"I wanted to serve the city, and to perform my civic duty.”

Making the Connection

-Mayor Punke
The Council Connection is a new newsletter that will be issued monthly by the City of Eureka. In it, you will find up to-date information on many of the issues that the Eureka City Council is currently facing. Each article is written about a topic that the council views as being important to the community. If you, as a citizen, wish to address a current city issue, feel free to write a letter expressing your view. Letters, which must contain the author's name, address, and contact
information, will be published in each issue of The Council Connection. They can be dropped off at the city building, located at 128 N. Main, or e-mailed to mhangartner86@yahoo.com.
The idea for this monthly newsletter stemmed largely from a recent effort by Mayor Punke to create a more open line of communication between local government and the people of Eureka. To plan for this initiative, the Mayor created a
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Downtown Beautification Planned
Inside This Issue

Current
1
News

Current News
2

A plan to improve the look of the downtown area of Eureka is currently being implemented by city council. As part of this plan, various additions will be added to the southwest corner of the main intersection. Benches, planters, and trash receptacles will all contribute to giving the center of town a better look. All of these items have been selected by the council for purchase, and will be ordered as soon as the final plan is approved by

the Illinois Department of Transportation (I.D.O.T.).
Much of the downtown beautification is being funded through citizens' purchases of engraved paving blocks. If you wish to buy a paving block with your name on it for use in the project, orders can be made at the city building. A 4x8 block costs $50.00, and an 8x8 block costs $100.00.

Liquor Update
Meet the Mayor

Leaf Pickup

Burn Ordinance

Upcoming Meetings

The Council
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4

A liquor commission has been established by Mayor Punke, charged with evaluating all liquor license applicants in Eureka. The newly formed commission is comprised of Mayor Punke and two citizens: Nancy Aldridge and Dennis Kroll. All three of those on the commission will attend training to become familiar with their new responsibilities. The formation of such a commission was outlined in the liquor ordinance that was passed by the city council in September.

Liquor Licenses

Two gas stations-Casey's and Huck's, have submitted applications for a liquor license. Both of these will be given to the mayor and his newly formed liquor commission for review. It is also reported that Rocco's restaurant has picked up an application for a license, though it has not yet been filed.

The Council Connection
Water Projects Underway
The city's long talked about water line replacement project has finally begun, and crews have finished work on three streets: Hamilton, Center, and Sunset. Planning for the project was initiated in 2003 by then mayor Laura Siscoe, and is being financed by a 1.4 million dollar bond. Many phases of the plan to replace outdated water lines remain.
Easements Explained
As the process of updating Eureka's water infrastructure continues, it is important that citizens understand the concept of
easements. A construction easement area is any area that lies between the project perimeter and platted street limits.
Often times, residents unwittingly encroach upon the easement boundaries. The city would like to remind all of those living in Eureka that no fences, sheds, signs, trees, or gardens should be placed on an easement.
If, during the course of the water project, city crews find an object or
structure that is located on a construction easement, they are authorized to move it. Residents involved will be notified prior to
the date of construction, however, and will be encouraged to remove the obstructions themselves. If you have any questions regarding what an easement is or where one is located, feel free to call the city building at (309) 467-2113.
Making the Connection continued
communications committee. As of the end of October, five such committee meetings have been held, and various ways of increasing public awareness have been discussed. In addition to the creation of this newsletter, it has been decided that the city's website will be updated, and that copies of meeting agendas will be posted at the Eureka Public Library (other locations are being investigated). If you have any ideas as to how the council could better communicate with citizens, feel free to contact the city building or sit
City Codebook Being Revised
The Administration and Personnel Committee recently began the long process of revising the Eureka City Codebook. No previous council has ever fully updated this book, which contains all the community's ordinances.
So far, after several lengthy meetings, the committee has made it through the first 100 pages of the book. Many ordinances dating to the early 1900's have been revised, including those that refer to Eureka's streets as 1st Street
in on an upcoming communications committee meeting. Your input is always welcome.
If you desire additional information about the councilor its actions, log on to the city's website (eurekaillinois.net). Complete minutes from all council and committee meetings are posted. The Council Connection can be viewed from the website, and is also available for pickup at several locations in town, including the Eureka Public Library, the IGA, Eureka College, and banks.
through 4th Street. Also, city codes have been rewritten to include four wards instead of three.
Some ordinances, which no longer apply to the community today, are being repealed. One of these laws states that horses are not allowed to block alleyways, and another prohibits spitting on city sidewalks. An ordinance from 1912 was discovered that authorized the police chief to find and arrest any city councilman who failed to attend a meeting.
VISIT THE
CITY'S NEW
WEBSITE!
eurekaillinois.net
Eureka's all new website will be
viewable online within weeks. The
website will include detailed
information regarding city officials, municipal codes,
frequently asked questions, meeting minutes, and much more!

The Council Connection

SIGN UP

Meet the Mayor

NOW!

Being an informed citizen has never been easier. If you would like to receive
this newsletter via email, just send a request to jgmeares@mtco.com

When Scott Punke decided to run for mayor in the April 2005 elections, it was for a variety of reasons. He was concerned about the direction the city was taking in its spending, and felt that change needed to occur. Another motivation behind his candidacy was simple: to contribute to his community.
"I wanted to serve the city and perform my civic duty," Punke explained in an interview for The Council Connection.
Mayor Punke took office in May, and he now admits that there are several aspects of the job that surprised him. He didn't realize how much time being mayor would require, and didn't anticipate the number of meetings that he would have to attend. Still, Punke has found that there are many positive sides to holding the office.

"I enjoy it because I can meet a lot of different people-people that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise."
When he's not at work, Scott can

most likely be found on a lake casting a line. Fishing is his favorite way to recreate, and is a hobby that occupies him during much of his time off. Remodeling homes is another of Punke's favorite pastimes.
When asked if there was anything he felt was important people know about him, Punke replied that he is open to constructive criticism. He welcomes any calls at his office or at home, and is always available to be contacted. After holding office for only five months, Punke has already gone a long way in making local government more accessible to citizens.
In the future, Mayor Punke would like to continue to oversee the controlled growth of Eureka. He also remains adamant in his desire to reduce costs for the city's residents, and to provide them with quality services.

The Hunt for an Administrator

The City of Eureka will be accepting applications for a new city administrator until October 31st.
The job of an administrator is to handle all day to day operations in a city. Rich Walker, the previous administrator, resigned early in 2005. Since that time, his duties have been handled by Anne Sandvik, who was formerly the assistant

city administrator. According to statute, the city must seek applicants to fill the vacant position.
After all applications have been accepted, they will be reviewed by the city council in November.

New Tastes for Eureka

Several new restaurants have come to Eureka, and will provide more dining choices for the city's residents. Coming tastes include something old, something new, and something brew.
Rocco's pizza has returned to Eureka, and has opened in the old True Value store. Rocco's is serving a buffet lunch along with a full evening menu. In the future, it is likely that the pizza

restaurant will serve liquor.
A new restaurant called Rosie's Tex/ Mex a Mexican, Italian, American menu will be opening around November 15th, and will be located in the old Rocco building uptown. Also, in the something brew category, a coffee shop called De Ja Brew at 106 W. Center will be opening in the building at the intersection plaza, and will serve sandwiches along with specialty coffees.

Fall Leaf Pickup

City leaf pickup began on October 10th, and will continue through November 18th. Leaf pickup may be extended past the stated date if leaves remain on trees at that time. The city would like to remind its residents that during leaf pickup, leaves should be raked onto the paved portion of the street near the curb so as not to disrupt the flow of traffic. Those who live on Main Street or Center Street should only rake their leaves to the curb, and not onto the street. City crews will remove the leaves left out as time and weather permit.

Burn Ordinance

The burning of leaves within Eureka City limits is illegal. It is prohibited

The Council Connection

by city ordinance for the purpose of public safety, as well as to ensure clean air in town. Paper in containers and wood camp fires are the only materials that can be burned within city limits, and to burn them residents must keep the fire in a contained area. Also, fires in the city must be supervised at all times. Please call the city building if you have any questions regarding the city's burn ordinance.
If you do not wish to wait for leaf pickup, the key to the city's brush pile is available at the city building, and can be picked up on business days. Residents are welcome to transport their own leaves to the pile. City services ensure that burning leaves is never necessary.

Trick-or- Treat

Trick-or-treating this year will take place on October 31,
from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. As a reminder,
trick-or-treaters
should only stop at homes with lights turned on.

Meetings to Come

Included in this section is a list of all upcoming meetings. If you would like to see an agenda for any of these meetings, just visit the city's website. All committee and council meetings are open to the public. If you have an interest in what is being discussed, or if you just have a free evening, feel free to stop by.

The Council

Mr. Milt Hinnen, Ward I

Mr. Tom Weidner, Ward II tweidner@mchsi.com

Mr. James Chambliss, Ward III jim@/eeshallmark.com

Mr. Jim Meares, Ward IV jgmeares@mtco.com

November 2nd:
Economic Development Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

November 2nd:
Administration & Personnel Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.

November 7th:
City Council Meeting @ 7:30 p.m.

November 21st:
City Council Meeting @ 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Richard Waters, Ward I

Mr. Virgil Punke, Ward II

Mr. Michael Hangartner, Ward III (editor) mhangartner86@yahoo.com

Mr. Tom Eckert, Ward IV tigertm@verizon.net

The city would like to wish

everyone a
safe, fun
Halloween.