ELLINWOOD —When Ellinwood Scout master Scott Reser learned the city council would discuss the fate of the scout house at Wolf Park Tuesday evening, he picked up the phone and rallied scout leaders and scouts who filled the city office to show their support of fixing the roof and keeping the building around for future generations of scouts to meet in.
The overwhelming attendance prompted City Manager Bud Newberry to clarify that there were no plans at that time to tear down the building, but that it had been brought to his attention that the roof was, “in such a state that if something isn’t done to make it right, at some point additional deterioration will occur.”
Newberry said he’d earlier asked a representative of Joiner Construction to work up an estimate to repair the roof.  With some of the decking rotted and in need of replacement, it could cost between $4,500 and $5,000 to replace the roof over the building and the porch roof, Newberry said.  
Council members asked those in attendance how often the structure is used.  Crystal Glenn, a cub scout den mother, said her pack uses the house weekly, and confirmed that the porch roof leaks and is in poor condition.  She was there with a group of cub scouts dressed in uniform.  
 Reser spoke up also, stating his scouts use the building often, and several generations of scouts have also used the building, and it is an important part of the community worth saving. His sentiments had been expressed by others earlier in the meeting during the period for public comment.  
Ellinwood residents Terry Boor and Norma Robel addressed the scout house.  Boor stated the scout house should be saved, and expressed misgivings at the price the city may have to pay if Joiner Construction is hired to do the work.  She also stated she expected the city to do a better job than had been done so far on the property at 1st and Main Street.  She was referring to the buildings purchased by the city at a tax sale with the intention of tearing them down.  That demolition was stopped and has been delayed as the city works through structural issues that became apparent part way through the tear-down process. Robel said that the turnout showed there was support for the scout cabin, and reminded the council that it was a Wolf building, and had historical significance to the city and should be preserved for that reason.  Debbie Komark of Eagle Lanes in Ellinwood also spoke up, stating that she felt the city should fix the problem at 1st and Main, finish the demolition so everyone could move on.

Reser informed the council that there may be a donor willing to supply the materials needed to repair the roof, if the city were willing to provide labor.  Newberry suggested the formation of a committee to study options for cooperation between the city and scouting organization.  After further discussion, it was determined that Newberry will meet with the scout masters at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Reser's home, 207 West C in Ellinwood, to work out a plan.  Mayor Irlan Fullbright thanked the scout visitors for coming out for that issue.   

EMS endowment approved
Ellinwood District Hospital Foundation Director Lindsey Bogner and Ellinwood EMS Director Brittney Glenn proposed the council approve the formation of an endowment fund for the EMS with $5,000 in the EMS budget.  This would allow the money to grow, with the interest earned to be used to help provide for EMS, and it would allow the department to conduct fundraising, something it can’t do at this time.  
Bogner explained the funds would be invested along with funds from the hospital’s foundation, which would only help EMS.  No fees would be charged to EMS, she also assured them.  With a few minor points of discussion, the council approved the request.

Other items of discussion and actions taken included:
• Approval to remove the stop sign at Humbolt and Pohlman.
• Approved a request by Chamber of Commerce Director Jacque Isern to use the city park on Dec. 6 for the third annual Kristkindlemarket.
• Resolved to allow borrowing of temporary funds for the ongoing KDOT project.
• Newberry presented two council outing opportunities, one to the League of Municipalities conference and one to tour the Dogwood Power Plant.  Both occur later in the month, and council members must indicate to him by Oct. 23 if they plan to attend.  He also provided an update of work being done to the city pool.  Two of three scum drains have been replaced, and some concrete work is in the process of being reworked.  
• The council met in executive session with the city attorney for 15 minutes to discuss items covered by attorney/client privilege.  Upon returning to regular session, no action was taken and the meeting was adjourned.
The Ellinwood City Council will meet again in regular session on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Ellinwood City Office.