By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS–Ellis city council members want a lot more input from the public before they make any recommendation about purchasing the former bowling alley building for use as a community center.

During a special meeting Monday, council members toured the facility at 203 E. 2nd Street.  Once they were back at city hall, several council members reported concerns from residents about committing to such a costly purchase when Ellis is facing a water shortage and expensive options for a new water source.

Council members then authorized an engineering study to determine the viability of partnering with the Trego County Rural Water District.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING  Minutes  January 27, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the special meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Present were Council members Jeff Wolf, John Walz, John Leiker, Jolene Niernberger, and Terry Redetzke.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and City Clerk Amy Burton.  Council member Loran Gottschalk was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Connie Waldschmidt, David McDaniel and Nickole Byers.

(a)          Walk-through of proposed location for community center

Council member John Leiker moved to recess and reconvene the meeting at 203 E. 2nd Street.  Council member Jeff Wolf seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting recessed at 5:03 p.m.  The meeting reconvened at 5:08 p.m. at 203 E. 2nd Street.

Public Present at 203 E. 2nd Street

Connie Waldschmidt, David McDaniel, Nickole Byers, Tim Kohlrus, Sylvia Kinderknecht, Gary Luea, Helen Fischer, Henry Fischer, Kevin Fox, Bill Ring, Dena Patee, Art Schoenthaler, Troy Weigel, and Ron Johnson.

The meeting reconvened at 5:35 p.m. in Council Chambers.

Public Present at Council Chambers

Connie Waldschmidt, David McDaniel, Ron Johnson, Tim Kohlrus, Gary Luea, Nickole Byers and Sylvia Kinderknecht.

Council discussed the proposed community building and who would own the site and be responsible for maintaining the facility. Several council members reported concerns from the public on spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a community building when the City is going to need money for water exploration.  It was the consensus of Council that more community input is needed and that it was too early in the process to commit to the project.  No action was taken at this time.

(b)          Consideration of Engineering Study for Water Exploration

Council member John Walz moved to authorize an engineering study to determine the viability of partnering with the Trego County Rural Water District at a cost not to exceed $1,500.00, with half of the monies to come out of the Capital Improvement – Water Exploration Fund and half of the monies to come out of the Capital Improvement – Special Project Fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Jeff Wolf seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.