Nancy Schulzetenberg of bergan KDV presented the 2016 city audit. It was ?Äúall good news,?Äù she said. The only deficiency found was Watkins Ambulance checks received in November and December that were deposited in January (because of a family emergency for the person in charge of that).
There were more fluctuations than usual in the General Fund because of insurance payments and tornado clean-up expenses. Total receipts for 2016 were $1,006,306 and disbursements were $833,542, with a net change of $128,070 overbudget.
The Water Fund is at its highest point in five years, with significant debt payments coming out. Operating income for the Water Fund in 2016 was $132,720, ending with a cash position of $283,950. The Sewer Fund was $121,858 in operating income, and $298,005 cash position.
The council approved the audit report.
Jenny Rowan presented a request for a dog park in Watkins. The nearest dog park, she explained, is 30 miles away in St. Cloud. They would like to dedicate the dog park to Alayna Ertl. A petition on the ?ÄúAngel Alayna?Äù Facebook page brought 153 signatures, with 95 of them determined to be within 15 miles.
The biggest concern is where to put it. The city doesn?Äôt have property that could be used for this. A vacant lot (owned by a private individual) across the road from the softball park could be an ideal site. Another concern is that only 12 dogs in Watkins are registered, although there are many more. The council would prefer for it to be kept private land rather than purchasing it and donating it to the city (primarily because of liability). Clean-up of the dog park is another issue, something the city doesn?Äôt want to have to take on. Rowan will form a committee to look into a location and other issues and then report to the council at a future meeting.
Fire chief Bruce Walz discussed plans to replace buildings and renovate McCarthy Park after last year?Äôs tornado damage. The replacement cost from insurance would be about $97,000 (if it?Äôs under $100,000 then the city doesn?Äôt have to go out for public bids). Things will be moved around, but for the better.
Jerry Gustafson is retiring from the Watkins Fire Department, so there is one opening. Two individuals, both former Eden Valley firefighters, have applied. The council agreed to start training for both, as another current member may be retiring in another year. Adam Teicher and Justin Rademacher will be appointed to the department contingent on background checks. The council approved having one more than the 26-member fire department.
Deputy Ernie DeFries answered questions about the park damage three Fridays prior. A 19-year-old was seen (and photographed) tearing up grassy areas of the park on his ATV. The city will have Landscape Plus look at it and give an estimate, as the damage will have to be repaired. If the cost of repair is $500 or more, then criminal damage to property charges can be levied against this individual. ?ÄúHe?Äôs old enough to know better,?Äù said one council member. Charges will be pursued because the damage was intentional, not accidental, and the individual was seen in other areas of town causing similar problems.
About 14 months ago, there was a serious problem in the sewer line at Barrier International on the northwest side of town. Overspray from one of their machines had plugged the line with silica. It was cleaned out, and BI paid for that. Public Works director Steve Geislinger has checked on it frequently since, and the problem has not returned. Meanwhile, BI spent about $120,000 to update that piece of equipment, and now overspray is put into a press and hauled away rather than going down the drain. The council commended BI for their cooperation and willingness to work with the city. The council unanimously approved grandfathering in the well on BI property, as nearly all the water goes into the product and not down the sewer and there is no cross-contamination with city water; if it goes bad, a new well may not be drilled, however. They also approved not charging BI extra for sewer.
The council approved purchase of a new gas meter ($365). The council approved moving forward with sealcoating all streets not done two years ago (which was mostly the north side of town); cost could be around $90,000, but insurance may cover as much as $60,000. The county will do the work, and bids will be let April 21. Public Works will do the crack-filling themselves before seal-coating.
The Annual Board of Appeals and Equalization meeting will be 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 12. And the next regular meeting of the Watkins city council will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 13.