Watertown City Council Reviews Wastewater Plant Redevelopment Proposals, Fifth Avenue Project Concerns

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The Watertown City Council on Monday night received an update on redevelopment proposals for the former wastewater treatment plant site, heard recognition of two longtime city employees, and opened the floor for council members to introduce topics for future discussion — many of which centered on concerns raised earlier in the meeting about the Fifth Avenue reconstruction project.

City Manager: Three volunteers needed to review wastewater plant redevelopment proposals

City Manager Alan Stager told the council that the city has received multiple proposals for redevelopment of the wastewater treatment plant site — proposals he described as “wide‑ranging” in scope and concept.

Stager emphasized that this was not a traditional bid process.

“We did not ask for proposals so we could look for the best dollar amount and stamp a bid and move on,” Stager said. “We were looking for the best ideas.”

He asked for three council volunteers to work with staff over the coming weeks to review the proposals in detail, including meeting with respondents for presentations and deeper discussion.

Council members were invited to contact Stager directly if interested.

Two longtime wastewater employees receive statewide recognition

Stager also announced statewide honors for two veteran wastewater staff members:

·         Larry Howard, Collection Supervisor — 33 years with the City of Watertown

·         Craig Mitchell, Wastewater staff — over 30 years of service

Both were recognized by statewide wastewater associations earlier in the week.

“It’s great to have Watertown employees recognized on a statewide basis for the contributions they make not only here but to the broader profession,” Stager said.

Council Topics for Future Discussion: Fifth Avenue issues dominate conversation

Mayor Ried Holien opened the council’s “topics for future discussion” segment by revisiting several concerns raised earlier by residents during the Fifth Avenue sidewalk assessment hearing.

Holien said these issues will be part of ongoing discussions as the city works through the project’s punch list and contractor performance problems.

Ash tree removal: City treating one‑third of trees

Holien asked Stager to clarify comments made by residents regarding ash tree removal along Fifth Avenue.

Stager confirmed the city is treating one out of every three ash trees citywide.

“Our belief is we can prolong the life of some of the ash canopy by treating trees and allowing replacement trees to start to grow a canopy before ultimately all of the ash trees need to be removed,” Stager said.

Owens alley drainage: City reviewing options

Holien asked whether the city was evaluating drainage issues raised by Brenda Owens, who described decades of flooding and gravel runoff from the alley beside her home.

City Engineer Justin Petersen said he and Street Superintendent Rob Beynon discussed the alley earlier that morning.

“There’s nothing definitive at this point, but we are looking at it to try to come up with some solution to help out Mrs. Owens,” Petersen said.

Seeding, topsoil, and yard restoration: On the punch list

Holien noted that residents raised concerns about seeding, debris, and topsoil quality — issues similar to those seen on previous projects such as 10th Avenue.

Petersen confirmed these items are already on the punch list.

“We’ve had comments about cleaning up rocks and roots and other junk in the right‑of‑way,” Petersen said. “Next spring usually brings discussion about treating weeds and that kind of stuff too.”

Holien said the city needs to revisit how sidewalk transitions were handled on side streets intersecting Fifth Avenue.

“When they go halfway up someone’s property with a wide sidewalk and then it goes back to narrow old sidewalk, it’s just weird and it’s not great,” Holien said. “It would be annoying.”

He supported Councilman Heuer’s earlier call for a broader discussion on sidewalk policy and assessment practices.

City Attorney: Seeking history on ADA sidewalk litigation

City Attorney Carrico asked whether anyone knew of a specific lawsuit that may have prompted the city’s ADA sidewalk compliance efforts years ago.

“I heard when I first came on board that we were doing ADA sidewalks in response to litigation,” Carrico said. “However, I could find no case. If anybody knows what this case is, please tell me.”

Carrico said her research suggests the city may have acted due to a threat of litigation rather than an actual case.