Concerns about water drainage raised by a resident living on Eighth and Elizabeth were addressed at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council.

“I don’t want to get water in my basement,” said Carol Herber, who noted recent heavy rains caused water to rise both in the street and close to her home.

Herber said two “socks” installed by the city during grass seeding to help soil from washing into the drainage system actually clogged up the drainage system during the heavy rain.

“The fact that there was a lot of water on Elizabeth Street was shocking to me,” she said.

Rusty Varnado, city administrator, said Jon Halbgewachs of Kirkham, Michael & Associates looked at the situation and determined the area is draining like it is supposed to and the inlet is handling the storm water adequately.

“In reality, the water has to go somewhere,” said Mayor Mark Kennedy. “What we’re trying to do is to make sure it stays within the confines of the street and in the storm water detention sewer.”

“I don’t think it’s adequate for the volume of rain we had,” Herber said. “I feel I owed it to myself to bring it to your attention, because if it did get high enough to get into my house, I’m not going to be a happy person.” “I’m glad it didn’t get in

“I’m glad it didn’t get in your basement,” Kennedy said. “I hope by moving those socks that will alleviate some of the issue.”

It was suggested Kirkham Michael take another look at the drainage in the area. In other business:

In other business:

• Approval was given to an ordinance establishing a fee of $10 per day for those who do not bring their properties into compliance with city codes.

• Approval was given to an ordinance establishing a storm water utility. The ordinance creates a $3 monthly fee to be assessed beginning in August to every developed residential and commercial property in Ellsworth which has active city service. Varnado said revenue from the assessment will go to repair curbs and gutters, sidewalks and streets and flood mitigation. The ordinance will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by the city council. • The purchase of digi

• The purchase of digital software to allow both the city and the public to better locate grave sites at Ellsworth’s city cemeteries was approved. Varnado said the $9,000 software will be purchased from Cemsites. The city will pledge onethird of the total cost, with the other two-thirds secured through grant funding. Approval of the purchase is pending receipt of the grant funds.

• Approval was given to the 2019 audit performed by Varney and Associates Certified Public Accountants of Manhattan.

• Ellsworth County appraiser Carl Miller encouraged the council to consider renewal of the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. The current plan expires at the end of the year. The plan provides tax rebates for new construction and the rehabilitation of existing structures.

He said there have been 248 applicants for projects within the NRP. Approximately 84 of those projects were in Ellsworth.

“I think that’s a pretty good usage of the program,” Miller said.

• The council discussed renewal of the Kansas Gas franchise agreement, which ends Aug. 2. No action was taken.

• Varnado said the city saw an increase of $3,000 in tax revenue over the past year. “I thank everybody for

“I thank everybody for shopping at home,” he said.

He thanked the city crew who dealt with a 750,000 gallon sewer main break Monday near the Ellsworth Correctional Facility.

• No action was taken after a five minute executive session to discuss the acquisition of property.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 14, at city hall.