City Council to Review Key Infrastructure and Public Safety Projects at December 1 Meeting

Steve Jurrens
3 days ago
4 min read

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The agenda features action items, including contracts for airport and street improvements, a police collective bargaining addendum, and initial steps to supplement the 2025 City Budget.

The meeting presents an opportunity to see forward momentum in local infrastructure and public services.

The following items are recommended for consent agenda approval in a single motion; there is no public discussion of each item individually in administrative and public safety matters:

· (a) Minutes Approval: Routine approval of the minutes from the Council meeting held on November 19, 2025.

· (b) Board Appointments: The Mayor will formally promote Julia Tate and Justin Albee from Alternates to Full Board Members on the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment, enhancing the capacity of these key regulatory boards.

· (c, d, e) Business Licenses: Approval is sought for various business licenses, including a Gasfitting Contractor license ($250) for J-Berd Mechanical Contractors Inc. and a Gasfitter license ($75) for Keith Haag, who has successfully passed the required exam. Also requested are a Pipe Layer license for Austreim Excavating LLC and a Liquor Establishment license ($75) for The Local (Lalipalooza, LLC).

· (f) Surplus Property: Authorization for the Watertown Regional Library to declare and dispose of specific damaged surplus property, including three chairs, a table, and an end table, with no financial impact.

· (g) Police Grant Authorization: Authorization for the Police Department to apply for and accept the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant for $17,370. This grant will provide 50% funding for the purchase of 18 new bulletproof vests, directly supporting officer safety.

· (h) Engineering Software Agreement: Authorization for the City Engineer to sign a Service Agreement with Virtual Project Manager LLC. This $15,000 annual fee agreement (plus a $5,000 startup fee) is for a new web-based project management system intended to streamline the oversight of City engineering projects.

· (i) Financial: Routine approval of bills and payroll.

9. Reports

· (a) 2025 Bridge Inspection Report: Civil Design, Inc. will present its annual report on the condition of the city's seven inspected bridge structures. The report assigns an overall condition rating of "Fair" (6). It includes recommendations for minor repairs and maintenance items and confirms that no load posting is required for any of the structures inspected this year.

10. Contracts and Bids

· (a) Police Collective Bargaining Addendum: Consideration and action on the 2026 Watertown Police Officers Association (WPOA) Collective Bargaining Agreement Addendum. This addendum provides a 21.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and a one-step move on the wage matrix, effective January 1, 2026. It also establishes an optional Supplemental Retirement Fund with a City match (up to $100 City / $200 Employee) and outlines compensation for emergency work when City Hall is closed.

· (b) Airport Taxiway Reconstruction Contract: Consideration and action on a Professional Services Agreement with Helms and Associates Corporation for $545,162.70 to provide engineering services for the Reconstruction of a Portion of Taxiway Alpha (Project No. AIP 3-46-0058-048-2026). This is a planning step for a project scheduled for design completion by February 2026, with construction anticipated to run from October 2026 through August 2027.

· (c) Street Project Final Change Order: Consideration and action on Change Order No.1-Final for the 2025 Neighborhood Street Reconstruct-2nd Avenue NE project with DeBoer Construction Inc. The final change order proposes an increase of $64,061.05, bringing the total contract price to $1,220,757.85. The increase covers adjustments to final quantities and additional work, including extending complete depth grading and asphalt surfacing on portions of 2nd Street NE and 3rd Street NE.

· (d & e) Asphalt Hotbox Purchase: Two actions will facilitate the replacement of aging street maintenance equipment:

· Authorization to sell a surplus 2018 Spaulding Asphalt Hotbox for $24,000 to Sanitation Products Inc.

· Approval of a bid award for the purchase of two (2) new Falcon Asphalt Hotboxes for $153,179 from Sanitation Products Inc., utilizing a Sourcewell bid for a needed upgrade to the Street Division’s capabilities.

11. Ordinances - First Reading

· (a) 2025 Budget Supplement: The First Reading of Ordinance No. 25-26 proposes to supplement the 2025 Budget. This comprehensive supplement is necessary to address various departmental needs and grant requirements. Notably, it includes $2,200,000 for the City Hall Renovation within the Capital Projects Fund, signaling a significant investment in city facilities.

12. Public Hearings and Second Readings

· (a) New Liquor License: A public hearing will be held for the application for a New Retail (on-sale) Liquor - Restaurant License submitted by Lalipalooza, LLC, doing business as The Local, located at 16 West Kemp Ave.

· (b) Pastureland Lease: A public hearing is scheduled for the final approval of a 5-Year Lease Agreement with Clyde Stricherz for the grazing rights on city-owned pastureland (approximately 160 acres). The lease is set at $70 per acre, with a contractual rent increase every two years.

· (c) Second Reading on City Limits: The Council will hold the Second Reading of Ordinance No. 25-25, which amends Title 7, City Government, Chapter 7.01 City Limits and Datum Line.

13. Resolutions

· (a) Establishment of Fees: Consideration and action on Resolution No. 25-27, which establishes the updated fees for all city licenses, permits, administration, memberships, user fees, and other miscellaneous items, providing clarity for the coming year.

14. Council Member Announcements

15. City Manager Report (from Stager)

16. Executive Session

17. Adjourn