Watertown council approves PUD, code changes, library contract, solar array and other measures; deeds agreement passes amid objections

Watertown Common Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21, approved a number of ordinances and resolutions, including a planned unit development for the Blinsky Hunter Oaks project, amendments to city code, a county library services contract, and the purchase of a solar array for the wastewater treatment complex. The council also voted to accept an agreement with the Jefferson County Register of Deeds to receive recorded documents electronically, a measure that drew sustained concern from several alderpersons.

The actions matter because they change city land-use approvals, update the municipal code, commit the city to multi-year contracts and capital spending and alter how recorded documents will be delivered and preserved. The solar purchase carries a grant offset and aims to lower wastewater plant energy costs; the deeds agreement changes long-standing paper-handling practices.

In the meeting’s largest block of votes, the council approved Ordinance 25-01, adopting a planned unit development general development plan under section 550-152 for Area CB of the Blinsky Hunter Oaks Development (first reading), and Ordinance 25-02, a housekeeping update to city code that reflects departmental-to-division changes and updates position qualifications. Both ordinances passed on first reading without opposition, recorded as 9 to 0 on the roll call for each item.

The council also approved several resolutions: Exhibit 9573, an agreement with the Jefferson County Register of Deeds to accept back recorded instruments electronically (motion passed 8 to 1 after several members voiced concerns about removing paper originals); Exhibit 9574, a contract for county library services (approved by voice vote); Exhibit 9575, a contract award to Eagle Point Solar for a solar array at the wastewater plant (motion passed 8 to 1); Exhibit 9576, the 2024 write-off consideration (passed 9 to 0); and Exhibit 9577, a resolution recognizing the retirement of Carl Schuette (approved by voice vote).

Other business included the appointment of four committee members (motion approved unanimously), recognition of long-serving city employees, departmental reports and a project update on the downtown bridge girder delivery schedule.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 25-01 (PUD adoption, Blinsky Hunter Oaks, section 550-152): Moved by Blankie; second by Bartz; outcome: passed, 9–0. - Ordinance 25-02 (city code amendments; department→division, position qualification updates): Moved by Board; second by Wetzel; outcome: passed, 9–0. - Exhibit 9573 (agreement with Jefferson County Register of Deeds to receive recorded instruments electronically): Moved by Moldenhauer; second by Davis; outcome: passed, 8–1. Several alderpersons voiced concerns about the county destroying physical originals and about whether other agencies will accept printed copies. - Exhibit 9574 (county library services contract with Jefferson County): Moved by Wetzel; second by Lampi; outcome: passed (voice vote). - Exhibit 9575 (purchase and installation of solar array for wastewater division, vendor Eagle Point Solar): Moved by Board; second by Bartz; outcome: passed, 8–1. Council discussion reviewed a DOE grant toward the project and long-term payback estimates. - Exhibit 9576 (2024 write-off consideration): Moved by Davis; second by Lampi; outcome: passed, 9–0. - Exhibit 9577 (recognition of retirement of Carl Schuette): Moved by Wetzel; second by Blankie; outcome: adopted (voice vote). - Committee appointments: Motion to appoint four listed committee members (moved by Lampi; second by Board); outcome: approved (voice vote).

The clerk confirmed that for several matters the votes were recorded by roll call; for other items the council used voice votes. Where roll-call tallies were read aloud the counts above reflect the official results announced at the meeting.