The sign for the ATM is clearly visible in the window of the Wells City Hall in this Register file photo. It is the reason the lobby is unlocked at night.

The Wells City Council had just four items to consider under new business and very few reports to listen to when they met for their regular meeting on Monday, June 9.

One of the more interesting items discussed during the meeting was a situation which has recently occurred at City Hall.

“We have had an issue during the last couple of weeks with people sleeping in the women’s restroom,” city administrator Tiffany Schrader reported. “And it’s causing problems.”

During discussion about the matter, it was learned that the lobby in the City Hall building is kept unlocked because there is an ATM machine located there which is owned by People’s State Bank.

“Could we add a gate beyond the cash machine that could be locked so people wouldn’t have access to the restrooms?” council member John Herman inquired.

Nobody at the meeting had knowledge on what the arrangement with the bank has been for having their ATM machine in the lobby but Schrader said she was pretty certain the bank did not pay a fee for using that space.

“Maybe they could pay the cost of installing a gate if they want to keep their machine there,” Herman offered.

The council directed Schrader to contact People’s State Bank and report back with some possible solutions.

Schrader reported that the auditors are in the process of wrapping things up with the city’s audit.

“No estimated completion date has been provided yet,” Schrader commented. “But it is anticipated that the process will be finished soon.”

Schrader also provided updates to the council on applications for two positions with the city.

“We received three more applications for the Public Works supervisor position over the past two weeks,” she said. “The total number of applications is now seven. The Personnel Committee will begin reviewing the candidates to determine who qualifies for interviews with the goal of scheduling those interviews within the next couple of weeks.”

Schrader shared there has also been strong interest in the golf course clubhouse attendant position.

“We have received five applications to date,” she noted. “The Personnel Committee will convene soon to review the applications and move forward with the interview process. The goal is to fill this position as soon as possible. Hopefully, that can be achieved in the coming weeks.”

Schrader also announced that FariCares will be sponsoring a series of free family movies every other Thursday throughout the summer. The schedule of free movies begins on June 12 and concludes on Aug. 21.

City engineer Ben Rosol was at the meeting and reported the last layer of bituminous to finish the 2024 Fifth and Sixth Avenue projects had been completed.

The council voted to approve pay request No. 5, for Holtmeier Construction, in the amount of $276,772.

“We should only have one more payment to make after this,” Rosol commented.

He also told council members that work had begun on the Thompson Park Master Plan.

“We are gathering input from people of the community to learn what they would like to see,” Rosol said. “The only other news I have for you tonight is that the final specifications for the Highway 109/22 project are set to be completed by the end of this month.”

Council members reviewed the ordinance relating to building permits with their main concern being how to make sure that projects are completed and not left partially finished for years.

“What can we do to get them to get their projects done?” Crystal Dulas asked.

City attorney Christina Cruz-Jennings told council members she will reach out to other cities to see what they do to address that particular situation.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a proposal from Braun Intertec Corporation to provide construction materials testing services for the city of Wells’ County State Aid Highway 60 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

• Passed a resolution accepting the security bond payment and releasing claims from Mensing Construction LLC related to its bid on the Broadway Improvement Project.

• Approved the hiring of John Kopp for the Wells Police Department and Ezra Roloff for the Flame Theatre.

• Scheduled a work session for June 23, at 5 p.m. with the next regular council meeting to be held on Monday, July 14, at 5 p.m.