Watertown Council considers scrapping governance policy due to confusion and redundancy

During the City Council Work Session on February 10, 2025, in Watertown, South Dakota, council members engaged in a significant discussion regarding the management of development agreements and the effectiveness of existing governance policies.

A key focus of the meeting was the responsibility of developers in communicating their progress and challenges related to development agreements. Councilman Danforth emphasized that developers should proactively inform the city if they encounter issues that may delay their commitments. This approach aims to foster transparency and accountability, ensuring that both the city and developers are aligned on project timelines and expectations. Councilman Peters supported this notion, sharing a positive example from North Sioux City where effective communication between developers and city staff led to smoother project management.

The council also discussed the potential for a tiered system for development agreements, suggesting that smaller projects might require shorter timelines than larger ones. Interim City Manager Bob Zine indicated that staff would explore options to simplify the development process, including creating a clear checklist for developers to follow.

In a separate but related discussion, the council considered the future of the governance and ends policies, which were initially approved in November 2023. Several council members expressed concerns about the document's redundancy and lack of enforceability. They suggested that instead of maintaining the current policy, the council should focus on integrating necessary elements into existing ordinances or the Home Rule Charter. This shift aims to eliminate confusion and ensure that policies are actionable and clear.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for improved communication and procedural clarity between the city and developers. Council members expressed appreciation for the staff's efforts in bringing these discussions to the forefront, highlighting the importance of collaboration in fostering a thriving community. Moving forward, the council plans to refine its approach to development agreements and governance policies to better serve the needs of Watertown's residents and stakeholders.