Cole Larson, left, Ashley Ignaszewski, middle, and Coryn Kluender, right, talked about improvements at Thompson Park.

A little snag has arisen in the cooperative construction agreement between MnDOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation) and the city of Wells. That was the news that city engineer Ben Rosol shared with the Wells City Council at their regular meeting on Oct. 13.

“There are a few items in the proposed agreement that we have concerns with,” Rosol stated. “We need clarification on some items and the DOT failed to address the city’s concerns on some other items.”

The bids for the project are scheduled to be opened on Oct. 22 and the state wants the agreement signed prior to the bid opening.

“It makes sense that the state would want a signed agreement,” city attorney MaKaia Dykema remarked. “However, it also is in the best interest of the city to get their concerns addressed. There is significant clarity missing from the agreement.”

After discussing the matter, the council approved an amended resolution authorizing the agreement subject to any subsequent changes approved by the city administrator, the city’s legal council and the city’s engineering firm.

If changes cannot be agreed upon, it may require a special City Council meeting and it may also delay the opening of the bids.

“This amended resolution will provide for more flexibility to allow three people to work with the state to address the issues we have concerns with,” Dykema noted.

The council also revisited the possibility of applying for a DNR (Department of Natural Resources) grant to remove ash trees from city-owned property.

“The map showing where there was infestation of the ash borer was updated since our last meeting,” Rosol explained. “The city of Wells is now included in the shaded area of the map where the ash borer is more prevalent and would now have a better chance of qualifying for grant funding.”

The grant covers the removal of ash trees and replacing the removed tree with another tree.

“This is a competitive grant with a total of $4.9 million available through the state,” Rosol stated. “It would cost the city about $3,000 to have Bolton and Menk prepare the application.”

Asked when the deadline for the application was, Rosol informed council members the original deadline had been Oct. 13.

“However, that deadline has now been extended to the end of November,” he commented. “So we would have time to prepare the grant application.”

Rosol also reminded the council about another currently available grant, the LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Grant.

“This grant is typically funded when the bonding bill is passed at the State Legislature,” Rosol said. “There will be $47 million in the state that will be available to cities, towns and townships and an applicant could receive up to $1.5 million.”

Rosol said the grant covered roads, streets, sidewalks and storm sewers and listed a couple of possible projects where the grant could be used. He also told council members the cost to apply for that grant would be about $5,000.

After some discussion, the council passed a motion to direct Rosol to apply for both grants.

Rosol also reported that concrete work within the street will be completed soon on the Broadway project and that the work will continue with resurfacing the driveways.

Next, the council received an update and presentation on the Thompson Park Master Plan by Cole Larson of Bolton and Menk.

“The goal of this plan is to improve Thompson Park to make it a more inviting place,” Larson said. “The softball field would be moved about 25 feet to the east. The softball field has a drop off in the outfield that is outside of regulatory norms and would be regraded and reseeded.”

Among other big changes included in the proposal are the addition of four pickleball courts, a basketball court, new playground equipment, repaving the parking lot, more paved pathways, eliminating the standing-water issues in the softball outfield, adding new ADA compliant bleachers for both the softball and baseball fields and new dugouts.”

If everything on the proposal were to be done, the total cost would be almost $3,000,000.

“This proposal is designed so improvements can be made as money becomes available,” Larson said. “It does not all have to done at once and some things may not be done at all.”

Larson stressed that this plan was for informational purposes only.

“Our next step is to begin working on raising money to fund the project,” Ashley Ignaszewski of the Wells Softball Association commented. “We are partnering with the Mankato Area Foundation and the money will be set aside and only used for Thompson Park.”

The council thanked Larson and Ignaszewski for keeping them informed on the project.

Council members reviewed two proposals for an expansion of the apron at the Wells Municipal Airport before deciding not to approve either option.

Option A was for a 290 foot by 80 foot expansion with a taxilane. Option B was for a 265 foot by 60 foot expansion and did not include a taxilane.

The state would cover 90 percent of the total cost of either project.

Option A called for the state to pay $409,309 and the city of Wells to pay $45,479. Option B had the state paying $295,591 and the city contributing $32,843.

“These are funding opportunities that regularly come along,” Rosol said. “The main reason for the expansion would be to provide a hard surface with tie-downs for aircraft. It would also allow for another hanger to be built on a hard surface.”

Because these funding opportunities will come around again, council members felt now was not the time to go forward with either proposal.

“I think we should hold off,” council member Brenda Weber said.

Council member John Herman agreed and added, “With all the expenses going on, I think we should put this on hold until the funding comes along again.”

A report on asbestos, lead and air quality in City Hall revealed no major surprises. Removing damp, moldy carpet from the basement and lowering the humidity in the offices will be two things which will be addressed by the council.

The council has received one proposal for mold removal but will solicit other bids before making any decisions.

In other business,

• The council approved pay estimate No. 1, in the amount of $520,672, to Holtmeier Construction for work completed on the Broadway Improvement Project.

• The council approved the hiring of Kimberly Kastens to work at the Wells Liquor Depot.

• Approval was given to Pheasants Forever for a gambling permit for an event on Dec. 6 at the Wells VFW Club.

• The council approved Ordinance 2025-03 to amend Wells City Code Title VII, Chapter 70 related to parking and storage of certain recreational vehicles.