Ellsworth Comp Plan gets green light

Posted 10/4/22

‘Now we just have to work to implement it’ ELLSWORTH – After months of community surveys, town halls, and research, the Village of Ellsworth has a new comprehensive plan, a roadmap to follow to …

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Ellsworth Comp Plan gets green light

Posted

‘Now we just have to work to implement it’

ELLSWORTH – After months of community surveys, town halls, and research, the Village of Ellsworth has a new comprehensive plan, a roadmap to follow to achieve village goals.

The Ellsworth Village Board unanimously approved the long-range 20092029 plan at the Monday, Oct. 3 board meeting. No one ouered feedback during public comment.

“OK, I love it,” said Village President Becky Beissel. “Everyone must love our plan. We were very diligent from the get-go that it was community feedback that went into building this. Great ideas and thoughts went into the plan. Now we just have to work to implement it.” UW-River Falls assistant professor of conservation and environmental planning Christopher Holtkamp and students Calli Jean Sycks and Stephanie Haumschild developed the plan with direction from the village’s steering committee, community surveys, focus groups and town hall sessions. The state requires municipalities to have a comprehensive plan focused on nine key elements: Issues and opportunities, housing, transportation, utilities and community facilities; agricultural, natural and cultural resources; economic development, intergovernmental cooperation, land use and implementation.

According to the plan’s introduction, “A Comprehensive Plan showcases how planning and organizing for future growth allows communities to utilize all resources to their full potential.” It provides direction for reviewing and updating ordinances; preserving natural, cultural and historic places; strengthening communications within the village among all departments and organizations; promoting economic growth and revitalization; repairing, expanding and upgrading utilities; growing housing inventories; en- suring fiscal responsibility; developing and planning for environmental sustainability and encompassing the community’s vision.

The village will use the plan as a framework to direct action to address issues and opportunities important to residents.

In addition to working with community organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the planners received more than 600 community surveys.

The plan is organized into four key topic areas: Community Capacity, Community Connectivity, Community Character and Community Content.

Community Capacity ensures the village has the resources necessary to achieve the comprehensive plan’s goals and ensure the community’s basic needs are met.

Community Connectivity ensures accessibility for all residents and visitors and iden- tifies opportunities for improvements to the transportation network, with a focus on improving pedestrian and cycling access.

Community Character identifies goals that require public and private investment and partnerships targeting economic development, housing opportunities and quality of life.

Community Content is about building on Ellsworth’s existing strengths, such as volunteer organizations.

Goals identified in the plan as important to community residents include:

• Expand wastewater capacity

• Develop plan for old junior high school

• Review and revise village ordinances to support community goals

• Expand code enforcement to ensure consistent compliance with regulations and standards

• Expand village stau to support community projects

• Support and build capacity at local organizations • Ensure adequate maintenance of existing sidewalks

• Expand sidewalk capacity and access to community destinations

• Improve connection between Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery and East End

• Add wayfinding and signage

• Improve Main Street

• Improve parks and recreation facilities

• Ensure housing diversity and availability

• Develop a building renovation/façade improvement program

• Support diversified economic opportuni ties

• Add landscaping and lighting to Main Street and other key corridors

• Add public art and historical signage and pictures throughout Ellsworth

• Develop more robust communication strategy for residents and local organizations • Expand farmers market

• Develop new and support existing community events throughout the year

• Continue to support Ellsworth Public Library and Senior Center

• Consider developing a community center with space to support community events, family gatherings, parties, etc.

Each goal listed in the plan identifies po tential barriers, stakeholders, estimated costs and potential funding sources, plus a proposed timeline for implementation.

The plan estimates that Ellsworth’s population will continue to grow, slowly but steadily, allowing for planned and organized growth. The estimated population in 2040 is 3,725.

Another notable fact: Compared to many rural communities, Ellsworth has a relatively young population. More than 25% of residents are 19 or younger and less than 20% are 65+. The median age is 38.4 years.

To view the plan in its entirety, visit villageofellsworth. org Other business

The board unanimously approved the following: • Ellsworth Senior Center request for 2022 budgeted amount of $2,700.

• Ehlers invoice for Tax Increment District TID #12 creation in the amount of $9,000.

• Ehlers invoice for preparation of supplemental reports on TIDs 4,7,8,9,10 and 11 in the amount of $6,000.

• Market & Johnson September invoice for 388 W. Main Street, roughly $283,000 out of library funds.

• Weld Riley invoice for police negotiations prep work in the amount of $1,542.50 – UA

• A contract with Monsido/Civicplus to bring village website into ADA compliance in the amount of $1,950. Beissel said a lot of lawsuits are taking place with websites not being ADA complaint.

• CBS Squared, Inc. Kinne Street watermain invoice #10538 in the amount of $3008.63, out of water fund.

• CBS Squared, Inc. 2022 street slurry seal coat project invoice #10537 in the amount of $2,391.25 15.

• Telemetry & Process Controls, Inc. WIN911 one-year contract renewal for 2023 in the amount of $1,065 16.

• Resolution 2022-12 in recognition of Deputy Director Curt Witynski and Communications Director Gail Sumi’s retirement and recognition of 50+ years of combined service with the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

• New sidewalk, curb, and gutter at 388 W.

Main St. (in front of library drive-thru).

People cannot drive through there any- more due to the fire suppression system beneath the concrete.

• Refund PC fees to Scott & Hollie Forsman and Justin & Tamara Billeter

• Reavrm part-time ovce assistant/deputy clerk-treasurer Julie Borner’s pay at $23 per hour. She will work 30 hours or less per week until Jan. 31, 2023. Andrew Borner abstained from the vote.

• Trustee Tony Hines questioned the necessity of the position and the need to spend taxpayer dollars on it. Julie Borner has filled in since former Administrator-Clerk/ Treasurer Nicole Stewart was let go in June. New Administrator-Clerk/Treasurer Brad Roy began his employment Sept. 26.

• Beissel said she’s been working almost part-time all summer for free to perform ovce duties and straighten out the mess left behind. Others agreed the position is necessary and to revisit it in January.