Fire Department approved to buy new truck, tank

The Ellendale city council met in the evening of Thursday, July 9. The Ellendale National Night Out will start at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4. This event is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

 

Council members approved up to $93,000 for the purchase of a new fire truck and water tank. Logan Busho gave the fire hall update, reporting that the trucks and gear have been moved to the new hall. He mentioned the department is losing a firefighter who will be moving out of town, but has received an application from an individual interested in joining the crew. The new cabinets have been installed; the radio gear has also been installed and is working. Busho requested $3,700 for a new set of firefighting gear, just pants and jacket, not boots. He said the department would like to have an open house during fire safety week in October to show off their new hall. More details to follow. 

 

In his city maintenance report, Josh Otto said landscaping at the fire hall, including a new flagpole, is progressing and will be finished when his staff has time. Otto reported special equipment will be needed to remove some walnut trees at the city park; he anticipates a cost of  $600 to rent the equipment. Maintenance also received a quote from Olson Excavating for the Sixth Street South sewer line. Steve James Excavating completed three repairs in sewer lines and one in a water main.

 

For public comment, local resident Cynthia Nelson asked about the Steele County dumpsters near the railroad tracks. She was told those dumpsters are for Steele County use. She also had questions about the landfill. Josh Otto, Ellendale maintenance, said anyone who needs to use the landfill should contact him.

 

Andrew Bernau of Hill, Benda, Skov and Bernau presented the 2025 city audit, took questions and said it was a clean audit.

 

Resler Electric will be installing an outdoor light at the city government building which will also illuminate the flags. New units will be installed when parts are received. It is possible the next council meeting could be in the clerk’s office.

 

Block 1, Lot 1, parcel number 15-114-0101, Crown Ridge and Block 1, Lot 2, parcel number 15-114-0102, also of Crown Ridge are hereby rezoned as R-1 Residential lots. They were previously zoned at R-2. The official zoning map is amended accordingly. R-1 simply means it is primarily for single-family detached homes on larger lots. It promotes low-density neighborhoods with more space between homes.

 

A representative from Camp Companion animal control out of Rochester was present at a recent council meeting and offered the agency’s services to combat the numerous stray cats in Ellendale. The council discussed the problem and decided to give Camp Companion a one-year trial run. The plan is to capture the cats, spay or neuter them, and return them to Ellendale.

 

Two new letters of violation will be sent to two addresses on Radel Ct. The 8th Ave. East violation has until August 1 to abate their issue. The 4th Ave. West violation agreed to clean up their property, including weeds and overgrowth. The overgrowth has been addressed, but nothing else. The 6th Ave. East violation was given until August 1 to complete house repairs, including the porch and roof. If they are not able to complete repairs in the allotted time, the city will do it and will charge their property taxes to be reimbursed.