Residents of Eureka Lake were present at the Eureka City Council meeting held last Monday, March 11 to revisit concerns previously conveyed in regards to water leaking at the dam.
Lake Board President Harry Sayers explained that the issue has been going on for several years. After noting that he has resided at the lake for approximately four years, Sayers told city officials that concerned residents had reached out to the former City Administrator about the issue. Sayers explained that a couple of members of the council in place at that time, had met with lake representatives and the former city administrator had conveyed that this wasn’t a priority concern. Later, in 2022, concerns were again raised and the then City Administrator had noted an engineer had visited the site and asked if this was accurate. Mayor Stephen Coulter shared that himself, the former administrator and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) representative Luke Westerman had went out to look into the issue and he believed an engineer had also accompanied them. When Sayers questioned if any testing had been done or if data had been collected, Coulter noted there was not, but the issue was believed to be connected to the pipes that run underneath the spillway. He noted that no concerns had been shared when the site was visited. Coulter added that he has since made calls to further explore the concern and has reached out to a party in regards to having the dam inspected. Coulter added that, based on the previous review of the site, he didn’t believe there was a major issue, but he wanted confirmation.
Residents Michael and Betsy Sweeney also spoke on the matter. M. Sweeney shared self-taken water loss calculations, estimating that approximately 1 inch had been lost in a fourday window. He noted that this roughly calculated to 6,751,000 gallons. When asked if this included the evaporation rate, Sweeney noted that though it did not, it would still be a significant loss with evaporation factored in. Coulter assured him that the city is looking into the matter. After expressing that lake residents want to help and do what they can, B. Sweeney asked that communication continue on the matter as it is looked into. Coulter noted that lake residents are welcome to attend future meetings, however the city will be sure to get available information to Sayers and the lake board.
Chamber representative Steve Brown returned before city officials last week to continue discussion of the annual fireworks display for the 4th of July celebration. During the prior meeting, figures/bids and the associated date options for the display were presented. Councilman Kevin Lawrence spoke in favor of hosting the display on the 3rd, with the hope that the parade and additional event activities would be held on the 4th. A consensus was reached for looking to hold the display July 3. While present, Brown also noted interest in putting a tentative hold on Memorial Hall for Eureka Days and the 4th of July, in the event it rains and cannot be held outdoors.
Lease Purchase of a Vermeer Hydrovac Trailer was approved. There will be a 2-year payment plan for this purchase, which will consist of two installments.
Associate Director of Public Works Levi Lawrence was present to answer questions and discuss the lease. Each payment for the trailer will total $63,000.
Members of the city council approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford Edge SEL from Burk’s Autos Inc. for $16,000, to serve as the City Administrator vehicle. Katie Greenwood with the Top Hand Youth Rodeo (THYR) was present to discuss the approaching 2024 season and submit a request for monetary support towards the annual event series. Greenwood shared that the annual rodeo series, hosted at the Eureka Saddle Club Arena, featured 75 kids last year and is expected to grow again this season. Fundraising events are planned and slated to be held in conjunction with each of the 6 rodeo weekends for the 2024 THYR. Greenwood explained that participants are present within the community for the entire weekend each rodeo is held and are provided with a list of local amenities/businesses for any needed food items/purchases. Each weekend features a drawing, with the prize being a gift card to a local business. Rodeo participants enter to win by submitting their information on a receipt from a local purchase. Coats given to rodeo participants feature logos of businesses/ organizations that donate a given amount to make the event series possible. As she discussed their search for a venue large enough to house their banquet this year, Greenwood voiced appreciation for the aid provided by Mayor Coulter during last year’s banquet. Guest tax requests are deliberated by the affiliated council subcommittee which will later present a recommendation for distribution of funds to the full council.
While present last Monday evening, Greenwood offered an invitation to the Flint Hills Classic which will be held at the fairgrounds the last Sunday in April.
Resident Peggy Hawthorne posed two questions to city officials last Monday evening. First, Hawthorne noted issues with drainage in ditches along her property on south Mulberry Street. As she conveyed that work was needed to the ditches, Hawthorne asked if this would be the landowner’s responsibility or if the city would be responsible for completing needed work. She also shared that portions of her property along the route in question are in the city, but some is in the county. Associate Director of Public Works Joey Caylor noted he would visit the site and assess the ditches.
Hawthorne next asked for an update regarding the status of the structure located adjacent to her brother’s property on East 2nd Street.
Officials shared that this has been condemned and in the 7:51 bid process – At this time, Coulter told Hawthorne that he would like to see the trailer house be hauled off to avoid the mess of demolition.
Commissioner Mac Obourn was present seeking clarification in regards to previous inquiries into county reservation of Phillips Cabin. Obourn noted that it used to be the county could use city facilities with no charge and he wanted to make certain they would be charged for use of the space. Mayor Coulter explained that the city formerly waived the fees frequently, noting that they want usage of structures, but there is overhead associated with upkeep and utilities and officials had previously decided to stop waiving their fees. As the topic was discussed, Coulter referenced the county’s decision to conclude waiving tipping fees for demolished houses. He explained that cost incurred by the city for demolition of houses in disrepair goes on the property owner’s taxes, but most often this does not get paid. He concluded by noting that, if the county wanted to consider working together on these items, both entities waiving fees, the city would be open to doing so.
Consent was given by members of the city council for purchase of two pieces of equipment for the Riverside Park (City Park). Coulter notified members of the council that Councilman K. Lawrence had found three spring loaded pieces of playground equipment for sale, similar to those in place at the park and noted that these would be within his spending limit. Coulter reported that he had reached out to the seller and one piece had sold, but he had expressed interest in the remaining two still available. These were listed at $300 each and the pieces available for purchase were a horse and frog. If approved by the council, Coulter shared plans for getting the equipment later last week. It was noted that box footings would need to be dug for installation. Members of the council approved the purchase.
Discussion was had in regards to the machine previously ordered for road maintenance. Councilman K. Lawrence questioned where they were at in the process of obtaining the machine. It was shared that the city was promised the machine in November and they are currently not getting much of an answer in regards to the anticipated date of receipt.
The consent agenda was approved. This included the following items: Minutes of the Feb. 22 meeting, Scheduled claims list for expenses due through March 11 in the amount of $75,596.07, Purchase Order 729429 to JEO Consulting Group Inc. for the amount of $5,384 pertaining to engineering services and Purchase Order 729097 to Frank Bills/Cornejo for the amount of $5,012.57 pertaining to road rock for the lake.
An executive session for legal discussion was called for the duration of 15 minutes, with the City Attorney and Council remaining. This was soon amended to include the incoming City Administrator, Joel Laws, who served his first official day March 12. Two additional sessions, one for 20 minutes and one for 15, for the same subject with the same people remaining were held. Following the sessions, no decisions were made.
Transfer of Lake Lot 119 was approved.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m.
