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EAGLE LAKE — The City of Eagle Lake will not have an election for certain members of the City Council after the council moved to approve the term extensions of a few uncontested candidates for the upcoming municipal elections. The Tuesday, March 12 regular meeting saw the council make several actions including confirming the uncontested candidates.
Mayor Tim Kelley and a pair of councilmembers were reconfirmed to another term at their position as there were no contestants challenging them for their spot. As these positions were the only ones up for election in Eagle Lake, the May 4 election has been cancelled.
Along with Kelley, Amy Maxwell and Abel Billy Sosa will keep their post for another two years until the next election cycle at a municipal level.
Like other communities in the area, Eagle Lake voted to suspend the rate change proposed by AEP, the utility company for several nearby towns. AEP proposed to increase the utility rate across the board for all communities in its service to help assist operating costs. By suspending the proposal, Eagle Lake can join the group of communities represented by Lloyd Gosselink.
The group will be negotiating with AEP through the attorneys as the two entities try to create a fair deal.
Funds from the American Rescue Plan initiated in 2020 are dwindling after Eagle Lake used the money for major improvement projects in the city. The funds were initially targeted towards replacing the water meters around town. With the completion of that project, the limited funds remaining are likely to go toward street lighting in the downtown area such as light poles.
In other downtown news, the demolition of a building near the square at 106 W Main St. Has been delayed due to issues the demolition company ran into during surveyal.
A different type of street lighting downtown was also discussed as the city looks to gain approval from business owners downtown to decorate the downtown area with string lights. According to the council, all but five businesses have agreed to begin decorating downtown.
The city discussed another beautification possibility as the council spoke on the potential of creating city signs on the five main entrances into the city. The city may be able to secure donations from the local Lions Club, but donors are hoping to see a “community buyin” from other businesses and residents before fully committing to the cost of creating the signs.
The next city council meeting will be Tuesday, April 9.
