The Wells City Council proclaimed January as National Mentoring Month in the city. Pictured, left to right, are STARS Mentoring board president Taylor McCullough, city administrator Tiffany Schrader, council member Crystal Dulas, STARS program director Watsana Thiravong, mayor David Braun, Stars board member Barbara Roberts, council members Brenda Weber, Nancy Kruger.

The big item on the agenda of the Wells City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 26, was the public hearing on the proposal to adopt a street reconstruction plan and the intent to issue General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds.

Jessica Green of Northland Securities was at the meeting to explain the financing plans.

“The first item I will discuss is the issuance of $3,990,000 in General Obligation Temporary Utility Revenue Bonds,” Green said. “Proceeds from the bonds will be used to finance water, sewer and storm sewer improvements associated with the Highway 22 project. The reason they are temporary is because the bonds are expected to be retired with a long-term loan through the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA).”

The bonds will mature on Dec. 15, 2028 and the true interest cost of the bonds is estimated to be 3.52 percent.

“The other application will be for $1,265,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026B. This is to finance work that is not eligible for PFA financing,” Green explained “These bonds will have a 20-year maturity date and the estimated true interest cost is 4.04 percent.”

No members of the public offered any comments during the public hearing and resolutions to proceed with the issuance of both bonds were each passed by unanimous votes.

The sale date for the bonds has been scheduled for March 4.

City engineer Ben Rosol shared that a pre-construction meeting for the Highway 22 Project has been scheduled for Feb. 12.

“I am anticipating that construction will begin in April, weather permitting,” Rosol said. “I expect work will begin on the west end of Highway 109 where it enters the city.”

Rosol noted that Ulland Brothers had been awarded the contract for the project on Dec. 17 of last year and that the total city cost, which includes construction and construction engineering, will be $5,878,704.

The council also held a brief discussion on the City Hall building with council member Crystal Dulas expressing her thoughts that it was time to move forward on the matter.

“We should be getting more information on the costs associated with the City Hall building,” Dulas said. “That will help us determine what option we want to take, whether it is fixing up the current building or we come to the decision it is not worth fixing up.”

During this discussion it was mentioned that the former Mayo Clinic building would be coming up for sale at some point in the future. The question was raised if that building could serve as the town’s City Hall which led back to the original point that Dulas made that the council needs to move forward and consider what options are available, and what those options would cost in order to be able to make a decision.

Council members considered three different HVAC maintenance proposals for city properties before voting to accept a bid from Preferred Heating & Cooling in the amount of $3,785.

With members of the STARS Mentoring organization on hand, mayor David Braum read and signed a proclamation declaring January 2026 as National Mentoring Month in Wells.

The council also:

• Approved the request of the Wells Rifle and Pistol Association for parking on one side of 11th Street Southwest and on one side of Sixth Avenue Southwest during the association’s annual gun show which will be held March 14-15, at the United South Central High School.

During a closed session the council gave city administrator Tiffany Schrader a positive review. Contracts for Schrader and police chief Tim Brenegan will be brought forth for approval at the next regularly scheduled council meeting on Feb. 9.

• Approved special considerations to allow for food trucks, a band and parking for the Hander Built Car Show and Cruise Event to be held on May 2 on Broadway.

• Heard from Schrader that the basement in City Hall had been emptied and cleaned out.

• Learned that the audit process for 2025 is already underway.

• Voted to have council member Nancy Kruger be the acting mayor if mayor David Braun is unable to attend a meeting.

• Passed a resolution designating the South Central News as the official newspaper for the city for 2026.

• Passed a resolution naming Peoples State Bank of Wells and Citizens Community Federal Bank of Wells as the official general depositories for 2026 for the city’s general operating checking accounts.

• Passed a resolution adopting the 2025 Faribault County Hazard Mitigation Plan.