Watson residents voted overwhelmingly, 72-17, in Tuesday’s special election, to change the city’s form of government to a Plan A from the current standard form.
What this means is that the clerk and treasurer position will no longer be elected but appointed, and that the city clerk will not have a position on the city council. That seat on the council will be filled by an additional council member after the next general election.
The special election brings to an end a tug of war between residents and the council and clerk which began months ago when residents submitted a petition calling for the change. Since then the clerk and council have delayed setting the date for the election several times.
On Feb. 9, during the regular council meeting, the council voted to have the city clerk available at the city hall on Feb. 16 and 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accept applications for absentee ballots. City Clerk Loisjean Fossen was not at that meeting and Mayor Jason Avelsgard took notes.
On Feb. 13, Avelsgard sent Watson residents a letter telling them when, where and at what time the election would be held.
Three days later Fossen sent residents a letter stating that the city office would be open for walk-in absentee voters Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a requirement of Minnesota Statutes, but she did not refer to the days and hours set by the council vote.
She explained that she did not know about the council’s vote and did not receive Avelsgard’s letter until after she had sent hers. She said Avelsgard had not turned over the minutes of the Feb. 9 meeting although she had left him messages asking for them.
Fossen has said she will not attend meetings until Avelsgard stops the “abuse” she has been subjected to by council and residents. In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, she said, “Our City Council meetings are a joke.”
Tuesday’s vote will not make any change in the council until the general election in November. Recent council meetings have been marred by resignations tendered and withdrawn from both Fossen and Avelsgard, and one resignation by council member Kevin Norman on Feb. 9. Further resignations would leave the council with only four members and problems reaching a quorum if anyone is absent.
Despite the vote for change, the city still faces a horde of problems; the 2010 budget is still being worked on, the new water meters are still not working satisfactorily, the council has still not set a base rate for water consumption, easements have not been completed for residents who will be getting sewers installed this spring, treasurer’s reports have not been adequately presented in council, and residents want an accounting of city finances.
In addition the city is working through a lawsuit against resident Aziz Ansari for his gardens which the city maintains violate city ordinances, and a second lawsuit against the city brought by Ansari claiming discrimination.
A second measure on Tuesday's ballot to allow the city to issue liquor licenses allowing eligible establishments to sell liquor on Sundays was defeated by a narrow margin of 46 no to 43 yes.
