Watkins public meetings in 2025
18 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
December 11, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved the final 2026 tax levy of $547,697 and a General Fund budget of $902,584, along with a new fee schedule that includes increases for various services and a new $50 annual chicken fee. The council also adopted ordinances regulating cargo containers, allowing power safety covers, and permitting lower-potency hemp edible retailers in certain districts. Additionally, they rescinded a previously approved conditional use permit and approved a temporary liquor license for St. Anthony Church.
- Adopted Resolution 2025-26 setting final 2026 levy at $547,697, including $350,024 for General Fund
- Adopted Resolution 2025-27 approving 2026 budget with General Fund expenses of $902,584
- Adopted Ordinance 2025-5 establishing 2026 fee schedule, including $50 annual chicken fee and increased pool fees
- Adopted Ordinances 2025-6 and 2025-7 to regulate cargo containers in R-1 Residential District
- Adopted Ordinance 2025-8 allowing power safety covers and lower-potency hemp edible retailers in B1 and B2 Districts
November 13, 2025
The Watkins City Council voted to pursue a preliminary Small Cities Development Program grant for public facilities infrastructure, including a new water tower ($5-6 million) and sanitary sewer line replacements ($1,000/foot). They also approved a final payment of $25,337.17 to Geislinger & Sons, a change order reducing the contract by $2,898.84, an ordinance amending Chapter 114 on cannabis and hemp businesses, the 2026 health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and a paid leave policy. The council deferred an annexation request from LP until land use permits are resolved.
- Approved final pay application No. 9 for $25,337.17 to Geislinger & Sons
- Approved Change Order No. 2 decreasing contract price by $2,898.84
- Approved Ordinance No. 2025-4 amending Chapter 114 (cannabis and hemp businesses)
- Approved 2026 health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Deferred LP annexation until land use permits are resolved
October 9, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved closing Central Avenue for a Halloween Pub Crawl on October 25, renewed a liquor license for Gordie's Bar, and appointed fire chief and assistant chief. The council also discussed a 22.5% health insurance increase estimate for 2026 and directed staff to send a letter about cleanup at the mobile home park.
- Central Avenue closure from 6 p.m. to midnight on October 25 for Halloween Pub Crawl
- 2 a.m. liquor license renewal approved for Gordie's Bar
- Fire Chief Ron Kramer and Assistant Chief Chad Unterberger appointed
- Health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield shows 22.5% increase estimate for 2026
- Council directed letter to mobile home park owners regarding cleanup
October 9, 2025
The City Council held a special meeting to discuss ambulance service challenges. Discussion focused on personnel shortages and technical issues regarding the submittal of billing data. The council suggested changes to the submittal process to improve information collection.
- Discussion of approximately 460 ambulance calls for the year
- Review of technical difficulties with laptop-based billing reports
- Proposed procedural changes to improve data submittal
September 11, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved the 2026 proposed budget and a 10% increase in the General Fund levy to $350,024. They also authorized the purchase of a power cot for the ambulance, approved funding for holiday lights at McCarthy Park, and scheduled a Truth in Taxation hearing for December 11.
- Approved Resolution 2025-22 adopting a 2026 General Fund levy of $350,024 (10% increase from 2025)
- Approved Resolution 2025-23 adopting the 2026 proposed budget with $850,984 in General Fund disbursements
- Authorized purchase of a power cot for the ambulance; quotes reviewed for 2024 and 2025 models
- Approved use of Park & Rec funds for lighting McCarthy Park, with donations to replenish the fund
- Paid Kue Contractors $1,432 to replace a door damaged in a break-in at the Legion Club
September 4, 2025 Workshop
The council held a budget workshop to review the proposed budget, which includes a 3% increase in property taxes. The budget accounts for new Paid Family Medical Leave costs starting in 2026. The council also discussed possibly raising fees for private swim lessons to cover lifeguard wages. The proposed levy and budget will be formally presented at the September 11 regular meeting.
- Proposed 3% increase in property taxes
- General Government wages include costs for new Paid Family Medical Leave program effective 1/1/26
- Possible increase in fees for private swim lessons in 2026 to cover lifeguard wages
- Proposed levy and budget to be presented at September 11 regular meeting
August 14, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved an 8% pay increase for all employees for 2026, discussed a potential holiday lights donation request from the Lions Club, and approved several contracts and expenditures. The council also decided to close the office to the public one day per week for concentrated work time, effective September 1.
- Approved 8% employee pay increase for 2026
- Approved $7,000 ArcGIS implementation quote from Bolton & Menk
- Approved $4,727 VFD replacement at pumping station
- Approved $5,735 payment to Visu-Sewer for manhole repair
- Approved $6,500 payment to Fire Relief Association
July 31, 2025
The Watkins City Council held a workshop to discuss migrating the city's GIS data to a new cloud-based platform before the current system is decommissioned in November 2026. The city will need to purchase an ESRI subscription at an annual fee of $1,225 for three licenses, and Bolton & Menk would charge $7,000 to migrate the data. No formal action was taken; the meeting was for discussion only.
- ESRI GIS platform migration required by November 2026 or current system will be decommissioned
- Annual subscription fee of $1,225 for three licenses, with additional licenses at $450 each
- Bolton & Menk migration fee of $7,000, with training included
- City already has an ArcGIS Online subscription from lead service line inventory work, first year paid by MDH grant
July 10, 2025
The council authorized the city attorney to negotiate with Mr. Tysk to open the city portion of the road at Western Circle, addressing a drainage issue. They also approved a new 20-year electric franchise agreement with Xcel Energy (Ordinance No. 2025-2), adopted a parking regulation amendment (Ordinance No. 2025-3), and required LP-Watkins to finish building additions despite plant closure. Several routine items were approved, including consent agenda, liquor licenses, and a pool picnic area rental fee of $50.
- Authorized city attorney to negotiate with Mr. Tysk to open city portion of Western Circle road
- Approved Electric Franchise Ordinance No. 2025-2 with Xcel Energy (20-year term)
- Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-3 amending Chapter 72 parking regulations
- Required LP-Watkins to finish building additions as per permits despite plant closure
- Approved $50 rental fee for pool picnic area, plus daily swim fees
July 10, 2025
The council held a special meeting to discuss ambulance operations, noting three resignations from the service. The new ambulance was delivered in May. No decisions were made; the meeting was adjourned after brief discussion.
- Three ambulance service staff have resigned
- New ambulance delivered in May 2025
- Meeting lasted three minutes, no votes on operations
June 12, 2025
The Watkins City Council voted to deny a conditional use permit for pickleball courts at VFW Park after the planning commission recommended against it, citing noise and property value concerns. The council approved a CUP for LP-Watkins to store bulk magnesium chloride in three double-walled tanks. The council also authorized the city attorney to begin removing Lot 43 from the Glenshire Estates HOA to allow a townhome development to proceed.
- Denied CUP for pickleball courts at VFW Park (Resolution 2025-13)
- Approved CUP for LP-Watkins to store 30,000-gallon and two 10,000-gallon magnesium chloride tanks (Resolution 2025-12)
- Authorized city attorney to start removal of Lot 43 for Glenshire Estates townhome project
- Approved $780 security system for water tower building plus $31.95/month monitoring
- Approved $3,000 SHIP grant for four benches along Central Avenue
May 8, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved $5,000 for improvements to the Little League park, including dugouts, and authorized up to $30 per week for mowing at three parks. They also approved liquor license renewals for multiple establishments, a new copy machine lease, and a storage unit rental for the skating rink equipment. The meeting included discussion of a motor oil spill into the sewer system and a $10,000 manhole repair estimate.
- $5,000 approved for Little League park improvements (dugouts, fencing)
- $30/week approved for mowing at softball, little league, and baseball parks
- Liquor licenses renewed for Bud's Bar, Gordies Bar, Red Goat Bar & Grill, Watkins Legion Club Room, Keeks, and Watkins Baseball Club
- Copy machine lease approved from Coordinated Business Systems at $43.23/month
- Storage unit rented at $90/month for skating rink tractor/blower
2025 Fall Newsletter
This document is the City of Watkins' 2025 Fall Newsletter, not a meeting agenda. It contains general city information, a nondiscrimination statement, and links to city services. No specific decisions, proposals, or public hearings are listed.
- No meeting items, votes, or public hearings are included in this newsletter
April 10, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved a conditional use permit for Dawson Orshal, adopted the 2024 audit report with a clean opinion, and discussed a house fire at 400 Luella Street with no insurance. The council also approved hiring a pool manager and accepted a sanitation quote for park mini biffs.
- Approved Resolution No. 2025-9 granting a conditional use permit for Dawson Orshal
- Accepted 2024 audit report with clean opinion from berganKDV
- Discussed house fire at 400 Luella Street with no insurance; city attorney to advise on blight issue
- Approved hiring Erin Geislinger as pool manager effective April 12
- Accepted Nelson Sanitation quote of $233/month for mini biffs at McCarthy Park and VFW Park
April 10, 2025
The Watkins City Council held a special meeting to discuss ambulance operations. Key updates include a resignation, new treasurer and training officer appointments, a membership drive, a sign-up schedule improving response times, and a new ambulance expected by late April or early May.
- Shawny Kramer resigned from ambulance service; Aaron Derichs named new treasurer
- Tate Brovold appointed as new training officer
- Membership drive planned as next major project
- Sign-up schedule with 4 shifts per day implemented, improving response times
- New ambulance expected end of April or early May
March 13, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved the 2025 ambulance service officers, including a chief's stipend increase from $100 to $200 per month, despite a deviation from the bylaws regarding officer eligibility. The council also discussed a proposed pickleball court at VFW Park, a fire-damaged property at 400 Luella Street, and authorized the city attorney to decline demands from a law firm regarding the Dollar General development.
- Approved 2025 ambulance officers: Jody Bauer (Chief), Bonnie Holthaus (Assistant Chief), Heidi Donnay (Secretary), Aaron Derichs (Treasurer), Tate Brovold (Training Officer)
- Approved increase in chief's stipend from $100 to $200 per month
- Discussed VFW pickleball court at VFW Park, estimated cost $156,000
- Discussed fire-damaged property at 400 Luella Street (no insurance, possible demolition)
- Authorized city attorney to decline all demands from Bassford Remele law firm regarding Dollar General development
February 13, 2025
The Watkins City Council approved 2025 pool wages, including a starting wage of $15.25/hour for lifeguards and WSIs, and $16/hour for returning staff. They also approved ambulance retirement funding totaling $30,398.57, a $9,208.33 annual payout to members, and a $600 zoning map update. The council discussed a potential switch in ambulance billing services and increased the sewer rate for three township properties to $48.44/month.
- Approved 2025 pool wages: manager $21/hr, assistant manager $17.85/hr, starting lifeguard/WSI $15.25/hr, returning $16/hr
- Approved ambulance retirement funding: $16,799.30 for 2024 and $13,599.27 for 2025
- Approved $9,208.33 annual payout to 8 ambulance members
- Approved $600 zoning map update by Bolton and Menk
- Increased sewer rate for three township properties to $48.44/month with 60-day notice
January 9, 2025
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2025-1, amending the zoning ordinance to regulate small box variety stores, following a planning commission recommendation. It also approved $16,000 to fund the ambulance retirement account for 2024, accepted a $5,000 MMDC energy audit grant, and authorized various appointments and routine actions.
- Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-1 (Option 2) amending zoning ordinance to regulate small box variety stores
- Approved $16,000 to fund the ambulance retirement account for 2024
- Accepted a $5,000 reimbursable grant from MMDC for an energy audit
- Approved $7,140 quote from KUE Contractors for insulation at Village Hall
- Approved $179 Amazon Prime membership for city use