Ellendale looking for a new EMS Director

During their meeting on Thursday, August 13, Ellendale city council members learned current EMS director Jerry Ibberson is looking to step down; he offered to stay on for up to a year to train in his successor. Ibberson described his position as being “partially salaried,” meaning the work is not only on a volunteer basis. Anyone interested in the position can contact Ibberson at 507-381-9490 or the city clerk’s office at 507-684-2681.

 

The fire hall had an issue with two of the 24 newly installed cabinets, which was fixed by buying a pantry, which cost a little over $700. The walk-in door, which is one of the final items on the construction checklist, is malfunctioning and painted incorrectly. Southern Lock and Door will be called to fix the issue. Otherwise the construction of the new fire hall is complete, with some landscaping to be finished later. Jerry Ibberson asked Fire Chief Logan Busho what the department would do if there were a power outage. Busho assured him there is a pulley system to open the automatic doors in case of a malfunction.

 

An Ellendale resident raised concerns about motorized traffic out at Crown Ridge and the City Park, “There have been 4-wheelers, side by sides, e-bikes and electric scooters going through there and running everywhere, and around those apartments. I want to know what the rules are with motorized vehicles, and we should tell the rest of the city what those rules are.” The council intends to research and readdress the issue. Council members also said they have alerted the sheriff, who is also looking into it.

 

Josh Otto of the city maintenance department reported there were two water line leaks on Third Street, but he fixed them on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The compost/septic dirt road has been suffering from the heavy weight of the trucks driving through. Otto suggests purchasing rock to fill the holes; anticipated cost is $33 per ton; the council approved $2,000 worth. The council also approved $540 toward the purchase of a new weed trimmer. Otto suggested funds be allocated in 2027 for one 55-gallon drum of mosquito spray; he said spraying would take place overnight. In the meantime, he was approved for another two gallons of spray for the rest of this summer.

 

It was reported that vandalism is occurring at the city park. Picnic tables have been ripped off their concrete anchors, and the tether ball has been popped twice now. To combat this, Otto says there is a camera system that can send an alert to any phone, and anyone on the council can log in to check. Otto was approved for three cameras with online access from Tactacam. The council also approved signs alerting residents that they are on camera. Two water tanks will be installed in the ground at the city park once school starts. These will aid in the watering of the park and for emergencies.

 

There are two addresses on Radel Court that have had violation letters sent to them because of unkept grass and conditions. Residents at one of the addresses have begun taking care of the issue; no change has been seen at the other address, and a citation will now be issued.

 

The address located on 8th Avenue East could not complete their yard and clutter issue and was in contact with Misgen Auto Parts for the vehicles in their yard to no avail. They were originally given a completion date of June 15, which was extended to Aug. 1. As of Aug. 14 the work has not been completed. The council will inform city attorney Mark Rahrick to proceed with a court hearing.

 

The address located on Fourth Avenue West was given until Aug. 1 to correct issues with clutter and lawn care. There has been some cleanup and improvement; the council gave residents until Sept. 10 to continue cleaning as long as work continues, and that includes the removal of vehicles.

 

The address located on 6th Avenue East had family from out of town contact the council agreeing to fix the dilapidated front porch and roof, as ordered by the council. The council had originally given a deadline of June 15 to complete repairs, but has now bumped the date to Sept. 15.

 

The city clerk said the front ramp area of the city clerk’s office will have the ramp demolished beginning the week of Aug. 17. New lights have been installed in front of the office illuminating the flags.

 

Mayor Groth expressed frustration regarding the condition of the railroad tracks crossing Highway 30 in town. The black, rubber-like pads between the tracks are curling and warping, causing the drive over the tracks to be rough. The council did discuss some ideas, but since this is private property, no decision was reached.