WELCOME– The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday for a public hearing. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the city receiving a USDA Rural Development Grant of $100,000 for the new rescue truck for the Welcome Fire Department. Chris Borchardt said it will be a big help for the department.

The council then discussed the ball-field employee and pay for that employee. They will ask the school district for help and will look up how much they paid last year and will bring this subject up again at the next meeting. A question about the mower will be discussed at the next meeting also.

The sampler at the water treatment plant was brought up at the last meeting and Longley was asked to get quotes for repairing and for a new sampler. He brought quotes of $7,500+ for a new one, $4,900+ for a conversion repair, and a $1,480 quote for a

simple repair of the old sampler. Discussions about the age of the sampler and refrigerator for the samples ensued. The council approved purchase of the replacement of the whole assembly at $7,000+.

Longley reported some training sessions in March and others which are mostly webinars. One would be for his wastewater certification. The council approved his training schedule and payments.

David Bach was present and was introduced as the new city works employee who was recently hired. A councilman asked about a light on Harrison Street near the vacant lot. The council agreed to each look at the spot and then discuss the light at the next meeting.

The council discussed the upcoming town hall meeting about the old Welcome School building at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10, at the Welcome Legion Hall. They agreed about what the position of the city council was and agreed that all or some of the Welcome City Council should

attend that meeting.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Welcome City Hall.