ELLINWOOD — The Ellinwood City Council voted Tuesday evening to change the golf cart and special purpose vehicle registration fee. The city changed the vehicle registration and proof of insurance to a one-time fee and showing of insurance, instead of annually.
City Administrator Bob Peter reported a few residents had paid the fee for a second year, and their money would be refunded.
Superintendent Ben Jacobs from USD 355 was present to request the purchase of city-owned property on East Santa Fe for the construction of a bus garage. The bus garage will have six bays.
The school has purchased a 55-passenger bus which they want to have garaged. Jacobs said that the plans for the building would serve as a beautification project and showed the plans to the council.
The council tabled the request to look at alternate sites to see if they would be adequate for the garage.
Ellinwood High School golfing coach Greg Maxwell and athletic director Monte Doll were present to request the use of the airport runways for high school golfing practice. They said the golf students did not receive adequate preparation without a driving range.
Golfing was banned on the airport runways by the council last year. One aircraft owner at the meeting expressed concern over golf balls left on the runway, and the danger they posed to aircraft. He said, "The facility needs to be treated for what it was designed for. An airport is meant for aircraft."
Peter suggested a compromise with another piece of ground on the south side of the road near the same location that would be set up as a driving range. It would be open to the public.
The city has been left a substantial amount of money from Vivien Archer funds. Christy Tustin was the Golden Belt Community Foundation was present to discuss endowments through the foundation. The GBCF manages over 100 endowments. The foundation is audited each year, and those reports are available.
In final business, the council:
•Held a public hearing on the property at 116 E. 1st. The homeowners assured the council they were making progress on completing the reroof of the house. They were given an extension of 60 days to show progress on completing that project.
•The owner of the property of 414 E. 4th was given 15 days to repair or the house would be demolished. The council found that the house was a dilapidated structure that needed to be demolished. Peter hoped to have a completion date on or before June 1.
•Renewed the city’s insurance policy with Jensen & Associates.
•After an executive session, Peter was given a raise.
