There is an end in sight for the construction on East 8th St. near Highway K-156.

That is the message Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham-Michael & Associates, gave to Ellsworth City council members Monday night at the regular meeting.

Barring weather setbacks, the contractor plans to resume construction Monday, March 15, and will have 24 working days to complete the project. There will be temporary street closures while finishing the project including the Elizabeth Street entrance from 8th Street while keeping Charles Street open. When work is done, the entrance will be re-opened and the Charles Street entrance will be closed. Because Stelling Street is a cul-de-sac with only one way in and out from 8th Street, half of the entrance will be closed while Elizabeth Street is closed. Then the other half will be closed when Charles Street is closed.

Halbgewachs updated the council on other projects:

• Highway K-156/8th Street turn lanes. Final closeout documents have been submitted to KDOT for review.

• Detention basins at K-14 and K-140 intersection. Cahoj Earthmoving submitted low bid of $396,000. Project will start by Aug. 23.

• Turn lanes at K-156/K-140 intersection. Project is scheduled to bid by November. Kirkham-Michael is working to complete the design so no rightof-way or utility locations will be needed.

• Neighborhood Multi-Use Path. KDOT has authorized the city to begin right-of-way acquisition and project is anticipated to bid in this fall.

In other business:

• In support of Mosaic and its clients, Mayor Mark Kennedy proclaimed March as National Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

Mosaic has been in Ellsworth for 35 years, according to Nathan King, community/public relations manager at Mosaic. He said the support shown by the community is appreciated.

In recognizing Mosaic, Kennedy stressed how important Mosaic is to the Ellsworth community.

“The benefits to the community cannot be understated. They do more for us as a community than we do for them,” he said.

The Proclamation reads, in part:

... Whereas, disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of people with disabilities to make choices, contribute to society and experience in full the many blessings of American society; and

Whereas, family members, friends and the community at large all play a role in supporting people with disabilities as they pursue their dreams; and

Whereas the goals of this city properly include helping people with disabilities realize full access to housing, employment and the recreational activities which help create productive and satisfying lives, and to live as independently as possible.

It goes on to read, I [Kennedy] encourage the citizens of Ellsworth to seek information from those organizations with expertise in matters concerning professionals who support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Verle Wiley is the new Code Compliance Officer.

• City-wide spring cleanup is scheduled for April 26-May 1.

• The Ellsworth County Community Organization’s (ECCO) annual Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at the city ball fields. Masks required.