By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — A problem that has cropped up over the years on some mill and overlay projects in McPherson has come up again, this time in the Sycamore area. While milling was being done the contractor came across areas of weak subgrade where it would not be possible to do mill and overlay.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward told City Commissioners Tuesday it will be necessary to remove 12 inches of material and then go back in with six inches of new base and six inches of millings. With this, next year two inches of millings will be removed and replaced with the same depth of hot mix asphalt. Otherwise, milling, patching and overlay
Contract Amendment No. 3 with Hutton Corporation was approved for a credit amount of $200,000. This is due to the fact that the city is providing the paving material included in the original Fire Station #2 contract. With the city covering that expense, the total contract cost which was originally close to $4 million has been reduced to $3,878,913.
Fire Chief Chad Mayberry reported construction of the new station is nearly complete, with just a few “punch list” items to be completed, mostly minor, on the building interior and a walk-through for the exterior to be done next week. Mayor Tom Brown said as of now they could be moved into the new station after Thanksgiving.
The Commission also accepted a $500 donation from Williams Energy for general operating support of the Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team and purchase of paint from ColorVision of Newton for some of the accessory items on the 1928 American LaFrance Fire Truck restoration.
Commission approved a five-year lease agreement for 43 golf carts at Turkey Creek Golf Course. The current lease ending at the end of this year was for 30 carts. There have been a number of cases of late where, even with purchase of additional five carts, they did not have enough to cover the number of players at peak times and during tournaments. This is a budgeted item and also will include purchase of an additional maintenance cart of the course.
Commissioners also approved a payment to Tim Cheatham for parking lot work and renovation of the entryway at the Park Department Administration Office.
A request from the FUSE Foundation through McPherson Firemen’s Benefit for a Fill the Boot fundraiser Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. until noon at Main and Kansas was approved. The FUSE Foundation provides opportunities for social networking, recreation and education for young adults with neuromuscular disease, healthcare professionals and volunteers with experience in providing activities for the physically disabled. McPherson Firemen will also be collecting donations that day at Dillons and Walmart.
Commissioners approved an additional $1,200 payment for reconstruction of a laydown curb in the 1400 block of Briarwood. At the time of construction, it was necessary to replace an additional three feet of a driveway approach, which the property owner has agreed to pay half of. Usually, the city will pay for five feet of driveway approaches.
A $3,000 payment for abatement of nuisances at 908 North Elm was approved, involving cleanup to grass and rush, and removal of two trees which accounted for much of the price on the project.
A resignation was accepted from a police officer and beginning the hiring process for a replacement. Commissioners also approved an updated job description and wage scale change for the Clubhouse Manager position at Turkey Creek Golf Course and extension of a conditional job offer for an operator in training at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
At the Wastewater Plant pavement was replaced last week connected with a new grit removal system, work on a new four pay shop extension is delayed due to some building elements not being completely delivered, and work on Lift Station 3 was delayed due to the contractor hitting an existing sewer main and having to re-route it to install the bottom five feet of a shoring system.
The Commission approved a combined allocation of four thousand dollars in Convention and Visitors Bureau funds for McPherson Main Street and the McPherson Chamber Commerce to stimulate the Main Street economy this holiday season due to the impact on some businesses related to the closure of the Main and Euclid intersection for a storm sewer project.
