The prime topic of conversation at Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council centered around the possibility of local traveling sports teams paying an annual $100 membership fee to use the gym at city hall.

Brad Barta of Ellsworth, who coaches a traveling team, asked the purpose of the user fee, why the travel teams were being singled out for their use of the recreation facilities, and what would the membership fee go for?

“The mayor and council need to strongly look at these fees, how much is being charged and who is really getting penalized,” Barta said. “I understand there needs to be some kind of membership, but it could be a huge impact on some of these parents and coaches.”

Laura Kyler of Ellsworth, who also coaches for the rec department, said the kids involved in local sports programs are all local USD 327 kids, not kids being brought in from different communities.

“If funding is the issue, then why don’t we look at other ways of funding the rec department,” she asked.

She asked how far the $200 paid by the traveling teams will go.

“Are we supposed to be supportive of our youth and future youth, or do you want to grow further apart as a community, not work together and be thankful for what these parents and coaches have given,” Kyler asked.

Amber Peschka, speaking on behalf of her husband, Ryan, a former city councilman, current Ellsworth High School assistant basketball coach and former traveling team coach, who was unable to attend the meeting, said kids who take part in city rec sports teams enter high school more prepared.

“Which obviously helps Ellsworth be better able to succeed,” she said. “The city and school district need to support each other in any way possible for the benefit of our community and youth.”

Kelvi Place of Ellsworth said she strongly supports what Barta, Kyler and Peschka said.

Rusty Varnado, city administrator, said a portion of the funds goes to pay for officials, uniforms and facility maintenance.

“So a preponderance of the $100 usage would be toward the ancillary costs of operating the facilities,” he said. “While they are not using our officials, they are using our building, so it would be somewhat unfair to have our rec league kids have a portion of their fees being paid to cover these costs and not the traveling teams.”

Varnado said he didn’t think the traveling teams were being singled out. He said the initial statement put out on the matter was a little short-sighted.

“We did come up with the $100 per year, per team as a compromise to the original fee proposal,” he said.

Varnado said it boils down to a matter of equity.

After a brief discussion, the consensus of the council was to table further consideration of the proposal until more information can be gathered.

In other business:

• After a five minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel (performance) the council authorized Mayor Finnegan to sign a separation contract between the city and Connie Falk, the city hall custodian. If Falk signs the contract, the city will pay her $200.

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