The Wells City Council, at their meeting on April 22, discussed various options for being able to get the baby pool at the Wells Municipal Pool in operation in time for the start of the swimming season.

According to Street and Parks foreman Mike Pyzick, material continues to peel off from the coating TMI Coatings applied to the pool last year.

“The wind blew another piece away today,” Pyzick said.

Council members considered three different options, including accepting a proposal by TMI to make repairs on the pool with the stipulation the city sign a release discharging TMI from future claims. Another option would have city workers remove the current coating and reapply an epoxy coating, while the third option would involve litigation against TMI in an attempt to enforce the warranty under the terms of the contracts.

After a lot of discussion, the council directed their city attorney’s office to contact TMI and ensure that all areas that were no longer bonded would be repaired and that the work would be completed by May 21, so the product has time to cure properly before the pool’s scheduled opening around June 8.

“If they will agree to those terms, then we could sign off,” council member John Herman commented. “Otherwise, we will have Mike and his crew remove the coating and apply the epoxy coating.”

Ava Tvedten, representing New Chances Humane Society, was at the meeting to present a contract to the city for the holding of impounded animals for the city at New Chance’s facility in Blue Earth.

“The cost per kennel will be $350 per month which will cover the cost of reserving the kennel for any animal that you wish to be held at that location,” Tvedten explained. “More than one animal can use this kennel per month but not at the same time.”

Tvedten reviewed the remainder of the contract with the council who then proceeded to pass a motion agreeing to the terms of the contract.

Assistant city attorney Libby Kantner was at the meeting and updated council members on the proposed cannabis ordinance.

“We are playing a waiting game with the legislature to see if they are going to produce more guidelines for cities to follow,” Kantner said. “We continue working on a proposed ordinance and will have one ready for you to consider before your one-year moratorium expires.”

Kantner shared her office had looked into the $59,000 the city has remaining in their Small City Development Fund.

“There are no reporting requirements in regards to using those funds,” she told council members. “However, homeowners are required to use the funds for rehabilitation purposes.”

Police chief Tim Brenegan was at the meeting and reported the portable radios had arrived and were in the process of being programmed.

“There is no news on the squad car,” he added.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a request by the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce to allow food trucks to set up in the municipal parking lot, just to the north of the VFW, from 4-8 p.m. on May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19 and Sept 16.

• Passed Resolution No. 2024-17 accepting a bid from Holtmeier Construction, in the amount of $2,258,460, for the 2024 Street and Utility Project Schedule A bid, and $94,584 for the Schedule B bid.

• Approved Resolution 2024-18 accepting a donation from Wells VFW Post 1778, in the amount of $500, for the Half Moon Park volleyball nets.

• Discussed and approved Resolution 2024-19 approving the abatement of a nuisance tree located at 224th Ave. NW. The tree is diseased and overgrown and is so close to the surface of the sidewalk and street as to constitute a danger to pedestrians, vehicles and neighboring property owners.

• Approved, on a 4-1 vote, an application for an assessment deferral on 2021 street improvements by Tammy Hernandez. The reason for the deferral is because the person is retired by virtue of permanent and total disability, thereby creating a hardship in making payments. There was some concern the request had not been made in a timely manner which led to council member Crystal Dulas voting against the motion.