During the November 27 meeting of the Eureka City Council, Mayor Stephen Coulter announced that fiber would be coming to town. Coulter told members of the council that he just received notification that IdeaTek and the City of Eureka had received a Broadband Acceleration Grant award for the amount of $879,977 to bring fiber to the community. Additional details in regards to the project can be found on page one.
A representative from JEO Consulting group was present last Monday evening to answer any questions in regards to the sidewalk grant received by the city. It was shared during discussion that the grant dollars awarded would pay for the completion of a study and planning for a project along River Street. The city’s match for the $175,000 grant was cut roughly in half by the state, reducing the city’s portion from the previously estimated $35,000. This will be a multi-year project with year one consisting of a safety study. The city was notified last Monday night that an Request for Quote (RFQ) would be needed.
JEO will be working on plans for maintenance and improvements to city streets. Utilities will be considered as this is mapped out. The company representative noted that they would be in communication with the Public Works Department and would discuss the system status. Mayor Coulter inquired if the company has expertise in water and sewer projects, with the representative confirming that they do.
The subject of stand-by compensation was once again brought to the floor for discussion. A recommendation was presented to double the former amount, which would bring it from one hour to two hours per day compensation for having the phone/being on stand-by. A 2-hour minimum if the employee is called out was also suggested. Members of the council voted to approve the update to Article D regarding Stand-by compensation in the employee handbook.
Job descriptions for two positions were approved following the former decision to divide Animal Control from Code Enforcement: Animal Control Officer/Street Department, full-time with the listed wage range at $17-$29 hourly and Code Enforcement Officer, part-time with a listed wage range of $17-$29 per hour.
Multiple resolutions pertaining to code violations were approved last Monday. These included the following: Resolution 23-14, 607 N. Greenwood Street, providing for the city to abate violations pertaining to overgrowth and junk on the property; Resolution 2315, 410 N. Mulberry Street, pertaining to code violations related to peeling paint; Resolution 23-16, 421 W. Third Street pertaining to paint and roof condition; Resolution 2317, 601 N. Greenwood, roof and facia conditions; Resolution 23-18, 603 E. Third Street, paint and siding; Resolution 23-19, 609 E. 7th Street, structure violations including paint and metal siding, and Resolution 23-20, 609 E. 7th Street, junk on the property. As discussion unfolded, Coulter noted the hope is, by passing the resolutions, property owners are encouraged to repair these properties. After noting that he didn’t want to see structures fall into such a condition that demolition is necessitated, Coulter stated, “We can’t do nothing.” He continued, “We’ve got too many properties that are in this kind of condition.” In regards to some of the properties, Coulter noted that officials may later need to decide how to remedy the condition, however adding that the goal was to get the property owners to address them. “Through this process, right now, we are getting properties painted and things are getting fixed. Now, is it fixing all of them, no, but we are doing a better job of this. This is not enjoyable. We don’t want to do this, this isn’t where any of us want to be, telling people they have to fix their property, but this is where we are,” stated Coulter.
The following properties were officially declared immediate hazards: 607 N. Greenwood and 916 E. Third Street.
Members of the council voted to approve a 4% Cost Of Living increase (COLA) for all city employees, effective January 1. The following merit increases were awarded based on evaluations performed: 3%: Renee Burk, Mike Mehegan, Levi Lawrence, Loren Wools, Matt Wright, Karen Simon, Kristi Stapleford, Jayme Robertson, Gavin Werner, Austin Malinowsky, Adrianne Gibson, Robert Knox, Elijah Strickler, Angelo Watchous, Joey Caylor and Glen Mitchell; 2.5%: Dennis Lacy and James Cody West and 1% to Teagn Brinkmeyer and Belinda Requena. These will also be effective with the start of the new year.
In review of the bills, Lawrence asked about the Eureka Downs facility noting that the total for utilities was high. Coulter shared that transformers inside the building were a factor and noted that this was a subject for continued inclusion in future planning. Members of the council voted to approve the consent agenda. This included the following items: minutes if the November 13 meeting and scheduled claims list for expenses due through November 27 in the amount of $120,348.78.
In reports on committee meetings held, it was shared that Marks, Lawrence and Coulter had visited with John Ferguson at the airport. Coulter shared that a committee meeting was held to set interviews for the City Administrator position. Cereal Malt Beverage license renewal was approved for G&W Foods and DG Retail.
A 20-minute executive session for discussion of legal matters was held with the City Clerk and Attorney. After returning to regular session, another executive session was taken for 15 minutes for the same subject – the same individuals remaining. Following the session, no action was taken.
The next meeting of the Eureka City Council will be held on Monday, December 11 at 7 p.m.
