Eudora High School senior Campbell McNorton presents a plan to City Commissioners to fix aspects of the CPA Shelter.
City Commissioners received six applications for a vacant commission seat at Monday night’s meeting and made plans to conduct interviews next week.
Mayor Tim Reazin suggested the commission only interview the three applicants who submitted their letters of interest by the May 4 deadline, with the other commissioners in agreement.
This means Zach Brooks, Alex Curnes and Susan Howig will be interviewed May 16, while Russell Seybert, Dallas Smith and Aaron Thakker are ineligible.
“I agree,” Commissioner Jolene Cullen said. “I do think, like with the procedures with voting, you can’t get a spot on the ballot late. If you get here on time, you’ve earned that.”
In other business, the commission was given an update on the city’s energy efficiency.
In 2015, the city took part in the Facility Conservation Improvement Program, which replaced water meters throughout Eudora and made improvements in energy efficiency in various public buildings.
David Carter with the Kansas Energy Program provided the findings to the commission, and highlighted areas of efficiency and inefficiency in city buildings. He called Eudora “the poster child” for the program.
Carter showed trends in annual electricity use, which decreased overall in buildings monitored under the program.
“From your baseline year in 2015, you have consistently achieved a reduction in energy consumption in kilowatt-hours,” Carter said. “This is very surprising to me, to see that steady of a decline, and that consistent of a decline in a six-year period.”
In other business, Eudora high school student Campbell McNorton presented a plan to repair and change aspects of the CPA shelter. McNorton volunteers with Feeding Eudora, which serves meals out of the shelter, including over 5,500 meals last summer.
She highlighted areas of concern with the shelter, including safety, cleanliness and efficiency of the space. McNorton would like new awnings, the hot water system to be repaired, new trash cans, and for the city to remove broken appliances taking up space.
“I just want to emphasize that this will benefit the whole community,” McNorton said. “The CPA shelter is in a prime location right next to the library. It’s on Main Street, which is becoming really revitalized. It’s a really good space for people in Eudora.”
City commissioners suggested it might be difficult to do extensive improvements to the shelter because of how dated it is. Reazin said the commission has discussed in the past the practical issues that come with maintaining the building.
“I think the challenge that we’ve had is it’s not a temperature-controlled structure,” Reazin said.
City Manager Barack Matite said his office would try to address some of the issues McNorton raised.
The commission also approved a resolution to remove, repair or replace a property at 1035 Maple St.
Leon Johnson formerly lived in the house, but is now deceased. His nephew Nolan Johnson sent a series of letters to Codes Administrator Curtis Baumann, asking for a 365 day halt on all processes related to removal of the house.
Commissioners agreed to proceed with the process, raising the issue of safety when it comes to children entering the house and the risk of fire.
“I feel for this person that wants it, but I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the safety of our people,” Commissioner Ruth Hughs said.
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