WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening. The council heard from Bolton and Menk Engineer Travis Winter and Public Works Employee Max Longley about a proposed study which would be the first step to applying for a grant to upgrade the wastewater plant and water facilities in Welcome.

The city had a report about discharge from the wastewater plant listing sulfate, phosphorus and chloride amounts and proposing a reverse osmosis system, which several nearby cities (Sherburn) have installed. That system would soften the water to five or six parts of hardness as opposed to 40 parts. Welcome residents could turn down their water softeners and would use less salt in them.

The facility was built in 1996 and is working well, but it will be in need of an upgrade soon anyway. The cracks on the outside and a few electrical updates were also mentioned. The proposed study would cost $12,500, and the overall cost would be $29,000.

The study would look at overall energy efficiency and tell the council what is needed and how much it should cost. Winter mentioned grants available from the US Department of Health and the USDA. Council Glidden also mentioned that a study is the first step if a grant is applied for. The council approved Bolton and Menk to do the study.

Winter also updated the council on the progress of the street project, mentioning that it is coming in on budget and that progress has been seen on several streets and areas in town. He mentioned that the construction company, Holtmeier, was doing a good job and hoped the weather would hold out for them. A payment was approved by the council $742,000-plus for the company.

Winter also reported on the quote for almost 500 feet of pipes and asphalt the council asked for at its last meeting near Harrison and Van Amber Streets to fix a manhole and clay pipes joints that were in rough shape. The council approved the fix at a cost of $79,000 by Holtmeier, as they are currently working on the streets. Winter mentioned the savings of asphalt over concrete the council had on Mill Street and was optimistic that this fix would not raise the overall cost for the street project.

The council proceeded with the meeting and approved a new license for the 2026 year,which the state and county proposed for the Microbusiness Cannabis store at Hanson Fabrication/Aeroflower on Sewell Street.

Reports led to discussions on the uninhabitable houses on Kruse, Fourth and Cleveland. Council Auringer mentioned that the timetable is usually done. There will be an auction on Dec. 8, and if no bids, there will be one in January. Then there is a waiting period so the properties may not be ready for the city to buy them until spring. The county may have some help for the city to demolish the houses in disrepair. The council will follow the procedures with a clean-up in mind for next year.

Council Member Stauter mentioned that committees were asked to keep the council informed of their meetings (minutes, etc.) and that so far, the park and cemetery committees were the only ones she has seen. She requested that the Fire and EDA committees’ minutes be communicated to the council too so informed decisions would be made and no surprises.

The animal park equipment for Keck Park is in the City but not installed. Plans for those were made with public employees. The public employees have trimmed trees on west side and plan to do east side this week. Police Chief, Trevor Yochim, mentioned the Shop with a Cop plans are being organized and will be on Facebook when done. He anticipates 20 children/families will be helped and mentioned that Ceylon and Dunnell Fire Departments have offered help if he needs it.

In other business, the council:

— Accepted the donation from Valero of $20,000 for the Pickleball Court installation at Keck Park.

— Approved an off-site gambling permit for the Dec. 15, raffle at the Welcome Legion for the Fox Lake Conservation Club.

— Approved an LMC liability coverage waiver for Jeff Sinn.

— Approved three building permits for a fence at a residence on Guide Street, adding dormers to a residence on 2nd Street and building a storage shed on Cleveland Street.

The Welcome City Council’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the City Hall.