City Council approved work to airport hangar
Eureka City Fire Chief Luke Westerman attended the city council meeting to provide information and seek approval for the purchase of a new rescue truck. Westerman noted that, starting May of 2023, he began soliciting bids for a new rescue truck. In the past, the city has had an agreement with the county, each party paying half of the purchase price of the truck and the city providing rescue services county-wide. Bids were received from three companies and council members were ultimately presented information on a truck from Unruh Fire, located in Sedgwick, for an International HV507 SFA with a 14-foot box for equipment. This truck features a larger chassis to better support the weight of equipment. The 2005 truck currently in operation was purchased through the agreement between the two entities, with the county and city each paying half of the purchase price. Westerman shared plans for selling the hydraulic tools with the truck and updating the rescue tools. Funds received from the sale of the old truck will be allocated towards upfitting the new truck with tools. Westerman reported that he and Rescue Captain Jason Brandt had attended a recent County Commission meeting to discuss the item. Westerman noted that they had looked back at call volume and numbers were higher for county calls.
The rescue truck also responds to EMS calls for code blue patients and structure protection on grass fires and this was considered as the agreement and purchase of a new truck were reviewed. Westerman reported that Greenwood County had agreed to pay 2/3 of the purchase price for the new truck. The city will hold the note for a 7-year period. Annual payment for the City of Eureka will be $15,535. They look to take delivery of the new truck in 2026. Council members approved the purchase. Councilman Kevin Lawrence questioned when the next pumper truck would need replaced. Westerman noted that truck 115 is the oldest pumper and is still reliable at getting to a fire. He noted that once they no longer have a payment for the rescue truck, City Fire will look to replace it.
While present, Westerman discussed a new process adopted in the department and county- wide. He reported that they had worked out a process where the fire department serves as command during a weather event and communication is provided out on scanners and to firefighters. He noted that this has worked well in the past and avoids dispatch getting inundated.
Community Enrichment Manager Staci Crumrine presented a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) community facilities project agreement for services through South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD). Crumrine noted that these dollars would be invested in Memorial Hall and the administration fee from SCKEDD would be paid out of the grant, if received. SCKEDD would not get paid if the city does not get the grant. Crumrine reported that she has submitted blueprints and the structural report and is looking for the grant to cover remaining windows and some HVAC and electrical work. In regards to the match for this grant, it was shared that the city is looking to utilize the Build Kansas Fund. Laws noted that if this were not feasible, they would be looking at other avenues. Council members approved the agreement with SCKEDD.
Crumrine told city officials that a number of parties have reserved the concourse building (Eureka Downs) venue for events. She discussed a wedding and reception recently held in the facility, sharing that it was a beautiful event. Crumrine told members of the council that she received permission to take photos to use for marketing of the venue. The roof remains an issue that the city is still looking to address.
Airport hangar repairs were included for discussion on last Monday evening’s agenda. Laws drafted a memorandum regarding airport repairs, outlining the need, quotes received, budgeted funds available and providing a recommendation. During this time, Laws notified officials that the hangar is now vacant and the city will be looking for another tenant, but some repairs must first be made. While present to inspect the roof at the water plant, Stanfield Roofing also looked at and provided bids for other items including the airport hangar. Their bid of $6,808 came in under the previous quote received from Bogle Construction, amounting to $8,264.36. Laws noted that with work proposed by Stanfield Roofing, the hangar roof should last thirty years. Bids for needed electrical service work were also provided and reviewed. An estimate of $6,650 was received from Cornett Electric.
Horton Inc. out of Wellington, a company that makes hangar doors, was contacted for a quote for replacement of the airport hangar door. The city would be looking at $18,000 to replace doors. The new doors would be an accordion style. Laws shared that there are three of these already at the airport on private hangars. He noted that further information will be presented in the future for council consideration. Repair of the existing door would be $3,000, as quoted by Cheney Door, and was noted as likely being a temporary fix. In future anticipated needs, issues with the tractor at the airport have been experienced and the need for hydraulic repair is expected. Laws noted that the budget is limited, and he recommended moving forward with electrical and roof work. During discussion of the budget, it was noted that Dog Catcher Jerry Rushmore is also managing the airport facility. Marks noted tanks at the airport were an item of concern and also in need of future consideration. Members of the council approved proceeding with work to the roof through Stanfield Roofing and electrical work through Cornett Electric Inc., with Marks voting no.
In committee/council reports, Councilwoman Beals shared that she had taken a tour of the old city shop building discussed during a previous council meeting. She noted that the structure is in very poor condition. Beals also toured the city’s hangar at the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport and noted that this had been a good experience. It was noted, at this time, that Councilman Dan Campbell had also been provided a tour. The old city shop building was damaged in the 2018 tornado. Mayor Stephen Coulter shared that he wasn’t aware, until last year, how poor the condition was, but the city is hoping to address this soon. Laws shared that Stanfield Roofing had also taken a look at this structure. The roof alone would cost roughly $50,000. Laws reminded city officials that this did not take into consideration additional work needing done to the building and added that funds from the equipment auction totaling $57,000 were available to apply towards this project. Laws noted that the company is also in the metal building business and the representative noted that they could likely have a good quality metal building for the same price it would take to repair the existing structure. Laws noted that a quote for construction of a building near the water plant is in the works and this will later be shared with the council for consideration.
It was shared that the Water Department was preparing for the coming pool season and opening of the Eureka Aquatic Park for the summer.
In old business, Laws revisited the lift needed for city employees. Laws shared that after further consideration, a forklift basket was determined as a good fit to meet their equipment need. A unit was purchased, $2,643.
Laws announced that Brooke Burden would be joining city staff. Burden, who graduated from Eureka Junior Senior High School in 2018, will now be serving as the new Intern for the City of Eureka. Present last Monday evening, Burden introduced herself to council members, briefly discussing her education, Agricultural Communications and Journalism degree from KSU, and background in agriculture. She commented that she had returned to the area after furthering her education to become part of the community. Burden also shared that she works part-time for the Greenwood County Farm Bureau Association.
Eureka Chamber of Commerce representative Steve Brown provided city officials with a tentative schedule for the upcoming Eureka Days event. He noted that some additions should be anticipated. Following are a selection of events planned: Friday, May 31: Downtown Walk/Run 6:45 p.m. and Street Dance at 9 p.m. sponsored by The Gym; Saturday, June 1: Car Show and Vendors 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Main Street, Parade 11 a.m., and Inflatables on the Courthouse lawn from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. A concert is slated to wrap up Saturday’s events, with the performance slated to begin an 7 p.m. Brown requested that the power pole near the restroom be checked as it had experienced issues and had not produced power from the outlet last year. While present, Brown also shared that an entertainer who was previously on The Voice is booked to perform for the 4th of July. According to Brown, the finalized schedule of events for Eureka Days is anticipated to be released shortly.
Property owner Donna Olson was present to discuss removal of the sidewalk at 220 S. High Street. In addition to the provision of photos of the area in question, Olson told council members that the sidewalk along her vacant lot was in hazardous condition and requested the city remove or replace it. Olson later noted that if the city would not remove it, she would like consent to remove it herself. She added that she could take it out, but wouldn’t be inclined to put it back in. Coulter told Olson that this was the struggle: if the city were to remove/ allow for removal, a sidewalk wouldn’t be put back in. Coulter then advocating for putting in more specific regulations in regards to such matters, so that it is clearly mapped out. Councilman Lawrence noted that right now the ordinance reads if a property owner removes a sidewalk, they must replace it. Lawrence then voiced support for reviewing regulations on the item. As the item was reviewed, Councilman Marks questioned if the city should proceed with addressing the section that is sticking up to remove the potential hazard. Plans were shared for the council street committee reviewing ordinances in place pertaining to sidewalk and developing a recommendation for the council. Coulter told Olson that the subject will be considered and the city would give her a determination.
Community member Mike Stephenson requested closure of a portion of Third Street in front of his property. Stephenson explained that he was holding a wedding on Saturday, June 29 and was seeking approval to block off a portion of the road in front of 821 E. 3rd Street. After sharing that the reception would begin at 5 p.m., Stephenson noted that they were looking to put a tent on the road and asked if this would be allowed. After questions were posed in regards to whether or not neighbors had been contacted about the event/closure, Stephenson noted that he had reached out. It was shared during discussion that they plan to have the event wrapped up and the road back open by midnight. In regards to the previous inquiry about setting up a tent in the road, officials advised that this would be fine as long as anchors were weighted down and the street was not drilled into. Members of the council approved for partial road closure for the wedding. Stephenson was directed to contact the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office to notify them of the closure.
In his regular report of operations, City Administrator Laws recognized the hours staff invested in clean up following recent storms. Laws estimated that 45 hours were spent by employees in cleanup efforts and encouraged officials to voice appreciation to staff for their efforts.
Laws shared that he had attended the Kansas Infrastructure Summit which included information that he believed could be applied to aid in replacement of aging infrastructure.
Laws shared that the next council meeting would include the presentation of a street sales tax memorandum. He noted that the city would be looking to launch a campaign to get this passed. Laws explained that without this sales tax, the city would have difficulty replacing/ addressing street conditions.
Owner of the property located at 303 N. Mulberry submitted a variance request for construction of an iron fence around their lot. Code Enforcement Officer Steve French noted that the property owner had already received approval from the Board of Appeals, but were still needing an additional 12.5 feet. Members of the council approved the variance request.
Members of the council approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: minutes of the April 22 regular meeting, scheduled claims list for expenses in the amount of $76,180.69 for expenses due through May 13, Purchase Order 729242 to D. Gerber Commercial Pool for $5,730.23 and Purchase Order 729326 to Brenntag for $7,282.74.
Additional coverage of the May 16 meeting can be found elsewhere in this week’s edition.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m.
