In honor of Constitution Week and the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the United States Constitution, a proclamation was presented before members of the Eureka City Council on Monday, Sept. 9.
Constitution Week is Sept. 17-23. The proclamation signed into effect by Mayor Stephen Coulter asks that, “citizens reaffirm the ideals of the framers of the constitution in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.”
Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were in attendance of the city council meeting in support of the proclamation. After witnessing the signing of the proclamation, members of the DAR spoke on the historical organization. The local DAR chapter was established in 1910. To become a member, one must provide proof of familial participation/ aide in the American Revolutionary War.
After opening their meeting last Monday evening, members of the City Council held two public hearings, one for the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and the second for the 2025 budget.
With the expressed intent for exceeding the RNR, a budget hearing was opened to afford for public comments. As no one was present to speak on the item, Resolution 24-12 establishing a levy rate exceeding the RNR was approved in a roll-call vote.
The council next entered into a hearing for the 2025 Budget.
During this time, it was shared by City Administrator Joel Laws that the levy rate will remain unchanged from the current year’s figure. He then noted that if the 1% sales tax did not pass during the upcoming election, a budget amendment would be necessary. Councilman Dan Campbell clarified that taxes would be going up if the sales tax fails. With no one in attendance to comment on this item, the hearing was concluded and the 2025 budget was approved.
During his regular City Administrator’s report, Laws shared that IdeaTek was progressing with fiber installation. Laws noted that several locates around town for water and sewer had been conducted as they move through the process. Laws added that they have hit three water mains and one service line and the city had responded quickly to address these.
Recent work completed included replacement of a two-inch line on south High Street. After sharing upcoming meetings and a public hearing to be scheduled, animal control numbers were provided. Since Jerry Rushmore assumed the position of Animal Control officer, 32 dogs and 41 cats have been rescued.
The Request for Quote (RFQ), in keeping with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements, was submitted for the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport. Fuel tank removal has been penciled in for October 15-19.
Laws shared that, following deeper review of the BG Consultants contract, he had negotiated $1,000 off total cost for provision of services related to the report for Memorial Hall.
An update/new addition to city employee policies was reviewed last Monday night. An employee drug and alcohol policy was provided to council members for final review and was approved unanimously.
Following the addition of two items, the consent agenda was approved. This included the following items: Chemical Purchase Order for the water plant $5,335.18 and sewer line project payment for work completed in Eastbrook subdivision $65,656.40, minutes of the Aug. 26 meeting and scheduled claims list of expenses due through Sept. 9 for the amount of $21,293.23.
In reports regarding recent council committee meetings, Councilman Campbell shared that a quality-of-life meeting had been held. A written report was provided to council members. In reference to the Greenwood County Community Center (GCCC) and the Eureka Downs facility, Campbell noted that city official should anticipate changes in the future. The next meeting pertaining to Eureka Downs was slated for Wednesday, Sept. 11.
An executive session for discussion of personnel was held for 5 minutes with Laws and members of the council. Following the session, no action was taken.
A 30-minute executive session for personnel regarding employee performance with Laws and Attorney James Watson also in attendance. No action was taken following the session.
An executive session with Watson and Associate Director of Public Works Joey Caylor for the duration of 30 minutes was held for the subject of personnel. Following the session, no action was taken.
Three additional sessions, with Laws and Watson remaining for discussion, were held for 15-minute, 15-minute and 10-minute durations, each for the subject of personnel. No action was taken following the return to open meeting.
A final executive session was held for 10-minutes with Laws, Watson and Caylor remaining for the discussion of personnel. No action followed.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
