Wells City Council members are shown at their most recent meeting, along with city engineer Ben Rosol, in the foreground.

In an effort to combat the stray and feral cat program in their city, the members of the Wells City Council are exploring the possibility of hiring Camp Companion to assist with the problem.

Speaking at the council’s Feb. 23 meeting, city administrator Tiffany Schrader said that stray and feral cats have been an ongoing issue in Wells for a number of years.

“The city has received complaints related to large colonies and other general nuisance concerns,” Schrader commented. “In addition, unmanaged feral cat populations can create public health concerns and animal welfare issues. A more structured and long-term approach may be necessary to meaningfully reduce the population over time.”

Camp Companion is a regional rescue organization that assists communities with implementing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs.

“A TNR program typically involves four steps,” Schrader said. “They humanely trap the feral cats, spay or neuter them, vaccinate them and then they return them to their original location.”

Camp Companion has worked with the city of Elmore in Faribault County and also with the nearby city of Albert Lea in Freeborn County.

The council members directed Schrader to continue exploring the idea and get some more detailed information on the proposed cost to operate the program in Wells.

The City Council also learned that Public Works operator Richard Brandeberg had tendered his resignation effective Feb. 27. The council adopted a motion to accept the resignation while also directing Schrader to begin the process of hiring a replacement for the position.

Council members reviewed the job description for the position and made a couple of minor changes. Schrader said she is expecting there to be good interest in the position.

During her report to the council Schrader said that the locks on the Community Center had been changed due to an unfortunate situation at the building.

She also announced that the City Newsletter is back.

“It is being published on the city’s website,” Schrader said. “At this time we are not mailing it out with the utility bills as had been done in the past. That decision was made because of the costs associated with printing. I welcome any feedback or suggestions from the council regarding the future format and the frequency of distribution of the newsletter.”

Schrader also reminded the council members of the special meeting which is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4.

“The meeting will be at 5 p.m. here at the Community Center,” Schrader stated. “It is for the Series 2026A and 2026B General Obligation bond sales. Jessica Green from Northland Securities will be in attendance.”

Public Works director Adam Schroeder attended the meeting and reported that workers have been busy trimming trees.

“We have also been busy in the shop,” Schroeder reported. “We have been doing some painting and making sure everything is OSHA compliant.”

He also told the council that the lighting is being updated in one of the shops and that the cost is being funded by rebates.

“We held our pre-construction meeting on Feb. 12 with Ulland Brothers and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT),” city engineer Ben Rosol informed the council. “They put ribbons around the trees they will be cutting down for the Highway 22/109 project and hope to start removing the trees in March.”

Rosol also announced an open house is currently scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 2, from 4-6 p.m. for residents who wish to learn more about the upcoming Highway 22/109 project.

“MnDOT is planning on providing monthly updates on the progress of the highway project,” Rosol concluded.

Wells Public Library director Betsy Bushlack was at the meeting and shared that almost 100 adults signed up for the library’s winter reading program. Bushlack also mentioned the theme this year for the Summer Reading program is “Unearth a Story.”

“We will be doing “Songs of Summer” again this year,” Bushlack,” commented. “With the Jolly Pops Band visiting in June, Polka Sol! in July and Hard Days Night will be returning with a completely different set of songs from Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper.”

Bushlack had one final announcement she was able to share.

“We have a book selected for the Faribault County Reads program,” Bushlack said. “Everyone has their “pass around copies” so I can reveal the book is “The Codebreaker’s Daughter” by Amy Lynn Green. People will be able to find a copy at their local Faribault County Library starting Monday.”

In other business, the council:

• Approved a gambling permit for the Wells Fire Department to hold a raffle on July 25 at the Wells Fire Station.

• Approved a gambling permit for the Wells Historical Society to hold a raffle on Aug. 29.