WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening. The council approved the water rate increase as read at the previous meeting. Water charges will go from $7.90 per 1000 gallons to $8.50. Sewer charges will go from $7.70 to $8.50, and the maintenance fee will go from $10 to $20 per month. The base rate will change from $12.62 to $13.60. The water fund is not sufficient and needs to be raised. The council plans to raise rates in small increments so as not to overwhelm the taxpayers. This action was recommended by the auditor.

Bolton and Menk Engineer Travis Winter reported on the street project timeline projections. Tree trimming may begin next week. Phase one is Mill Street, beginning any day. Phase two is First Street, Second Street, Quarterline Street, Welcome Street and the alleys and pond, which will begin in July (21 to Halloween). Phase three is Kruze Street, which is scheduled to begin in September. The whole project is supposed to be finished by Oct. 31. The residents affected by the project should be receiving a newsletter about the timeline of the project.

In other business, the first reading of the ordinance to regulate Cannabis Business in the city was part of the public hearing. The applicants for the business said they have been preparing for over two years. The names of the businesses may be Aerostar Flower LLC and Hanson Fabrication. A copy of the ordinance is available at city hall. The second summary of the ordinance will be read at the next meeting on July 1 and could be approved.

The variance approved at the last meeting for J. Lauseng to park his semi-tractor on his driveway was discussed since there was a complaint made about him violating the agreement with the council at the previous meeting. The council discussed the complaint and reminded him of the agreement. The council revoked the variance since he violated the agreement.

In other news:

— A donation of $7,616 from the Welcome American Legion to the Welcome Cemetery Society for a Veterans’ Wall was accepted.

— Police Chief Trevor Yochim reported that 60 ordinance violations were issued and that most of the cars have been removed. The wet weather has hampered the grass mowing, and when it warms up, the grass will need to be mowed, but grass clippings should not be discharged into the street since that plugs the storm drains.

— There will be a Bike Rodeo in Sherburn and Welcome on June 28. The Sherburn bike rodeo will be at 9 a.m. at the high school, and the Welcome bike rodeo will be at noon by the Welcome Fire Hall. All ages may participate. Helmets and closed-toed shoes must be worn, and a waiver must be signed by parents, and the parents should be present at the bike rodeo. Gift bags will be given and the children will learn signals, navigate cones, bike safety and helmet use.

— Clerk Jodi Hemann reported that the insurance for the hail damage is almost done.

— Council Auringer presented the council with a court report outlining the steps a city can take to clean up properties through abatements and the court.

— A storm sewer is plugged, and the City Works employee explained that the amount of water is backed up and until that tile goes down, the other will sit, and then when the pressure is released, that water will also go down. One side has more flow than the other.

There was a request to dig up the crushed tile (northwest corner) near the ball park. Cars are driving on it and crushing it. The Council approved getting Rosburg Excavation to dig it up and fix it.

— The School Board reported that they agreed to the purchase of the Welcome School building to Brian Rosburg. The Council will wait for further action on his part.

The Welcome City Council’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on July 1 at City Hall.