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WELCOME -- Discussion with Dave Finstad about removing trees near the creek was held at the Welcome City Council meeting on Tuesday. The council approved the tree removal on city property and the maximum cost should not exceed $15,000.
The council also discussed the water issue by Bidwell Street. There is water in the ditch and the old connection put in in 1982 has been deteriorating. The connection to the main line is the responsibility of the property owners. The council approved sending the property owners a letter explaining the connection to the main line is their responsibility since that is out of city limits. There may be some permits needed through the county since the line would go under the county highway. The council would give the owners time to get those issues solved until the end of May 2027.
Clerk Jodi Hemann asked about the check to the pickleball contractors. The contract did have some periodic payments built in. The time line given the city has not been followed and there are some issues of uneven concrete and standing water which should be fixed. Hemann was requested to keep the check until the work is completed.
The 2027 budget planning is underway and there were several points Hemann brought up for the council to make a decision about soon. The increase so far is 9.14 percent which can be lowered but not increased by the December deadline. The council will discuss the budget concerns at the next meeting in September.
A resolution to approve the payment for the street project was presented by Bolton and Menk Engineer Travis Winter, and after discussion the council approved the resolution.
The bond schedule was also discussed. Winter explained that the residents pay 30 percent of the street costs and 100 percent of their driveway costs but the city pays the water and sewer. The rates for utilities will probably have to be increased. These projects do add to the resident’s property value.
In other news:
-- The council approved a public hearing about improvements at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the American Legion Hall in Welcome.
-- Police Chief Trevor Yochim, gave his monthly report and as part of that he announced that officer Carolyn Lyon received honor for her help by the Child and Family Advocacy Center from Mankato.
-- The council reports included a request for investigation about a storage/container moved in that does not have a permit. The city will contact the owner.
-- A request to call the Frontier company and ask that their phone boxes be covered or removed since they are open and unsightly in several locations was made.
-- The tree removal by Rosburg will be done next week.
-- The cemetery board will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, at the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center in Welcome.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1, at City Hall.