$
600,842 Development Grant
On Monday, March 10, the Eureka City Council heard public comments, approved the purchase of a new mower for the city, and received the announcement of a Neighborhood Development Grant worth $600,842.
To begin the meeting, Jamie Lindamood presented an update regarding the Eureka Downs project. Lindamood shared that the roof is expected to be completed by the end of the month. She also said that carpentry projects are continuing to move forward with the students from the high school. “They’re getting a lot done with the time that they have. They’re doing a nice job,” Lindamood stated.
Other projects, like HVAC and electrical, are continuing to move forward. “We’re trying to get as much done by July 1,” said Lindamood, who closed by noting that there will be another Greenwood County Community Center (GC3) meeting later this week and citizens can expect an update about the Downs projects in The Eureka Herald.
The council then heard a follow-up from concerned citizen Miranda Colangelo, who had addressed the council during the last city council meeting on Feb. 24. Colangelo shared that she had, since then, received some additional information about the lead service line notice she and others in the community had received in the mail. However, she still had concerns about potentially needed repairs. “If the burden is on us (homeowners) to replace the pipes from the meter to the home, then I guess I would just like to be sure that on the other end it’s good,” said Colangelo. Mayor Stephen Coulter stated that “to my knowledge, I am not aware that the city had any lines that were lead.”
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requires testing for lead and copper every three years. No problems have been reported for Eureka.
The council shared that Mike Mehegan is scheduled to complete water sampling of ten houses in Eureka soon. Colangelo was asked if she would like to be put on the list as one of the ten houses, to which she agreed. Owners of the homes chosen as one of the ten to be sampled will receive instructions on how to properly obtain their sample.
Colangelo next gave her thoughts regarding the need to repair the sewage system. Her feeling is that this issue has been pushed off for generations and now requires action. Mayor Coulter explained that the city is not committing to doing a sewer project right now. There are steps that must be taken to complete a sewage project. “We have a pre-engineering report to tell us what our issues are so that we can figure out what we are going to do next. That’s where we’re at,” said Coulter. Council member Kevin Lawrence noted several sewage projects that the city has recently completed. “It is a misconception that we haven’t done anything, so now we need to do everything,” said Lawrence.
Colangelo spoke briefly with the council about options for a new community space, sharing specifications and cost estimates for a building she felt would work well for Eureka. Mayor Coulter made the point that the current Memorial Hall building is about the same size as the proposed building. “We already have a building that size”, said Coulter.
As the topic of horse racing began, Colangelo expressed concern over the amended Senate Bill 260. However, she was reminded by the council that the five-minute presentation limit had expired.
To finish public comments, Steve Brown requested permission to close Main Street between 1st and 3rd Streets from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Eureka Days. He also requested the use of Memorial Hall as a fallback facility in case of rain. Eureka Days is to be held June 7, with additional activities possible on June 6. The requests were approved unanimously.
Chris Mitchell was introduced as the new Director of Public Works. Monday was Chris’s first day on the job.
Office Assistant/Grant Coordinator Karen Simon announced that Eureka received a $600,842 Neighborhood Development Grant. The grant project plans to rehabilitate nine homes occupied by qualifying low-to-moderate-income families. The scope also includes rehabilitation of a portion of 1st Street, from Poplar to Sycamore, addressing drainage concerns that contribute to poor pavement conditions.
$
600,842 Development Grant . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mayor Coulter, along with Simon and Code Enforcement/ Court Clerk Cindy Wolfsbauer received the grant check in Topeka last Wednesday. See related article.
A grant agreement for the windows at Memorial Hall was presented for signature. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is a federal grant program to support community development projects. According to the grant agreement, CDBG will provide funds totaling $282,867 towards a Community Development Program. The City of Eureka, for its share, must provide $85,290 in additional funds to be used towards the same program. It was noted that Eureka has already raised over half of the required funds. Donations, as well as an expected tax credit, will help in reaching the goal.
In old business, the council reviewed and approved Pay Ordinance 4337. The ordinance establishes pay compensation for city officers and employees. Changes were made to the titles of several city employees. Community Enrichment Manager has become Community Development Coordinator. Code Enforcement Manager/Court Clerk has become Code Enforcement Coordinator/Court Clerk, and Associate Director has become Foreman. The duties of Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector have been divided, creating an additional position, Animal Control Officer/ Maintenance, which will have a higher starting salary. “I felt like these were a little more descriptive of what these folks do,” said Coulter.
The consent agenda, including the Feb. 24 regular meeting minutes and the claims list totaling $42,875, was approved as presented.
During new business, the council approved GAAP Resolution 25-07, which will exempt the city from accrual accounting. This method of accounting records financial transactions when they occur, rather than when cash changes hands. GAAP, or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, are a set of accounting standards and rules that companies use to measure and report their financial results.
Resolutions were approved for two houses, 644 W. 2nd Street and 650 W. 2nd Street to be razed and removed due to unsafe conditions. A third resolution which will set a public hearing to address the violations present at 423 W 2nd, was also presented and approved.
The transfers of Lot 44, from Earl J. Everitt, Jr. to Jodi Wenzel and Jason Wenzel, and Lot 97, from Craig McPeak and Rebecca McPeak to Kenri St, Arnault and Latasha St. Arnault, at Eureka Lake were approved.
In consideration of purchasing new mower(s) for use by the city, the council reviewed two models, one having a 60 inch cutting width and another, 72 inches. Coulter explained that the city replaces a mower every year. The 60 inch mower would be for use at the city while the 72 inch mower, if purchased, would be located at the airport. Jeff Marks expressed concern regarding the expenditure. He pointed out that it might make more sense to repair rather than replace. “We just spent $12,000 on tractors and they haven’t even been run through our shop”, said Marks. After much discussion, the council approved the purchase of a 60 inch mower at the cost of $14,380. Director of Public Works, Chris Mitchell, was asked to take a look at the two tractors located at the airport and see what condition they are in before a decision is made regarding purchase of a larger mower.
Regarding the animal shelter, Mayor Coulter shared that he had reviewed the violations and resolutions needed at the shelter. He said that some of the repairs will be very expensive but added, there is also, potentially, some grant money available to help offset some of that cost. 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.
The next Eureka City Council meeting will be Monday, March 24, at 7 p.m., at the Eureka Public Library meeting room.
