Cameron Tross of BG Consultants joined the Monday, Dec. 22 Eureka City Council meeting via Zoom to present a revised set of drawings for the Memorial Hall window restoration project. Two bids were received earlier this month, but both were rejected due to budget considerations. BG Consultants was asked to reevaluate the project scope, creating additional alternatives with the intent to allow contractors to adjust their proposals to an affordable cost.
Tross presented the plan with a base bid to include the east facade, or front, of Memorial Hall. Three alternates comprised the remaining windows throughout the building. Tross explained that by grouping the windows, which may need additional equipment such as a lift to complete into the same alternate group should help the city avoid additional costs.
The project plan is to match the existing windows, which had been restored previously, using the same type of glazing (glass), paint, and sealing compound. Additionally, the few windows that now contain Florentine glass will also be matched with that type.
Councilman Dan Campbell said that Pishny Restoration Services, who were responsible for the previous restoration of windows at Memorial Hall in 2023 through a separate grant, had done quality work and asked if they would be able to bid on this project. Tross stated that he has taken measures to make sure that the company has the proper documentation so that they may make a bid if they desire to. Pishny had made a proposal to the last round of bidding. 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.
The council moved to accept the revised project scope with only small modifications to the proposed alternates. Tross will now move forward with the process of putting the project out for bidding again. According to the grant requirements, Eureka must award a construction contract by March 13, 2026, and the project is expected to be complete by March of 2027.
Water Plant Filters
Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell presented a quote from Brenntag for chemicals to clean the two filters at the water plant. Cleaning is a preventive maintenance operation, said Mitchell. After time, the filter media (materials that trap or absorb contaminants), sand, and anthracite (hard coal) start to get deposits on them, making them less efficient. The process would use the quoted chemicals to remove the deposits, extending the life of the filters and the filter media.
Currently, the filters are backflushed once per week to remove trapped contaminants or clogs and ensure water flow. Mayor Stephen Coulter said that the representative from Brenntag had remarked at the good condition of Eureka’s water plant and its filters. “We are really fortunate to have a good water source,” said Coulter.
Brenntag quoted the cost to chemically clean the two filters at $41,000.
A second option quoted by Brenntag was to replace the filter media instead of cleaning. The price for this option was $43,000 and did not include labor or equipment to conduct the process.
Mitchell proposed to go forward with the chemical cleaning process but to complete one filter in 2026 and then the second filter in 2027. The cost will be $20,500 for each budget year. The council voted to move forward with the one-filter-per-year plan.
Eureka Downs
In a Quality of Life committee report, Kevin Lawrence gave an update on the progress at the Greenwood County Community Center (GC3) at Eureka Downs, saying that the Braden Room renovations are completed.
The remodel included new flooring, paint, lights, and other fixtures. Mayor Coulter added that the Braden Room has already begun to be rented for public use, and he expects it will continue to bring revenue. Additional project work is planned for GC3 including some work to the walls and the track. The Fair Association has covered the cost of the repairs thus far. Lawrence told the council that the new facility (Gilley’s) in Park City is up and running. Eureka expects to get revenue from the Park City casino project (Golden Circle/ Historic Horse Racing) through state-mandated funding, specifically a $2 million grant to the Greenwood County Fair Board for GC3 renovations to bring horse racing back, with ongoing funds coming from a portion of the Historic Horse Racing (HHR) machine revenue, all part of the state’s plan to support racing. The expectation to begin receiving these funds is about six months, said Lawrence.
Merit Increases
After executive session for personnel review, the council moved to approve a 3% merit pay increase for Levi Lawrence, Mike Mehegan, Mitchell, James Reneau, Jayme Robertson, James West, and Loren Wools; a 2% merit increase for Renee Burk, Steve French, Adrianne Gibson, Bryson Kern, Bodie Lyon, Glen Mitchell, Dalton Pool, Karen Simon, Kristi Stapleford, Angelo Watchous, Cindy Wolfsbauer, and Matt Wright; and a 1% merit increase for Matt Richey and Oliver Wade, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
The council also approved a motion to hire Terry Wolfsbauer for the mechanic position at $17 per hour.
New Committees
Coulter announced committees for 2026: The transportation committee will be Jeff Marks, chair, with Miranda Colangelo; the quality of life committee will be Lawrence, chair, with Jason Brandt; the utilities committee will be Colangelo, chair, with Lawrence; the safety committee will be Brandt, chair, with Marks; the finance and personnel committee will be Cinda Beals, chair, with Dan Campbell; and the development committee will be Dan Campbell, chair, with Beals.
The consent agenda, which included the minutes of the Dec 8 regular meeting, the scheduled claims list for expenses due through Dec. 8, in the amount of $155,809.33, and purchase order #731038 to Garver for $9,225.60, was adjusted to add purchase orders #731086 to KCAMP for $89,847 for property, auto, and liability coverage, and #731087 to KMIT for $14,917 for worker’s compensation insurance. The council approved the agenda with the adjustments.
City Attorney James Watson was recognized and given appreciation by the council for his approximately 16 years of service. Watson’s last day in the position will be Dec. 31.
The next Eureka City Council meeting will be Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Public Library.
