Finances dominate Wellington council session

By Sun Advocate

Budget resolutions were the primary focus of the Wellington City Council meeting on June 14.
A public hearing was conducted by the council to accept public comments on Wellington’s proposed 2006-2007 budget and to amend the city’s current 2005-2006 financial guidelines.
A public hearing was also conducted by city officials to seek comments from residents on a tentative 2006-2007 budget for the Wellington redevelopment agency.
There was no input offered at the public hearings.
After briefly reviewing the two city government budget matters and the re-development fund, the city council approved resolutions 2006-01, 2006-02, and 2006-03.
The resolutions adopted the budgets and amendments as outlined in the proposals.
In another matter of business, the council approved a lease of city property to WWC Holding Company for a cellular phone tower near the site of the old city water tank near the cemetery.
It is hoped that the new tower will give city residents better cell phone coverage.
In the past, the city has been in a blackout area where cell phone coverage is poor.
In an unrelated matter, businessman Richard Pasmann appeared before the city council with a request for a zoning change on property he owns in the city limits.
Pasmann asked the council to consider changing a one-acre plot from residential to commercial zoning in the Fourth East and Main Street area.
Councilmembers discussed the proposal with Pasmann and explained that the zoning change would require a public hearing and proper notification of neighbors in the area of the proposed change.
The council voted to proceed with the necessary steps to make the zoning change.
Approaching the officials with a safety concern, Wellington resident Thelma Thomas also asked the council to consider making the intersection at Center Street and Second North a four-way stop.
The resident explained that school children use the intersection frequently without crossing guards. She said she considers the intersection to be very dangerous.
Thomas also said youth playing with skateboards in the summer often ride down the school hill and through the intersection without watching for traffic.
The council discussed the proposal and agreed to have the city police and streets department take a look at the intersection to see what might be done.
The general consensus seemed to be that putting a stop sign on a major thoroughfare like Center Street might not be the best option, but other possibilities might be available to make the intersection safer.
Acting on a different agenda item, the council approved the final purchase agreement for land in the city industrial area to Johnson Heating.
However, the Wellington officials tabled a land purchaseagreement with Larry Young Contracting until a draft proposal could be revised.
Councilmember Glen Wells suggested that city officials carefully review future land purchase proposals in the industrial area and require a formal plot map along with a business proposal to be sure the acreage sold is commensurate with the business plan.
Wellington Police Chief, Lee Barry gave the council a report on the status of the local law enforcement department.
Barry pointed out that one police officer was leaving the force to work elsewhere and the city is advertising for a qualified candidate to fill the opening.
The police chief said he expects to interview applicants by early July.
In addition, the council briefly discussed the all-terrain vehicle trail proposal and possible routes through the city.
The officials also discussed a few internal matters like zoning violations, city cleanup efforts and complaints about the secondary water system.
Councilmember Paula Noyes gave a quick overview of the city beautification and landscaping efforts on Main Street. She expressed appreciation to Wellington residents who have donated time and efforts to help with the effort.