Council approves purchase of 510 S. Second St. to expand health department operations; ARPA funds and non-city grant cited

The Common Council approved a resolution Aug. 5 to purchase property at 510 South Second Street for the City of Watertown Health Department to support drive-through services, immunization clinics and car-seat inspection operations. Why it matters: health department staff said the additional property would improve safety and space for family-focused services such as car-seat installations and immunization clinics, which staff described as creating safety issues when parents and siblings congregate in the current parking area. Funding and legal detail: Health Department staff said the purchase would be funded through a fund balance and a separate ARPA grant administered through Wisconsin Department of Health Services (not the City of Watertown’s ARPA allocation). Staff said no local tax levy dollars would be used for the acquisition. Council discussion: Health Department representative Carol Quest reviewed intended uses and confirmed the funding sources. Alderman Berg said the lot purchase (staff cited about $40,000 to purchase during discussion) made sense as a long-term, low-cost option that could be sold later if priorities changed. Alderman Arnett opposed and said the acquisition was not a necessary priority; he voted against the resolution. Several council members expressed support for the purchase on operational grounds. Vote and action: the motion to approve the land purchase was moved by Alder Davis and seconded by Alder Bartz; the resolution carried with a majority of ayes and one recorded no vote by Alderman Arnett. Outcome and next steps: staff said the parcel would be used for drive-through immunization clinics, car-seat checks and other environmental health activities and that eventual construction of a structure on the parcel is contemplated in a later phase. Staff said they plan to use ARPA grant funds and non-levy department fund balance to pay for the acquisition, and that any construction would be brought back for further council consideration.