City Manager’s

Status and Information Update

March 22, 2019

City Comptroller

The City issued $6,685,000 in serial bonds dated March 29, 2019 maturing September 1, 2033 at a
net interest cost of 2.27% (interest rates range from 5.00% downwards to 3.00%) with a premium of
$719,251. The premium was used to “resize” the debt downwards to $5,965,749. The low bid was
submitted by BNY Mellon Capital Markets.

Prior to selling bonds, the City acquired a rating from Moody’s Investor Services as to the credit
quality of the City. While Moody’s did maintain the City’s Aa3 rating which is considered high
quality with very low credit risk, they did unfortunately assign a “negative outlook” to our rating
based on their opinion that “reserves will continue to struggle keeping up with a growing budget
resulting in a further decline in available fund balance as a percentage of revenues.” A copy of the
Moody’s report is attached at the end of this week’s report.

Flower Memorial Library

Patrons and visitors to the Flower Memorial Library have a new way to explore our building,
services, and local amenities. The freestanding touchscreen directory located near the main level
elevator allows for easy access to collection locations, library service areas, restrooms, meeting rooms
and floor plans of the Library. It also provides an Event Calendar link for quick viewing of our
programs scheduled for the month with the option to click the program to learn more. Users are also
provided with a snapshot of the current weather conditions, a rotating selection of current news
stories, area traffic conditions and nearby restaurants, hotels, and ATMs. We encourage you to
explore the possibilities during your next visit with us!
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019

Parks and Recreation

The annual St. Patrick’s Hockey Classic was held this past Saturday, March 16th. It was a great event
with over 1100 in attendance.

The Watertown Wolves host the Danville Dashers this weekend in a triple header, with games
scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Planning Department

Central Street and Sewall’s Island

Tree removal activities will be taking place next week on Central Street and Sewall’s Island as part of
the Central Street Sidewalk Replacement Project and the Sewall’s Island Environmental Remediation
Project. The tree removal efforts are being scheduled ahead of the actual construction work beginning
so that it can be completed prior to March 31. Completing the removals prior to March 31 is a
requirement that is in place to avoid disturbance of the summer roosting areas of the Indiana Brown
bat and the Northern Long-eared bat.
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019

Police Department

Police Academy Update

The Black River/St. Lawrence Valley Police Academy classes are ending today. The academy is
operated by the Watertown Police Department. This is the second consecutive academy class to be
conducted on the Jefferson Community College campus. The current academy class began 28 weeks
ago on September 10th, 2018. Training included classes in criminal law, criminal procedure law,
constitutional law, domestic violence response, defensive tactics, physical fitness, firearms,
emergency vehicle operation and dozens of other topics. The police recruits will now be sent back to
their respective departments to complete the mandated field training program.

The Watertown Police Department has six recruits in the current academy. They will each be teamed
up with veteran Watertown Police Officers who are certified by the NY State Division of Criminal
Justice Services (DCJS) as Field Training Officers. These “FTO” officers will supervise the recruit
officers as they move from the classroom environment to the street environment. This is a critical
part of the recruits’ training as it will determine whether they are able to apply to the real world what
they have learned in the classroom. After they successfully complete the FTO program, the recruits
will attend an academy graduation ceremony. The graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17th,
2019.

Water Department

Over the weekend a vehicle tore up the yard next to

Water Treatment
the fishing access and hit the fence resulting in
some minor damage. The cameras in the area were
critical in the apprehension of the vandal. The
cameras allowed WTP personnel to see the activity
and get a general description of the vehicle. The
individual returned to the scene and parked in full
view of a camera where he was noticed by WTP
personnel. WTP personnel then went to the scene to
confirm that the vehicle matched the description of
the one that caused the damage. City PD was called
and quickly arrived on the scene. When confronted
by City PD the individual confessed to the damage
and said he would be willing to pay for the
damages. At this time we have a verbal estimate of
$500 in fence repair and $780 in yard repair costs.

On March 12, the City hosted a Regional Water Quality meeting at the Pamelia town offices. Current
water quality trends of the City of Watertown and the contingent customers were discussed. In
attendance were participants from the City of Watertown, DANC, NYSDOH, Town of Pamelia, Fort
Drum and Southside Water Incorporated.
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019

Distribution
City crews repaired a 4” main break on Cadwell Street and another 4” main break on Rexford Place.

Cadwell Street Rexford Place

One service was renewed from the curb stoop to the building on Myrtle Avenue and 25 meters were
installed.

Hydroelectric

Two contractors
performed a site visit at
the hydro plant looking at
the sliding doors. The
doors are starting to fall
apart,and are in need of
replacement. The doors
are being held together
with sheets of plywood
right now. We expect the
quotes in about a week.
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019
 City Manager’s
Status and Information Update
March 22, 2019