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Wells needs 2nd Cannabis Ordinance

It would amend codes to regulate temporary cannabis events

By Kevin Mertens - Staff Writer | Jan 19, 2025

The city of Wells declared January National Mentoring Month. Pictured above, left to right, are STARS board member Kari Burrows, Stars program director Watsana Thiravong, mayor David Braun, council member Brenda Weber, city administrator Tiffany Schrader and council member Nancy Kruger.

The Wells City Council held their first meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 13, and learned they were not done dealing with regulations regarding cannabis. So, after mayor-elect David Braun and re-elected council members Brenda Weber and Nancy Krueger took their oaths of office, the council began working on another cannabis ordinance.

City attorney Cristina Cruz-Jennings shared with the council members that she had hoped they were done setting up more cannabis ordinances.

“However, we need to work on an ordinance amending the city code pertaining to regulating temporary cannabis events. These are events that are allowed by state law,” Cruz-Jennings stated. “The main items we have to take care of are setting location restrictions and time restrictions. These events would still need to obtain a permit in order to be held.”

During discussion the council quickly came to a consensus that temporary cannabis events would not be allowed on any city-owned property or within 1,000 feet of a school, or city-owned parks that include a park feature that attracts minors.”

When it came to setting the time restrictions, the council members threw out many possibilities before settling on a starting time of 10 a.m. and an ending time of 7 p.m.

“I will put in the changes you made and have a copy for you at your next meeting later this month,” Cruz-Jennings concluded.

Also on the agenda was the topic of property damage which occurred at the Street Department shop location.

“On Dec. 28, a vehicle drove through the fence where the Street Department has its shop,” city administrator Tiffany Schrader told the council members. “In addition to the damage which was caused to the fence, picnic tables that were being stored, a utility trailer owned by the Wells Public Utilities and Christmas lights that belong to the Wells Area Chamber of Commerce.”

The good news, according to Schrader, is that the driver’s insurance company would be covering the cost of the damages.

“There were about 20 picnic tables in storage and it was determined 12 of them were beyond repair,” Schrader explained. “We will be replacing them with rectangular tables similar to what we already have. We also already have a quote to have the fence repaired. Everything will be covered in one settlement even though the Chamber and Wells Public Utilities are also involved.”

Schrader also shared a meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Feb. 27, to bring together members of different boards including the council, Housing Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Authority, Wells Area Chamber of Commerce and Wells Public Utilities to discuss various issues.

“They would like one representative from each board but one person cannot represent three boards,” council member John Herman clarified. “This would be a chance to meet and see if we are fighting the same battles.”

City engineer Ben Rosol was at the meeting and reported the Highway 22/109 project plans were submitted to the Minnesota Department of Transportation at the end of last year.

“We will still have to get the final blessing on the street lighting,” Rosol added. “But, that will not be a problem.”

On the subject of street lighting, Braun said he had met with those working on the lighting and the group was leaning towards using general stainless steel poles with LED lights.

“We plan to run the underground wire in conduits,” Braun commented.

During her report to the council, Schrader said she was making some changes at City Hall to enable things to run more efficiently and smoothly.

“I will be revising some job descriptions and will bring those changes to the next meeting,” Schrader noted. “We are also changing the company we use for uniforms and rugs. This is another change that is being made to save money. The final piece of information I have to share with you is that our property and liability insurance premium decreased by about $3,500 compared to last year.

Also at the meeting were Watsana Thiravong and Kari Burrows to seek a proclamation from the city of Wells declaring January as National Mentoring Month in the city of Wells.

Thiravong is the program director for the STARS mentoring program which operates in Freeborn County and the eastern half of Faribault County, Burrows is a board member of the organization.

Thiravong shared that mentors can make such a difference in the life of children who are under-served.

“It can be doing something as simple as sharing a meal with a child, biking or walking with them or playing a board game,” Thiravong said. “Research shows that mentored youth are less likely to start using alcohol and/or drugs. They maintain better attitudes in school, have improved attendance and have a better chance of going on to higher education.”

The council passed the proclamation.

In other business, the council took care of many housekeeping items, including:

• Designating the South Central News as the legal newspaper for the city.

• Setting the date and time for the regular City Council meetings as the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. The meetings will be held at the Wells Community Center.

• Signing a contract with ABDO for financial and audit services.

• Renewing the contract with CEDA (Community and Economic Development Associates) for 2025 at a cost of $72,576.

• Approving a contract for engineering services for 2025 with Bolton & Menk.

• Passing a resolution naming John Herman as the acting mayor in the absence of mayor David Braun.

• Approving a resolution appointing Peoples State Bank of Wells and Citizens Community Federal Bank as the official depositories for the city of Wells funds for the year 2025.