WELCOME — The Welcome City Council held a meeting on Tuesday evening and the Fox Lake Sports Complex in Welcome was discussed. Three representatives from the school board and the Fox Lake Sports Complex, Sam Meixell, Courtney Schult and Mark Wohlhuter were present. The council explained that the value of the ballfields is $208,000, the city has had $18,000 in expenses lately for tiling and there was a repair of a water pipe punctured when the backdrop was installed. A city employee maintains and mows the ballfields. There were grants from the Twins organization and DNR and the original contract in 2006 stated that all three entities (school, city and complex) were to maintain the fields but the city has been doing it. The complex did fix the irrigation system for $7,000. The school has been paying $14,000 a year for rent, and the city has been losing about that much each year from expenses. The Booster Club has not worked the concession stand for some time. Fundraising is underway to help with the proposed purchase.

Discussion of water charges from the city was held with a minimum charge possible and no sewer.

A possible use of the purchase money from the old school football and baseball field north of the old school was also discussed.

The council went into closed session at the end of the meeting and discussed the details the school board would need to make a decision or discuss the points. The three representatives and the council discussed points. One or two council members may attend the school board meeting on March 16. Discussion and negotiations will continue.

In other business:

— The Legion’s legal gambling account donated $5,000 to the Welcome Cemetery.

— The Bremer Bank merged with Old National Bank. The signatures and consent were approved to move to Old National Bank.

— Chief Trevor Yochim shared an update from the Police Commission meeting on Monday. There may be a new hiring and the grant for radios was mentioned.

— Council reports included the next meeting of the Park Board will be on March 24. The pickleball court will be the main discussion subject.

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