WELCOME — The Planning and Zoning committee and the Welcome City Council met on Tuesday to discuss the plans for a storage shed project by Taylor Forsberg. The storage sheds would be east of Welcome Meats and be 40′ wide and 36′ long. They would be 30 feet from Welcome Meats and if two were built, there would be 30 feet between each

shed. The entry would be from west or east and Forsberg will have to get a conditional use permit from the city and contact Economic

Development Association and check on codes, etc. The permit would be allowing him to consider the project if he gets all the needed information. He mentioned that the building supplies are hard to find and he may start the project this year and do the finishing in 2022. Engineers are planning a water pond near there and the tiles and waterways must be thoroughly investigated. The planning and zoning approved his request. Later the council approved his request for the conditional use permit.

The council meeting proceeded with a report from Chris Borchardt as to the new rescue truck needed for the fire department. The

townships have approved the truck order and the council also approved the order. He explained that the truck was a 21-foot walk-in rescue body and could seat four passengers and it is a four-wheel-drive freight-liner from the Pierce Company. They plan to have a company in Ohio do the cabinetry inside. The truck will cost about $60,000 to $70,000. He will get a contract and delivery will be in about a year. Chris also reported that they have their air packs and other equipment.

The meeting continued with Mayor Newville proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Clean-Up Day was mentioned but COVID restrictions are delaying the announcement and truck. More information will be forthcoming.

The council asked the police department to make a list of ordinance concerns they see and the council will take a drive-through also and add whatever they are concerned about to their list. An ordinance concerning solar panel installation was tabled until the next meeting.

Replacing trees taken from the city park and others was discussed. The council decided to get bucketed trees instead of bare-root ones

and that will be done next year. They will look at removing some trees this year too.

Mutual aid for city employees was discussed which would ask nearby city employees to help if needed. The City asking for extra help would reimburse the city for sending the personnel. This would be very beneficial for all especially if there were a need for help at the water treatment plant.

City employee, Max Longley, reported that he visited Winnebago and looked at their digester and solution to their sludge problem. Minnesota Pump Works and Quality Flow companies will come and assess the sludge issue. Fergus Pump was called about draining and cleaning the tank. All ideas will be discussed at the next meeting.

The city usually seal-coats 1/3 of the city each year. It was to be the northeast corner of the city this year. That is the side that had new construction and discussion was held as to whether the seal coating should be done there or on the south side as previously mentioned. The seal coating would help with maintaining the new streets and the order of what side of town is to be done should be kept in that order. The council asked the city employee to figure out how much the northeast third would be. This will be voted on at the next meeting.

The COVID payment will be coming and the council approved using the monies similarly to last time.

The ball field was mentioned and MCW School would like a roped-off area to designate where the parking should be. The council asked that the school do its part since the city has put quite a bit of gravel on the parking lot already.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 6 at the Welcome City Hall.