Bruce Boettcher and Thaniel Monaco with BG Consultants were present last Monday, August 28 to discuss the Wastewater Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and provide an update in regards to the previously presented PER on the potable water system. Aging infrastructure was referenced during discussion. It was noted that roughly 30,719 linear feet of main line and area manholes had formerly been replaced with PVC pipe/ pre-cast concrete, with 3,580 linear feet having been lined with Cured-inplace- pipe (CIPP) material. As such, 80,336 linear feet of verified clay pipe (VCP) remain. This portion of the line is over 50 years old, and as such, improvements have been recommended to deter any further deterioration of the line. It was recommended that CCTV - running a camera through the line-be conducted to pinpoint any defects and better determine the scope of work.
Potential project options outlined within the PER were then reviewed, including alternatives for the wastewater treatment and collection systems. Three alternative plans for the wastewater treatment system were outlined within the PER, two of which were included within the overview. Option three, proposing the construction of a new mechanical wastewater treatment facility, was predetermined to be a non-viable option and therefore, was not included within review of proposed options.
Option one would result in the construction of additional lagoon cells to convert the system to a non-discharging lagoon system. System size would depend on seepage rates, but based on anticipated figures, between 58-108 acres of additional property would be needed for this option.
Option two would involve the addition of lagoon cells and grassland to create a non-discharging lagoon with irrigation. This would involve the construction of a roughly 10-acre storage cell. Seepage would also impact the amount of needed land in regards to this option, however roughly 140-160 acres was estimated for this option.
Monaco noted that in regards to treatment, there was not a pressing need with KDHE for a project and this could simply be good information for consideration in the future.
In regards to collection systems, options outlined included CIPP, pipe bursting/ pipe reaming and open trench - overall construction with each method/material type would ultimately result in replacement/ lining of the 80,330 linear feet of line, replacement of 840 service taps and addressing conditions of 290 brick manholes. Option 4a for the collection system, pipe lining and repair, was estimated at a cost of $9,500,837.50. Construction of a non-discharging lagoon with irrigation was estimated at approximately $3,785,000.
The Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Cost, based on recommendations from BG Consultants, was noted at $13,300,000.
The potable water PER was reviewed (last discussed in June). Boettcher reported that the city had qualified for receipt of the KDHE Kansas Public Water Supply Loan Fund (KPWSLF) Intended Use Plan (IUP) loan applied for, for the amount of $5,000,000 with $1,000,000 loan forgiveness. Boettcher noted that if KDHE received no response for a project, the dollars would return to the pool for use towards other entities/applying projects. The deadline for this is October 16. Boettcher also shared that the city had been selected for receipt of another KDHE SRF loan for the amount of $100,000. This can only be used towards inventory or replacement. Unlike the former loan discussed, this does not have an approaching deadline.
When the potential for scheduling a special meeting was posed to afford for further discussion, community member Roscoe Jackson asked that they not proceed. A special meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 5 at 7 p.m.
Last Monday evening, Eureka City officials voted to terminate the contract with Saxon Aerospace (SUJTC) for management of the Lieutenant William M. Milliken Airport without cause. This action was taken following two executive sessions, each for the subject of legal consultation pertaining to management contracts for the durations of 15 and 5 minutes. In addition to City Council members, these sessions included the following: City Administrator, City Attorney, City Clerk, George Turner and Associate Direcotrs of Public Works Joey Caylor, Loren Wools and Levi Lawrence.
Saxon took over management of the facility in March of 2021.
Section 11 of the contract permits either entity to terminate the agreement with or without cause and also outlines that 90 days’ written notice be provided by the terminating party.
The property located at 601 N. Plum was included among agenda items and was presented with an immediate hazard inspection report. The written report describes damage created to the structure during the 2018 tornado and notes that this has continued to deteriorate over time. In the description of the condition of the house, it is noted that the interior of the structure is open to the elements and accessible to wildlife. No one was present representing the structure. Members of the council voted to declare the property an immediate hazard. Open access points to the interior of the house will be closed over until the structure can be torn down.
Peggy Hawthorne and Virgil Stuber attended the city council meeting in regards to the house located at 620 E. 2nd Street. Stuber noted that this was approximately the third time he has come to the city in regards to the condition of this property (one previous occasion being June 13, 2022). After noting that he was never informed that written complaints were needed, Stuber shared continued dissatisfaction with the condition of this property and noted that he was tired of the item being passed to the next person. Stuber then gave the floor to Hawthorne, who he noted assists him. Members of the council were informed that Stuber’s recently constructed house had roaches in it, due to the condition of the neighboring property. Hawthorne asked why Stuber had not been previously informed that a written complaint needed to be filled out. After referencing Ordinance 4601, Hawthorne noted that the property is a fire hazard and has remained as such for nearly a year and a half. She continued in reference to the written complaints, noting that they had recently been made aware that three letters must be submitted before anything can be done. After sharing this, Hawthorne told members of the council that if Stuber had known this a year and a half ago, these would have already been submitted. Hawthorne noted her understanding that the property owner had passed away, pointing out that utilities are being paid, but because of privacy act, the city cannot disclose the party’s name. Hawthorne noted that the Greenwood County Health Department and county had been contacted about the persisting issue, and Greenwood County notified them that this was the city’s jurisdiction.
After apologizing that Stuber had not been informed about the written forms, Herb-Mullin noted that the Health nurse got involved as the city can only do so much. He explained that the city had been anticipating a follow up from her, and this resulted in an oversight by the city, until you got on the agenda, as they hadn’t heard from her. It was noted that they could look at deeming this an immediate hazard. It was then explained that this does, however, take time as demolition is completed by the Eureka Foundation as a voluntary service.
As Stuber questioned about the potential cost of demolition, Attorney James Watson noted that in the past when structures have been put out for bid, the city does not always receive interest. It was then noted that when a bid is received, demolition is costly. As discussion came to a close, it was noted that the city will be looking to resolve this issue.
Director of the Harvest House Food Pantry located in Severy, Kathie Newman, was present to provide information on the food organization. In affiliation with the Severy Church of the Nazarene, Harvest House Food Pantry provides monthly food distributions to benefit those in need. This organization operates through volunteer labor and solely from grant dollars and donations. Newman shared that Harvest House Food Pantry had previously been the recipient of a large funding allocation from Greenwood County from COVID funds, however they had now reached the end of these dollars. Food distributed from the organization is ascertained through the Kansas Food Bank. Newman explained that they have a $500 monthly budget, which primarily goes toward shipment of food from the Kansas Food Bank.
Newman shared that approximately 400 people are served once per month, with approximately 82 families served from Eureka. She noted that most people served are seniors and noted that the elderly community are the ones suffering for lack of funds for food. She shared that they had not ever previously asked for funds, but noted that if the organization did not get funding, they were not going to be able to continue operating.
Local resident Dave Hawthorne was present to discuss an issue with a dog on a neighboring property with council members. He noted having called 911, who dispatched the dog catcher to the address. After he arrived to the property, Hawthorne noted that the dog catcher had given his reasons as to why he was unable to deal with the dog. Hawthorne told city officials that he did not have a problem with the dog catcher, his issue was that he doesn’t have the tools needed for the job. Hawthorne went on to tell city officials that an insurance company had come to assess his property and refused to sell insurance due to the dog. As this was discussed, Coulter noted that the city would be working to resolve the issue.
Community member Roy Wade sought approval for shooting off fireworks again this year at Eureka lake. Council members approved the request for September 9 at Phillips Cabin.
Members of the council approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: Minutes of the August 14 meeting, scheduled claims list for expenses due through August 28 in the amount of $112,959.38, Purchase Order 728488 to Brenntag for $6,927.45 and Purchase Order 728853 to Hach Service for $7,080.
The next regular meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, September 11, at 7 p.m.
