Arequest to install lights on three murals in Ellsworth at a total estimated cost of $3,000 was discussed, but not acted upon, by members of the Ellsworth City Council during the Dec. 27 meeting at city hall.

City Administrator Dustin Stambaugh said while the request came from one individual, he offered to get quotes to install lights on all three murals, in exchange for the owners of the murals paying for the electricity. The three businesses which the city received quotes for were Paden’s Place, Munchkinz Bakery and Millwood Realty Inc.

Stambaugh said Paden’s Place and Munchkinz Bakery agreed to provide electricity for the lights, while Millwood Realty wanted the city to install a meter and pay for everything.

“We ended up getting quotes for those that agreed to pay for the electricity while we conducted the installation,” Stambaugh said.

“I think this is a great idea,” Stambaugh said. “It will promote downtown artwork and murals.”

The request died for lack of a motion.

Council president Wayne Scritchfield said he was concerned about future maintenance.

Council member Tyler Renard said he couldn’t support it because he wasn’t sure if the city could install equipment on private property.

Council members Jessica Kootz and Darcy Hansen agreed with Renard.

In other business:

• A draft of a mission, vision and values statement will be revisited by council members in the future.

Stambaugh said over the last couple of months, he has been having meetings with the public, staff and individual council members about the development of a statement that truly reflects the Ellsworth community.

He said the document is a first step in developing a strategic plan for the city because once adopted, it will guide city administration decisions, including succession planning, capital improvement projects and process improvements.

The document will be posted on the city’s website as well as in the personnel manual. It reads as follows: The Vision Statement — Maintain our community with pride while fostering intelligent and sustainable growth guided by a small-town sense of community.

Mission Statement — To provide a safe, clean, welcoming and accessible environment, modernizing for the future, while celebrating our history.

Core Values — We are service-oriented, serving constituents with a positive attitude and eagerness to help.

We have integrity. We live by our deepest values; being transparent with all our constituents, team members and City Council while keeping our word.

We foster pride. We strive every day to make our community better for constituents, City Council and our families.

We are inclusive. We include and treat all people in an equitable and dignified manner.

We are collaborative. We listen and evolve together; help and support each other for the sake of serving the public.

We are public servants. We put the needs of our community above ourselves, for we are Ellsworth.

• Approval was given to the updates made to the City of Ellsworth Emergency Water Supply Plan.

• Approval was given to have Stambaugh send a letter of support on behalf of the city to the North Central Regional Planning Commission for their United States Department of Agriculture grant application. If successful in getting the grant, the NCRPC would specifically be able to subsidize the USDA rural development water and sewer application fees which the NCRPC has to charge their member cities and counties to complete USDA water and sewer projects.

• No action was taken regarding the payment of Christmas bonuses to the council and city administrator.

• Cereal malt beverage licenses for 2023 were approved for Coach and Four Bowling Lanes, Ellsworth American Legion Post 174, the National Drovers Hall of Fame, Clasen LLC (Gene’s Heartland Foods), Pizza Hut and Kwik Shop.

• Approval was given to resolutions adding City Clerk Callie Haxton to the City of Ellsworth’s accounts at Citizen’s State Bank and Trust Inc.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council is at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, at city hall.