<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4UEkoX_14iccJfg00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4UEkoX_14iccJfg00" width="750" height="500" ></figure>The biggest news at the Wells City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, came at the end when members of the council were giving their reports.“Well, you are all going to see this on the 10 o’clock news tonight,” mayor David Braun said. “I received word that Mayo is closing six clinics, including the one in Wells.”In addition to the clinic in Wells, Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS) announced that clinics in Belle Plaine, Caledonia, Montgomery, Northbridge (North Mankato) and St. Peter would also be closing. According to MCHS, the clinics will close by Dec. 10 and transition services to nearby MCHS locations.“Although the news release stated they would close by Dec. 10, the clinic in Wells is already closed,” Braun stated. “It closed at the end of August.”Braun revealed he had not received any prior warning before learning of the clinic’s closing.With the closing of the MCHS Clinic in Wells, United Hospital District operates the only health clinic in the city.The meeting had begun with a public hearing prior to adopting the proposed assessments for the 2024 street and utility improvements project.A number of residents attended the public hearing which began with city engineer Ben Rosol providing an overview of the assessment process and the process for appealing the assessments.The total cost of the project, which included parts of Sixth Avenue Northwest and Fifth Avenue Northwest and Southwest was just over $2.5 million.“That total cost includes watermain and services, sanitary sewer and services, storm sewer and the street surface including curb and gutter,” Rosol said. “The project was financed through General Obligation Bonds, which carry an interest rate of 4.09 percent, and also through PFA (Public Facilities Authority) loans.”Rosol shared that the initial total assessment for the project was 22 percent but that the final total assessment came in at 21 percent. He also reminded the people that the sidewalk work is not assessed.“Residents may pay their assessment in full or partially by Nov. 15,” Rosol commented. “Otherwise, it will be assessed to your property taxes and you will pay it over the 20-year life of the bond at the 4.09 interest rate. It will appear on your tax statements and you will have two payments per year.”Rosol noted that a property owner had the option to pay off any year’s interest along with the outstanding principal at any time.Rosol was asked what kind of traffic the newly resurfaced streets could handle.“They are 5-7 ton roads,” Rosol responded.That caused some concern for resident Wayne Dallman.“There are semis driving on these new roads,” Dallman remarked. “I was a semi driver for a long time and I know what kind of damage they can do. I am concerned the semis are going to be wrecking these roads and we are going to be paying for them.”Another property owner, Josh Rollenhagen, had already sent his written objection to the council regarding his assessment. He contended the two lots he owns are very narrow, can’t be built on and that he does not gain from the improvement.“That is what needs to be considered,” city attorney MaKaia Dykema stated. “Does the special assessment exceed the value of the improvement? If you are going to change the assessment you need to state the facts for the deviation.”The council members were familiar with the lots in question and after some discussion a motion was passed to eliminate the $21,373 street assessment from Rollenhagen’s property but to leave the $3,420 storm sewer assessment. The council then approved the final assessment package on a unanimous vote with council member John Herman, who owns property affected by the assessments, abstaining.Rosol provided a short update on current work in the city by telling council members that the water mains were in the process of being installed under the railroad tracks.“We have also received word we are receiving a Department of Health Grant for replacing lead and galvanized pipe,” Rosol added.Police chief Tim Brenegan reported that one of the squad cars, which hit a deer while transporting a prisoner to Blue Earth, was going to be out of commission for a couple of weeks while it gets repaired.“You will also find officer Shaun Willaby’s resignation letter in your packet,” Brenegan said. “With his resignation I would ask that the council approve officer Mike Johnson as a full-time police officer. He has a lot of experience and I would like to start him at the top of the wage scale.”The council approved the hiring of Johnson and accepted the resignation of Willaby.“We are still actively sending out code enforcement letters,” Brenegan added. “The biggest issue we have faced this summer is long grass.”The third time was not the charm for the updated version of the city ordinance relating to parking and storage of certain recreational vehicles.After some discussion the council wanted another minor change in the ordinance and tabled the matter until the next meeting.The council also tabled a decision purchasing two new E/One grinder pumps for the lift station in the basement of City Hall so that other options and quotes may be obtained.In other news:• The council voted to approve an assessment deferral for Leroy Giese on the basis of hardship.• A motion was passed to approve the State of Minnesota Airport Maintenance and Operations Grant Agreement.• The council was informed by city administrator Tiffany Schrader that new public works supervisor, Adam Schroeder, has officially begun his employment by the city.• A budget work session was scheduled for Sept. 16, at 5 p.m., at City Hall.• The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. It will be held in the Wells Community Center.</div></body>

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The biggest news at the Wells City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, came at the end when members of the council were giving their reports. “Well, you are all going to see this on the 10 o’clock news tonight,” mayor David Braun said. “I received word that Mayo is closing six clinics, including the one in Wells.”

Wells Council learns Mayo Clinic closing

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The biggest news at the Wells City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 8, came at the end when members of the council were giving their reports. “Well, you ar

Wells Council learns Mayo Clinic closing

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