McPHERSON, Kan. — Weather issues continue to cause problems on four currently in-progress public works projects in McPherson. After a citizen voiced concerns about drainage problems related to the East Northview sidewalk projects, which includes replacing an existing open ditch with underground piping. Public Works Director Eric Duerksen told McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday this is just a temporary problem
“There are currently plugs in the storm sewer line to keep water out of them, so they’re not necessarily working the way they are supposed to, so it’s going to make it appear a lot worse than it needs to be at the moment,” he told Commissioners.
Work is progressing on the drainage work on the south side, and on the new 10 foot wide sidewalk on the north side, where they will begin at Main Street and work east, with another crew working on extension of box culverts connected to the sidewalks.
On the other projects much of last week was spent pumping water from the Myers Street Project where Vogts Parga began to lay the gravel base and geogrid on the north half of the 1000 block. Rain also caused delays in removal of deteriorated concrete on the West 1st project, while on reconstruction of the 1100 block of North Elm crews were able to get at least one lift of asphalt millings put down this week.
Updated traffic and public offense codes were approved. Each year, the League of Kansas Municipalities issued a revised edition of the Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities, which reflects new or revised laws passed by the Kansas Legislature and appellate court decisions over the past year.
Cities can make local modifications to the documents, which McPherson does. The traffic ordinance includes modifications related to parking, use of golf carts and all terrain vehicles as an example. In the Public offense code, it deletes certain criminal matters that are locally handled through District Court, adds provisions for sentencing in domestic violence cases, and theft of water.
Commissioners have approved a flat fee rental agreement with USD 418 for use of the Globe Refiners Court at McPherson Middle School for volleyball and basketball games. The MMS usage is such that it doesn’t fall within their usual fee schedule.
Commissioners also approved replacement of tires on Fire Engine 3, which have passed their seven year use span under NPFA standards. The tires are being purchased through Galva Tire and Auto for just under 4,400 dollars. They had the low bid of two received from three vendors contracted.
McPherson Municipal Court has been given approval for a more than $63,000 expenditure to replace the software used by Municipal Court. This will replace an existing software system that was described as outdated, unreliable, and does not support the level of efficiency or professionalism expected in today’s public service environment.
The new system will also support digital access and self-pay options, which the existing system does not have. Just over two thirds of this cost is for the hardware and implementation, going forward annual fees will run just under $20,000 a year.
McPherson Board of Public Utilities crews are continuing to rebuild two sections of rural line, including a two mile segment of three phase line on 15th Avenue from Comanche to Chisholm Roads and a single phase line on 16th from Frontier to Eisenhower.
Late next year General Manager Josh Bedel said they will begin a rebuild of transmission lines from the east substation the J-M 115 KV station near Power Plant 3. Work also continues with other electric projects, on the water side they are finishing up the South Main water line project.
During Tuesday’s meeting, McPherson City Commissioners approved event requests for the Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk on Sept. 20, a Parish Picnic on Oct. 4 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and a Life Chain for the McPherson Pro-Life group at Linnea Park on Oct. 5. Commissioners also approved package beer sale licenses for two convenience stores along with temporary employee hirings, one for Turkey Creek Golf Course and one for the Cemetery.
