WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening and the Oath of Office was taken by the re-elected Councilman, Elroy Glidden, and the re-elected mayor, Dan Schmidtke. The oath was also taken by a new Councilman, Jon Auringer.

A Gig Fire internet provider representative, Cody Malepsy, explained that 33 households subscribe to their network. He agreed that $25 a month is inadequate for the water tower for their antenna since the city hall isn’t using their services. He paid for 2024 services and discussed the 2025 contract for using the tower at $1,200 a year. The council discussed charging $1,800 a year but ultimately approved a contract charging $1,600 a year. The company did not want to cut the services and cancel subscriptions, and the city did not want the company to raise rates in order to pay for the contract.

The council approved a bid from Brian Rosburg of $13,000 for removing 44 trees and cleaning up the areas by the trees. The city employees said the new trees will be ordered from Drummers and that is in the works now. The city employees were approved to buy and install a new door for the city shop.

The clerk’s report included the approval of the Union contract and the need to update the salary of Max Longley since he has a license and that was not done. She also showed the council the bad condition of the bathrooms at the city hall. The council agreed that the one bathroom should be repaired and asked the city employees to do that and to see about bids for any needed parts to repair one bathroom.

In other action:

— The council approved some annual items including fee schedules listed in the codebook, committees, designations, and meeting dates (6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays) at city hall.

— The council approved bills over $500, signatures at the bank for Dan and Jodi, and the update for securities at the Bank to protect the assets of the City.

— Travis Winter, engineer at Bolton and Menk, updated the sewer investigation for storm sewer and suggested several streets and alleys to work on and he presented the plan for the order of improvement and preparation for the street project. That order was approved.

— The clerk brought up a letter from the State Treasury and auditor requesting tracking election costs. The council approved letting the State track those.

— The council approved the St. Paul’s Church putting up a new sign naming their Church “St. Paul’s Community Church” eliminating the United Church of Christ part of their name.

— The council reports asked that all bids and quotes be sealed until they open them or they will not be considered.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Jan. 21 at city hall.