WELCOME– The Welcome City Council began with a resident using the public comments time to ask if a road will be built where the development of storage buildings and the holding pond is being done by Forsburg. He suggested the council plan one now so when it is time the plan will be in the works.

The council discussed the 2022 budget with suggestions that the street maintenance be reduced to $80,000 and the capital outlay be increased to $50,000. Discussion was also held about the budget for the shelter house repair and maintenance fund. Any action was tabled until the next meeting.

The council urged each department to make sure they use the tax payer’s money for what is best for the taxpayer. Levies to be collected in 2022 were proposed as follows: General Fund $769,155; Water and Sewer $46,100; Capital Projects fund $10,777; And Debt Service Fund $ 341,614 for a total of $1,167,646.

Travis Winter brought quotes from five companies for the Watermain repairs from 5th street to the Waste Water Plant. After reviewing the quotes the council approved the quote from Larson company from Worthington for $144,000. They hope to have the open cut repairs done by this fall. The availability of asphalt to patch may be a concern. The quote was for unit prices so if something doesn’t need to be used it will not be charged. The permit with MN DOT has been applied for already. There is a possibility that Covid funds for infrastructure could be used.

Reports from council and city employee, Max Longley, included work on trees trimmed on Quarterline Street, working on Zip Line at the park, Water Meters installation progressing with over 100 installed so far. The council asked Longley to provide a pamphlet or small sheet of instructions for residents to have access to their data through the new meter. The account number is on the water bill which can be used to gather information. Water bills are always on the 15th and residents can pay with auto pay, email, online or by mail.

Some of the new four-plex residents had complaints about “critters” in their ceiling and the council reminded them that there are people working on repairs and some of the problems are from the contractor leaving holes by some access points. The contractor has been notified and other repairs and mowing etc. have been underway. The council asks that residents there contact the city clerk stating complaints and she will help them to

contact the correct resource like EDA.

The council went into closed session. In other news:

— The BEVCOMM proposal for Welcome was reviewed with installation costing $300 and monthly charges $199.

— The League of MN Cities dues were $934 and the Utility Consultants UC lab tests were $1,152.

— The next meeting of the Welcome City Council will be 6 p.m. Oct. 5 at Welcome City Hall.