In order to start the construction of additional areas of the bike path already in place along the Walnut River on the east side of El Dorado, the El Dorado City Commission extended the city limits at its regular meeting Monday night.

John GiffinEl Dorado City Editor

In order to start the construction of additional areas of the bike path already in place along the Walnut River on the east side of El Dorado, the El Dorado City Commission extended the city limits at its regular meeting Monday night.

The city limits in the southeast corner of East Park has been extended to included the compost site to the middle of the Walnut River.

The city limits was extended to allow the city to add a path to the already built bike path that currently runs from Riverside Park just off of U.S. Highway 54 just east of town along the west branch of the Walnut River to out by El Dorado Lake.

The city wants to extend the bike park to the south along the Walnut River just east of East Park.

The resolution for the extension of the city limits was passed 5-0 and the bike path phase III resolution was carried 4-1. Commissioner Matt Guthrie voted against the resolution saying he is not in favor of where the expansion is being done and lack of security in those areas. The city discussed adding lighting to the area for further security but the issue was not a part of the resolution.

For the project the City of El Dorado is receiving $417,200 from the Kansas Department of Transportation for the $569,220 project. The city will pay $152,020 towards the bike path phase III. the KDOT dollars come from the Transportation Alternatives program.

The El Dorado City Commission entered into an agreement with USD 490 to build a side walk along the south side of McCollum Road from U.S. Highway 77 (Main Street) to Country Club Road.

The 8 foot wide sidewalk will cost a total of $142,934 to build. The City of El Dorado will pay $72,934 of the total cost. USD 490 will pay $70,000. The city costs will be paid for by Federal Fund Exchange money. USD 490 will be reimbursed over a four year period beginning in November.

Commissioner Nick Badwey expressed concerns about the side walk being built on the south side of the road because of all the vehicle traffic using the multiple entrances to El Dorado High School and the El Dorado Activity Center. Badwey thought the north side of the road would be a better option.

The City of El Dorado has a new park after accepting a donation from Criss Development LLC. The donation of two parcels of land from inside the Criss 9th development at 12th Avenue and Jason Drive between Prairie Trails Golf Course and Homestead of El Dorado nursing home.

Criss Development LLC also sought permission from the City of El Dorado to build a wall along the north side of 12th Avenue to shelter the development from conditions coming from traffic on the busy road.

The total cost of building the landscape wall is $55,973 which Criss Development will repay over a 20-year period.

Four-way stop signs will be added to the intersections of Country Club Road and mccollum Road. There will also be a stop sign added to the intersection of Commerce Street and Enterprise Avenue. The stop sign will be placed on Commerce Street and will give way to Enterprise Avenue.

Changes were made to the Special Purpose Vehicle Ordinance Monday night. Instead of buying a sticker from the city to operate a golf car or utility vehicle, vehicle owners will purchase a certificate.

The certificate, like the sticker, will cost $25. The change was made due to the price of making the stickers. Certificates will be more cost effective.

Golf cars and utility vehicles are allowed in the El Dorado City Limits on roads where the speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.

The city commission also approved appointments to various advisory boards. Added to the BOZA Advisory Board were Shane Krause and Jim Holderman. Added to the CTC Board were Natalie Donges and Randy Just. Four board members, including one business rep are needed.

Approved for the Library Board were Herb Llewellyn, Rachel Norris and Richard King. The Planning Commission added David Lewis, David Stewart and Sam McVay. Prairie Trails Golf Course Advisory Board added Keith Bell, Dan Young and Kendra Porter.

Brett Remsberg will join the Parks and Recreation Board. One board member is still needed.

The newly formed Sales Tax Task Force includes Ed Gard, Doyle Fox, Loren Anthony, David Sundgren, Larry Gaston, Richard Smith, Chase Locke, Glen Buchholz, Bryan Coons, Herb Llewellyn, Amy Kerschner, Scott Hackler, Hali Inkelaar, Stephen Funk and Brandon Demo.

The Airport Board is in need of one new member.

To apply for a board seat, contact El Dorado City Clerk Tabitha Sharp at 321-9100, tsharp@eldoks.com or stop by City Hall at 220 E. 1st St, El Dorado, KS.