ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Village Board approved an item to direct the village to enter conversations with the Department of Natural Resources on a grant to purchase land connected to Summit Park.

Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy said the DNR notified the village they were “tentatively” selected for Land and Water Conservation Fund grants to expand Summit Park. The purchase would be for about 7 acres adjoining the park from the east near the tennis courts and Bob Young Field.

The grant is to split the appraised value of the land ($120,000) between the DNR and the village.

“So here we are spending more money,” Trustee Tony Hines said. “It’ll hit the taxpayer one way or another.”

Trustee Andrew Borner said there is a limited amount of land in town, and this happens to be connected to Summit. He said it was a good opportunity.

“I struggle with this one a little bit just because there isn’t a plan in place for what we’re going to do with it,” Beissel said. “However, this is up on top of the hill, so it’s not highly developable, and it’s right next to an existing park, and so I understand that the opportunity arose.”

Trustee Ryan Bench said youth sports could use the space, especially flag football.

The item was approved, meaning the village has the go ahead to accept a grant if they receive it and to work with the DNR on execution and documentation of the grant.

East End Park Plan

The East End Park Master Plan service agreement was back on the agenda after being tabled, and it was approved this time around. During the September meeting, the board saw a proposal to spend $27,500 for an East End Park Master Plan with multiple concept proposals. At the meeting, the majority agreed that a plan may be needed, but the listed price was too steep.

During Monday’s meeting, Roy laid out a new proposal from MSA for $18,000 which subtracts the public open house and in-person project review meetings. Roy said public feedback could be collected online and through public comment.

“[Can someone] tell us again why this is needed,” Bench said. “I’m really struggling with spending this kind of money on one park to come up with a plan.”

Bench said residents have reached out to him in recent weeks, and one said the board spends money like a “drunken sailor” on plans.

Village President Becky Beissel said with the park master plan approved, this is the next logical step toward using park space in a way residents have surveyed in favor of. Beissel said having a separate plan for the specific park opens up grant opportunities and provides a more “intentional” layout.

“I don’t feel the $18,000 is egregious, just because any change order from not planning enough is going to cost. Any underground plumbing, any underground electrical, if we don’t have an engineer’s backing on how this should be done [it could be costly],” Trustee Jarod Traynor said.

Trustee Andrew Borner said the previous quote was a lot of money, but he could get behind the $18,000 proposal. Bench said Traynor’s comments made sense, and the item passed.

Other business

• Approved an ordinance to limit truck traffic on North Grant Street. The exception would be for trucks turning into the Pierce County Fairgrounds. Officers would have the discretion of whether the driver is issued a citation or warning based on the incident.
• Approved a 20,000 square foot minimum lot size for 3-4 unit dwellings. Roy said no number was clearly defined in the ordinance.
• The board went into closed session to discuss the Albrightson Excavating Grant/Piety Street reconstruction contract, but no action was taken upon reconvening. The board did approve a payment for the project during the open session.
• Approved a $2,000 payment for an HVAC study at the Ellsworth Public Library. The total study cost is $5,000, which is split 60-40 with the library taking on the majority. A previous quote was reviewed by APEX Engineering who said the entire system may need to be updated, so the study would be informational to determine the next course of action. Trustee Tony Hines opposed the vote, citing excessive village spending.
• Approved the appointment of Carter Schutz to the Community Development Authority. The Plan Commission vacancy has not yet received an appointment.
• Approved a Summit Park maintenance cost agreement with the school district and the Hubbers.