The Eureka City Council discussed several business items during its bimonthly meeting last Monday, Jan. 12, including an update from the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport, fire station grants, approval of a Manufactured Home District ordinance and more.
Airport Update
Caleb Coltrane, of Garver, presented the council with an update regarding three projects to be completed at Eureka’s Lt. William M. Milliken Airport. Coltrane told the council there is a window of opportunity to take advantage of some special grant funding through the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). FAA grants, he explained, are normally a 90/10 match, but during 2025 and 26, the match is available as a 95/5 split, which means Eureka’s local match would be just 5% of the eligible project cost. Coltrane also said funding may be available through the Kansas Infrastructure Hub and Build Kansas fund to help offset the 5% local share.
The first project is the installation of an 8,000-gallon Jet A and a 4,000-gallon AvGas tank on the east side of the apron. The total project cost is estimated at $697,330. The FAA share is $662,463, the Kansas Infrastructure Hub share is $6,625, and the local match is estimated at $28,282. The fuel farm project is planned for spring 2026.
The second project is apron rehabilitation. The project involves removing and replacing all the concrete of the apron. The total estimated project cost is $801,000, with the local match estimated at $40,000. Bids for the project will be advertised in February or March 2026.
The third project is to replace existing runway edge lighting and Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPIs) with a new LED system. The LED PAPI are brighter and more efficient than the current incandescent lighting. The project cost is estimated at $428,000, and the local match estimate is $42,800. Bids for the project will be advertised this month.
Young Eagle Flights
Airport Manager George Turner gave a short review of the Fly Kansas Air Tour, which was held on Thursday, Sept. 25, and told the council about an upcoming event at the airport. Turner said that the Air Tour was a success, with around 80 students from Eureka and Hamilton Elementary schools attending. The students were able to sit in the planes and talk to pilots about aviation. Around 26 planes and, thanks to good weather, several gyrocopters (small helicopter- like aircraft) were onsite during the event.
On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the airport will host the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), which is holding an event called Young Eagle Flights. The event is free and open to kids ages 8-17. Launched in 1992, the Young Eagles program has dedicated 30 years to giving youth their first free
ride in an airplane. Turner said he intends to let all the schools in the county know about the event, though kids do not have to be from Greenwood County to attend. “It’s really good because it exposes kids to airplanes and aviation,” said Turner. EAA provides its own insurance during the event, he added.
Turner asked the council to help provide funds for lunches for the pilots as they are donating their time during the event. The council agreed unanimously to the request.
For more information or to register for the event, visit eaa.org/youngeagles.
Fire Station Grants
Fire Chief Luke Westerman spoke to the council regarding progress on gaining grant funding for the new fire station and presented a proposal for grant services. Westerman explained that several grant opportunities have been explored. However, those opportunities would not provide enough funding
to cover any significant portion of the project. Westerman requested approval to move forward with engaging Shannon Martin of Professional Grant Services to assist in finding appropriate funding. According to Westerman, Martin specializes in community facilities grants and specifically fire stations. Martin’s fee includes a $1,000 retainer and a rate of $75/hour for grant research. Once potential grants are located, Martin will provide another proposal for grant writing
services at the same rate per hour. Council moved to approve the proposal tomove forward with Martin and Professional Grant Services.
Ordinance
An ordinance amending the zoning map overlay of the city of Eureka was discussed. Ordinance No. 4348 deals with the placement of single-wide mobile homes in Eureka. According to the ordinance, the Manufactured Home District (M-H) will be limited to within the boundaries of River Street south between Jefferson and School Streets. Districts north of River Street will no longer be designated as M-H. The Zoning District Map, Ordinance No. 3909, is to be changed to reflect such. Reasons given for the change were that manufactured housing depreciates in value rather than appreciates, which can potentially drive property values down. Councilman Dan Campbell noted that new people moving to Eureka may not want to build next to a mobile home. Councilman Jeff Marks voiced opposition to the change, saying that property values are going down in any case and the city should not tell people that mobile homes are the cause. Ordinance 4348 was approved 6-1, with Councilman Marks voting no.
Truck Repair
Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell presented an estimate for repairs on the city’s 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 1-ton pickup. Mitchell explained that the truck’s transmission has failed and must be replaced to correct the problem. Additionally, Mitchell said the truck’s motor has been experiencing issues as well and should also be replaced. The truck is the only city vehicle outfitted to haul a fifth-wheel trailer, which is the type needed to haul the city’s brush trailer. The estimate from Cliff’s Gas and Diesel Repair in Eureka indicated a cost of $11040.79 to replace both components. Councilmembers were concerned about the expense due to the age of the truck. Mitchell did not have specific quotes to purchase another used truck but estimated that the cost may be $25,000 or more. The council asked Mitchell to provide additional information about warranty, completion time, and specifics about the proposed new motor. Mitchell said he would provide that information at the next council meeting.
Tire Grant
City Administrator Assistant Karen Simon requested permission to apply for the KDHE Tire Grant (Kansas Department of Health and Environment Waste Tire Grant Program), which provides funding to Kansas local governments for purchasing products made from recycled tires. Simon explained that this is a 50/50 matched grant that the city has received in past years. This year Simon proposed that the city purchase two eight-foot picnic tables, one handicap accessible and one standard, to be placed at Eureka Lake.
The tables cost approximately $1,100 each, and with the match, Eureka will receive both tables for that price. Simon told the council that the grant stipulates that the city must send KDHE photos of the placed tables, put up signage indicating the grant, and run an article in the local newspaper. The council approved Simon’s request to apply, and she intends to apply again next year when other locations can be determined. SS4A
Councilman Marks spoke on behalf of the transportation committee regarding a request to rank seven highrisk or high-injury intersections in relation to the Safe Streets for All grant. Marks said they decided to go with intersections along River Street, as they get the most use. The rankings are 1. River and Main, 2. River and Jefferson, 3. River and Sycamore, 4. River and Oak, 5. River and Walnut, 6. River and Elm, and 7. River and Washington. Mayor Stephen Coulter explained that the rating system uses information from any traffic incident within the last ten years. “We don’t have the volume to have the number of accidents as some bigger communities,” he said, “but the intention is to make the streets safer, which may include traffic devices and such.”
In June, Eureka citizen Scott Valentine spoke to the council regarding an issue he had experienced beginning in October 2024. Valentine requested partial reimbursement for repairs to his sewer line at 508 N. Myrtle. Valentine had explained that after several attempts to repair a sewer line on his property, it was discovered that at some point the city’s water service line had been bored through his sewer pipe, eventually causing a break. Associate Director of Public Works Levi Lawrence validated Valentine’s claim, but the council asked for additional receipts and documentation of his expenses. The requested documentation was presented to the council on Monday, who approved reimbursement to Valentine in the amount of $3076.15.
A request for variance for property at 122 N. Mulberry was heard. On Jan. 8, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance that permits the installation of a 4’ chain-link fence up to 1/2 of the required yard.
Property owner Miranda Colangelo requested a 12.5-foot extension to the west and south sides of the site so that the fence could be constructed. The council moved to approve the request unanimously, with Councilwoman Colangelo abstaining.
The consent agenda, which includes the minutes of the Dec 22 regular meeting, the scheduled claims list for expenses due through Jan. 12, in the amount of $178,858.40, and purchase orders #731093 to JEO for $7,096, #731092 to Garver for $23,870.32, #731056 to Insurance Planning Center for $5,795, #730056 to Wells Trucking for $11,158.08, and #731079 to Brenntag for $7]\\=[305.40, were accepted as presented.
An executive session was held to discuss personnel and performance. No action was taken as a result.
The next Eureka City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Public Library.
See related article for additional coverage of the Jan. 12 Eureka City Council meeting.
