Three contracts pertaining to services through the new airport engineering team, Garver, were presented last Monday evening, on Dec. 9, during the Eureka City Council bi-monthly meeting. This included the following contracts for Lt. William M. Milliken Airport: the master agreement for professional services, and contracts for the Apron and Fuel Farm projects. Fees from Garver for the Apron and Fuel Farm projects will not be applied unless grants are awarded. Fees, $75,000 for the Apron and $66,700 for t h e Fuel Farm, will come out of the grant award total. All three contracts for the airport were approved.
During the Public Works report of streets, provided by Associate Director of Public Works Loren Wools, it was shared that almost all of River Street has been crack sealed and crew members were looking to have this fully completed by the end of the day Wednesday of last week. Issues were experienced with the loader the week prior (the week of Dec. 2). Wools shared this had been a fuel pressure sensor issue and was not allowing the machine to start. The needed part was ordered and installed in-house. The machine is now back in operation. In plans for the coming days, Wools reported they would be concentrating on finishing maintenance to the highway and working on North Main and Poplar Streets as well.
City Administrator Joel Laws told members of the council that a sewer line issue was experienced on 13th Street, but this did not impact anyone’s services. He commented this had occurred in relation to fiber optics installation.
Future plans for work to expand the bays at the Eureka City Fire Department were discussed. Laws noted that because this is located in the historic district, there are proper channels to be taken for demolition/construction work. Though they are not looking to break ground yet, Laws noted they were trying to get the ball rolling on preliminary items. The furnace at the Fire Station went out. Numbers for purchase of a new furnace were anticipated for presentation at the next council meeting.
A proposed employee insurance deductible allowance increase was presented.
Members of the council approved proceeding with Blue Cross Blue Shield’s (BCBS) KMIT plan. Through this option, the city will save $15,000. It was noted that, under the current insurance policy in place, the city reimburses employees $750 for a $1,150 deductible. It was then proposed that the city cover $350 more per employee, reducing the increase in out-of-pocket cost for staff. If this were not done, employees would see a $750 increase. It was then shared that only four employees had met their full deductible last year and thus a minimal amount had been utilized from this fund. It was commented that the remaining amount would then be used towards development of an insurance reserve. During discussion, city council members were told that BCBS had verbally indicated that, through the KMIT insurance, they will never have an increase over 4%. The reimbursement increase was approved as proposed and is now $1,000 per employee.
The request for bids is currently running in area newspapers, inquiring into cost for cleaning services.
City Hall closures for the holidays were reported as follows: Dec. 24-25, for Christmas and Dec. 31 and Jan 1, for New Year.
A C o m m u n i t y Development Block Grant housing meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
During council committee reports, Councilman Richard Drake shared that the transportation committee had met (Comprised of Drake and Councilman Jeff Marks). Drake elaborated that they had met with Wools and had learned a lot. He commented on having been impressed with plans for the future. Laws told officials that, once plans finalized, they will be brought to the council.
A development committee (Comprised of Council Chairman Kevin Lawrence and Councilman Dan Campbell) meeting was planned for Thursday of last week.
Employee Merit increases were among subjects of discussion. A Cost of Living (COLA) increase of 3% was approved during a previous meeting. It was shared that the city had budgeted 7% for total increases in staff pay in the coming year. The City of Eureka typically performs staff evaluations and the department supervisor then recommends where their merit increase should fall. City Council members approved up to 4% for merit increases for employees.
Officials approved the consent agenda. This included the following items: Minutes of the Nov. 25 meeting; Scheduled claims list for expenses due through Dec. 9 in the amount of $61,940.09, with the addition of the $10,000 invoice for manhole rehabilitation by Mayer Specialty Services added into the total.
Cereal Malt Beverage License renewal was approved for Pete’s.
A 15-minute executive session for legal matters pertaining to the airport were held with City Attorney James Watson and Airport Manager Jerry Rushmore. No action followed the session.
Mayor Stephen Coulter was absent from the meeting.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held Monday, Dec. 23, at 7 p.m.
