The Wells City Council met on Monday, June 12, and decided to proceed with the process of abating a hazardous house in the city.

“The owner, Mr. Grant, was served with papers on May 18. We received a letter the next day from him saying he would like to negotiate,” assistant city attorney Cristina Cruz-Jennings told the council. “He has requested communication be done only by mail – not by email or phone. However, when we sent him a letter by certified mail it was returned unopened. It makes it hard to negotiate.”

Cruz-Jennings was asked what happens if the city continues with legal action.

“We should be able to get a default order as Mr. Grant did not respond within 20 days after he was served,” she replied.

“I think we should proceed with the legal process,” mayor David Braun commented.

The rest of the council members, which included Brenda Weber and John Herman, agreed and passed a motion to continue with the legal process for the matter.

The council also had the first reading of an Interim Cannabis Moratorium Ordinance which had been prepared by their attorney.

“We will have a second reading at our July meeting and then a public hearing at the August meeting before we take a vote on the matter,” Braun explained.

Cruz-Jennings told the council the proposed moratorium would be for one year.

“It gives the city the chance to study the matter and see how everything goes,” she said. “I will also remind you the moratorium can be lifted at any time.”

Cruz-Jennings also shared a memorandum for the council to study which provides a summary and discussion of the Family and Medical Leave Act, including the potential impacts to the city. No discussion on the matter was held at this time.

City administrator Connor La Pointe reported he was still working on getting facilities audit proposals.

“I intend on getting three different companies to submit plans and proposals,” La Pointe added.

He also informed the council of some bad news concerning the Wells Swimming Pool.

“The new baby pool liner proved to be slippery and it cost the city another $6,000 to get it right,” La Pointe said. “The company who did the work claimed the original installation was the same one they always did, but it was very slippery. The other bad news is there is a crack in the heat exchanger and it is out of warranty.”

He did not have any cost estimates for fixing the heat exchanger.

“Jesse Sturtz from Abdo will be providing training for our financial officers while they adapt to their new positions. We have had 30 people apply for the part-time job with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles),” La Pointe shared. “Finally, I have provided you with a League of Minnesota Cities review on the 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session.”

The council also:

• Approved a request by the Wells VFW to close their parking lot at 9 a.m. on July 8 while they hold a fundraising event.

• Voted to accept donations in the amount of $500 for the concession stand at Thompson Park and in the amount of $26,000 for the baseball field lighting project at Thompson Park.

• Approved the resignation of Scott Linde from the Wells Fire Department.

“He has done an amazing job for the department, especially in grant writing,” Weber added.