New downtown mural planned for Ellendale
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
The Fall Festival is a go for Ellendale.
Gwen Reiss, owner of Two Doves Boutique, was there to seek permission and talk about it at the Thursday, Sept. 24 meeting of the Ellendale City Council.
Present were councilpersons Jackie Froman, Duane Goebel and Scott Groth, who stood in as acting mayor in Russ Goette’s absence. Councilperson Steph Kibler was out of town, though she did attempt to join the meeting through ZOOM. Also present were city clerk Kim Zimprich, Ellendale mayoral candidate Matt Bartsch, Ed Reiss, Janelle Olson and Keith Langlie.
“I’ve talked to lot of people about it, and they want to do a Fall Festival,” explained Gwen Reiss, who detailed the plan. She set Saturday, Oct. 17 for the date, with hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We’re hoping the restaurants will offer free cider or hot chocolate, with a free-will donation, and we can hopefully put some straw bales along main street,” she said. The events, including a farmer’s market, will take place only on sidewalks, hopefully with food trucks on the side street next to Two Doves Boutique.
Reiss said she plans to contact as many businesses as possible to participate and, on the same day, will be accepting donations for a new mural on the east side of Ellendale Café. She hopes to present three plans for a new mural, to be voted on by the people of Ellendale. Reiss sought and received permission to set up an account at the local bank for mural donations.
“Russ (Goette) owns the building now,” said Groth. “We’ll probably need some agreement with Russ.”
Goebel said it probably wouldn’t be a problem and agreed to talk to Goette about it.
It was also noted that there are no plans at this time to hold the annual Christmas in the Country event.
Ed Reiss was there to talk about a soon-to-be foreclosed property on 5th Ave. W. He offered to buy the property for $1 and said he would help with demolition of the current structure there. Groth said he would check on details and get back to Reiss at the next council meeting.
Olson was present on behalf of the Ellendale Fire Department, for which she serves as clerk and gambling manager. She’d like to make a donation of more than $4,600 from the gambling proceeds to the city, which would use the funds to purchase two sets of turnout gear.
“Sure,” said Groth, noting a resolution would be required to do it.
Olson said she’d like to continue to do this in the future, although she’d have to check on how much the department is allowed to donate to the city.
Langlie gave a brief report on the Ellendale Parks and Trails Committee, thanking the city for installing tiling in Crown Ridge Park and for donated trees for the downtown park. He said he’s looking to get a volunteer to install underground wiring to the pavilion in the park. Langlie also sought permission to plant donated trees near the water treatment plant.
“I don’t have a problem with that,” said Groth.
Goebel spoke on behalf of city maintenance man Josh Otto, saying the city plow truck was taken in for repairs, although more is needed. He also sought approval to spend $243.59 for a water cap near the Ellendale Community Building. It was approved 3-0.
Zimprich said she received a letter from someone interested in joining the parks and trails committee.
“The feeling is we’re good with only five on the committee,” said Langlie, who planned to make contact with the highly-qualified individual and see where it goes from there.
Zimprich presented the rental agreement for the Ellendale Community Center, which includes, among other things, a requirement that a law enforcement officer be present if alcohol is served.
Zimprich said a council member brought complaints to her a couple weeks ago about properties in violation of current ordinances, like vehicles with expired tabs and trash/recycling bins placed in front of houses, and she sent letters to property owners. In the future, she’d like items such as this be brought to her by the entire council and not just one member of it. The council agreed.
“It should be brought before the whole council, so everyone’s aware of it,” said Groth.
Zimprich said there were 20 to 25 properties in town that need to be cleaned up.
It was announced that the sheriff’s auction on the foreclosed property would be held Nov. 5 at 10 a.m.
Zimprich said she was very pleased with keypad locks for the clerk’s office and city hall, and announced two more locks were on order.
It was also announced the planned Codification meeting can’t be held Oct. 1 because the manual is unclear.
“There are sections missing, including a survey,” said Zimprich. The council tabled the matter.
Also discussed was the possibility of placing stop signs on School St. and 8th Ave. Goebel said he checked with the county and was told a study was completed, the results of which are pending.
The council approved the outlay of $1,16.61 for the purchase of additional tiles in Crown Ridge.
Zimprich also announced a drive-through flu shot clinic for Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ellendale Fire Department. Anyone with questions should contact Steele County Public Health at 507-444-7650.
Goebel said he spotted some ramps in Blooming Prairie that could possibly be purchased for use at the Community Building. He agreed to look into it.
Goebel also talked about the overtime policy for Otto, and said a closed meeting would be needed to discuss it. The council agreed to do so following the next council meeting Oct. 8.
The meeting adjourned around 9 p.m.