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WELCOME -- The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday after the public hearing on the final assessment for 2025 street and utility improvements project. Travis Winter led the public hearing about the assessments for the finished street project.
He presented a booklet with information including the history of the project, how to appeal, deferments, map of the streets involved, infrastructure replaced and funding information. About 20 residents attended on Tuesday evening at the Welcome Legion Hall.
One resident asked who did the evaluation of the work the contractor did. Winter replied that the head of the company and he and others reviewed any complaints and reviewed the work. One resident asked how the cost was determined and Winter answered that it was the city’s policy or code to charge 2 percent over the interest percent that the city paid. There was 30 percent of the street, sewer and storm sewer multiplied by the feet on each property.
A question about what a property owner could do to lessen the cost was answered with the information in the booklet about deferments and appeals. The prices were comparable to the 2019 prices. The sewer is undoubtedly improved. Some of the old sewer was installed in the 1930’s 1950’s and was older and not viable. Each property was reviewed and the sewer was looked at.
The Public Works has reported a lower flow rate, down dramatically. Council Member Stauter remarked that the council worked very hard on the project to lower the cost from $10 million to $3 million and decide which streets were most needed to be improved. Out of the $3 million the property owners only paid about $380,000. Winter suggested the city review their assessment policy or code. Some of the residents suggested better communication about when and where the construction was to happen so they could plan ahead.
The council meeting began after the hearing.
Adopting the assessment was the first action discussed by the council and they approved deciding about the assessment at the next meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at City Hall. The council approved the final pay request for the street project.
Public Works worker Max Longley reported that there was some repair to the pickleball court to do due to vandalism. Some new Christmas ornaments may be ordered for about $1,200 for seven new LED snowflake ornaments similar to the ones ordered last year. The council asked that he get some sort of storage box for them so they do not get so dirty like the ones the city has and asked if he could maybe clean the last year’s ornaments.
He was asked to get quotes to repair the roof of the back room of City Hall. The ball field clean up project for the Martin County West students doing the Give Back Day on Oct. 2 is planned and some FLASC volunteers will help, too.
In other business:
-- The council approved transferring the money for the pickleball court from the park account to the general account.
-- A budget proposal of an increase of 2.27 percent for next year was discussed and then the council approved the amount.
-- Valero has requested that they have a 5K run, a mini tournament at pickleball and a Trunk and Treat event. The council suggested combining the Trunk and Treat Halloween event with the group from Welcome that has plans for an event. There will be signage at the pickleball court about the City of Welcome and Valero etc.
-- Welcome won a bus trip to the Basin Tour in 2027 from FREA and the council discussed how that could be used as a prize or something.
-- E-scooters traveling at unsafe speeds and not following the law as to the age of rider and helmets etc. was discussed by the council and Chief of Police Trevor Yochim.
-- Council Member Glidden reported on the EDA meeting and said there was a new member, Lee Hanson. They were in good shape with $300,000-plus in the accounts.
--The liquor store/bar and grill was discussed with no bids. The council discussed the property as in good shape with a need for some repairs but not wholesale remodeling needed.
The Welcome City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Oct. 6 at City Hall.