On Monday, Nov. 25, a Public Hearing was held by the Eureka City Council for the property located at 920 E. 7th Street. Code Enforcement Officer Steve French shared that the property owners currently have a valid building permit and have been doing some work. In regards to the open case in municipal court, French noted their next appearance would be Dec. 16. He noted this would be separate action from court proceedings. French noted the owners have started to reside the structure. He noted his concern was they had sided the end wall and stopped working, until last week, when they began siding a portion of the front. French shared that he believed the property could be restored to an inhabitable state and suggested giving them a deadline of Jan. 9 to get the property addressed.
French explained the permit will not expire for a few more months. To meet permit compliance, the holder must start work within 6 months of the permit being issued and work has to be completed within a 6-month window after it has begun. French commented that the structure is open and could qualify for immediate hazard, but added he is not interested in that. French told the council he would like to give the owners a chance to complete needed work.
Councilman Kevin Lawrence stated that he felt, if owners were in compliance with the permit, they should be given the allotted permit time. French responded by noting the issue was they had previously suspended work. French explained, they had sought the building permit and he believed work had later begun the weekend prior to their October court date, so the allotted permit time started on approximately Oct. 15, giving them until March 15 to complete work, under the permit.
French commented that he wanted to see them work until the structure is addressed.
It was noted the structure was damaged during the 2018 tornado. French then requested passage of Resolution 24-18, establishing a deadline of Jan. 9 and providing the city with the option to abate/remove the structure, should work not be completed. It was noted if progress were made within the allotted time, the city could choose to provide more time for continued efforts.
Councilman Brandt questioned if the owners had a permit in 2018 after the damage occurred and when they started tearing off old siding and replacing windows. French commented they did not. Clerk Renee Burk clarified that back then, it was not required for siding and windows. French told council members that work was being done well/properly and he wanted to give them a chance to complete it, but he didn’t want to see work suspended/paused.
Property owners were present and noted they had suspended work due to weather and military service. They shared that they had no insurance on the structure when it was damaged and didn’t have the funds to address it. When the council questioned if they wanted to keep it, one owner stated that he would not have invested dollars in the roof and windows after the tornado if he did not want to keep it. Using colorful terms, the owner then commented that if he had not wanted the structure, he would have demolished it when the damage occurred. He noted in continued conversation that he has supplies to continue work. When asked if Jan. 9 would be too soon, the owner commented he would be working toward completion and acknowledged that this would be feasible. After concluding their public hearing, members of the council approved Resolution 24-28, 4-2, Lawrence and Marks voting opposed.
Councilman Dan Campbell reported that he had presented options at the Greenwood County Community Center (GCCC) meeting as discussed. He told his fellow council members that the meeting had ended on a positive note, with interest being expressed for holding a joint meeting between the GCCC board and County Commissioners. Campbell, however relayed that commission legal counsel had advised them not to hold the joint meeting as it would not be legal to do so. He anticipated there would be nothing more to report on the GCCC until January.
Laws revisited the subject of having someone oncall for needs and cleaning of city facilities when they are rented for community use. He noted that staffing had been reassigned and this is now covered for Memorial Hall and Phillips Cabin. This subject is slated to be discussed with the GCCC in January regarding Eureka Downs. At this time, Mayor Stephen Coulter noted Eureka Downs was not cleaned following the last reservation and spoke in favor of getting this cleaned. The next booking scheduled as of last Monday night was in February. Coulter noted that the city had signed an agreement with the other entities involved and he believed ensuring the structure was clean for reservations would fall within their purview. Councilman Brandt agreed, noting that the city collects rent for the structure and they should see that it is clean and ready for use. Councilman Marks commented he felt the city should ensure the structure is clean until the end of the year and added this should be re-evaluated in 2025. Members of the council expressed interest in seeking bids for having Eureka Downs cleaned so it is ready for the next reservation. Alternative options for a community building were noted as the subject of future plans was mentioned. Lack of cooling and handicap accessibility were items for consideration when Memorial Hall was mentioned as an option.
City staff member Heidi Boone spoke on the upcoming celebrations for the Christmas season and for Memorial Hall’s 100th Anniversary. For Christmas in Eureka, a State of the City Address will be provided by the mayor at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 in front of the Greenwood County Courthouse Gazebo. The Christmas parade will follow at 5 p.m. Boone stated it would be fun if members of the city council were a part of the parade. In regards to the annual Christmas decorating contest, Boone explained this used to be limited to businesses with categories for River and Main Streets. For this holiday season, Boone has changed the event to include business and residential categories to create more community involvement.
For the Memorial Hall anniversary celebration, this will feature an art contest, cake featuring Memorial Hall, tours of the facility, coloring contest, silent auction of gift baskets and ornament fundraiser with proceeds going toward memorial hall rehabilitation.
Health Insurance was revisited. Renewal options were presented by Clerk Renee Burk. She shared that the city had previously been accepted into the Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Kansas Municipal Interest Trust (KMIT) Association, a pool of cities which receive better rates. It was shared that the city has been a member of KMIT for two years, but the BSBC Association under KMIT was a more recent development. After the city posed inquiry following the last council meeting, their BSBC representative was able to submit for, and the city was accepted into, the association for access to the rate presented. Burk noted that once accepted, a city cannot be kicked out of the association. The new option for insurance, presented as option four, was described as being comparable to their current plan. Burk noted that Freedom Claims had also submitted a plan for consideration, which she noted would come with administration fees, a higher deductible and ultimately came in higher than BCBS KMIT.
A representative from Theel Insurance, a partner of Freedom Claims, Darren Booth, was present Monday evening to introduce their options to council members.
Before being accepted into KMIT, the city was facing a 17% increase through BCBS with renewal slated for Jan. 1.
Councilman Dan Campbell noted that the BCBS KMIT option would be $28,000 in savings over the Freedom Claims option.
Booth noted that, should the city proceed with BCBS, the company would return next year to provide options and reminded officials that through Freedom Claims, they would have the ability to enhance benefits and make changes each year.
When Councilman Jeff Marks asked City Clerk Renee Burk her thoughts, she noted, in her opinion, the fully funded plan from BCBS would be a better option while the price is affordable. She noted Freedom Claims could be something to consider in the future, but expressed concerns regarding potential depletion of reserves through their manner of providing coverage.
Drake noted his company historically had gone to a self-funded provider of this nature. The first year the given insurance provider had saved the company money. Drake commented the following year, multiple individuals had significant surgeries and costs increased. He then stated, “It’s a risk.”
It was commented this would not be completely “closing the door” on Freedom Claims. Burk stated when the company reached out, she had advised it was late in the year and added she was unsure they would provide a quote in time for the meeting, but they had. Discussed putting dollars budgeted for insurance increase into the health insurance fund to serve as a future reserve if they choose to change companies. Members of the council approved renewal through BCBS, option four, the KMIT BCBS association option.
Laws reported that an issue at 5th and Mulberry Streets was brought to the city’s attention the week of Nov. 22 and crews were quick to respond. He explained to members of the council there was a void between the bridge and the street and emergency work to level this was completed. This was done to prevent water from going under the road. Later in meeting proceedings, officials brought to the floor completing needed work to the remainder of the street. At this time, a bid for from Ramsey Concrete in the amount of $6,800 was approved.
Associate Director of Public Works Loren Wools provided a report on the Street Department. Wools shared that crew members worked on crack sealing and had used the remaining oil in the patcher in time for winter temperatures. The Street Department is looking into a polymer- based oil that could be used during cold weather so crack sealing could be conducted year-round. Seal work was done on Poplar Street and crew members had begun work to River Street. Wools commented that, after Thanksgiving, maintenance work will continue on River Street. A chip-seal project is slated for completion on the southern portion of town. Wools noted that this area had been assessed and two months of work would be needed to prepare for this. The city will be looking to start surface work in March of 2025. Laws commented that a council transportation committee meeting was being planned for this week to further discuss the item. Wools shared that winter patch material was received for potholes. Don Scott provided aide to the city through use of his bucket truck for putting up Christmas decorations. Wools concluded by sharing that the recent high winds had damaged street signs. These have been repaired as crew members have completed daily work.
Business license ordinance review was on Monday night’s agenda. Laws shared the city does have an ordinance in place specifying that businesses pay a license fee, but this hasn’t been enforced. It was noted this had come to the council’s attention because concerns were expressed as local businesses have to pay a fee, but food trucks/trailers do not. Laws then recommended this be reviewed and if officials are not interested in enforcement, repeal the ordinance. Officials spoke in favor of reviewing and enforcing this. The council development committee will be reviewing this item. Laws noted the end goal for collection of permit fees would be for economic development and creation of business profiles to be distributed to spotlight town availabilities to those who pass through town. French commented that there are three different business licenses listed in the ordinance and one is for transient businesses. This also stipulates that transient businesses must have a background check through the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office for those who are non-residents. Concerns were voiced about the annual craft fair and similar events. French noted there could be a blanket permit for such events. There is also is a waiver for city sponsored events. Laws noted that waiver requests could be brought to the council for approval, if they so choose. As he commented the city gets complaints for residential locations being used as businesses, French noted this would aid in resolving that as well. As conversation continued, international building code was mentioned by French. He noted for those contractors who come to work in the City of Eureka from out of town, they are now being asked to have an insurance certificate before beginning work. Laws noted this is common practice in most cities. This business license ordinance is also to be reviewed by the Zoning Board.
Airport hangar bids were among items to be discussed by the council. It was shared that no bids were received for lease of the city hangar. This will be picked up for further discussion when the airport manager is available.
Waiver of city permit fees for houses which will be awarded dollars through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing grant was presented and approved.
Cost of Living (COLA) was discussed. Members of the council approved a COLA increase of 3% and merit increase of 4%. The meeting was held with IdeaTek, which was well attended by the community. Installation is ongoing to bring fiberoptics to the entire city. The company is still optimistic that this will be completed in the winter/ spring.
Repair work had to be completed to the stoplight. Laws explained that a power surge was experienced and a circuitry board had to be replaced.
A utilities committee to discuss potential adjustments to rates is being planned.
Transfer of Lake Lot 131 was approved.
The finalized plaque is now in place at the flag pole at Memorial Hall.
Members of the council approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: Minutes of the Nov. 12 meeting, Scheduled claims list of expenses due through Nov. 25 in the amount of $87,985.47, purchase order 729335 to Brenntag for $5,255.20 and purchase order 730614 to Hach for $7,973.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.
