A discussion on the water tower project in Ellsworth was one of the topics covered during the Tuesday evening meeting of the Ellsworth City Council. Engineers from Bolton and Menk met with Ellsworth City Clerk Heidi Eckers on the next step in the project. Eckers informed the council on the findings from the engineering firm as to why the past two bids for the project have been so inflated. After much discussion, the council requested a representative from the Bolton and Menk firm to be present at the next council meeting of January 12th to discuss the changes in the Engineering Services Contract for the water tower project.
Eckers met with engineers from the WHKS firm out of Ames concerning the upcoming Main Street streetscape project. The council was presented with a quote for SCOPE work by the engineering firm. Ellsworth City Councilwoman Ladana Sogard raised questions about the streetscape being done prior to the new water tower. Council member discussed with Alan Hanson ,the city’s affidavit water operator for the city,on how replacing the water mains under the street might be affected, whether before or after the new water tower. It was determined that Supervisor Vanlangen should be present at the next council meeting to discuss the pros and cons of the order in which these projects can be accomplished. The decision was tabled until January 12th.
The Ellsworth City Council approved the phase 2 Marverik sign permit. The current status of the water plant, the distribution system and wastewater lagoons. Further questions on these topics will be addressed at the January 12th council meeting. A Bingo donation of $500 in Fiscal Year 2027 to the South Hamilton Music Boosters was approved by the council. A day long volleyball tournament of January 24th sponsored by the South High Pride was approved by the council for the Ellsworth gymnasium.The Ellsworth Community Association will maintain a food stand during the tournament. There will be no Ellsworth Bingo that evening.