WELLMAN

There’s a lot of good things happening in Wellman. Replacement of the 9th Avenue bridge is on schedule and the City is optimistic it may be completed by the end of June. Rural water will run through the city’s pipes for the first time this week, reducing pressure on municipal wells. Goodwin Dining Center will once again host a Memorial Day brunch.

But some residents are vexed by their neighbors’ behavior, and that’s not something the City can do much about.

“He told us one thing and he broke his word,” a frustrated resident said during the Wellman City Council’s meeting Monday night. “He’s tearing our retaining wall down, and that wall has been there since the beginning.”

“I can’t do anything, that’s between two property owners to decide on, like where the property lines are,” City Administrator Kelly Litwiller responded. “I’m not getting into that dispute.”

Property lines and whether fences may be placed on them was a matter of discussion for the council on May 5, as they are looking at revising the city’s “atypical” fence and hedge ordinance, which currently requires a written agreement signed by both affected property owners when a fence will be located directly on a property line. The agreement must make explicit the fence’s material, location, and height and be filed with the County Recorder before being presented to the City with a request for permit.

Should property owners be unable to agree, the fence must be a minimum of three feet from the shared lot line.

Although the council has yet to take action on the ordinance, a revised ordinance is being crafted under the guidance of the city attorney that would remove neighbor approval for fences placed directly on the lot line.

Where exactly lot lines are located is not something within the City’s purview.

Council Action

The council authorized the bid process and set a public hearing for the proposed sale of the city-owned property at 818 10th Avenue. The city plans to accept sealed bids for the property, which includes a distressed house, starting at $20,000 minimum; bids must include detailed plans for the property, being sold as-is, due August 22. The public hearing is set for May 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The council set an additional public hearing for FY25 budget amendment on the same date.

The council approved job description and responsibilities for the Public Works Director.

The council approved a quote from Thrapp Electric to replace bulbs and the timer on tennis court lights.

The council approved a quote from USDI in the amount of $94,262 for a natural gas waterbath heater, a required update.

The council approved a quote from Boyse Storm in the amount of $2,000 to replace a faulty stormwater pipe on 2nd Street.

The Wellman City Council will next meet on Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.