WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening. Bolton and Menk Enginner Travis Winter reported on the construction.

Last week, the temporary water lines were done and samples are being taken periodically for bacteria count. The council asked why the Mill Street was scheduled for concrete when the plan they voted for said asphalt would be used. The truck traffic on the street was the reason, Winter said.

The discussion mentioned the increased cost and the work it would take to dig it up if there were ever a water leak or something. A cost analysis was asked for. Winter will report on that at the next meeting.

It was mentioned that Mill Street has always been a truck route with thicker asphalt (six inches). Reassessment on improved property is not necessary if the property has already been assessed. Deferment on assessment for those of a certain age and having certain criteria was discussed. The assessment and the rules on deferment were checked and it may not be advantageous for some when the interest payment may be more than the house is worth.

The clerk will contact the resident asking about the deferment and explain the rules.

Stauter, as part of the park committee, asked about several things to add to the park. The Parent/Child swing was approved at a previous meeting and she asked about replacing the spring animal equipment. The council looked at the samples she showed and approved the four animal equipments for $7,200. The committee looked into other equipment but it was not a good fit for the location as far as functional space and safety was concerned.

Council approved four historical prints around the Shelter House in plexiglass frames suggested by the Historical Society at $500. They will be four-by-eight prints.

She also mentioned several things that may be done at the park in the future if the council approved. Pickleball and basketball courts, mini golf and frisbee golf were on hold for now. Restoring the building on the Legion Park across from the city hall was approved.

In other business:

— The public comments and questions included a resident asking about changing the curb by the sidewalk at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome to a ramp for handicapped accessibility. The council asked that someone from the church council contact city hall.

— There was a comment about big walnut trees that should be removed. The city will check on the location of trees.

— The council approved the limit of purchases to $1,000 instead of $500. Most nearby towns have the increased amount.

— A question about the dirt piles with brush growing on them near the storage and EDA property was asked. The piles are on the city property although they were pushed there from the storage property. The city employee was asked to level the piles and get rid of the brush. The mayor will help to work out a plan to get rid of the piles.

— Clerk Jodi Hemann asked about attending the Clerk’s Academy for approximately $500 all together. The council approved the request.

— In the police report by Chief Trevor Yochim, some of the ordinance violations were getting cleaned up. The bus and some cars may be towed by Borntrager soon. Tires are scheduled to be removed quarterly. The Welcome Summer Festival this weekend will be attended. The council asked that they be less obvious so as not to scare some people.

— The city employee reported that the eight-year-old refrigeration system at the Water Treatment Plant for specimen storage needs to be fixed or a new one purchased. The council approved purchasing a new refrigerator. City Employee Max Longley reported that spraying will be done by summer festival.

— The mayor’s report mentioned the quit claim deed approved for the additional land near the Historical Society Museum. He mentioned that the purchase of the Welcome School was approved and is waiting on the insurance company right now. The digging at the Ball Park property has run into several t-joints, splices and pipe going the wrong way and some were plugged. The work continues to fix the standing water problem.

— There will be a new AED (automated external defibrillator) outside the city hall location for emergency use. It will have GPS and be traceable. Mayor Dan Schmidtke remarked that there is to be a dedication of this AED at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 18.

The Welcome City Council’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, at City Hall.