Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council began with an introduction of Allen J. Dinkel, new interim city administrator.

Dinkel has been involved in city administration for 35 years, including being the city administrator in Oakley, Hoisington, Abilene, Neodesha and Junction City, where he served for nine years before retiring last summer.

“I’m getting to know the lay of the land here and meeting with the employees,” Dinkel said. “So far, it’s going well.”

Dinkel said he had already made the decision to move to Ellsworth because his three daughters live in the vicinity. He is currently living in Ellinwood and will move to Ellsworth at some point.

• During the petitions and delegations portion of the meeting, Joshua Helvey raised concerns regarding the property on the corner of 8th and Colorado streets at 415 W. 8th St. His girlfriend, Emily Herman, has run a day care center in her home there for the last eight months.

He said the public parking situation there is a safety concern for the parents and kids who attend that day care center.

Helvey requested that a 15- or 30-minute parking zone be established in front of the day care so parents could pick up their children safely.

“There has been vehicles parked there with lumber sticking like 5 feet out the bed of the pickup and she has had complaints from more than one parent about it,” he said. “Our hands are kind of tied as far as what we can do about it.”

Police Chief Jerry Penny said he spoke to Helvey about the matter and came to the conclusion not to grant Helvey’s request because it is in a residential neighborhood.

“It’s not like having a day care center and stuff where it’s a full-fledged day care center,” he said. “It’s actually a residence and they run a day care out of it.”

• Approval was given to the Eagle Scout proposal by Ellsworth Boy Scout Troop 84 scout Gage Weider to construct a gaga ball pit at Preisker Park.

• Approval was given to renewing the lease contract with Westbrook Baptist Church (aka Crosspoint Church) for Sunday worship services at the Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center through February 2026.

• Approval was given to an amendment to the 2025 fee schedule.

• Approval was given to the loan from Citizens State Bank and Trust Company Inc., Ellsworth, to the Ellsworth Police Department to purchase no more than two vehicles and upfitting.

• Mayor Dan Finnegan appointed Dinkel to the substance abuse task force.

• No action was taken after discussing upcoming board appointments and the governing body election.

• Approval was given to designate K-156 Highway as a main trafficway within the City of Ellsworth. Approval was also given to Resolution 2025-10, authorizing bond issuance for the K-156/Kunkle Drive turn lane improvement project.

• Ellsworth Fire Chief Ralph Doubrava reported he had been elected to serve another year as fire chief by the members of the Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department.

• Ellsworth City Council member Don Panzer asked Penny whether the stop signs and closed signs for the area near the city pool had been ordered.

Penny said he would check on it.

Panzer then asked about the 30-minute parking in downtown Ellsworth, and perhaps making those handicapped parking spots.

Penny said a handicapped parking area was designated near Hattie Jo’s Coffee House.

“I just didn’t know if we’d addressed that yet,” Panzer said.

“Yes sir,” Penny responded.

Penny thanked Panzer for calling and letting him know about the protocol for opening up the emergency shelter in the gymnasium at city hall during the recent winter storm. Penny said he immediately put a plan of action in motion and his team gathered the necessary supplies to accommodate those in need of help. He noted 20 people stayed at the shelter Saturday and 20 Sunday.

“The people that stayed here were super appreciative,” Penny said. “The people of Ellsworth were awesome.”

Finnegan said he thinks everyone is grateful for the response from all first responders during the recent winter storm.

“There are a lot of positive developments in the community,” he said.

• No action was taken after a 20-minute executive session to protect the city’s financial interest and bargaining position for the preliminary discussion of real property.

• Back in open session, after presentation of archaeology study proposals for the wastewater treatment facility improvement project, the

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council voted to accept the proposal from KB Archaeological Consulting for $5,896, contingent upon reference checks and understanding of how any change order for additional area would be priced and contingent on permission from the landowner.

The second option would be the proposal by K&K Environmental LLC. The Kansas State Historic Preservation Office requested the archaeological survey. The survey must be completed prior to any development of the location.

The next meeting of the Ellsworth City Council will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at city hall.