WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday evening. Bolton and Menk engineer Travis Winter, reported on the street project.

He is working on cost estimates planning. He has informed the gas, electric and internet companies that the project is coming. He will contact the company to televise several lines to investigate what has to be done. That would cost about $1,500 but should save some money if the lines do not require repair. He also suggested that the sidewalk on Mill Street be eliminated since it goes nowhere and is not used. The sidewalk on Dugan Street should be retained.

He asked the council to approve a permit to update the sewer which is under the railroad tracks contingent on the results of the televised inspection. He will ask the railroad for a permit if needed and the city permit begins that process if needed. The city work employees asked for two classes for the second employee this spring for water and biosolids for the sewer plant. The council approved the training. The council thanked the city employees for the timely help with salt/gravel when it was slippery with some ice this week.

The council asked about the water backup issue that was reported by residents that was caused by large amounts of grease that plugged a manhole. There was damage to a resident’s furnace and basement which may be an insurance issue. The council will talk to Gerhardts about a grease trap or what processing they do in the area affected. The Chief of Police, Trevor Yochim, reported that the new Squad car was ready.

In other business:

— The council approved the new city attorney contract.

— The council approved sending Jon Auringer to new member training in Alexandria and clerk, Jodi Hemann, to training for new municipal clerks for one day this spring.

— The council approved the locksmith bid from Foty for $4,000+ to put new locks on the water plant and chemical room and some others for the city. The Waste treatment plant has been upgraded but the water plant locks were almost unserviceable and if an inspection would find the locks unserviceable there would surely be a fine. The Council decided to be proactive and do the locks now.

The next meeting of the Welcome City Council will be at 6 p.m. Feb. 18 at City Hall.