SHERBURN — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening. Superintendent Cori Reynolds and a school board member, Darren Thate, from Martin County West School District explained the action taken at the school board meeting the night before. The school board approved putting the properties owned by them up for sale. The sale would be subject to the school board’s approval. It includes the school building, the bus barn, and the football field (which is dual property of the city and school district).

The stipulations given by the school board about the school building were:

The building will be on sale until March 31, 2025; improvements must be done no longer than one year from the closing date; the commercial realtor will decide what the value of the building is and will put up a for sale sign with information. The school board has a surety bond of $2,000,000 and a timeline it will follow.

All agreed that the building needs to be demolished ASAP since there are liability issues and it has ‘become an eyesore’. The city reminded the school that the owner needs to initiate proceedings for re-zoning and pay fees, which is the school district. All agreed there are many hurdles to get through but the process is underway.

Moving to other matters, Travis Winter from Bolton and Menk gave an update on the street improvement project and provided the council with maps, lists and what water and sewer would be affected. The next stop is a public hearing which was scheduled for Dec. 17 at the Welcome Legion Hall. After the hearing, the council could begin asking for plans and making resolutions. The council approved the feasibility report and hearing plans.

In other news:

— The Fire Department got a $2,500 donation from Central Farm Service.

— The tree grant update stated that the DNR approved work being done next year with reimbursement for the trees to be ordered but not the planting in March. They also sent a list of trees available. The city has 27 trees to be removed yet. The council discussed planting trees where they were removed and only on city property, which is part of the grant rules. This brought up the dilemma that trees planted on the boulevard may be in the way of Public Works. The DNR will be contacted about that.

— The old bush hog mower was moved to excess property and will be for sale.

— The clerk’s report showed the council two bids for snow removal and Mark Stoffel was awarded the contract. There were some unpaid utility bills and the council approved sending them to the county to be put on the property tax list. Some were for mowing and some for water and sewer.

— Jodi Hemann, the clerk, thanked the council for the memorial for her father who died recently.

— The council reports asked about the EDA and joint powers meetings that should be scheduled soon. They also asked about the internet on the tower that is not used. The public works will investigate that matter and report at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 3 at City Hall.