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By Linda Mowery-Denning
Last Updated: November 11, 2009
Members of the Ellsworth City Council revisited several issues Monday night and considered a new one — the possible construction of a day care center on city-owned property in northwest Ellsworth.
City Administrator Tim Vandall said he was approached by Rob Fillion about the city donating part of its block of land on Prospect Street for the project. Fillion, director of Smoky Hill Economic Development, has helped spearhead the day care center effort.
“Nothing is really finalized yet," Vandall said. “I think they're just trying to figure out options."
The block is now used by the city recreation department as a practice field for soccer.
Council member Cole Worrell suggested officials wait for more information. Alan Stefek, council president, agreed.
“We will definitely look at it," he said. “We're not going to say no at this point."
In other business, Vandall said members of the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department deserved recognition for the more than seven hours they spent helping to fight the fire that gutted the Wilson Opera House.
“I was just really proud of our fire department. I think that was really a pretty tough deal," he said.
In other business:
• Council members continued to question a ramp on Second Street that is part of the downtown streetscape project. In the original plans sent to the state, there were no details given on its design, a situation that led to a $6,000 change order.
Worrell questioned the fairness of the ramp being part of the streetscape project, since other businesses paid for their own similar improvements.
The streetscape project is funded by a state grant and money from the city, local foundations and property owners.
“I'd sure feel bad this late in the game to send a landowner a bill," Vandall said.
• Council members were given city fees to review. Vandall recommended they stay the same for the most part; however, he and Police Chief Dave Smith, who was not at Monday's meeting, talked about raising the fees for diversions for speeding. At present, the rate is $175 for an infraction and $275 for a misdemeanor.
City attorney Carey Hipp expressed doubts. She said Hays, for instance, charges $100 for infractions.
“I just think we're super high compared to other places," she said.
“Court isn't a money maker — that's not the purpose of it. The purpose is to keep people from speeding through town."
Council members took no action.
• They also requested more information on an insurance claim for the city recreation center. Vandall said Ellsworth's insurance carrier offered $7,592 for hail damage to the roof and $3,572 after repairs are made.
He said that wouldn't even start to cover the cost of a new roof. As a result, Ronnie Tenbrink, the city's recreation director, suggested the money be spent elsewhere, especially because the building already leaked before the Sept. 3 hail storm. The rec center is used for storage.
Council members did not appear comfortable with taking the money away from the recreation center.
“Somebody has to take a look at it," Mayor Steve Bahan said.
City council member John Whitmer said the city needs to know the type of insurance policy it has on the recreation center and its provisions.
• Vandall reviewed several equipment and facilities upgrades being discussed by city department heads. The police department is looking at the purchase of light bars and video cameras for the squad cars, the meeting room at the Municipal Golf Course shows wear and tear and the water and sewer department is investigating the purchase of a Jet-Vac truck. Having the truck could save the city thousands of dollars a year, Vandall said.
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