Ellsworth council updated on trail

By Billie Shelton — Daily Freeman-Journal Writer
ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth City Council heard a trail project update when they met in regular session recently.

Brian Lammers, Hamilton County Conservation Director, was present to tell the council the project received a $5,000 grant from the Enhance Hamilton County Foundation. Appraisals have been completed, and negotiations will begin to purchase the necessary properties. Lammert also reported that Heartland Co-op in Jewell and Prairie Land Co-op in Ellsworth have both donated land to the project, and the abstracts will be secured for both properties.

Maintenance superintendent Danny Anderson reported to the council of a possible leak on the south side of the west pond. Solutions will be presented to the council after engineers have been contacted.

In another property matter, the park board told the council the tennis court nets need replaced, the fence needs lowered, and the court needs to be resurfaced. According to the city clerk, there are enough funds in the park budget to purchase the net. The park board will arrange to meet with the building and grounds committee for a walk through of park and community center properties.

In other business, the council passed the first reading of an ordinance adopting the code of ordinances for the city. There were no objections at the public hearing prior to the vote. The meeting also included another public hearing on amending the current city budget. After closing the hearing, the resolution to amend the budget was passed.

The council also decided not to invest any more funds in the Iowa Stored Energy Agency and to request repayment of the town’s original investment.