Hallie Raimann, the coordinator for the STARS Mentoring program, and Wells mayor David Braun, right, hold the proclamation declaring January as National Mentoring Month in Wells.

It is official. The Wells City Council approved the employment agreement with new city administrator Tiffany Schrader during a short meeting on Monday, Jan. 8.

The length of the agreement is for two years beginning on Jan. 15 of this year with an annual salary of $82,692. If Schrader receives a satisfactory performance review after her first six months of employment, her annual salary will increase to $87,207.

Council member Crystal Dulas raised the possibility of requiring a minimum number of hours per week the city administrator would have to be in the office.

The concern of Dulas is that the city administrator be available a certain number of hours in her office so people can stop in and talk to her in person.

However, following discussion the council decided that they did not want to alter the agreement which both parties had already agreed to.

“I think we can talk to Tiffany about this,” council member John Herman said.

City engineer Ben Rosol was at the meeting and presented a review of the Public Works committee meeting held on Jan. 1.

“We discussed the street width and limit on Sixth Avenue NW and Fifth Avenue,” Rosol commented. “We also finalized proposed sidewalk plans for those same streets. No action is needed on those items at this time.”

“We have also talked about replacing street lighting during the Highway 22 construction project,” Rosol said. “I am working on a proposal with standard Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) lighting versus decorative lighting. I have also learned there may be money available from the state to help pay for the lighting.”

Rosol shared discussion was also held on tree removal/replacement for trees in the right of way of the proposed project and also for trees with Emerald Ash Borer.

“Do we implement a tree replacement program?” Rosol asked. “A replacement program will allow a greater variety of trees which a person could choose to plant. The city could offer reimbursement up to a certain amount for replacing trees.”

Rosol presented Blue Earth’s tree replacement program for street projects and the council voted to have Rosol and the city administrator develop a policy for Wells based on Blue Earth’s policy.

Rosol concluded his report by saying an open house has been scheduled for Monday, Feb. 12, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Wells Community Center, concerning the final layout for MnDOT Project 2204-06, which includes the reconstruction of Highway (Hwy) 22 from .06 miles south of 12th Street SW to the north junction of Hwy 109, as well as Hwy 108 from .31 miles west of Half Moon Road to the south junction with Hwy 22.

“A public hearing will be held in conjunction with a regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5 p.m.,” Rosol added. “It will also be held at the Wells Community Center.”

The council also passed a resolution to convey three properties to the Wells Housing Redevelopment Authority.

“These were tax-forfeited properties,” Herman explained. “They get returned to the county, then to the city and then we transfer them to the HRA.”

Hallie Raimann, the program coordinator for the STARS (Success Through Adults Reaching Students) Mentoring program, was at the meeting to bring attention to National Mentoring Month, which is observed in January.

“I represent Freeborn County and the eastern half of Faribault County,” Raimann explained.

Mayor David Braun signed a proclamation declaring January as National Mentoring Month in Wells.

In other business the council also:

• Approved a resolution designating South Central News and the Faribault County Register as the legal newspapers for the city for the calendar year 2024.

• Passed a resolution setting the meeting times for regular City Council meetings on the second and fourth Monday of every month, beginning at 5 p.m.