-6 (vehicles and traffic), on first reading on an 8-0 vote.
Zoning and public works: The council authorized an agreement with Vanderwall and Associates for a zoning-code rewrite (Exhibit 97-21) on an 8-0 voice vote. It also passed an initial resolution to discontinue a portion of public way at Cole Street (Exhibit 97-22) and awarded the 2025 Western Avenue water-main relay to Forest Landscape and Construction for $187,005.80 (Exhibit 97-23), each approved by voice vote.
Administrative and financial items: The council authorized submittal of the city’s 2024 annual stormwater report (Exhibit 97-24) and approved a development agreement with Lumen Terrace (Exhibit 97-26). It also approved an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement replacing the Labor Association of Wisconsin with the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (Exhibit 97-27). The council extended a technical services agreement with Strand (Exhibit 90-7-208) for public works technical support.
Licenses and appointments: The council approved a temporary Class B wine license for Watertown River Fest (Aug. 7–10) and confirmed one committee appointment. The meeting packet also included payroll summaries and a cash and investment report; council members had no substantive objections on those items.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance 25-05 (amend §410-39): Motion by Davis; second by Board; vote 7-1 (Schmidt no). Outcome: passed (first reading). - Ordinance 25-06 (amend ch. 500-6, vehicles & traffic): Motion by Davis; second by Blankie; vote 8-0. Outcome: passed (first reading). - Exhibit 97-21 (Vanderwall & Associates zoning-code rewrite): Motion by Wetzel; second by Blankie; vote 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 97-22 (initial resolution to discontinue portion of public way at Cole Street): Motion by Bartz; second by Blankey; vote 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 97-23 (award Western Avenue water-main relay to Forest Landscape and Construction): Motion by Board; second by Davis; contract award $187,005.80; vote 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 97-24 (authorize 2024 annual stormwater report submittal): Motion by Board; second by Wetzel; vote voice 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 97-26 (development agreement — Lumen Terrace): Motion by Board; second by (record shows Board); vote 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 97-27 (collective bargaining amendment — replace union representative): Motion by Board; second by Davis; vote voice 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Exhibit 90-7-208 (extend technical services agreement with Strand): Motion by Board; second by Blanky; vote 8-0. Outcome: approved. - Temporary Class B license for Watertown River Fest (Aug. 7–10): Motion by Blankie; second by Bartz; vote voice; outcome: approved.
Most votes were taken by individual roll-call or voice; when a roll-call was recorded the transcript includes council members’ yea/nay votes. No public testimony was recorded on the matters that required public hearings or formal comment during the meeting.
The council also received a bridge construction update (replacement arches and spandrels installed; deck pour scheduled weather permitting), and several staff reports and board minutes were entered into the record.