Enrollment appears to be on an upward swing for Emporia State University, topographical surveys will soon begin to help find a permanent fix to a recent sewer line issue and the city of Emporia’s financial situation is looking positive.
These were all items which highlighted the Emporia City Commission’s study session Wednesday morning. ESU President Allison Garrett began the proceedings with a quarterly report on the universities operations.
According to President Garrett, recent trends are showing rises in the university’s incoming freshmen, transfer students and graduate students. President Garrett attributes this rise to increased recruitment efforts and feels recent additions to campus facilities — such as the new Schallenkamp Hall — will only see this trend continue in the future.
President Garrett adds with the large number of graduates the university has been seeing in recent years, these trends are vital to help fill the gaps left by outgoing students. President Garrett says official enrollment numbers will not be finalized until the 20th day of classes.
In addition to President Garret’s report, commissioners also approved BG Consultants to begin conducting topographical survey’s to assist in finding a long-time permanent solution to the sewer line break which developed near the South Arundel culdesac earlier this year. The break was a result of the recent flooding which has impacted Emporia and surrounding areas for the majority of the summer.
City Engineer Jim Ubert tells KVOE News a temporary “bandaid” solution has been in place for the past several weeks. Ubert and BG proposed three possible permanent solutions to commissioners Wednesday which consisted of replacing the existing pipe with new aerial crossings, new inverted siphon crossings or a realigned gravity system.
Ubert and BG Consultants representative Bruce Boettcher both felt the third recommendation would be the most efficient option. Ubert explains exactly what the work would entail.
The topographic survey will help determine the feasibility of the gravity realignment project. Plans are to have the survey completed by Sept. 20.
In other business, commissioners also held discussions on the cities comprehensive annual financial report. The report examines business dealings of the city’s finance department over the previous year. According to Mayor Jon Geitz the city has received an award over the past 30 years for “how sound and effective” the city’s financial statements are.
The city commission will officially accept the report during their action session next week.
Additionally, commissioners received a report on the city’s firework earlier this year, discussed rural housing improvement district designations and held a review of commission goals.
The city commission will hold an action session next Wednesday at 1:30 pm inside the municipal courtroom at White Auditorium.
