Wells became the first city in Faribault County to enact a temporary moratorium on the sale, testing, manufacturing, cultivating, growing, transporting, delivery and distribution of cannabinoid products.
The vote to put the moratorium in place followed a public hearing on the matter. No one from the public commented on the proposed ordinance and the City Council passed the one-year moratorium by a unanimous vote.
Looking into the future, the council also discussed the use of cannabinoid products in public places but took no action at this time.
During another public hearing, this one on 2021 street and utility improvement special assessments, a few members of the public came forward with questions for city engineer Ben Rosol.
Some of the questions dealt with how the assessments were figured while others questioned the condition some portions of their lots were left in.
“We can look at where imprints were left in lawns and those can be fixed,” Rosol said. “Those are covered by our agreement with the contractor.”
Rosol explained that in order for the street projects to be eligible for funding, the project must assess at least 20 percent of the cost to benefitting properties.
The final cost of the Third Avenue SW project was $663,340 and the final assessed amount was $141,956. The Northeast Area project totaled $2,213,793 and the total assessed was $575,658.
During his report to the council, city administrator Connor LaPointe shared he is working on updating the city’s personnel policy.
“Due to legislative changes, we will want to incorporate changes to earned sick and safe leave, pregnancy and parenting leave, school conference and activities leave along with many others which are outlined in my written report,” LaPointe explained. “Because of the large number of changes, I believe it is time to discard the current Personnel Policy, which was last updated in 2007, and start fresh with the League of Minnesota City’s model policy. I recommend we put this policy on the agenda in December and subsequently put it into effect on Jan. 1, 2024. This will give our staff time to calculate the impact of the changes on our payroll process and also give the Personnel Committee an opportunity to review the policy.”
LaPointe also informed the council that the city engineer has recommended changes be made to the city’s assessment policy to bring clarity and efficiency to the assessment process.
“The current assessment policy was adopted in 2003,” LaPointe told the council. “A new policy will not change our assessment process, but will ensure accuracy, transparency and improved communication with residents. This will be on the agenda in October.”
LaPointe also mentioned there were concerns expressed by members of the Clark Township’s Board about the lack of input the townships were given in determining the charges for the annual rate of service agreements.
“Typically, with fire service agreements, a city will hold an “annual meeting” and allow each township a vote for the terms of the contract,” LaPointe explained. “Wells used to do this, but I am told that in the last iteration of the agreement (2021-2023), this step was skipped over and the city determined by itself that the rates would go up $5 per section each year. I told the Township Board that I understood their concerns and would recommend that we put together an annual meeting soon to work out the 2024-2026 contract.”
LaPointe also reported the lighting poles for the baseball field at Thompson Park were staked and that the contractor will be making repairs and swapping bulbs on some of the fixtures in the near future.
LaPointe concluded his report by informing council members that ISG plans on starting to conduct site visits next week as part of the process of performing the facility assessment study.
Assistant city attorney Cristina Cruz-Jennings was also at the meeting to update council members on the property at 203 First Avenue SE.
“The owner of the property, Tristan Grant, signed an abatement agreement on Aug. 3,” Cruz-Jennings said. “As part of the agreement, he is to furnish a structural engineer’s report to the city by Aug. 15 and complete roof repair by Aug. 31. He is to eliminate the hazardous conditions of the property by Aug. 1, 2024.”
Cruz-Jennings explained the benefit of having this agreement.
“If he does not meet the conditions of the agreement then the city will not have to go through the courts to abate the property,” Cruz-Jennings shared. “That will save the city time and money.”
Police Chief Tim Brenegan reported the department had received three AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) which were funded through the Minnesota AED Project Grant.
“The cost of the three units we received was approximately $3,600,” Brenegan said. “They are being utilized in our squad cars.”
Brenegan also shared with the council a bid for six new portable radios and one mobile unit.
“The total cost of the units is $37,851,” he commented. “But, the purchase is covered with money we are receiving from the state.
Brenegan concluded his report by telling the council he still had not received word on when the new Ford Explorer will be arriving.
“The state indicated that they should be rolling out this year,” Brenegan added. “However, Ford has not given us any dates yet.”
In other business:
• The council voted to accept the resignation of Josh Raimann from the Wells Fire Department.
• A motion was passed to accept donations totaling $4,500 for the baseball field lights and $1,000 for the new concession stand.
• LaPointe reported a theft of city-owned property including a CPR dummy, an AED and some petty cash with a total loss of about $1,200.
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