The Ellinwood City Council passed two ordinances during its Monday night meeting in regards to liquor. One ordinance dealt with cereal-malt beverages and the second with cereal-malt beverages and liquor.
The first ordinance covered the selling of 6 percent beer. In 2017, the Kansas Legislature amended cereal-malt beverage laws to allow retailers such as grocery and convenience stores with a CMB license to also sell beer containing not more than 6 percent alcohol by volume. This goes into effect on April 1.
Cities must change their current CMB ordinances to allow for the sale of higher alcohol content beer. The changes are necessary since brewers will no longer produce beer lower than 6 percent and stores could not sell any beer otherwise.
At the last meeting council wanted to make several changes to the proposed ordinance and it was tabled at that time.
The second ordinance passed allowed for the selling of liquor on Sunday.
In Other Business
• The city has been advised by the company that maintains its current website, Civic Plus, that the current web page will no longer be available at the end of the year. Staff has received several quotes to create and maintain a new website.
The council approved the bid from Konza LLC to redo the site. The start-up fee is $3,650 with an annual cost of $1,540.
• The City’s General Liability, Property, and Casualty Insurance is up for renewal on April 1. The policy covers all aspects of city government including vehicle and equipment, workers compensation, police, fire, ambulance, airport, officers, employees, general liability, and umbrella coverage.
Last year’s total premium was $118,292. The renewal premium is $122.837.38 which represents a $4.545.38 increase from last year.
The areas of the policy that saw larger increases were to the umbrella policy and for commercial property. The council approved the renewal for the insurance.
• St. John Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Board of Evangelism is requesting the use of Wolf Park and bandshell for a public Christian band concert from 5 -10 p.m. June 8. The council passed the use of the park.
• The city recently put up for sale by sealed bid two items. The 1997 street department pick-up and the pick-up bed removed from the newer 2011 pick-up just purchased. This truck bed was replaced with a flat bed with a lift hoist.
The council approved two sealed bids for these pieces of equipment.
• Mayor Irlan Fullbright appointed people to two positions on Monday. The first position that for solid waste director and this position went to Brad Helfrich. The second position was for water superintendent, this position went to Kevin Clair.
Service awards
Service awards were presented to the following city employees for their years of service to the City of Ellinwood.
James McMullen – 25 years – Electric Department
Ryan Wirtz – 15 years – Fire Department
Jon Perron – 10 years – Ambulance
