On Monday, the Ellsworth City Council began considering a proposal to increase the 2025 fees for the Ellsworth City Swimming Pool, but first they want feedback from local residents before making a final decision.

“I just want to make sure the kids get to enjoy it without hardship on the families,” council member Don Panzer said.

The proposed rates are: Daily fee for ages 5 and under, resident, $2; nonresident, $3. Single season family pass, resident, $30; nonresident, $70. Family season pass, $100 resident; $140, non-resident.

Recreation Director Ronnie Tenbrink was instructed to “put some feelers out there and see what you get.”

In other business:

• Panzer said when the council gets ready to consider whether to raise the city water rates, he would like to see how gradually it could do that and still achieve its goal without making it such a big increase for residents.

“I don’t want it to do more harm than good,” he said.

• Panzer said at a previous council meeting it was noted he was in violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act executive session meeting rules.

“Which I am not,” he said. “Everything we discussed was in open meeting.”

Panzer said he just wanted to clarify that.

Mayor Dan Finnegan then asked City Attorney Patrick Hoffman to get a comprehensive view for the council on what can come out of executive session in the State of Kansas.

“Because each state is different,” Finnegan said. “Like what’s that limit? If you could find out what that is, I think it would be very valuable.”

“I’ll have to think about that,” Hoffman said.

• Panzer then asked for the council to go into executive session for nonelected personnel for 12 minutes to discuss performance of personnel and that Michelle Skurkis be included in the executive session. He noted the subject matter dealt with a conversation she recently had with him.

Both Interim City Manager Allen J. Dinkel and Hoffman immediately said Skurkis could not be included in the executive session because she was not a city employee.

Panzer then asked Skurkis if she would like to comment in open session. She declined to do so.

The request for the executive session was withdrawn.

• Finnegan asked Panzer to provide him with written documentation of what Panzer told him at the last council meeting regarding the International City/County Management Association’s investigation of complaints against former City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh and the results of it.

“I can just tell you,” Panzer said. “No, I want them in writing,” Finnegan replied.

Finnegan later added that just because Panzer made those comments doesn’t mean they are true.

Panzer then accused Finnegan of calling him a liar.

“I’m not,” Finnegan replied. “Here we go again,” Panzer said. “Drama, drama, drama.”

Hoffman said it was not city business.

Finnegan replied that the use of the word “delusional” by Panzer in his statement on the ICMA report was inappropriate.

Panzer said he didn’t think he had to comply with Finnegan’s request.

Panzer then said he was not going to provide the documentation Finnegan requested.

• After discussing possible changes to the current fireworks ordinance, the consensus of the council was to have a draft ordinance written up for the council to consider.

• Approval was given to Ordinance 3168, establishing regulations for fences within the City of Ellsworth and repealing ordinances 3106, 2013 and the code section 12.12.040 in their entirety. The ordinance keeps the fencing provisions of Code 17.96.020 in place and adds provisions for enforcement, including fence removal if needed. Code 12.12.04, which does not allow barbed wire fencing anywhere within city limits, would be repealed with provisions added to allow for barbed wire in industrial zones.

• Approval was given to have staff draft a resolution making an exception for 8688 Investments LLC, the owner of the shed on the old hospital property, which is now a fitness center called Relentless Training, to not be included in the condemnation of the old hospital property. That would amend Resolution 21-0832d to not include the north 125 feet in condemnation.

It was noted that 8688 Investments LLC took possession of the shed in good faith and is providing a place for children and adults to exercise.

The next regular meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 10, at city hall.