Wellman

With 2026 winding down, the Wellman City Council heard an update from Washington County YMCA CEO Amy Schulte, who reported that Wellman YMCA membership has returned to pre-COVID levels.

Schulte said members have been returning and signing back up. About 141 members, or 17%, receive some form of membership discount, while 85 members have addresses outside Wellman.

She also highlighted the Washington YMCA’s monthly food pantry, which sends leftover items to the senior dining center in Wellman for distribution.

At the Wellman facility, a new company refinished the gym floor, and a cleaning contract provided deeper cleaning of the locker rooms and gym floors.

The gym has hosted volleyball tournaments, with basketball tournaments beginning the Sunday before the meeting and continuing through February.

Youth sports also saw strong participation. Flag football had 76 players, one of its highest totals, while baseball and softball had a combined 109 participants.

“It kind of ebbs and flows a little bit, but we had 109 baseball, softball players,” Schulte said.

Rain forced fall soccer to move from the Wellman fields to Southtown, requiring teams to play in shifts and creating scheduling and parking challenges. Despite those difficulties, the program had 114 participants.

Schulte is also awaiting an estimate for permanent pickleball lines in the gym. The proposal would retain the two existing courts without adding more.

The YMCA’s murder mystery gala was well attended and received positive feedback, prompting interest in holding similar events.

Schulte said membership director Brooke Meader recently returned from maternity leave with ideas for new programs, including a family fun night to replace the father-daughter dance and a mom and me fitness class. An Angel Tree Christmas gift program is also being explored, potentially in partnership with local churches or Mid-Prairie.

New lawn mower

The council approved purchasing a new mower from Sinclair Tractor for $17,500.

City Administrator Kelly Litwiller recommended continuing to use city staff and seasonal help for mowing rather than contracting out the work. She also emphasized the need for a second mower when equipment breaks down.

“We ran into that this year too, where one went down, and even having the two sometimes isn't enough either,” Litwiller said.

Other business

The council approved a $133,694 change order for the water main project, covering additional curb stops, meter pits, seven meters, a gate-valve adjustment, a two-inch water main near the Waters Apartments and additional service-line work. A project payment of $165,735.12 was also approved.

Litwiller reported progress on the memorial project, with mulch placed, grasses being planted and most trees installed. Storms delayed installation of the back wall, while updates to the existing tiles will wait until spring.

Next meeting

The next Wellman City Council meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Wellman City Hall.