Cameron Tross and Stephanie Marsh with BG Consultants joined the Monday, Dec. 8 Eureka City Council meeting via Zoom to review bids for the Memorial Hall window restoration project, which is to be completed through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
According to the grant agreement, CDBG will provide funds totaling $282,867 towards the window restoration. Tross told the council that BG Consultants had received two qualified bids for the project. A qualified bid, explained Tross, means that the contractor submitted a completed bid packet, which includes a bid form or proposal, a bid bond that certifies the general contractor is qualified and insured to work in the state, a base bid, and three alternates. In a bid for window restoration, alternates are options for different materials, methods, or expanded scope of work that are priced separately from the base bid. The city can choose to accept or reject these alternates when awarding the contract.
The bids were received from Timekey Enterprises of Kansas City, Mo. and Vogts Construction of Newton. Each of the two companies was evaluated by BG Consultants and received rave reviews for quality work. However, both companies' bids were significantly higher than the project budget. Timekey’s base bid was $425,870, and the total bid, including the three alternates, was $553,583, with a timeline of 390 days for project completion. Vogts's base bid was $435,000, and including the three alternates, $533,000, with a timeline of 178 days to completion. A third bid proposal was received from Pishny Restoration Services, who were responsible for restoration of several windows at Memorial Hall in 2023 through a separate grant. However, the company did not complete the required bid packet, and therefore, BG Consultants was unable to verify their qualifications or accept theirs as a qualified bid.
In consideration of budget restrictions, the council moved to fail or reject both qualified bids. The process to seek bids for the project will begin again. On recommendation from BG, the city will reevaluate the project scope, possibly creating several smaller alternates, which might allow contractors to adjust their proposals to an affordable cost.
An additional benefit of this plan is that it will allow additional contractors to submit qualified bids. The topic will be revisited at the next city council meeting on Dec. 22.
According to the grant requirements, Eureka must award a construction contract by Mar. 13, 2026, and the project is expected to be complete by March of 2027. Miranda Colangelo (pictured inset), the newly elected representative for Ward One, was welcomed by the council after being sworn in by City Clerk Renee Burk before the city council meeting on Dec. 8. Colangelo takes over the position of Richard Drake, who completed his tenure on the council Nov. 24.
During the meeting, Colangelo addressed the council, urging them to revisit the topic of changing or amending the city’s pit bull ordinance. The ordinance states, said Colangelo, that any dog believed in appearance to be a pit bull or if the owner admits that it is a pit, is not allowed in the city limits.
However, Colangelo said that the city is not truly upholding the ban as it is written. Because the ordinance does not specify that a dog will be tested only when or if an incident occurs or a report is made, it cannot be uniformly enforced. Colangelo explained that she is aware of many Eurekans who own dogs of the banned breeds and that her own dog, whom she has called a Dane mix, is actually half pit bull. “But I get away with it because he looks like a Dane.” Colangelo feels that because the city does not seek out every dog that might be in violation of the order, when it does enforce the ordinance, it could be considered selective enforcement and therefore be in violation of a dog owner’s Fourteenth Amendment, which requires that the law be applied equally to all individuals. “According to what I just admitted, my dog should be taken from me and tested,” she said.
Her concern stems from a recent situation where a new citizen’s two dogs were removed from the owner’s care until testing to determine their breed was completed. The removal followed an incident with a neighbor's dog. Colangelo shared that she had spoken with a legal attorney who said that there are arguments that would support a lawsuit against the city in this case. Colangelo emphasized that her concern is that the language of an ordinance should allow it to be consistently enforced and not become open to discriminatory lawsuits.
Councilman Dan Campbell presented a fact sheet describing the rationale for keeping a pit bull ordinance in place, noting public safety, liability, and inherent dangerousness. “Perhaps it needs to be amended,” he said. 'I’m just simply saying there is rationale.”
Councilman Kevin Lawrence spoke to the origin of the ordinance, saying that there had been several incidents with the breed, but what pushed it over the edge was the post office refusing to deliver on certain blocks because the carriers were being threatened. Safety committee chair Cinda Beals moved to redirect discussion of the pit bull ordinance to the safety committee. The subcommittee plans to meet on the subject before the end of the year.
Street Projects
Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell presented a breakdown of planned street projects for 2026. Mitchell shared that Eureka has received a cost-share grant to reconstruct Jefferson St. from River St. south to the city limits. This 80/20 grant means that the state will cover 80% of the construction cost, and the city will be responsible for the other 20% plus engineering fees, inspection, and so forth. The city’s estimated cost is around $415,000.
A mill and overlay project is planned for Seventh Street from near the KDOT barn east to Q Road and south on Q to River Street. The project would involve milling (removing) 1 1/2 inches of road surface, completing base repairs to the subgrade, and overlaying the total road with 1 1/2 inches of asphalt. Because the city limit runs along the middle of 7th and of Q Road, the city and county share responsibility for the repair. The city’s share is estimated at around $125,000. According to Mitchell’s estimation, about 2,700 square yards of base repair is needed. However, there is concern that additional base repair may be necessary, which will not be known until the mill process has started. Mitchell said they plan to complete all of 7th Street before moving on to Q Rd. to avoid any issues that may arise due to unforeseen costs to repair. The council reviewed and approved a bid from MMI Asphalt of Winfield, to complete the mill and overlay project.
A chip seal project similar in size and scope to that which was completed this past summer is also planned. The cost estimated for the chip seal is around $250,000, Mitchell said street materials for the chip seal and other projects are expected to be about $50,000.
Mitchell also said that plans are currently being reviewed for a 1st Street project using a 50/50 match grant where the city’s portion is estimated at $116,000.
According to Mitchell, the Street sales tax cash balance as of Jan. 2026 is $1,087,915.00. Projected sales tax to be collected in 2026 is $360,000, which will leave an estimated street sales tax cash balance of $491,915 in December, 2026, after the proposed street projects are completed.
The resignation of city attorney James Watson, effective Dec. 31, 2025, was accepted after an executive session on Dec. 8. Watson said the decision to step down was not made easily but said that working full time in Emporia, part time for Eureka, and fulfilling other obligations does not leave sufficient time to devote to life outside of work. “I believe that the city will find an excellent candidate to be my successor. I hope the city continues to thrive and have a bright future.”
Another executive session to discuss personnel resulted in no action.
Ordinance 4347 pertains to a 2% increase in trash hauling rates through Waste Connections Inc. According to the current agreement with the city, Waste Connections is allowed a 2% rate increase per year for inflation, which they have opted to apply.
Mayor Stephen Coulter noted that the agreement with Waste Connections is in its final year and suggested that in June, the council might look into other options for garbage collection.
A public hearing was held regarding Resolution 25-23, which states property located at 1012 N. Elm in Eureka is dangerous, unsafe, or unfit for human use or habitation, and a motion to demolish the structure was accepted as presented. According to Code Enforcement Officer Steve French, the property has sat derelict for some time, has not had water service since January of 2023, and no property tax has been paid since 2022. Attempts to contact the owner, Samuel Rowe of Burgettstown, PA, have gone unanswered, said French.
The annual CMB license was renewed for Family Dollar in Eureka.
The consent agenda, including the minutes of the Nov. 24 regular meeting, the scheduled claims list for expenses due through Dec. 8, 2025, in the amount of $87,533.08, and purchase orders #730738 to Brenntag for $7,131.51, #731030 to BG Consultants for $1,325.00, #731028 to JEO Consultants for $21,388.75, and #731047 to County Wide Refuse for $5,551.00, was accepted as presented.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec 22 at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Public Library.
