WELCOME — Welcome City Council heard this week from engineer Travis Winter of Bolton & Menk about progress on the water tower project.

The company painting the tower made a mistake and used Sherwin Williams paint for the primer. Winter and Sherwin Williams project development manager John Sierzega explained the difference between the paint used and the paint in the specifications. There is a higher cost while the warranty remains the same. Sierzega tried to assure the council that the paint quality is the same or better.

The council voted 3-2 not to accept the paint used. Discussion followed.

The council eventually made an offer to change the price back to the original and extend the warranty five years. Sherwin Williams paint would be used to finish the project, putting it back on schedule. Winter will negotiate the offer for the city and report back to the council.

Turning to other business, Winter discussed an alley near the fire hall and reported that a well has been bored. Officials discussed the gas lines, with a suggestion made to lower them so the alley can be finished. The council discussed bundling the gas lines, which would eliminate any need to lower them. This matter was tabled for further investigation.

In other business, the council:

o Discussed the excavation ordinance. The clerk will reintroduce the ordinance at the next meeting. There are plans to raise the fee and perhaps enforce a bond since companies are not restoring lawns, etc., to original shape. They are instead leaving mounds of clay and ruts in the land.

o Discussed street sweeper purchase plans. Council members suggested not buying a street sweeper this late in the season. They discussed renting to own, or renting from another city. The clerk will check on the amount of time the city’s insurance company will give Welcome to find a replacement. It was suggested that the city conduct some street cleaning before the summer festival. City employees say the job of cleaning the streets takes about six hours. Another city would do it for $125 per hour. This matter was tabled until more information can be obtained.

o Heard a report from the city clerk, who suggested tagging the doors of property with long grass and giving them 36 hours to mow. The council accepted the suggestion.

o The council asked the city’s two employees not to be on vacation for the same weekend, especially the weekend of Welcome’s summer festival. The employees agreed to work on the schedule out so that one can be on call.

o Learned that the cemetery board requested that the bell be removed from the cemetery so it can plant flowers in the small circle. The council voted to remove the bell. A place for the bell is yet to be determined.