Eureka City Council Held Routine Meeting; Concerns Shared Regarding Various Topics
1 x 3.25 $25.19
The Eureka City Council held a short business meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, where they heard public concerns, approved the purchase of a locator for the water department and discussed routine business items.
To begin the meeting, the council heard from city resident Miranda Colangelo, who shared her concerns regarding a recent lead service line notice she received in the mail, the sewage system improvements and the Eureka Downs funding funneling to the building. Colangelo read a letter to the council and concluded by saying, “What I would like as I leave this evening is to table this topic until next session. I had proper time to articulate my words exactly how I wanted and to research the information I have. I would like to allow you the same opportunity. I don’t want initial reactions to be our only reactions. I thank you all for taking your time to listen to me and my concerns.” Colangelo’s letter to the council is printed as a Letter To The Editor on page 2 of this week’s edition.
The council thanked her for sharing her concerns; however, Colangelo left the meeting before any discussion could continue.
The council shared during the meeting that the city water does not contain lead; however, stated that the brochures were sent to those that either didn’t complete the survey a few years back for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) or residents stated they had pipes that connected their home, building or other structure to the water main that was made from lead, galvanized material or an unknown material. With the topic being addressed, The Eureka Herald filed a Kansas Open Records request for various water testing/results. See related article.
With hopes of creating a more detailed mapping of the water and sewer lines throughout the city, Levi Lawrence, water/sewer foreman, presented a quote to the council from Key Equipment and Supply Co., totaling $13,888.18 for a RD7200 locator and accessories. Lawrence shared that he had been looking at purchasing a locater for approximately two years to assist with 1x4 the mapping. He also noted that this is the same system 811 and Atmos utilize. Lawrence lastly noted that he had budgeted $20,000 for supplies and tools with hopes of acquiring a locator for the city. The council approved the purchase unanimously.
The consent agenda, including the Feb. 10 regular meeting minutes, Feb. 17 special meeting and the claims list totaling $95,089.47 was approved as presented.
During old business, the council revisited the water/ sewer improvement project. BG Consultants attended the Feb. 10 meeting and presented project update memos asking the council to identify the scope of projects for the needed water and sewer system projects. The council was not in favor of voting on a loan during the Feb. 24 meeting but noted that once they identified the projects, they would be able to locate grants to assist with funding of the projects. They plan to discuss the topic at their next meeting.
The council also reviewed the pay ordinance; however, they tabled the discussion due to the personnel committee meeting later in the week. The council plans to review the ordinance at the March 10 meeting.
Regarding the animal shelter, it was shared that the Kansas Department of Agriculture had reached an agreement with the city that would waive the fees previously imposed as long as those funds are invested back into the animal pound. It was noted that the animal control director position remains open. Those interested should contact the Eureka City Clerk Renee Burk at 620-583-6212 for more information.
At the recommendation of the personnel committee, the council approved to amend the “E-5 Vacation Leave” in the personnel manual. Clerk Burk shared that previously, full-time employees would earn 80 hours of vacation leave once they reached their annual mark. The council approved the recommendation of changing it to give fulltime employees 40 hours of vacation after six months and the remaining 40 hours at their first anniversary, for a total of 80 hours.
Mayor Stephen Coulter and Council member Jeff Marks were absent from the meeting.
The next Eureka City Council meeting is slated for Monday, March 10, at 7 p.m, at the Eureka Public Library meeting room.
