McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday approved agreements with the Kansas Department of Transportation for a pavement replacement project on Kansas Avenue, or US 56 from Maple Street to the Old 81 Bypass. This will also involve replacement of curb and gutter and valley gutters in that area. KDOT is providing $3 million through the CCLIP program towards the project with the city covering nearly $1.2 million including design and inspection costs.
KDOT is also providing $1.5 million for costs associated with detours on a pair of bridge redecking two bridges south of McPherson to be done prior to the work on Kansas that is scheduled to be done in 2027 and 2028.
Commissioners approved replacement of a rooftop HVAC unit at Fire Station, to be done by McPherson Quality Air for $10,709.25. This unit, installed in 1998, serves the bunk room at the station and recently failed. It was likely going to cost as much to repair the old unit, if parts could be found, versus the cost of a new unit. MQA had the lowest of three quotes received.
A payment of $7,400 plus shipping for replacement of the brushes and shoes on the helisleve units in the headworks building at the wastewater treatment plant, which is part of the preliminary treatment process. Changes in run sequences made since the last change out in 2019-20 allowed the life of them to be extended by about two years.
The Commission also approved annual seed and fertilizer purchases for the Park Department. The up to $15,800 purchase is higher than in past years due to flooding and ongoing improvements at Hess Park.
Two zoning changes were approved, one of which is to change the zoning of 1329 Genesis Drive from single to two family residential to allow construction of a duplex. There was a protest of this zoning change made by an adjoining property owner who claimed information on this was not properly stated among other issues. The other changes the zoning of 811 north Maple from two family residential to office business to allow addition of a parking lot for an adjacent dental office.
The Commission approved the renaming of part of Eby Street east of the new Campus Commons on the McPherson College Campus to Dondlinger Drive, as requested by the college.
In personnel items the Commission approved wage increases for office employees in the Public Lands and Facilities and Public Works Departments, and following an executive session terminated a park department employee and authorized the start of the hiring process for a replacement.
Three event requests were approved including closure of West Lakeside Drive from Simpson to the low water crossing September 25th for the Community First Responder Night. It also approved a Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk September 27th from 8 AM until Noon at Memorial Park, and use of Wall Park for the Fit4Mom Grand Opening event October 1st from 10-11 AM.
