Bartness resigns, Petsinger hearing

Chatter among members of the Ellendale City Council, and those in attendance of Thursday's regular meeting, indicate the reason behind the recent resignation of Councilor Derek Bartness was due at least in part because of the city's ongoing tussles with local property owner Daniel Petsinger.

 

The council cited, “personal reasons,” for the resignation of Bartness, whose last day was Sept. 30, 2024.

 

“I’d like to note that it’s too bad it had to happen,” councilor Scott Groth stated. “It’s an injustice.”

 

During the previous month's meeting, Petsinger called for the city to officially “censure” Bartness, who allegedly left a 1-star Google review of Petsinger’s Radio Link Internet businesses, despite never having used its services. The post appears to have been removed.

 

The council did not discuss how to fill the empty council seat.

 

Through August, per the council packet provided at the meeting, the city has spent $8,300 of its budgeted $14,000 for attorney/legal fees. The city’s attorney was again present Thursday evening.

 

Prior to the regular meeting of the council, a special hearing was held on uncut grass on properties owned by Petsinger.

 

The fine, $25 per lot, included five lots and the reason for the night's hearing was Petsinger's request for an appeal.

 

The meeting was rather abrupt as Petsinger and council members verbally went back and forth for only a few minutes. Petsinger insisted he could not speak about the matter because, just prior to the meeting, Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele handed him a lawsuit from the city of Ellendale regarding a tower located on his property. At the September council meeting, the city approved for the property to be abated after approving a fine for an “accessory structure.”

Petsinger asked the council to postpone the hearing. They did not.

 

“That doesn’t have anything to do with grass,” Councilor Groth stated.

 

“Legally, I cannot speak to you about these properties,” Petsinger responded.

 

The city’s attorney reminded the council that that was Petsinger's position, however, “The hearing before you tonight has to do with the length of grass.”

 

Petsinger again asked for an extension.

 

“I don’t see the connection,” Mayor Matthew Bartsch stated. “It’s regarding the length of grass. Mowing your grass. Again. I don’t see the connection.”

 

“The city chose to do a lawsuit,” Petsinger challenged. “The city chose when to have this lawsuit handed to me.”

 

“You throw stuff at us,” Groth shot back.

 

“You don’t listen, do you?” Petsinger stated. “All I’m asking for is time to read this lawsuit.”

 

Mayor Bartsch gave Petsinger one last opportunity to talk about the length of grass before the hearing closed at 6:52 p.m. Petsinger again asked for time to “review the legal documents” in front of him.

 

During the regular meeting, the council unanimously approved enforcement of the fine.

 

Mural Project

The city officially accepted the mural donation from the Ellendale Historical Society. An update on the project was provided by the committee. Lights are going up and a possible birds nest in the panels of the mural will be dealt with.

 

The Ertel tree, approved for removal at the previous meeting, will be removed by Total Tree, along with stump grinding at a cost of $400. Once removed, a more comprehensive plan for “phase two” of the mural project will be decided.

 

The Steele Heights apartment project will start one way or another at some point. So far the project has been awarded grant dollars totaling $168,000 and are waiting on word for up to $600,000. Regardless of the outcome of the grant, the council said the project will move forward.

 

The regular meeting concluded at 8:02 p.m.