WELCOME — During the Welcome City Council meeting on Tuesday, Bolton and Menk Engineer Travis Winter reported on the Facility Planning Document for improvements to the waste water plant and Dugan Street from County Road 25 to 5th Street.

There was a letter sent about the chloride, sulfur and phosphorus levels in the water and state-mandated treatments last year. This is the plan to implement the needed improvements to the system and the plan is needed to get grants and loans from MPCA and energy efficiency study from Region Nine or whoever the city needs to apply to for money for the improvements.

The waste water plant was built in 1960 and has had improvements added. The plan is to add on to the building (not build a new building) and implement the reverse osmosis treatment, similar to Sherburn, for water before it goes to homes. This would lower the need for salt in the softeners.

This is a five-year plan which includes plans for Dugan Street improvements. It identifies the specific work and who pays for what since the street is part of the county roadwork. The surface work and part of the storm sewer could be partially paid from the county but not street lights, sanitary sewer or water system. The council approved beginning the paperwork/planning document needed for this project so that grants and loans would have the information they needed.

Winter will also follow up on a question about the old football field/ball diamond land near the old school about a flooding concern or not. The public works and Bolton and Menk will let the council know any information needed by a potential buyer.

In other business at the meeting:

— A public comment was made about the two trees by the track and pond at the. As requested, the council approved removing them before they fall in the pond. The council had the trees on its mind before, and later asked about the removal. The engineer said they were not directly in the line of casing and could be removed, he thought. He will let the clerk know for sure.

— The council approved a bill for the dues to the League of Minnesota Cities.

— A sealed bid was approved for tree removal on city property from Rosburg Co. for $5,500. The council said the trees should be removed before they damage something.

— The council also approved a bill from Rosburg of $7,000 for water main repair on Dugan Street.

— The Council will look into new rules about absences from city council meetings. Councilman Elroy Glidden will check into funds for storm sewer repair/replace on the Dugan Street project mentioned in the five year plan, and the energy efficiency study.

— Council reports included requests for sale of some property in the city and progress on the old school property. The school district did not have the proper papers ready for Rosburg to sign.

The Welcome City Council’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17, at the City Hall.