Members of the Eureka City Council were provided with an update in regards to ongoing fiber installation by Ideatek, during their regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.
City Administrator Joel Laws reported that a breakdown had been sent to the internet provider in regards to infrastructure repairs which have been necessitated as the company has borne lines. One such incident was the sewer line collapse at the intersection of Main and Elm Streets on Sept. 9. Associate Director of Public Works, Water/ Sewer, Levi Lawrence further explained that the crew boring for Ideatek went to complete work on this block and drove six feet deep instead of three. When they went to retrieve their machine head, they hit the main. Due to the condition of the line, on top of repairing what was broken, an additional 30-feet of repair was needed. Following this incident, a list was compiled and sent to the company. Reimbursement is anticipated, though Laws was unsure of the figure the city will receive. During this time, Laws also noted that the boring machine had broken down and was temporarily out of commission, delaying work. Councilman Kevin Lawrence commented that a similar event had been experienced approximately three years ago, when another company bore through lines along multiple citizens’ properties on 7th Street.
It was noted that city crews have spent more time fixing problems than they would have if they drove to new dig locations to make sure the company was not going to damage anything. The city conveyed to the company that they should contact staff should they happen upon a site that is questionable. Laws added that a training session for the boring crew had followed the phone call from the city. Mayor
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Stephen Coulter voiced appreciation to staff for their efforts and noted some late nights had been spent to provide the community with a prompt response.
Barricades in place in regards to recent water leaks were addressed. L. Lawrence explained that while water tower maintenance was being performed under the contract through Viking Industrial Painting, a fluke malfunction occurred while preparing for clean out and inspection. It was noted that while the tank was being drained and shut down and running off line pressure, pressure spiked. Because there was nowhere to buffer this and some areas of cast iron line which were in bad shape were blown. City crews repaired approximately five sites.
Lot holder at Eureka Lake, Doug Desbien attended the city council meeting to provide a statement for the record. Desbien stated that he had been made aware of allegations and rumors that he has still been operating a guest cabin/Airbnb from his lot. Desbien went on to state that he would like it on record that this has been investigated and found to be false.
Eureka Community member Jim Bobey attended the council meeting to request an extension in relation to his property on the south edge of town. Bobey explained that his property, located at 420 S. Mulberry just before the city limits, had been ticketed in the spring. After describing work already completed, Bobey requested an additional extension until next summer. He noted this would provide him with the time to decide what he is going to do with the property. The city will take updated photos of the property, to provide for review of work completed to date, and will consider the item further during their next meeting.
Laws shared that work is being done on the housing target area pertaining to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Grant. He reported that 40 residences out of 50 had responded to surveys which were mailed out to properties within the zone.
During his regular report, Laws told council members that airport mitigation is scheduled for Oct. 15-18. This is pertaining to fuel tank removal. Laws reported that the privately- owned broken-down airplane at the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport was sold and is no longer at the airport. In regards to the future of the affiliated hangar, Laws noted he was anticipating this will be donated to the city. An update was provided on the New Holland tractor, originally purchased years ago through Federal Aviation Administration dollars. After mechanical assessment, the issue with the unit was determined to be in association with a snap ring lock wire. A bill for repair is anticipated in the future. Appreciation was voiced to Councilman Jason Brandt for recommending repair.
In regards to the Circus held Sept. 13, Laws shared that 259 tickets had been sold for the event, 151 of these being adult tickets. He noted there was not a bad turnout for such short notice.
After sharing several conferences and meetings attended over the past few weeks, Laws noted that the 1% sales tax meeting had not seen the attendance they were hoping for. The presentation has been recorded and city staff are looking to make this available online.
During the Brownfields meeting ( This is a program through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) which can provide assistance to communities toward rehabilitation efforts) held, program representatives toured locations in Eureka. Laws offered a reminder that the city could utilize some of their services in steps toward mitigation/rehabilitation of buildings in town such as Memorial Hall.
A meeting with BG Consultants had been planned and Laws noted he was hoping to receive the finalized document needed for grant application at that time to meet the submission deadline. Two public hearings will be held on October 17. Beginning at 6 p.m., a public hearing pertaining to the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Grant will be held at Memorial Hall. Following this at 6:30 p.m., a public hearing will be held in relation to the grant being sought for continued work to Memorial Hall.
On behalf of Greenwood County Health Department Director Vicki Lindsey, City Clerk Renee Burk presented a request for street closure for an upcoming flu clinic. A request was received from Lindsey for closure of 1st Street between Oak and Walnut Streets on Oct. 1 from 2:304:30 p.m. Members of the council approved for street closure.
Mayor Coulter expressed appreciation to USD 389 Vo-Ag teacher Trint Peine and his class for their aid in the installation of a new flag pole at Memorial Hall. Coulter also acknowledged Evergy, who also provided assistance.
Three executive sessions were held for the subject of property acquisition with members of the council, Code Enforcement Officer Steve French and City Attorney James Watson in attendance. The sessions were held for the following durations: 15 minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes. No action followed.
Members of the council approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: Minutes of the Sept. 9 regular meeting, scheduled claims list for expenses due through Sept. 23 for the amount of $154,909.21 and Purchase Order 729816 to APAC Kansas Inc for $127,352.06. The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
