The Wells Municipal building is in need of roof repairs and will probably have to be replaced in a couple of years. The Wells City Council is waiting for repair bids before making a decision of what to do.

The Wells City Council received some good news and some bad news at their April 24 meeting regarding the roof over City Hall.

Some water leaks have shown up on the roof and there was concern at the previous council meeting that the whole roof might have to be replaced, something which was not scheduled to take place until 2025 or 2026.

“The cost to replace the roof came in higher than we thought it would,” city administrator Connor LaPointe told the members. “Depending on which option we would choose, the price to replace the roof could range from $132,500 on the low end to almost $166,000 on the high end.”

Then, LaPointe shared the good news.

“After performing an inspection of the roof, the people from Schwickert’s Tecta America out of Mankato believe the roof can be patched and we can delay a whole roof replacement for a couple of more years.”

LaPointe shared the quote for repairing the roof was $11,589.

Because the council only has one quote, they tabled the matter until more bids were available.

The roof on City Hall was not the only maintenance item the council members discussed.

Replacement of the furnace and/or air conditioner at the Wells Fire Hall was also discussed, but since the council currently only had one quote, they decided to table any action until more bids and options were available for their review.

City engineer Ben Rosol was at the meeting and reported he will be meeting with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to begin planning for the Highway 22 project.

“The other thing coming up is the bid opening for the mill and overlay project which we will do on May 17,” Rosol commented.

Later in the meeting, Rosol asked for, and received approval for, Task Order No. 4 of the Stormwater Master Plan which he had presented to the council at the previous meeting.

Council members passed a resolution accepting a $20,000 donation for city promotion from the Shirley M. Bartholomew Foundation. Then they voted to make a $20,000 donation to the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce to help fund their sponsored events.

“Because of the way some of the laws are written, the Shirley M. Bartholomew Foundation cannot donate the money directly to the chamber,” LaPointe explained to the council. “So the money has to go through the city to keep things legal.”

A resolution was also approved accepting donations in the amount of $12,250 to help fund the installation of a concession stand at Thompson Park.

During his report to the council, LaPointe said the city had not received any applications to fill the vacant deputy clerk position.

“The application period closes on April 28,” LaPointe reminded members.

“What is the salary for that position?” asked council member Crystal Dulas.

“It can range from $20.50 per hour to as high as $31 per hour depending on experience,” LaPointe answered.

Council members suggested advertising in the Albert Lea and Mankato areas to see if they can draw some interest for filling the position.

LaPointe said he, along with the city administrators of Winnebago and Blue Earth, are encouraging Faribault County to adopt a county wide tax abatement program similar to what the three cities have done to encourage the building of new homes in the county.

He concluded his report by saying the new fencing at Thompson Park had been installed and that the baby pool liner should be installed at the Wells Swimming Pool during the first week of May.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the request of the Wells Library Foundation to close the block in front of the Wells Public Library on Saturday, June 3, from 8-11 a.m. for the annual Fun Run/ Walk event.

• Also granted the request of the Maple Valley Classics Car Club to close off an area of streets in downtown Wells on Saturday, Aug. 12, during Kernel Days for the 20th Annual Classic Car Show.

• Voted to grant an easement to Tammy Brandt so her house can be hooked up to the city sewer line with the condition that Brandt will assume the cost of the project.