Watertown council: votes at a glance — Feb. 17

At its Feb. 17 meeting the Watertown City Council approved several routine and capital items. Key outcomes:

• MS4 report authorization (Item 9b): Council authorized the city manager to sign the 2025 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems report required by state law. The vote was taken by voice and carried.

• 5th Avenue North Reconstruction (Item 10a): Council approved awarding Project No. 2503 to Site Works Inc for $2,870,000. The item followed a public protest from a local bidder, J and J Earthworks, over being omitted from the plan holders list; city staff and the city attorney advised the council that statutory procurement requirements were met and recommended awarding to the lowest responsible bidder.

• Bridge inspection services (Resolution 26-05, Item 13a): Council approved a resolution requesting the South Dakota Department of Transportation to hire Civil Design Inc to perform 2026 bridge inspections on five of the city’s 13 structures. Staff noted the program carries a 20% local share and estimated the local cost at about $1,600 (city manager later cited roughly $320 per bridge structure).

• Lease intents (Resolutions 26-06 and 26-07, Items 13b–13c): Council approved intent-to-lease resolutions for city-owned real estate with L and J Farms and a hangar lease with Andy Wick (Watertown Motor Ford Company continuation). These items were approved by voice votes.

All items above were approved during the meeting; staff will proceed with the ordinary implementation steps for each action, including finalizing contracts and coordinating with the DOT where federal/state funds apply.