Council approved Waste Connections contract, library improvements and other measures
The Eureka City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 13, to proceed with an application for up to $17 million in state financing for a major water infrastructure project, while noting that the project’s final scope and cost could change.
The proposed Raw Water Transmission Main Replacement Project would replace approximately 11.5 miles of existing 14-inch raw water transmission main running from the W-7 Reservoir to the city’s water treatment plant.
Brad Shores of JEO Consultants presented the council with options for addressing the aging water line and explained that the application deadline for financing through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was Oct. 14.
The council considered whether to pursue the full loan application, stop the effort because of the potential expense, or scale back the project to a smaller, less costly undertaking.
Moving forward with the application would not obligate the city to complete the entire project, Shores explained.
The city could adjust the project’s scope before making a final commitment, with the goal of determining an affordable and practical solution.
Council members expressed concern about the long-term cost of delaying the work, including potential increases in the price of materials, equipment and labor. They also discussed the possibility of gradually increasing water rates over time to help fund the project without placing an immediate, significant burden on residents.
The full $17 million figure is a preliminary budgeting estimate, and the final cost is expected to be lower. The council was advised that the city likely would not know whether it had been approved for the funding until March 2027, with construction not expected to begin before 2028.
The council approved a motion to proceed with the loan application, with the understanding that the city would not be billed if it later decided not to proceed with the project or penalized if they chose to use funding for smaller projects totaling less than the full application amount. The motion carried unanimously.
Waste Connections Contract Renewed
The council also approved a seven-year refuse collection contract with Waste Connections, the city’s current provider. The vote was 5-1, with Council Member Jeff Marks voting against the measure.
The Utilities Committee sought bids because the existing contract expires in December. The city received proposals from Waste Connections and County Wide Refuse.
The committee recommended remaining with Waste Connections, noting that, in addition to the rates being least expensive, the company provides waste services to the city at no charge. That arrangement saves the city approximately $700 per month, helping keep costs lower for residents.
Council members discussed rates and the differences between the available contract options. Mayor Stephen Coulter also raised concerns about the weight of refuse trucks and the impact on city streets.
Waste Connections recently requested incremental rate increases if diesel prices continue to rise, which could affect the cost of providing refuse collection services.
After discussion, the council voted to accept the seven-year agreement with Waste Connections. The terms of the new seven-year contract will take effect in January 2027.
Excavator Financing Approved
The council approved lease-purchase financing through Community First National Bank for a compact excavator previously approved for purchase at an earlier meeting. Tuesday’s vote addressed the financing terms for the equipment, which costs $85,656.73.
The financing carries an interest rate of 5.944% over four years, with a $25,000 down payment and annual payments of $24,111.67 for four years.
Library Receives $2,500 For Improvements Anneliese Brubaker, Library Director, presented requests for improvements at the library. The council approved $2,500 for the work.
Planned improvements include purchasing a largescreen television for the event room, repairing bathroom doors to ensure safety compliance, waxing floors, repainting walls, updating lighting and securing shelving to the wall in the children’s section.
The bathroom door work is intended to help ensure the facility meets safety requirements for use as a storm shelter for the facility.
Street Closures and Community Requests
Don Scott, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), requested barricades near the downtown Veterans Memorial for the Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The council approved the request unanimously.
Jamie Lindamood, representing the Eureka Foundation, requested city support for a moderate-income housing grant application. The Foundation is partnering with Home Lumber to seek funding to build two single-family homes.
The requested city support includes a memorandum of understanding, assistance coordinating the financial and code documentation needed for the project and a letter of support. The council approved the request unanimously.
Tonya Casper, representing The Gym, requested a street closure from 2nd to 3rd Streets for a Glow Run scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. The council approved the request unanimously.
Leanne Winn, representing the Marshall Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA), submitted a request for a street closure related to holiday decorating. Because Winn was not present at the meeting, the council delayed voting on the request until a later time.
Council Adopted Ordinances
The council unanimously approved Standard Traffic
(Political Ad Paid For By Duane Droge) Ordinance No. 4358 and Uniform Public Offense Code Ordinance No. 4359. These votes accepted the updated versions of the two ordinances.
Council members also unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the Sept. 28 regular meeting and Oct. 5 special meeting, a scheduled claims list totaling $74,535.97, and several purchase orders.
The purchase orders included $13,211.25 for JEO Consultants, $5,612.27 for Brenntag, $5,488.07 for County Wide Refuse and $245,688.39 for Hampel Oil.
Council Recognized Community Cleanup Efforts
During council and mayor comments, members noted the cleanup taking place throughout Eureka in preparation for opening weekend at Eureka Downs.
Council members praised local businesses for their fall decorations and cleanup efforts and noted that Eureka Downs and the surrounding community were looking good.
Coulter closed the meeting by expressing appreciation to the council for its work and acknowledging the challenges involved in making decisions for the city.
“We are making some tough decisions, but we are making a difference. With everything we do, we are trying to make a difference where it matters,” Coulter said.
The next Eureka City Council meeting is slated for Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m, at the Eureka Public Library.
