The City Commission will discuss upgrading Pilla Park during a work session Monday night." />
The City Commission will discuss upgrading Pilla Park during a work session Monday night.
City commissioners will discuss applications from seven search firms that wish to help in the hiring process of a new city manager at Monday night’s meeting.
The city issued a request for qualifications to search firm services to help recruit and hire a replacement for City Manager Barack Matite, who announced his resignation at the last city meeting. His last day will be during the week of Jan. 9.
The commission will appoint a selection committee to review the applications and recommend a firm.
Prior to the main meeting, a special meeting at 6 p.m. will discuss proposed changes to city employee compensation.
The city commissioned Baker Tilly to see if employee salaries were competitive in the local market, and if they should be altered. Raises are recommended.
During Monday night’s regular meeting, six new recruit firefighters will be introduced to the commission, as well as one new field operations worker.
Commissioners will also consider adjusting city boundaries and discuss the 2023 Downtown Grant Program, which has a budget of $15,000. The staff recommendation is to award $4,600 to Main Street Wine and Spirits and $7,500 to Quilting Bits and Pieces.
A work session will follow the main meeting, and Parks and Recreation Director Sally Pennington will present updates about Pilla Park.
Over the last six months, the Parks & Recreation and Public Works departments have worked together to get updated costs and estimates for a complete site renovation, including the parking lot and playground area.
Staff worked with CFS Engineers to conduct a site survey to show the details of the entire site, from parking lot to green space. The cost estimates for the site work, including asphalt, concrete and demolition, are expected to be about $139,000.
Updated cost and design options were also gathered from multiple playground vendors for a new shade structure along with inclusive and nature-themed play pieces. The bids for the playground portion are estimated to be approximately $275,000.
The proposed plan includes renovating the entire park all at once and ensuring an accessible park. This will also upgrade the overflow parking options from the City Hall parking lot, as more people are coming into Eudora, according to staff notes on the agenda.
Commissioners will also hear changes made to the city’s employee handbook.
Reach reporter Abby Shepherd at [email protected]
Note: The Eudora Times is on hiatus until Jan. 9 with the exception of coverage of the Dec. 19 City Commission meeting. To support our journalism, please consider donating at this web link or send checks made out to KU Endowment to Teri Finneman, 1435 Jayhawk Blvd, Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045 with Eudora Times in the check’s memo line.