The Eureka City Council addressed a variety of topics during its regular meeting on Monday, June 22, including approval of a culvert replacement bid, as well as discussing lake lot lease fees and the county law enforcement contract.
During public comments, Don Scott, with VFW Post 2712, requested permission to close Main Street for the annual Fourth of July parade. The parade is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. Scott also invited the community to a flag-raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Council members approved the street closure and authorized city staff to provide barricades.
The council also approved a request to close a portion of Third Street near the Greenwood Hotel (Main Street to the alleyway) for a graduation party for Tyson Coon and Cooper Roberson, on Saturday, May 15, 2027.
The consent agenda, including approval of claims totaling $187,438.60 and several purchase orders for engineering and fuel expenses, passed unanimously.
Committee reports included an update from the Quality of Life Committee, which recently met at the Greenwood County Community Center (GC3) race track. Committee members said improvements at the facility continue to progress, although several operational questions remain unresolved. Current plans call for the track to be used from Sept. 1 through Nov. 6.
Under old business, the council approved a bid from Coyote Culvert & Pipe Co. for $9,970.12 to supply replacement culverts for the First Street improvement project. A second bid totaling $12,834.80, from Welborn Sales Inc., was also received by the city. Staff plans to replace the culverts in-house to reduce overall project costs.
Council members also revisited the recently approved increase in lake lot lease fees. While members generally supported the increase, several acknowledged that required notification deadlines were not fully met.
To provide additional time for leaseholders, the council agreed to extend the 2026 payment deadline from July 1 to Aug. 1. City Clerk Renee Burk planned to send another round of letters to lease lot holders to note the extension for this year only. Lake lot leases will resume being due July 1 in 2027. Officials indicated they plan to begin discussions on future lease rates earlier and also improve communication with residents.
Greenwood County Sheriff Heath Samuels presented a budget request for the coverage provided to the City of Eureka. The current contract totals approximately $267,500, with Sheriff Samuels noting the current proposal seeks an increase of roughly $30,000 over the next several years to help offset rising expenses while maintaining 24-hour law enforcement coverage within the city limits. No action was taken.
The council also approved Resolution 26-12 concerning a vehicle nuisance at 1016 N. Elm and approved an immediate hazard at 323 S. Valley, as the garage is an unsafe structure.
The council held three executive sessions, totaling 40 minutes, with City Attorney William McClendon via telephone. No action was taken after any sessions.
The next Eureka City Council meeting is slated for Monday, July 13, at 7 p.m., at the Eureka Public Library.
