Welcome to the City of Eastborough
Mayor: Thom Rosenberg
Chief of Police: Daniel Bardezbain
It's been an exciting year for your city council. As I am sure you are all aware of the "west-side" street issues, the council has finalized plans to move forward on street reconstruction. Kansas Paving provided the lowest bid and will start work on or around April 1st. The project must be completed within 120 days which would be around August 1st. The council has worked hard to satisfy our citizens and I think that when the project is completed, it will be a significant benefit for the city. Councilman John Johnson has worked above and beyond to make this happen and I sincerely appreciate the work he has contributed.
Last year, Councilman Dave Anderson worked with contractors to complete a $165,000 drainage project just to the north of the N.Stratford-Douglas intersection. With the completion of that project, the homeowners on either side of the waterway will appreciate the work that has been done.
The park area continues to be a problem with the over-abundance of geese and ducks. The council has purchased "light-strobes" in the lake to help disrupt the sleep patterns of the geese in hoping to diminish their numbers. And, we are still having problems with people wanting to feed the animals. Because of the feeding issues, the council has enacted an ordinance regarding hunting, feeding or abusing the animals in the park. The penalty for violation of this ordinance will start at $50 for the first conviction. I have included Mr. Anderson's update letter with this report.
We have hired a new police officer, Amanda Wulf, and she has completed her schooling and is now on duty. I believe she is a wonderful addition to our police force.
Fiscally, I believe we are on solid ground. Although we had extra expenses last year with the purchase of a new police car and the water-drainage project, we remain on budget. I have recommended no tax increases for the coming year.
This year our city will be electing councilmen/councilwomen. There will be three positions to fill. Mr. Britt Brown will be running again to maintain his position on the council. Other persons who would like to fill those positions are Barbara Kieffer, Chris Owen, Kim Schrage, George Sevick and Greg Shelton. I wish them all well. The election will be held on Tuesday, April 5th.
And finally, I am aware of our citizens need to address the council on issues that concern them. For years our agenda has a place for them to speak to the council noted as "citizen's requests". This has been confusing to many and I felt there needed to be a change. So, I have adopted the process similar to the City of Wichita. For those citizens who want to address the council, they may do so under the process of "The Public Agenda". There are now "Instructions for the Public Agenda Request Forms" and an actual form which then needs to be completed and given to the city clerk.
At this time I would like to thank the citizens of our city for allowing me to serve as your mayor. Also I would like to thank our council persons, our assistant city clerk Barbara and our city attorney, Jerry Bogle for the extraordinary work they have done over the past years.
As many of you know, Kay Brada has served our Eastborough community unselfishly and proudly for over twenty years. Unfortunately for us, she and her husband have moved to Lawrence and she has resigned her position as City Clerk. I can only wish her well on her future endeavors and I am sure I can speak for all of us in saying that we will miss her.
I wish you all a safe and healthy year and look forward to serving you over the next two years.
Respectfully,