Shaun Willaby, right, is sworn in as a police officer by council member Bill Herman at the Wells City Council meeting on Monday, April 11.

Shaun Willaby was sworn in as the newest member of the Wells Police Department during the City Council meeting on Monday, April 11.

“Shaun has been a part-time officer for the Mapleton Police Department before coming to Wells,” police chief Tim Brenegan explained.

In other police business, it was noted officer Ryan Elasky had submitted his resignation and would be working his last day on April 14.

According to his resignation letter, Elasky has accepted a position as a conservation officer with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

Brenegan also had some other news to share.

“Our bodycams came in on March 31,” Brenegan noted. “Our training dates for learning how to use the cameras have been set for April 26 and 27.”

Brenegan also gave a quick summary of the speed study conducted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) on Highway 22 and Highway 109.

“They throw a lot of data at you and it can get confusing,” Brenegan said. “The speed zones will remain mostly the same. The only place where there will be a change in speed is between Herman Manufacturing and the Dairy Queen. The only other changes involve repositioning some of the signs on the edge of town.”

City administrator Connor LaPointe reported the city has received word MnDOT will be funding up to $38,000 towards project costs at the airport.

“This dates back to 2020 when we applied to the state to fund a HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system replacement,” LaPointe explained. “The original quote we had for that project was $10,000. We will also look at doing some roof repair and replacing windows.”

He also told council members the golf course was able to open on April 9.

“We had a some golfers on the course,” La Pointe mentioned. “I am still working on getting the golf course kiosk up and running and am interested to see how it works over the next few weeks.”

LaPointe also announced Hallie Raimann had been hired as the pool manager for this year along with assistants Aaron Bullerman and Arianne Schaper.

“I want to remind the council the county will be doing a mill and overlay on County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 29 going north out of town this year,” La Pointe added.

City engineer Ben Rosol did not think there would be any problems for the city with the project which begins north of the Highway 22/Highway 109/CSAH 29 intersection.

“It is all newer PVC pipe in that area so I think we are in good shape,” Rosol commented.

Rosol also took time to review the five-year Street Improvement Project.

“We would look at doing a total of four blocks of mill and overlay work on Third Avenue Southwest and Fourth Avenue Southwest in 2023,” Rosol said. “In 2024, the county plans on reconstructing CSAH 60 (North Broadway) from Franklin to Second Street Northeast. The city will also look at doing some work on Fifth and Sixth avenues. For 2025 we are looking at the possibility of doing an overlay for four blocks on Half Moon Road.”

A vote to approve the Street Improvement Project passed unanimously.

In other business the council:

• Voted to table a request from Jennifer Walsh to vacate a right-of-way until more information is available.

• Declined to take action on concrete work quotes from two contractors until a more clear description of the work provided is available.

• Voted to approve the hiring of Christine Hansen as a part-time employee at Wells Liquor Depot.

• Had the first reading of Ordinance 22-03 allowing the use of sheet metal siding in the city. All dwellings that use sheet metal siding must use hidden fasteners.