Jeremy Kaemmer with JEO Consulting Group was present during the Eureka City Council meeting on Monday, June 10 to present their drafted Pavement Management Report.
As the city continues to transition to a proactive approach for maintaining infrastructure, the report from JEO Consulting Group will serve as a blueprint as they work to address street conditions. This will also aid in submission of grant applications.
Current road conditions were assessed by JEO Consulting Group staff and each street within city limits was raked based on their rating system - excellent, good, fair, poor and very poor. A map reflecting the status of each road is provided with this article and will also soon be available in the full report on the city website under the 1% sales tax tab. Kaemmer recommended that the city set a unified standard for future projects: create a set of standards for pavement projects which outlines specifications such as materials used in the road base when full depth construction is completed. In regards to chip seal roadways, Kaemmer noted that a lot of communities are like Eureka and have a number of chip seal roads. After noting that these have a shorter life span than regular pavement, Kaemmer stated that the price the city was quoted for upcoming chip seal was good and makes sense financially for Eureka. In efforts to aid in stretching budgeted dollars further, Kaemmer recommended, for locations where the base material is not sufficient, doing double chip seal coats. JEO Consulting Group considered the city’s budget and road conditions as they mapped out a phased approach to addressing streets. The established normal operating budget is $525,000 with the 1% sales tax. Also included within JEO Consulting Group’s report are maps reflecting their suggestions for roads to be addressed within the initial phases. In addition to roads, Kaemmer noted that water mains were also assessed and, though not front and center in the primary stage of recommended work, would be included as the city progresses further in outlined phases. Phases were recommended to occur as follows: phase one, 20252027; phase two, 20282030; phase three: 20312034. Finalized plans for city streets to be completed within these targeted phases will be shared when available.
In efforts to maximize pavement life, Kaemmer shared that JEO Consulting Group recommends addressing areas where there would be the maximum benefit long-term, to keep the pavement classified as being in good shape from early deterioration. As the optimal breakdown of the city’s budget was discussed, Kaemmer recommended that the city increase dollars budgeted toward preventative maintenance. Following pavement inspection, the overall pavement rating for the city was poor. Needed improvement of drainage was noted. Kaemmer explained that the city has catch-up work to do. The estimated total for needed work was $16 million. As he discussed goals, Kaemmer noted that by the end of ten years, they would be aiming to resurface every chip seal roadway in town and stated that he believes this is achievable.
Kaemmer then noted that the city is the ultimate decision maker in regards to finalizing projects. A question was posed by Councilman Kevin Lawrence in regards to converting bad roads to gravel. It was soon noted that if the city were operating on a budget that no longer included funds collected from the 1% sales tax, this could be a reality in the future. Mayor Stephen Coulter stated that whatever the plan was when the sales tax was put into place, he really couldn’t say and noted that this was not a good thing. “The best thing that we can do for the citizens of Eureka, I feel like is, if they pass the sales tax, then here is the plan for the next 10 years and we are going to work off of it,” stated Coulter. He continued by noting that, though there could be deviations depending on funds received annually or the rate of inflation, this provides a working, visible plan. “We do care about the streets here and we do want them to be better and we are laying out a plan on how to get there,” said Coulter. City Administrator Joel Laws echoed this, noting that this gives the city a blueprint to have a plan in place for streets while also providing a means for showing the community pavement goals and is an important framework to present when seeking grants.
A presentation for small businesses is being held on Thursday, July 11. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Eureka Downs and a Question- and-Answer session will follow. The Small Business Administration will be presenting on resources including grants, loans and funding opportunities for manufacturing businesses as well as small businesses. It was shared that small businesses county-wide are invited to attend. Laws told members of the city council that he was looking to have the event catered by a local small business, TNT Catering, through travel and convention funds. He stated that if the event helps improve local businesses, this would be dollars well spent. Members of the council approved $1,100 to cater the event. Business owners and prospective business owners are asked to RSVP by July 1 to office@ eurekaks.org. After public concerns were received pertaining to the dam/spillway at Eureka Lake, the city scheduled an assessment in hopes of putting minds at ease. Concerns in relation to perceived leaking issues were followed up with an assessment completed by engineer Curtis Janssen with Eocene Environmental Group. Janssen conducted an assessment and the completed investigation report was presented last Monday night by Laws who noted that this is available on the city website under the lake tab. Laws noted that the dam/spillway is functioning as it was designed to. No repairs or modifications were recommended. At this time, Laws noted that the city is looking at digitizing original lake plans from 1935 to add to the city website as well, to provide access as well as preserve them.
Laws reported to council members that he was looking to put replacement/repair plans for the city hangar door at the airport on hold. Plans for selling the large New Holland tractor at the facility were then shared. Associate Director of Public Works Loren Wools noted that the tractor was purchased approximately 15 years ago and only has approximately 183 hours on it. Councilman Lawrence explained that this had originally been purchased through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant for snow removal. As it is not used in this capacity, issues have developed due to infrequent use. Laws noted that they were hoping to sell the tractor and whatever funds made from the purchase would be utilized for purchase of a smaller more suitably sized tractor. Laws noted that he would recommend any remaining funds from the sale be put towards construction of metal building, should they choose to proceed, to serve as the city shop. When Councilman Jason Brandt asked if a quote for repair had been received, it was later shared that this would likely come with a price tag, but later noted they were seeking an assessment to determine actual cost. It was also noted that the machine is oversized for use maintaining the facility.
Laws provided his regular City Administrator Report. He shared that the tax resolution for proposed renewal of the 1% sales tax was officially filed and will appear on ballots this November.
In relation to the need for trees with branches hanging over streets to be trimmed, a subject brought to the previous council meeting by Marks, Laws reported an update. After following up on the item with Code Enforcement Officer Steve French, Laws learned that letters had been sent out for this. Laws noted that he hoped to see results. In the announcement of upcoming meeting dates, Laws shared that the city would be hosting a meeting on June 19 regarding renewal of the 1% sales tax. This informational forum is the first in the V.O.I.C.E initiative (Visions on improving the city of Eureka). For community members who are unable to attend the June meeting, additional monthly meeting dates are being planned. During these meetings, representatives will discuss and provide education in regards to plans for streets. The JEO Consulting Group report and plans for street improvements are being added to the city website. This community meeting will be held at the Eureka Public Library and will begin at 6 p.m.
Greenwood County Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson was on Monday evening’s agenda for the subject of storm siren testing. In Vinson’s absence, the subject was briefly introduced to the council by Mayor Coulter. Coulter briefly referenced interest expressed in moving storm siren testing within business hours to afford for someone from the city to be present at each of the city’s 5 sirens while they are being tested to ensure they are functional. Coulter noted that this had previously been conducted at 6 p.m. because people who lived nearby were off work and present to check them. The city will discuss this item further when Vinson can be present.
Community member and lake lot holder Pamela Kurtz requested an update on the storm siren at the lake. At this time, it was shared that new batteries had temporarily made the siren functional, however another issue had caused the siren to fail to sound during testing. Blue Valley has been contacted for repair work, but told the city they were unable to complete work until the end of June due to their workload. In efforts to resolve the matter more rapidly, the city has reached out to a local vendor who is hopeful they could repair this and do so sooner than the other company. Kurtz recommended that a public service announcement be made to inform people, both residents at the lake and those who may visit for summer recreation, that the siren is currently not working.
The subject of FAA funding was discussed. Eureka’s Lt. William M. Milliken Airport gets so much funding allotted at regular intervals from the FAA. It was explained that if dollars allocated are not used within 4 years, these either have to be turned back to the FAA or signed over to another airport so they can use them for a project. Clerk Renee Burk noted that the city hasn’t had a recent FAA project to use these dollars. Members of the council were told to anticipate an action plan in the future for the facility for items to be completed. Laws noted that the state sets aside money for tank removal and he was going to be looking into attaining some of this to address theirs. He noted that once the old ones have been removed, FAA funding could then be utilized in the future for new tanks. Members of the council approved the FAA funding being directed to another airport.
Higher numbers of parade participation in the community was a subject brought to the floor by Councilman Brandt. He noted that the Christmas parade enters floats into a contest with prizes being awarded. As the item was discussed, it was noted that the city could look at offering a free rental of a city building (Phillips Cabin, Eureka Downs, Memorial Hall). Laws noted that this would come with minimal cost to the city to promote participation.
Grant administration for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation project was included on last Monday evening’s agenda. Laws shared that of 11 companies who provide administration services that were contacted, South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) had been the only one to submit a bid. Members of the city council voted to proceed with services through SCKEDD. The fee associated will be 10% of the grant award.
An Inspection Risk Assessment Agreement for services provided from SCKEDD was approved. A per-house fee will be charged for inspection services. Approximately 8-10 houses will be selected for application of grant dollars in the rehabilitation project. Fees associated with assessment of each house will be paid out of the grant. Members of the council approved for this item.
A request on behalf of 4-H Archery was presented. It was reported that they had lost their location for the upcoming archery shoot and would like to use the area below the dam at Eureka Lake to host the event on June 22. Laws noted that the organization’s insurance would cover this. If approved, plans were for shooting to the south and the area would be barricaded. Laws explained that they were also requesting to hold their 3D shoot by the pump house. It was shared that the area would be occupied for the archery event for 6 hours. Members of the council approved for archery to be held on the requested city land.
Laws shared details in regards to the Kansas League of Municipalities 2024 conference. He noted that this would be held in October in Wichita. This was an informational item passed along in the event any members of the council wish to attend.
In council subcommittee reports, it was noted that the personnel committee held their first meeting. This was reported as being introductory in nature.
It was shared that a Greenwood County Community Center (GCCC), the board that oversees the Eureka Downs facility, meeting was held. Due to lack of quorum, no action was taken, but discussion was had in regards to pertinent items.
Members of the council approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: Minutes of the May 28 meeting and scheduled claims list for expenses due through June 10 in the amount of $40,951.77.
A 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel with Laws and City Attorney James Watson present. No action was taken following the session.
A 10-minute executive session for property acquisition was held with Watson and Clerk Renee Burk.
A 15-minute executive session for discussion of personnel was held, with just members of the council remaining. Following the session, no action was taken.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, June 10 at 9 a.m.
