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Watertown council approves $90,000, three-year grant for Downtown Watertown Collective with accountability MOU
Summary
After more than an hour of public testimony and extensive council debate, the Watertown City Council approved a three-year $90,000 commitment ($30,000 per year) to the newly formed Downtown Watertown Collective, attaching a memorandum of understanding that spells out permitted uses, reporting and performance expectations.
The Watertown City Council voted Feb. 2 to approve a three-year funding commitment of $90,000 to the newly formed Downtown Watertown Collective, agreeing to a memorandum of understanding the mayor said will ensure city oversight and performance reporting.
City Manager Alan Steger told council the request—$30,000 a year for three years—came after the Collective incorporated in December and outside the normal budget cycle. He said the city could cover the initial year from its ‘third-penny’ lodging and entertainment fund, which he described as generating roughly $1.3 million a year and holding a fund balance in excess of $1 million.
A delegation of downtown business owners and community leaders urged support in public testimony. "This new organization would boost their brand and promote existing business and foster the creation of new businesses in the Downtown Watertown…
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