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Wells council can’t decide

By Staff | Feb 3, 2013

The Wells City Council is back to square one in trying to fill a supervisory position that has been vacant for more than one year.

Following a closed-session that lasted nearly 30 minutes on Monday, councilmembers decided to extend the search for a public works director for no more than a month.

“We did have some very good candidates. But, the council wants to have more of a selection, to see if anyone else is interested and didn’t apply,” says City Administrator Steve Bloom.

“We want to advertise for the position in different market areas,” he adds.

The city received a total of six applications and that was narrowed to three finalists.

“One of the finalists decided the position wasn’t in the best interest for him,” says Bloom.

After being on the job for two months, the city administrator created the public works position instead of hiring another street department supervisor.

Bloom says the person hired will be in charge of parks and recreation, not just streets, water and sewer.

In other business, Brad Potter of I & S Group gave an update on a meeting held between city and school officials on construction of the new United South Central school.

“It was a very productive meeting and talk. We looked at some of the plans proposed by the school district. We want to be clear on our intentions,” says Brad Potter of I & S Group.

The company is being paid $5,000 to study issues associated with the new school, such as streets that will be public or allowed to be owned by the school district, zoning and who is responsible for on-going maintenance.

City engineer Travis Winter of Bolton & Menk also has been working closely with the school and I & S Group.

Councilmembers Ann Marie Schuster and Gary Robbins represented the city at the meeting.

“I’m really excited how this is progressing. I have no doubt with Travis and Brad involved, this is going to work out for both parties,” says Schuster.

The council also:

directed the House Redevelopment Authority board to offer some of the property at 68 First Ave. N.W. to a neighboring homeowner.

A house on the site was demolished, following a fire that caused extensive damage.

City officials want to keep a portion of the property to expand the parking lot north of the Legion Club to benefit the museum and veterans memorial.

approved a bid of $5,800 from Johnson Building Restoration of Mankato for painting and tuck pointing at the library.

The project will be paid by using a bequest to the Wells Library Foundation.

OK’d the request of Police Chief Jim Ratelle to attend a conference for police chiefs from April 22-25 in Duluth.

Cost is a $325 registration and $99 per night for a room, to be paid from the department’s training fund.