During the Eureka City Council meeting on Monday, March 24, the council heard from Eureka Fire Chief Luke Westerman concerning the new rescue truck. Westerman informed the council that delivery of a 2025 International HV507 SFA 4x4 Chassis, a heavy-duty vocational truck framework, is happening about a year earlier than expected. The HV507, which was not expected until 2026, will be sent to Unruh Fire, which will complete the fire department’s new rescue truck build.
The cost of the entire truck is $321,900, with 66.6% of the cost paid by the county and 33.4% paid by the city. Upon delivery of the chassis, $126,438.32 (cost of the chassis), is due within 30 days. The remaining cost is due upon delivery of the completed truck.
Westerman presented the council with several alternatives regarding how best to proceed with the new timeframe. The first option involved working with a financial institution, making an initial down payment and beginning regular payments in Feb. 2026. The second option would be to engage directly with Unruh Fire, who has agreed to delay the payment for the cost of the chassis until the next budget year. With this option, interest would accrue between delivery and when the chassis is paid for. The interest rate for this option had not been given, but Westerman hoped to have that information by April 1.
According to Westerman, Citizens State Bank, whose home office is in Gridley, with two branches in Greenwood County (Madison and Hamilton), is willing to finance the cost of the chassis at an interest rate of 4.982%. This would include a total down payment of 20% which is $64,380. The county’s share would be $44,877 while the city would be responsible for $21,502. The first payment is to be due in Feb. 2026.
Westerman said that he had enough left over from last year’s fire budget that he felt comfortable with taking that much ($21,502) out of the fire budget if the city and the county wanted to go that route, although it may leave his budget lean at the end of the year.
He asked that the council not make a decision yet, rather that they wait for more input from the county commission which is considering the proposed options and have more monetary interest in the endeavor.
Storm Sirens
The council heard from Eureka resident Nancy Knight about one of the city’s storm sirens. Knight asked the council if it would be possible to replace the siren that had been removed from 17th Street and N. Poplar or to change the tone of the current siren to a warble or lower tone. She explained that there are a number of residents who are elderly or may have medical equipment in use, which prevents them from hearing the storm sirens when they sound. Knight believed a change to its mode might help. The siren, which was replaced due to maintenance, has been relocated to near the water plant.
Mayor Stephen Coulter pointed out that the sirens are “outdoor warning sirens” and that it is reasonable that people indoors may not hear them. The council discussed potential locations for a siren to be placed that would better serve the neighborhood Knight had mentioned. Outdoor storm sirens are intended to be heard from about one mile away, although in ideal conditions, they can be heard up to three miles distant. The council agreed to look into the matter, telling Knight, “We’ll see what we can do.”
Zoning Change
In new business, the council received a request from George Meihle for a change of zoning at 420 N. Pine in Eureka. Meihle, the property owner, stated that having researched his options, he felt the property would serve better as a residential area. The property is currently zoned “C-2” General Commercial District. The request is that this property be rezoned “R-1” Single-Family Dwelling. Several greenhouses sit on the property now, although three of these have been sold and are set to be removed. Meihle added that the Church of Christ had recently used the location as a food bank and that the group had successfully distributed about 135 food packages. “It worked well,” said Meihle. Code Enforcement Officer Steve French shared that he had provided Meihle with a list of code requirements to be met before the zone change could proceed and that these requirements have been met. The motion for the zone change was approved. The change in zoning would not affect the continued use of the location as a food bank/ distribution center.
Animal Shelter
Karen Simon presented a proposed agreement with Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, which has received a $30,000 Rachael Ray Save Them All grant intended to help transfer pets from other shelters, specifically those not listed as no-kill shelters, to its care. Eureka has been identified by Prairie Paws as a shelter potentially needing help and has offered transport, housing and veterinary care costs for pets who would be transferred from Eureka to their shelter, located in Manhattan. Director Vanessa Cowie says the grant funding is from the national animal welfare organization, Best Friends Animal Society, of which Prairie Paws is an active member. The goal of the grant is twofold: one, to transfer 200 pets into the Prairie Paws system this year, and two, to turn kill shelters into no-kill shelters. Simon confirmed that, if accepted, the offer would be at no cost to the city of Eureka. The motion to accept the offer from Prairie Paws was approved unanimously.
Housing/Street Grant In old business, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) agreement with the Kansas Department of Commerce (KDOC) for the Housing/Street Grant was approved. The CDBG is a federal grant program to support community development projects. According to the grant agreement, the KDOC will provide the sum of $416,000 in CDBG funds toward a housing/street development project. The City of Eureka, for its share, must provide $184,842 in additional funds to be used toward the same program. City Administrator Assistant Karen Simon shared that there are already pre-applicants for the program. “We’re going to help a lot of people,” said Simon.
Other Business
The purchase of a new lawnmower for the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport was reviewed. During the March 10 City Council meeting, the council reviewed pricing for two mowers for use by the city. Mayor Stephen Coulter told the council, during their most recent meeting, that he had been made aware that the price would increase by 3% if the city purchased just one mower rather than two. Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell gave his assessment regarding the current equipment at the airport. He noted that each of the four pieces of equipment, two John Deere tractors and two Grasshopper mowers, had relatively low hour meter counts. He said that all of the equipment is operational and should be able to mow another season. After hearing Mitchell’s evaluation, the council decided against the purchase of a new mower for the airport this year. As a result of this decision, the cost of the 60inch mower, which was approved for purchase during the previous City Council meeting, will increase by $430. This will bring that cost to about $14,810.
The transfer of property on River Street to adjacent property owners was discussed. The Eureka Planning Commission has made recommendations to the council that the city deed the property located south of 916 E. River and north of Highway 54 to the owners of 916 E. River (Lo Mar Drive-In) and deed the property located south of 118 S. Adams and 1012 E. River abutting Highway 54 to the owners of 1012 E. River (Nuessen Retail Liquor), subject to easements. Council member Jeff Marks suggested that clarification from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) be obtained regarding easements before approval of the motion. The council tabled the discussion pending additional information from KDOT.
In committee reports, Cinda Beals reported that a safety meeting was held prior to the city council meeting where the safety of some of the buildings downtown was discussed. Beals stated that another meeting would probably be necessary for further review.
Mayor Coulter provided an administrative update which included a progress report on the dog pound. Chain link fencing from Random School and the water plant will be used. Plans are underway to get this part of the project completed. Steve French has ordered the needed dog houses. Coulter also shared that the street department got the gravel spread at the cemetery for the new roads on the west side.
Lake Lot #101 transfer from Kent and Christine Webber to Kent and Christine Webber Living Will was approved.
The consent agenda, including the March 10 regular meeting minutes and the claims list totaling $199,192.76, were approved as presented. Also approved was Purchase Order #730728 to Brenntag totaling $7,198.68 for necessary chemicals at the water plant.
The council held two executive sessions, both for legal matters referencing contacts. The first was with the council, Attorney James Watson and Clerk Renee Burk. The second included the same individuals with the addition of Director of Public Works Chris Mitchell. No decisions were made after either session.
Prior to adjourning the meeting, Mayor Stephen Coulter shared an update with the council regarding the airport. Coulter noted that through discussion with the FAA Engineer, Eureka was looking at moving forward with the fuel farm, before additional work was done to the apron.
The next City Council meeting will be Monday, April 14, at 7 p.m.
