The Eureka City Council approved a plan for the 2025 Chip Sealing Project at their regular meeting on June 9 after hearing recommendations from Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell and input from the transportation committee. The project intends to perform chip sealing, a road refurbishment process involving applying a layer of liquid asphalt followed by a layer of aggregate rock, to a proposed number of streets in Eureka that are in need of pavement maintenance. The project may begin as early as mid-August and will use an asphalt emulsion called CRS-1HP and an aggregate rock to be purchased from Harshman Quarry, of Howard. The work is to be done by APAC Shears-Kansas.
On behalf of the city, Mitchell had requested quotes from three asphalt contractors: Circle C Paving, APAC Shears, and Bettis Asphalt and Construction. Two bids were returned.
The contractors were asked to provide quotes for both CRS-1H and CRS-1HP. APAC Kansas bid to complete the project using CRS-1H at a total cost of $200,846.28 and CRS-1HP at a cost of $215,524.31. Circle C Paving bid to complete the project using CRS-1H at a total cost of $164,714.84 and CRS-1HP at a cost of $172,869.04. Bettis Asphalt did not return a bid.
In past years, chip sealing in Eureka has been completed using CRS-1H, a type of rapid-setting asphalt emulsion. The “CRS” designation indicates a cationic rapid-setting emulsion, and the “1H” refers to a hard penetration base asphalt. For this project, CRS-1HP will be used. The “HP” in CRS-1HP stands for “high-performance polymer modified,” meaning it’s blended with polymers to enhance its properties like flexibility, durability, and resistance to temperature fluctuations.
Mitchell recommended the change because of an issue he’d seen on 7th Street, which had been chip sealed last year. Some of the rock chips have come loose from the emulsion along the edges of the treatment. Because the CRS-1HP emulsion contains a type of fiber, it is expected to achieve better adhesion to the chips and the roadbed. Transportation committee member Jeff Marks added that pavement temperature at the time of the chip seal application makes a big difference to the adhesion of the chips, saying that the fibers in the CRS-1HP emulsion will help with that if this project is done later in the year when nights are potentially cooler. Mitchell had spoken with each contractor regarding scheduling the work to be done. APAC expected that the work could be scheduled around the second week in August.
City CouncilApproved Chip Seal Project ......................................................................
Circle C’s schedule opened in mid-September. After discussion, the council agreed that although the bid from APAC is higher, taking the opportunity to get the street project underway sooner could be vital to the project’s success, and so, APAC Kansas was chosen to complete the work.
Mitchell also talked about the rock needed for the project. Samples of rock were received from Cornejo in Severy and Harshman’s quarry in Howard. “The amount of dust also affects the rock’s ability to adhere to the asphalt,” explained Mitchell. After examination, 3-inch washed chips from Harshman were chosen as the best quality for the project, which will require 1,125 tons of the rock. The cost of the rock to be delivered from Harshman will be approximately $30,375. Council approved the purchase.
The council was presented with a map and list of the streets proposed for the 2025 Chip Sealing project, which includes portions of 2nd, 4th, 7th, Vermont, and School Streets as well as several others. A map of streets proposed for the chip seal project is pictured at left. It is also available on the city’s Facebook page, City of Eureka, KS - Municipal Government, and is available by contacting the city.
During the city council meeting, Steve Brown was shown appreciation by the council members for his efforts during the recent Eureka Days celebration. Brown, in turn, expressed appreciation to Director of Public Works Mitchell, saying he had been a big help with street barricades for the event. He also informed the council that the same barricades would be needed for the upcoming Fourth of July festivities. Brown also noted that, due to an unfortunate issue of clarification, the planned movie in the park had been postponed from the past weekend’s Eureka Days event and is now scheduled for Thursday, July 3. Brown explained that there had been some confusion over which park the movie was to be shown at. Brown apologized, taking responsibility for the error and promising to be specific about the name of the movie, “The Wild Robot.”
Also, Brown suggested a potential change to the date of Eureka Days from the first full weekend in June to the first weekend after Memorial Day. The reasoning for the suggestion being that several surrounding cities also hold car shows on the first weekend in June. If the Eureka Days date were to change, more cars might be available to participate in Eureka’s event. Thirty- seven cars participated in the Eureka Days car show this year. Brown stated that he did not expect an answer on this proposal yet as he intends first, to speak to others who may be doing events around that date.
The consent agenda, including the May 27 regular meeting minutes and the claims list totaling $96,606.75 was approved as presented. Also approved was Purchase Order #730732 to Brenntag for $6,088.58 for necessary chemicals at the water plant and Purchase Order #730845 for $5,064.73 to D. Gerber for pool chemicals necessary at the aquatic park.
The council approved a lease agreement for the property located at 100 S. Main at a price of $300 per month to Larry Hayes. Hayes has been leasing the property. The proposed lease will continue for a period of six months with a beginning date of June 1.
The council was presented with two resignations from the Eureka Lake advisory board, Harry Sayers and Pamela Kurtz. Sayers and Kurtz provided the council with the names of two volunteers who have stepped up for appointment to the vacated positions. The council agreed to discuss and appoint new advisory board members at the next city council meeting. Both resignations were accepted.
The transfer of lake lot #44 was presented and approved by the council. The lot will transfer from Jason A. and Jodi M. Wenzel to Jason A. Wenzel and Jodi M. Wenzel Trust.
Mayor Stephen Coulter addressed the council regarding his thoughts on the need for having more regular meetings with the council committees, noting upcoming budgetary deadlines as a motivation. Coulter also expressed regret regarding the recent change in lake lot lease fees. He apologized, saying, “It was my fault for not getting that information out sooner than I did.” He added, “I do intend to do better with communication.”
A brief executive session to discuss personnel performance was held. No action was taken as a result.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 23, at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Public Library.
(Courtesy image)
