Scooter’s Coffee has begun construction and could be completed in the next six to eight weeks, City Manager Kevyn Gero said Monday.
The building is 600 square feet, and footings have already been placed on the land between Casey’s and Wendy’s, she told commissioners during the City Commission meeting.
“It’ll be here probably before Christmas,” Gero said. “They’re ready to roll, so that was exciting.”
In other business, the fitness center, aquatic center and Bluejacket park will officially receive upgrades after the approval of the 2024 budget Monday night.
The budget approved Monday is the same as the last proposed budget, except for a couple of line item changes, Budget Analyst Michael Gentry said.
Instead of a new brush fire/EMS response vehicle, the current one will receive enhancements. The city also added a maintenance line item to the aquatic center.
Commissioner Alex Curnes noted that park bathrooms and response vehicle enhancements on next year’s budget are great ways to improve residents’ experiences within Eudora.
“I think that’s gonna be a really big thing for the community,” Curnes said. “I’m glad that we focused on improving the lives of people using our facilities.”
The commission also had a public hearing for the revenue neutral rate and 2024 city budget. A hearing was mandatory since the city decided to exceed the revenue neutral rate. No residents spoke during either hearing. The city approved the rate at 39.001 mills, leaving the mill levy flat for the coming year.
Commissioners also heard a biannual summary from the Eudora Area Historical Society at Monday’s meeting.
Executive Director Ben Terwilliger said the biggest highlight so far this year was the extensive collaboration with the school district. This year, they hosted 487 students on field trips. Many focused on Native American history and culture.
The museum has been focusing on the implementation of its new core exhibit, which will be the largest exhibit in the building and will feature the earliest details of Eudora’s Native American history.
“Not only is it supposed to be a historical analysis of Eudora, but I think it’s meant to celebrate Eudora, what makes Eudora a great place,” Terwilliger said. “It’s basically an opportunity to show the public that Eudora is a thriving vibrant community with an important history.”
He estimates the exhibit will cost about $20,000 to create.
The historical society set a new record for most visitors in a week from June 12 to 17, with 367 visitors. He attributed this to the CPA Picnic, summer academy and Sunflower Plant reunion.
The society has 262 members who support the operational expenses of the historical society, Terwilliger said.
The commission also heard updates on the work being done at Southwest Cemetery. The historical society is collaborating with KU graduate students and the city to create signage about the city’s cemetery used by Eudora’s Black community. They will create signage for the cemetery and a new exhibit.
“We’ve made a lot of good progress on that this year,” Terwilliger said. “I think it’s an important project to help preserve the history of the Southwest Cemetery.”
In other business, the commission denied a request from an organizer of the Fall Market to sell, possess, dispense and consume alcohol at the community center and park during the Sept. 9 event.
After discussion, Mayor Tim Reazin, Vice Mayor Tim Bruce and Commissioners Jolene Cullen and Curnes were all opposed to allowing the permit.
Reazin, Cullen and Bruce were not in favor of alcohol in the gym, but were less concerned about the park. Commissioners questioned what safety protocols would be in effect, but the applicant was not in attendance to answer questions or make changes to the permit request.
Curnes said he saw no need for the sale of alcohol on public grounds or in the gym.
The commission also passed a proclamation for Sept. 11 to be considered a National Day of Service and Remembrance. According to the agenda, the day will be a culmination of efforts to promote community service on 9/11 as a tribute to victims, survivors and those who served in response to the terrorist attacks. Reazin said the holiday is passed every year because the city understands the importance of it.
The commission also approved a bid to move forward with the installation of a new UV system for the wastewater treatment plant. Funding for the equipment was included in the GO bond approved on Aug. 14.
The new UV system will replace an outdated one from 1999. The bid from Ray Lindsey Co. totaled $348,035, which is about $62,000 cheaper than the city planned. Boyd said there will be additional costs, but they shouldn’t add more than $5,000 to $10,000 and will still be less than expected.
Laura Smith addressed commissioners during public comment to talk about the 988 Breakfast of Hope. The event is hosted by the Kansas Suicide Prevention Headquarters from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sept. 8 at 2110 Delaware St. in Lawrence.
Smith hoped to get the word out to Eudora residents in hopes they would join her at the event. There will be guest speakers and networking opportunities while supporting Eudora, she said.
During staff updates, Fire Chief Mindy Andrasevits said the department partnered with the Red Cross to install 21 smoke detectors last week, making nine more homes in Eudora outfitted with alarms. Residents can call the department to set up a time for their free installation by calling the station.
Police Chief Wes Levott said the police are scheduling cones with a cop at Dairy Queen for Sept. 13. More details to come, he said.
Public Works Director Branden Boyd said the K-10 bridge crossing project has been officially bumped up by the Kansas Department of Transportation to start the third week of December.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected]
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