Just weeks after the resignation of Ellsworth Police Chief Jerry Penny, the Ellsworth City Council began to discuss how to proceed forward at the meeting Monday.

The brief discussion centered around consideration of two options. First, keep the Ellsworth Police Department running as is and begin the search for a new chief of police. Second, end the police department and rely totally upon the Ellsworth County Sheriff ’s Office for law enforcement within the city.

The discussion began with Interim City Administrator Allen J. Dinkel acknowledging there have been some public concerns in the past couple of years regarding the police department.

“This is an opportunity to move ahead in a positive manner,” he said.

Dinkel said he was very supportive of having a police department in a city the size of Ellsworth, but there are others who feel there may be other options.

Dinkel said there are pros and cons associated with relying solely on the sheriff ’s office for law enforcement.

“You’re still going to spend a lot of money,” he said, noting it would be in the $1.5 million range.

Dinkel said at the present time, there are three members of the police department with all of the required training, and a fourth person who has just begun and will enter the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center July 21. This training will be completed on Oct. 24, then the officer will enter “in-department” training for about two months.

At full staff, Dinkel noted there has normally been a police chief and six officers. There have also been previous discussions about adding another officer who could also serve as a school resource officer, with the goal of having USD 327 provide a percentage of the funding.

“I don’t think it is a good idea,” council member Tyler Renard said of disbanding the police department.

Council member Don Panzer said several patrons have told him they don’t want to lose the police department.

Council President Jessica Kootz, who presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Dan Finnegan, made a few comments on Finnegan’s behalf, restating Finnegan’s support for keeping police department as it is.

Eventually, the consensus of the council was to begin the process of searching for a new fulltime police chief. In the meantime, officer Jeff Weigel will serve as interim chief.

Weigel thanked the council for their support of the police department.

In other business:

• The council discussed the placement of a crosswalk on north Douglas Avenue (K-14 Highway) between the city tennis courts and the Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School tennis courts.

Dinkel said the request for the crosswalk was made earlier in the year. He visited with USD 327 Superintendent Deena Hilbig, who brought the request to the school board as well. The concern is about the safety of pedestrians who travel between the two locations.

Noting it is something that should be done, Dinkel advised the council that if the city decides to put a crosswalk in, it should be done right and meet all requirements.

There is also the matter of no sidewalks in the area.

“If a crosswalk is installed, I feel there must be sidewalks leading toand-from the crosswalk on each side of Douglas Avenue from the tennis courts. This will define the walking area and will direct pedestrians to the crosswalk,” Dinkel said. “Also, the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act need to be considered.

“I would also advise to work with an engineering firm to determine if any traffic signals are recommended. There is definitely a need for sidewalks in the area, as well as in many portions of this city. We had an inquiry about a crosswalk this year on Highway K-140 at Aylward Avenue to encourage walking. Again, the same issue with no sidewalks and the need to meet ADA requirements.”

Dinkel said there is also a ditch issue on the east side of the highway there, which would have to be addressed.

“But again, I would advise you not to just throw something in there to throw something in there ... you need to meet all of the protocols,” he said.

Dinkel said at some point, the city will need to determine if USD 327 is willing to pay for any improvements on their side of K-14 Highway.

“At this time, I would recommend contacting an engineering firm to design the project,” he said.

“People need to pay attention when they are driving,” Karen Shrine, Ellsworth, said. “They put up those cones, and when you see those cones and you see people, you should just slow down. I have never had a problem going through there, because the minute you see those red cones out there, you should not be going 40 miles per hour or 30 miles per hour. Start slowing down because you can see those people going back-andforth and they know there’s tennis going on. The drivers are being irresponsible.”

• Dinkel said at this time, he believes the City

“This is an opportunity to move ahead in a positive manner.”

Allen J. Dinkel

Interim Ellsworth City Administrator of Ellsworth will not exceed the state revenue neutral rate this year, and he informed Ellsworth County Clerk Shelly Vopat of that.

• Kootz asked Dinkel what the city’s plan is to hire a full-time administrator.

Dinkel advised the council to get through the November general election first, then talk about it.

Kootz, who noted Dinkel is doing a great job as interim administrator, said she asked because she wants the process not be rushed and she wants the person who the council eventually chooses to be a good fit for Ellsworth.

• Individual approvals of bank authorization Resolutions 2025-22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 were completed. According to Dinkel, Citizens State Bank & Trust Co. required the resolutions to update authorized signers on accounts. The approved resolutions add Louise M Blanding, new city clerk, and remove Jerry Penny, former police chief.

• Approval was given authorizing City Treasurer Angela Mueller to sign checks to pay bills for the remainder of the year as needed.

• Panzer asked what the status was of the old Ellsworth hospital. City Attorney Patrick Hoffman said the hospital was condemned years ago and signs were posted.

He described the current status as “status quo.”

Hoffman said the city does not own the property and the building has been identified as containing asbestos, and that needs to be removed.

Dinkel said the problem is that the cost of doing so is so high.

“So, we’re basically stuck with it for awhile,” Panzer said.

Hoffman noted there is probably not an “easy” button out there for the city to push.

• Marvin Bush, Ellsworth, raised concerns about the condition of city streets in Ellsworth. He pointed out 9th Street and Stanberry Street, 8th Street and Blake Street and portions of East North Main Street in particular.

“I hope they can do something with it,” Bush said.

Dinkel said he would discuss the matter with the city crew.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. July 28 at city hall.