Watkins seeks council member

By Jean Doran Matua, Editor

With the resignation of Jason Laumer on or around Dec. 15 (because he is moving out of the city), there will be a two-year vacancy on the Watkins city council. The council decided at its Dec. 10 meeting to accept applications for the vacancy until Jan. 4.

Sarah Kern has joined the Watkins EDA, replacing Alex Niesen.

With no one in attendance for the Truth in Taxation portion of the meeting, the council unanimously approved the 2021 budget and levy, and the 2021 fee schedule.

The council agreed with the Planning Commission’s recommendation to vacate an alley despite protestations of one resident whose property abuts the alley. His argument is that the alley is the only access to one of his two adjoining properties. The city’s reasoning is that the alley only benefits one property owner, and that the city would be obligated to maintain the alley if it was not vacated.

The next regular meeting of the Watkins city council will be  at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14. They held a work session on Tuesday, Dec. 15.