At their regular meeting, Monday, May 12, Eureka City Council heard a request from Brandon McCullough, speaking for Marsyra Torrez, about her proposal to lease the Eureka Lake Bait Shop for the season. Torrez proposes to operate the bait shop where she will carry items such as fishing poles, tackle, and bait, as well as to sell boating permits on behalf of the City of Eureka. McCullough went on to tell the council that Torrez plans to extend the shop’s open hours and to create a social media page for advertising and to share updates. An after-hours phone number will give visitors additional access to boating permits and information. McCullough explained that Torrez also hopes to carry beer and other retail items at the shop. According to Kansas Law, a license is required to sell cereal malt beverages (CMB) such as beer. It was stated that Torrez has already begun the process to obtain the license. Although the previous bait shop lease agreement had stipulated no alcohol sales, after discussion, the council agreed that, contingent on the CMB license being obtained by Torrez, that stipulation can be removed. The council then approved accepting the amended lease agreement in favor of Torrez’s proposal. Boating permits at Eureka Lake are charged by the boat’s horsepower rating. Boating fee information can be found at eurekaks.org.
City Council Accepted Proposal For Lease Of Lake Bait Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
An off-road charity event over the May 10-11 weekend has prompted action at Eureka Lake. During the Corona Cruise charity event, based in Leon, participants were given grid coordinates to locate during a “treasure hunt.” Eureka Lake was among the areas participants were guided to. Mayor Stephen Coulter was informed that, during the event, several off-road vehicles had driven in and below the spillway, which can cause damage to the area. The waterfall at Eureka Lake has long been a point of pride for the area. When at high water, it has been called one of the most impressive in the state. The council discussed possibilities for addressing the issue and agreed that putting up signs indicating that all vehicles should stay on established roads would be a good first step. A notice of a fine of $500 along with the corresponding ordinance number was also proposed to be included on the suggested signage. The council’s hope was that the signs would be a deterrent to further offroad problems occurring at the lake. Additionally, the council intends to reach out to the Corona Cruise promoters in order to avoid the event causing future issues. It is not known if the vehicles in question were or were not participating in the Corona Cruise event. The council decided to table the discussion until their next meeting in order to verify legalities regarding the proposed signage.
Street Closure
A request was made to close Third Street next to the Greenwood Hotel on Sunday, May 18, in order to hold graduation festivities for Eureka Senior High School graduates. The request proposed a timeframe of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. However, after consideration of businesses and churches in the area, the council revised the street closure to 12 noon to 9 p.m. and approved the request.
Water and Sewer Rates
At the previous city council meeting, held Monday, April 28, the council voted to draft resolutions to increase water and sewer rates. As a result, Ordinances No. 4339 and 4340 were presented at this week’s meeting. Ordinance No. 4339 affirms a water rate increase of fifty cents per tier. In water utilities, a “tier” refers to a pricing structure where water consumption is divided into different price levels based on the amount of water used, with each tier having a different cost per unit of water. In Eureka, the proposed rate increase would take effect after the first tier (2,000 gallons), which is currently set and would stay at $11.25. The increase of fifty cents would apply to each 1,000 gallons after. Ordinance No. 4340 affirms an increase to the minimum sewer rate by 75 cents, from $21.25 (current) to $22 per month, per household. Both ordinances were approved as written. Legal publication of the ordinances can be found elsewhere in this week’s edition. The increases will take effect Sept. 1.
Streets
Council member Jeff Marks updated the council regarding chip sealing on Eureka streets. Chip sealing is a pavement preservation method that involves applying a layer of asphalt binder (like liquid asphalt) followed by a layer of aggregate rock (chips) to an existing road surface as a way to extend the life of roads, improve traction, and seal cracks. Marks said that the committee had reviewed different chips, looked at maps to help choose streets to be treated, and discussed contractors. Marks explained that the type of rock is important to provide foundation, stability, and minimize road noise.
Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell shared that he put in three requests for quotes for chip sealing and is expecting those soon. Mitchell expects to present a plan of action to the council at an upcoming city council meeting.
Council member Kevin Lawrence asked if the city would be doing any asphalt this year, making note that it had been some time since mill and overlay had been done in the city. Mill and overlay is a resurfacing technique where the top layer of asphalt is removed and a new layer is placed on top. Mayor Coulter stated that there is intention to complete some streets using that technique this year, but because of factors such as cost and timing, he was not able to provide specific details. ‘There’s going to be a lot more street work done this year,’ stated Coulter.
Baby Pool
The council reviewed a quote from D. Gerber Commercial Pool Products and Service, LLC, for a pump and filter system to be used at the new baby pool being constructed at the Eureka Aquatic Park. City Clerk Renee Burke said that the total for the equipment and other necessities totaled $4,800 plus freight. The funds for the project will come from remaining sales tax that went to benefit the library and the swimming pool. The new pool is expected to be completed by the time the Aquatic Park opens later this month.
Public Hearings
Code Enforcement Officer Steve French presented Resolutions 25-12 for a structure located at 214 S. School Street, Resolution 25-13 for a structure (garage) located at 321 S. School Street, and Resolution 25-14 for a structure (house) located at 306 S. State St. These were brought before the council to set public hearings for the three structures, citing dangerous and unfit structures, Code Chapter 4, Article 6. Because of an incorrect date on the resolutions presented, each resolution was amended to reflect a corrected date for the public hearing of July 14, 2025, at Eureka Public Library at 7 p.m.
City Comprehensive Plan
Office Assistant/Grant Coordinator Karen Simon addressed the council about the Eureka City Planning Commission’s comprehensive plan. Simon stated that it is time to update the city’s comprehensive plan. She presented the council with a Draft Objectives questionnaire covering topics including transportation and infrastructure, economic development, recreation and open space, aesthetics, land use, and civic improvement. Simon asked the council to fill out the questionnaire, which will also be presented to the members of the planning commission and, eventually, to the public. The comprehensive plan is intended to provide a vision for the future of the city and to help guide its development. Simon explained that the questionnaire will be a good help in understanding the needs of the community and the feelings of the community on important topics. Simon stressed that the Comprehensive Plan is in very early stages and may take time to complete.
The council reviewed an agreement for design and construction administration for Memorial Hall Window Restoration. The agreement pertains to moving forward with the second half of the windows. According to the agreement, BG Consultants will receive $26,370 for the project. The council’s approval is needed to move forward with the work. The council approved the agreement unanimously.
Mayor Coulter presented the council with a list of reappointments of Eureka City officers. Reappointments were approved for City Clerk Burke, Assistant City Clerk Kristi Stapleford, Treasurer Mary Hodgson, Fire Chief Luke Westerman, Municipal Judge Phyllis Webster, City Attorney James Watson, and Building Inspector French.
The consent agenda, including the April 28 regular meeting minutes and the claims list through Monday, May 12, totaling $102,875.75, were approved as presented.
The City Council meeting was followed by two short executive sessions. The executive session regarding personnel matters resulted in an action taken to approve a pay rate increase for Eureka street maintenance worker Bryson Kern from $16 to $17 per hour. The executive session regarding legal matters resulted in no action taken.
The next Eureka City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m.
