Politics
Planning Commission gets a new member
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
Jason Hoover has been appointed to the Eudora Planning Commission. Hoover replaces Erica Ganson on Commission.
Ganson resigned from the planning Commission earlier this month. She had no comment as to the reason for her resignation. Ganson operated Java to Go in the C &S Market parking lot until closing the business a couple of weeks ago. At that time, Ganson stated that an employment opportunity cam about that gave her more stability and a better income.
Hoover, a life-long resident of Eudora and son of former Mayor Jim Hoover, is Executive Vice President and Director of Kaw Valley State Bank. Hoover has been employed by the bank since 1990.
Jason Hoover has also served in the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals for the last 18 months. Hoover will be sworn in at the Next Planning Commission meeting in June.
Replacing Hoover on the BZA, will be Charlie Watts, a former administrator in the Eudora Public School System and longtime builder and landowner in town.
Public Safety Building headed back to 10th & Main
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
In a surprising twist to the saga of where to build a new public safety building, the City Council gave the green light to begin planning for a public safety building to be located at 10th and Main Street.
The difference this time around in putting a new Police/Fire/EMS structure at the cornerstone of downtown is the look and cost of the building. The new proposal is a Butler style building that will have a brick and wainscoating facade. The picture above is a sample and not intended to be the exact look of the final design. The cost of the 16,670 square foot building is estimated to be approximately $2.47 million and would require a mill levy increase of 1.72 mills. This is down from the 2.85 mills that was needed for the original proposal at 10th & Main.
To give some understanding to the cost of the 1.72 mill levy increase, a $150,000 house would have a tax increase of $29.67. Under the old proposal, the rate increase would have been $49.
The original project was put to a halt back in March 2012 when the City Council made the decision that a 2.85 mill increase was too large of a burden to taxpayers. In the City Council discussions at that time, the Council agreed to look for an alternative location where the could put a less expensive building than the projected $4 million structure that was initially considered.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Council members Bill Whitten and Ruth Hughs, who took on the task of attempting to finding a new location, stated that they looked at various locations and talked to some landowners in Eudora since March. According to Whitten, no landowner was willing to sell their property to the city. Whitten and Hughs did not state any specific names of landowners they contacted or what locations they were interested in.
The next step in this long process will be put the project to bid which, according to City Administrator John Harrenstein, should take about six weeks.
City Council Agenda: May 14, 2012
After a little extended break due to the way the days of April fell, the Eudora City Council will meet tonight to handle the cities business needs. On the agenda:
A. Executive Session: Land Acquisition B. Consider approving Jason Hoover to the Planning Commission C. Consider approving Charlie Watts to the Board of Zoning Appeals D. Consider approving the use of fluoride in the water treatment process E. Consider approving the 2013 budget calendar F. Staff update: Public Safety Building G. Staff update: Crosswalk at 9th and Maple H. Consider Ordinance 991 regarding text amendments to the Eudora Zoning Regulations I. Staff update: Discuss shop local campaign J. Consider approving staff recommendations for music/picnic in the park K. Consider approving the Parks and Recreation Master Plan L. Consider approving Resolution 2012-06 regarding the safe routes to school grant M. Consider Ordinance 992 consumption of beer and cereal malt beverages at Luci Kaegi Park N. Discuss alternative meeting date for last meeting in May O. Consider approving the purchase of a vac truck P. Consider approving the sale of a 2006 Transcraft trailer
We will bring you all the important information from tonight’s meeting as quickly as possible. You can of course hear for yourself what happens by attending the City Council meeting which will get under way at 7:00 PM at Eudora City Hall, 4 East 7th Street. The public is always welcome to attend.
City Council Meeting Agenda – April 9, 2012
Eudora News and Information - www.eudorareporter.com
The City Council will meet in regular session this evening for the first time in over a month. On the agenda for this evening:
- Consider request from Tori Gezel to raise fowl within the city limits.
- Consider presentation by Darren Waisner regarding plantings along 10th Street at Grandview Mobile Home Park.
- Discuss hours of operation for the city Brush Dump.
- Consider approving a downtown grant award to Casa Agave.
- Consider approving project agreement with New Boston Creative Group.
- Consider approving 2012 street maintenance agreement.
Some of these could be rather interesting and we will report back to you on those of news and notes in the coming days.
No City Council Meeting tonight
Eudora News and Information – www.eudorareporter.com
The Eudora City Council normally meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month. That has not been the norm in the month of March. We have been informed that once again, there will not be a quorum to hold a meeting. Three of the five city Council members must be present to have a quorum and have it count as an official meeting.
According to City Staff there will be no special meeting scheduled, much like there was last week to discuss the Public Safety Building.
The next City Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 9th at 7:00 PM at City Hall.
