WELLMAN

How to best update Wellman’s aging water system continues to be a concern for the City of Wellman, and that topic consumed the majority of the city council’s time on Monday night. 

At the regular meeting on March 4, a resolution to approve a water purchase agreement with Wapello Rural Water was tabled until the next meeting, as city staff was concerned their water usage would be lower than Wapello projected.

During the work session that followed, the council debated how to handle water main replacement along Hwy 22.  The existing water main along Hwy 22 is in the DOT state highway right of way, but engineers suggested getting a private easement with the Wellman Golf Course may be a better long-term option. If the DOT makes changes to Hwy 22 in the future, relocating the main at that time would be at the city’s expense.

Concerns were raised about the challenges created by a private easement with the golf course.  Many unknowns made the decision about how to proceed difficult; ultimately the council leaned toward keeping the water main where it is for now.

PAWS & More

Amber Talbot, director of PAWS & More animal shelter in Washington, updated the council on the organization’s plans for building a new shelter.  PAWS has raised $860,000 for the new building, which has a $3.5 million total price tag; they plan to apply for a Riverboat grant this spring to help with the cost.

The new shelter would be 9,000 sq. ft., double the footprint of the current facility.  New state requirements mandate cats and dogs have more space, Talbot said, so the new shelter would not have much additional capacity for animals.  It would, however, have separate areas for animal intake and adoption, which she said is very much needed.

Talbot thanked the city for their 28E agreement, and Mayor Ryan Miller thanked Talbot for providing animal services to the city.

“For individual communities, there’s no way we could do this on our own,” Miller said.

Council Action

The council held three public hearings during which no comments were made.  They then proceeded to pass first readings of the corresponding ordinance changes. 

The council passed a first reading of the beekeeping ordinance, which would allow beekeeping within city limits; four council members were in favor, with council member Fern Bontrager opposed.

The council passed a first reading of the utility deposit ordinance, which would increase water and gas deposits for renters to $500 total.

The council passed a first reading of an updated liquor and cigarette sales ordinance in order to comply with new state legislation.

The council passed a first reading of an updated fiscal management ordinance in order to comply with new state legislation.

The council accepted annual reports for the Municipal Gas System.

The Wellman City Council will next meet on Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.