This new sign is one of many planned improvements to the city-owned Wells Golf Course.

It may not feel like golf weather yet, but at the Wells City Council meeting on March 28, city administrator Connor LaPointe told the council members plans are being made to open the Wells Golf Course on Saturday, April 9.

“The weather has made it tough to get some of the things done that we want to work on,” LaPointe shared. “Still, we are planning on opening in less than two weeks. I like the idea of opening on a Saturday.”

LaPointe also shared news from the newly-created personnel committee.

“Council members Nancy Kruger, Brenda Weber and I met on March 16,” LaPointe said. “Our first recommendation is to increase the pay for part-time liquor employees by $1 per hour. The personnel committee estimates this will increase liquor store fund expenditures by $3,000 per year.”

LaPointe explained that based on past year revenues, the store can remain profitable while supporting the wage raise.

“The increase is part of an initiative to retain liquor store personnel and support the staffing levels required to keep the store operational,” LaPointe noted.

A motion to adopt the wage increase passed unanimously.

The next recommendation, which the council also passed unanimously, was to promote Tiffany Schrader from administrative associate to Community Development director.

“The scope of her (Schrader’s) job duties have greatly expanded from when she was first brought on in 2017,” LaPointe explained. “As the executive director of the Wells Housing and Redevelopment Authority (as set forth in their bylaws and by city resolution) and acting in a similar capacity as staff support to the Economic Development Authority, Mrs. Schrader has taken on duties that are more in line with the responsibilities of a Community Development director than an administrative associate.”

The final recommendation from the personnel committee concerned staffing levels of the Street Department.

“The cost to add an additional employee to the department is approximately $70,000 per year,” LaPointe reported. “While an additional employee with mechanical skills would be expected to help reduce the cost of repairs, the personnel committee wishes to evaluate the financial impact at the end of the fiscal year when we have more data before making the decision whether to fill the vacant position.”

Police Chief Tim Brenegan was also at the meeting and told the council the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) had completed a speed study.

“I will have a complete report ready by the next council meeting,” Brenegan said. “From what I have seen so far, it looks like there will be one small change on the Highway 109 beltline.”

Also, at the meeting:

• During the public comment portion of the meeting, Faribault County Commissioner Bill Groskreutz thanked the council for their time and effort concerning County Ditch 87 issues.

• The first reading for an amendment to the Land Use ordinance regarding the use of steel siding on residential buildings was scheduled for the council’s next meeting on April 11.