Vice Mayor Ruth Hughs announced her resignation from the City Commission at Monday’s meeting, bringing an end to her nearly 12 years of public service. 

Hughs will officially step down May 31, citing a move to Lenexa as reason for her resignation.  

“I wanted to give you plenty of time to find a replacement who loves the city and wants to work hard,” Hughs said. “It’s been a true honor.”

City Commissioner Roberta Lehmann said she was sad to learn of the news. 

“I’m super excited for you,” Lehmann told Hughs during the meeting. “But I’m sad to see you go.”

Mayor Tim Reazin said he hopes to begin the process of filling Hughs’ seat within the next two months. He added there will be no election, and commissioners will vote on a final selection themselves. 

“The city manager’s office will send out a notice that there’s a spot open and request applications and a resumé,” Reazin said. “We’ll go through those and we’ll interview.”

Reazin said potential applicants should understand that the job of City Commissioner can be a challenging one.

“If someone is interested in being a City Commissioner or if they have any desire to be one, they should show up to a meeting to see what it’s like,” Reazin said. 

In other business, the commission largely focused on construction projects.

The City Commission authorized City Manager Barack Matite to carry out a contract with Crossland Heavy Contractors to reconstruct and update Eudora’s wastewater system. The contract will not exceed $2.6 million.

Public Works Director Branden Boyd said the construction project will deal with the city’s wastewater network, as the main lift station will be reconstructed and the East lift station’s pump system will be updated. 

“We will end up adding an additional force main from the main lift station to the wastewater plant and then separate the two so the East lift station will be independent of the main lift station,” Boyd said. 

The commission then reviewed the city’s progress over 2021, as City Management Fellow Alleigh Weems presented Eudora’s annual city report to the commission. Weems highlighted several aspects of growth in the city, especially economic development. 

According to the report, highlights of 2021 included the city’s purchase agreement with High 5 Entertainment, the overall Nottingham development and the installation of the city’s first traffic light at Church Street and East 15th Street. 

Highlights from the Parks and Recreation department include plans to renovate Pilla Park later this year, as well as the construction of the Lucy Kaegi trail and Phase 2 of the Bluejacket trail. 

According to the report, outreach from public safety included fire prevention events in schools and at EudoraFest, and the installation of smoke alarms throughout the city. 

In other business, the City Commission approved a resolution to set a hearing regarding a property at 1035 Maple St. Curt Baumann presented a document displaying evidence of code violations at that property, including dilapidation and structural defects. 

The commission also approved several proclamations, including declaring April Autism Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Arbor Month and National Safe Digging Month. 

Reach reporter Abby Shepherd at [email protected]