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Ellinwood City Council appoints new member
Oelke fills city council seat vacated by Brauer
new_vlc_Oelke sworn in.jpg
Steve Oelke, appointed to fill the seat on Ellinwood City Council in September following the resignation of Alan Brauer, was sworn in Tuesday night. Brauer moved out of the city limits, so could no longer serve. - photo by Veronica Coons

ELLINWOOD — At the start of Tuesday's city council meeting, Steve Oelke was sworn in and took his seat with the rest of the council members who appointed him to the position at the September meeting. 

One visitor, Ellinwood School and Community Library’s Sheri Holmes, provided an update that included highlights of the past year at the library. City Manager Chris Komarek noted that she had requested to be placed on the agenda, but due to an oversight, she was not but was invited to speak as a visitor instead. She also shared about a special entertainment the library has arranged to visit for the community’s Christkindlmarket celebration Sunday, Dec. 2. A New York actor will, with audience participation, present A Christmas Carol at the library that afternoon. More details will be available through the library’s Facebook and local media nearer to the date. 

A hail storm on Tuesday, May 29, resulted in roof damage at all city facilities, Komarek said. While metal roofs and concrete roofs did not require repair, others received damage and the city and insurance company has come to an agreement about having them repaired. Komarek earlier issued a request for proposal and roofing specification to five local vendors. Local contractors Lyle Bryant Construction and Joiner Construction returned bids by the deadline, and those were presented to the council Tuesday night for their consideration. 

The insurance company will allow $30,000 for repairs, Komarek said. The difference between bids was $6,700, with Lyle Bryant the apparent low bid. After some discussion, the council accepted the bid from Bryant. It is anticipated the work could be completed by March 1, 2019. 

The city will replace a skylight that was damaged, Komarek said.  

The council also approved requests to purchase new equipment. A hydraulic power unit for $9,209.50, and a 1997 dump truck for $21,500 to replace the 1977 truck currently in use by the sewer department were approved. Both pieces of equipment will be used by multiple departments, Komarek said. 

During his city manager report, Komarek noted that the company that the city agreed to sell excess street bricks to has not come to complete its purchase yet. In the meantime, another purchaser willing to pay more has been identified. After some discussion, it was agreed to add this as an agenda item at a future meeting if no sale is made within the next three weeks. 

An executive session was held for preliminary discussion concerning acquisition of property. Upon returning to regular session, no action was taken.  


Here’s a quick look at what happened at the Ellinwood City Council meeting Tuesday night:



• Ellinwood City Clerk Kim Schartz swore in Steve Oelke as the newest appointed council member. 

• Sheri Holmes made a presentation of highlights for the past year at the Ellinwood School and Community Library.  

• Approved a request by Jordan Waite, representing the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce, that the city allow the chamber to use Wolf Park and the bandshell for Christkindlmarket festivities on Sunday, Dec. 2. 

• Approved the renewal of the vision service plan

• Adopted the updated cafeteria plan document

• Approved a roofing bid from Lyle Bryant Construction for work on a number of city-owned buildings for $29,147 to be completed by March 1, 2019. 

• Approved a bid for a load of replacement electric poles for $8,148 from MacFarland Cascade.

• Approved the purchase of a hydraulic power unit for $9,209.50.

• Approved the purchase of a used dump truck for the sewer departments for $21,500. 

• An executive session was held for the possible acquisition of property. Upon returning to regular session, no action was taken.