ELLINWOOD — Ellinwood city employees will receive a 1.5% salary increase following approval by the city council at Tuesday’s regular meeting. Employee salaries are scheduled for annual review every December. 

In other business, the council approved the purchase of a new pickup truck for the street department from Marmie Chevrolet for $38,010.

“The request for a one ton truck comes again with the pulling of heavy trailers and pumps,” said City Administrator Chris Komarek. “This truck also carries a 100-gallon fuel tank when needed for fueling equipment during projects like the flood control work but more so when doing annual compost site work.” Komarek added that the city’s current truck is a 2003 model and the springs have already been replaced once to support extra weight.

The council approved to pay for the surveying to acquire a utility easement to relocate the natural gas line feeding the sewer treatment plant. The plant is served by natural gas for both heating and emergency generator operations. Komarek said the line that feeds the gas comes from approximately 1,000 feet east of the treatment plant across property owned by Knop Sand Co. “After exploring other options, it appears that moving this line is the simplest and cheapest for all parties concerned,” he said.

The council took two executive sessions to discuss non-elected personnel and flood control property acquisition. No action was taken following the two sessions.

On other matters, the council approved up to $1,000 of assistance in upgrading the Ellinwood Senior Center computer system through H&B Communications. Councilors also approved cereal malt beverage license applications for Kansas Sidewinders, Casey’s General Store, Zip Stop Inc., and Ellinwood Family Foods.