Watkins public meetings in 2024
24 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December 26, 2024
The City Council and Planning Commission held a concurrent special meeting to review public testimony on proposed zoning amendments for Small Box Variety Stores. The Planning Commission voted to recommend Option 2 to the City Council, which would allow such stores with conditions and require studies. The City Council took no final action at this meeting.
- Planning Commission voted to recommend Option 2 for Small Box Variety Store zoning amendments
- Public testimony included concerns about impacts on local grocery stores and crime
- Discussion referenced Dollar General's potential effects on communities like Kimball and Richmond
- Option 2 would allow Small Box Variety Stores with conditions and require studies
- Meeting was a concurrent special session of both City Council and Planning Commission
December 12, 2024
The Watkins City Council held a special meeting to discuss ambulance operations. The city expects about $107,000 in one-time state EMS aid, which combined with existing CDs could cover a new ambulance. The squad also received 10 donated radios needing reprogramming at an estimated $2,000 cost.
- City anticipates $107,000 in one-time EMS aid from the state this month
- Donated radios from Fairview Regents require reprogramming costing about $2,000
- Ambulance call volume exceeds 500 for the year
- Expert Billing meeting scheduled for January 13th
December 12, 2024
The Watkins City Council adopted the final 2025 tax levy and budget, with a flat General Fund levy of $318,204 and an overall levy decrease of 6.6%. The council also adopted ordinances establishing fees and zoning rules for cannabis and hemp businesses, and approved several capital purchases including a new mower and sewer camera.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2024-35 setting final 2025 tax levy at $524,452, a decrease of $37,548 from 2024
- Adopted Ordinance No. 2024-11 establishing 2025 fee schedule including cannabis business fees (retailer initial $500, renewal $1,000)
- Adopted Ordinance No. 2024-12 regulating cannabis and hemp businesses in the city
- Approved $20,725.04 pay application #8 to Geislinger and Sons for lift station work
- Approved $11,651.46 for a John Deere 1550 4-wheel drive mower and $8,000 cost-share with Eden Valley for sewer camera
December 3, 2024
The Watkins City Council held a special work session to discuss regulating small box discount stores. The council reached a consensus to allow the industry in the M-1 Industrial District with a conditional use permit and conditions on garbage, lighting, security cameras, landscaping, and outdoor storage. They also agreed to use a population benchmark of 3,500 for an outright ban option, after which regulation would follow option 1. The city attorney will draft ordinance options by December 12, and a public hearing is needed before the moratorium ends January 11, 2025.
- Council consensus to allow small box discount stores in M-1 Industrial District with conditional use permit
- Conditions include garbage, lighting, security cameras, landscaping, and outdoor storage
- Outright ban option with population benchmark of 3,500, then switching to option 1
- City attorney to draft ordinance options by December 12, 2024
- Public hearing needed before moratorium ends January 11, 2025
November 14, 2024
The Watkins City Council approved a two-year law enforcement contract with Meeker County and adopted resolutions to join the National Flood Insurance Program and certify November 2024 election results. Council reviewed a draft cannabis ordinance that would allow cannabis businesses by conditional use permit in the M-1 Industrial District, with a public hearing set for December 4th. A nuisance hearing was held for 130 Cedar Avenue North, and staff were directed to abate overgrown vegetation. Council also discussed proposed fee increases for 2025, including swimming lessons, water rates, and sewer rates, with final action expected in December.
- Approved 2025-2026 law enforcement contract with Meeker County
- Adopted Resolution No. 2024-31 to apply for National Flood Insurance Program
- Approved pay request #7 for $169,383.32 to Geislinger and Sons for lift station project
- Reviewed draft cannabis ordinance regulating cannabis as conditional use in M-1 Industrial District; public hearing December 4th
- Discussed proposed 2025 fee increases for swimming lessons, private pool parties, water rates, and sewer rates
November 13, 2024
The Watkins City Council held a special meeting to gather public input on whether to regulate small box discount stores, following a one-year moratorium adopted in January. Residents and business owners voiced concerns about safety, local economic impact, and unfair competition, while the developer argued for allowing the store. The council will review the information and consider next steps, including possible ordinances.
- Public hearing on small box discount store regulations
- Digital petition with 286 signatures opposing Dollar General
- Developer Paul Abdo noted store value at $2 million
- City attorney discussed options including outright ban or special use permit
- Council to consider workshop and sample ordinances before January deadline
October 10, 2024
The Watkins City Council approved participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, allowing residents to purchase flood insurance. It also approved a $116,830.05 payment for the lift station project and a $59,950 roof replacement quote. The council tabled cannabis zoning discussions until November and authorized further research on property ownership related to Western Avenue North water issues.
- Approved participation in National Flood Insurance Program (no cost to city)
- Approved pay application #6 to Geislinger and Sons for $116,830.05 for lift station work
- Approved Horizon Roofing quote of $59,950.00 for joint water treatment plant roof
- EDA reported $499,000 grant for Glenshire Estates townhome development
- Approved 2 a.m. liquor license renewal for Gordies Bar
September 30, 2024
The September 30, 2024 meeting agenda for Watkins, Minnesota consists entirely of standard website navigation, contact information, and a nondiscrimination statement. No specific decisions, discussions, or action items are listed.
September 30, 2024 Public Hearing
The provided text contains website navigation links and a nondiscrimination statement rather than a meeting agenda. There are no specific items or decisions listed for the September 30, 2024 public hearing.
September 12, 2024
The provided text is the City of Watkins, Minnesota website homepage, not a meeting agenda. It contains general navigation links, a nondiscrimination statement, and contact information, but no agenda items, decisions, or discussions for the September 12, 2024 meeting.
September 12, 2024
The agenda for the September 12, 2024 meeting of the Watkins City Council contains only standard website navigation, a nondiscrimination statement, and contact information. No specific decisions, proposals, or discussions are listed.
August 28, 2024
The Watkins City Council held a special meeting to work on the proposed 2025 levy and budget. Discussions included increasing legal fees, engineering fees, and reviewing office staff wages. The council considered raising the sewer rate by 1% in 2025 and debated how to cover debt from the 2007 street/utility project after assessments end in 2027. Transferring funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund was also discussed.
- Discussed increasing legal fees for the General Fund
- Discussed improving the alley from 3rd St N to 4th St N, east of Central Avenue
- Considered increasing the sewer rate by 1% in 2025
- Debated covering debt from the 2007 street/utility improvement project after assessments end in 2027
- Discussed transferring funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund
August 8, 2024
The Watkins City Council discussed a proposed Dollar General store and a related moratorium, agreeing to have the city attorney attend a future meeting to discuss options. The council also approved temporary street closures for a motorcycle run, a payment of $50,226.50 for a lift station project, and a temporary liquor license for a Lions Club kickball event.
- Developer Paul Abdo presented plans for a Dollar General store; council will discuss moratorium with city attorney
- Approved payment application #5 for $50,226.50 to Geislinger and Sons for lift station rehab
- Approved temporary parking closures on First Street and Central Avenue for a motorcycle run on September 8
- Approved on-sale temporary liquor license for Lions Club adult kickball tournament on September 28
- Council joined the Watkins Chamber and will sponsor a $1 discount on open swim
July 24, 2024
The Watkins City Council held a public hearing to gather input on whether to regulate small box discount stores, following a one-year moratorium adopted in January. Developer Paul Abdo proposed building a Dollar General on commercially zoned land, while many residents and local business owners opposed it, citing concerns about impacts on existing stores. No council action was taken at this hearing.
- Developer Paul Abdo proposed a $2 million Dollar General store, employing 2 full-time workers with wages of $50,000–$75,000/year
- Residents and business owners expressed concerns about loss of local businesses, citing examples from neighboring towns
- J & R Family Market owner Jeff Babbitt noted Dollar General has over 18,000 stores nationwide, more than Target, Walmart, and Starbucks combined
- The city adopted a one-year moratorium on small box discount stores on January 11, 2024, to study possible regulations
- Abdo stated the property is zoned commercial and he is not seeking any variances or city assistance
July 11, 2024
This agenda contains only standard city website navigation and boilerplate content, with no specific meeting items, resolutions, or discussion topics listed. The document does not provide any actionable agenda items for the meeting.
June 13, 2024
The provided document is the City of Watkins, Minnesota website homepage, not a meeting agenda. It contains general city information, navigation menus, and a nondiscrimination statement, but no agenda items for any meeting.
- No meeting agenda items are present in the document.
June 13, 2024
This agenda contains only standard city website navigation and boilerplate text, with no specific meeting items, resolutions, or discussion topics listed. The document does not include any actual agenda content for the June 13, 2024 meeting.
May 9, 2024
The provided text contains website navigation links and a nondiscrimination statement rather than a meeting agenda. No specific city business or decisions are listed in the document.
May 9, 2024
This agenda for the May 9, 2024 Watkins City Council meeting contains only boilerplate navigation and contact information, with no actual agenda items, resolutions, or discussion topics listed. The document appears to be a website template rather than a substantive meeting agenda.
April 11, 2024
This agenda for the April 11, 2024 Watkins City Council meeting contains only website navigation and boilerplate content, with no actual agenda items, resolutions, or discussion topics listed. The document appears to be a placeholder or template page rather than a substantive meeting agenda.
March 14, 2024
The provided text is the City of Watkins, Minnesota website homepage, not a meeting agenda. It contains general navigation links, contact information, and a nondiscrimination statement, but no agenda items, resolutions, or decisions for the March 14, 2024 meeting.
March 14, 2024
The provided text is the City of Watkins, Minnesota website homepage, not a meeting agenda. It contains only navigation menus, a nondiscrimination statement, and contact information. No meeting items, decisions, or discussions are listed.
February 8, 2024
This agenda contains no substantive items for decision or discussion. It is entirely boilerplate website navigation and standard city contact information, with no listed agenda topics, resolutions, or public hearings.
January 11, 2024
The provided text is the City of Watkins, Minnesota website homepage, not a meeting agenda. It contains only navigation menus, a nondiscrimination statement, and contact information. No meeting items, decisions, or discussions are listed.
- No agenda items available