WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met Tuesday evening. It was said that judges for elections have not had a raise since 2016 and nearby towns pay more than Welcome, so the clerk requested a raise for the head judge and other judges. The council discussed how hard it is to find residents that are willing to take the time. The council approved a raise to $20 for head judges and $18 for other judges. The head judges for the presidential primary are Linda Schultz and John Borchardt and the other judges are Shirley Juhl and Pam Jagodzinke. Some elections are paid and then the state reimburses the City.

In other news, Deb Hansen thanked the council for the new computer system. The UB Max software should be converted to the Banyon software to make billing integrated. The Meter Company will convert the software for $5,794. This will make the billing all one system. The council discussed the pros and cons and approved the payment for the conversion.

Deb Hansen also reminded the council that she will retire in December. The council discussed advertising for applicants in April and interviewing in May. Deb will compose an advertisement with a job description. She will help train the new clerk. She remarked that the candidate should have coding experience/skill and good computer skills. They should be able to work on government forms, etc. She remarked that when she started there were four departments and now there are 12. The council also discussed having some headhunter help to advise them about possible clerks.

In reports from council members, Elroy Glidden reported that he is working on getting an intern from the forestry service which the state would help pay. The intern may be helpful with the emerald ash borer tree removal and to know of resources for more grants. Welcome will have a $100,000 grant to help remove trees from City property and plant some to replace those trees. The trees on City property will be measured from the road/street. The intern may be able to help identify good trees to plant as replacements. The council felt there would be about 50 trees on City property. It suggested replacement trees be planted in yards instead of on boulevards. They council asked the City Works employee to make a letter to ask for bids on tree removal/replacement from tree services in the area.

The council approved having a Spring Clean Up Day and appliance drop off. The clerk will contact the garbage truck to set a date. Chief of Police, Trevor Yochim, reported that the favorable weather has helped the clean up of garbage quite a bit. The bus parked in the alley will be cited soon and there will be a part-time officer starting soon.

City Works employee, Dave Bach, reported that the sealcoating for the south part of the City and specific streets will be done this spring. The council asked him to work with them and make a map of the streets to be resurfaced. He reported that he used the sweep to get rocks out of the cemetery circle and will do some hand work to finish it up.

The council also approved hiring Smith’s Greenhouse to plant large hanging baskets for $82

per basket. The council remarked that the baskets from Smith’s looked very nice last year.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on March 19 at the city hall in Welcome.