There will now be a minimum housing code in Ellsworth.

At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, approval was given adopt to an ordinance establishing the code. It establishes minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation and heating, for safety from fire, for the use, location and amount of space for human occupancy and for safe and sanitary maintenance.

It also establishes standards concerning unsightly and blighted buildings and premises, both residential and non-residential structures; determines the responsibilities of owners, operators and occupants and provides for administration and enforcement of the code.

City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh noted the city’s current code does not require a person to have access to water or sewer. This ordinance remedies that, among other things.

In other business:

• Action on a proposed ordinance updating the city’s weeds nuisance ordinance was tabled so council members could consider it further. Stambaugh said, in partnership with City Attorney Melissa Miller, he has embarked on a comprehensive review and redrafting process or the ordinance with the primary goals of streamlining the notification procedures for weedrelated violations and providing a clearer definition of the right-of-way, thereby establishing welldefined responsibilities for both the city and property owners.

• Approval was given to sign lease agreements with Anita Schwerdtfeger and Donald and Lonnie Soukup on farmable land on the Ellsworth Airport grounds which changed with the establishment of the new runway. The city will bill Schwerdtfeger and the Soukups $40 per acre.

Thus, the new lease amount for the Soukups will be $872 per year, while Schwerdtfeger’s will be $1,600 per year.

• Approval was given to have Stambaugh write a letter of recommendation for the DiVine Hope Church’s grant application to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

According to Jan Bontrager, a member of the church, the funding would be used to replace the concrete porch, handicap ramp and sidewalk along 4th Street, which runs in front of the church.

• Approval was given to a lease with Ellsworth Tumble, Dance and Cheer for activities at the Ellsworth Recreation Center. The rent, starting Sept. 1, will not change at $100 per month. May’s rent will be $50.

• Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham Michael gave an update on local construction projects. He said construction on the box culverts along the west side of Douglas Avenue in relation to the neighborhood multi-use path project has begun.

Halbgewachs said the bid for the Kansas Department of Transportation spring 2021 cost share project to improve multiple sidewalks was awarded to Multicon in the amount of $248,447.00.

He said the handrails on the Security First Title property are not completed and the contractor is to install a metal grate in the storm inlet at First and Lincoln. He said Kirkham Michael has provided a final plan for the J. H.

Robbins Memorial Library board to review in regards to proposed library parking and pedestrian improvements.

• Marvin Bush, Ellsworth, voiced concern about several items. He said some of the trees planted along Douglas Avenue need to be trimmed because they are making for a blind intersection and traffic hazard.

Bush asked when the city crews were going to mow the weeds in the gutter on East First Street. He also requested the city enforce the ordinance against mowers blowing lawn debris onto streets.

“There’s nothing being done about those people who are doing that,” he said. “That needs to stop because it’s plugging up the gutter traps.”

Bush said the city needs to patch the streets and make them smooth.

“There isn’t a smooth street in this town,” he said.

• No action was taken after an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (the performance of non-elected personnel) nor after an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (the performance of the city administator).

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at city hall. The council will conduct a public hearing on the 2024 city budget and the revenue neutral rate at 5:25 p.m., also at city hall.