WELCOME — During the Welcome City Council meeting on Tuesday, the Police Commission meeting was discussed. At that meeting, Sergeant Gina Jorgensen was presented with a crystal statue to commemorate her resignation from the law enforcement jobs she did for 37 years in Martin County.

Chief of Police Trevor Yochim accepted the resignation of Gina Jorgensen and highlighted some of the situations Officer Jorgensen had been through. She has been a field training officer, defensive tactics coordinator, firearms instructor, a Sergeant and interim Police Chief on multiple occasions. She has had to miss family get togethers, Christmases and more.

“She stayed true to herself, true to the department and true to the citizens who knew they could rely on her,” Yochim wrote.

Her further said she has had pistols in her face, run into burning buildings, found children, comforted victims, had her car stuck or almost hit by a semi and was also part of street dances, bike rodeos, shop with a cop and Santa Days for years. Chief Yochim described Gina as a valuable asset and a good friend who will be missed.

The council thanked her for her many years of service to the community of Welcome and the area.

Yochim also reported on the very successful Shop with a Cop and essential community workers program which was done on Dec. 11 and $7,600 was donated by individuals and companies. Trimont, Welcome and Sherburn Police and Fire helped children purchase gifts for family and friends. Temperance Lake Ridge clients, staff and volunteers helped wrap. Twenty children participated. The council mentioned that it was larger than the Shop with a Cop program in Fairmont. Yochim was grateful for the wonderful support.

A public comment was given about the storage business east of Welcome Meats which has no address since there is no road to the business. The council answered that there is an easement from Welcome Meats and Zach Gerhardt and that making a road or driveway to the business is up to the owner, Taylor Forsberg. As far as the address is concerned, Forsberg should contact the City Clerk and an address will be provided. The other two businesses have Bidwell addresses.

In other business:

— The council approved a payment of $143,822-plus to Holtmeier for the street project.

— The Gig Fire company would like to renew their rental contract for renting space on the Water Tower for their IT business. The council discussed the contract and approved renewing the contract with the same features as the 2025 contract which was a rent amount of $ 1,600 a year and a certificate as proof of insurance to $2 million for liability and $3 million for umbrella coverage. A question of the company making some damage was discussed.

— A resolution to adopt the 2025 tax levy to be paid in 2026 was approved. The amount was $1,409,497. General Fund was $862,024; Water and Sewer fund was $44,000 (includes General Obligation improvement bonds) the Capital Projects fund was $10,771 and the Debt Service fund was $492,696 (includes General Obligation improvement bonds).

— A potential buyer for a Weaver Street house scheduled for demolition asked if the city would cover half of the demolition costs if he would pay all the other costs. After some discussion the council approved helping with demolition up to half or no more than $7,000 with the buyer paying all other costs.

— The personnel handbook was discussed and reviewed by the council and approved with plans to work on the handbook next year the future. The City Attorney worked on the aspects of the handbook especially the new Paid Family Leave.

— The public works employee asked for an extension to a warranty ready to expire on the skid loader for three years for $4,600. The Grater warranty expires next year so the council asked him to check out that warranty and extensions available. He also asked for the street sweeper to under go maintenance and be taken and brought back from the company doing the work. The council approved the maintenance for $ 13,000.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council will be at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2026 at the City Hall.