McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday accepted a $23,224 estimate from McPherson Quality Air for work on water lines to the splash pad at the McPherson Water Park. This would isolate a dedicated water tank for the pad from the current water system through a new fill line from the pump house. The project will also include plumbing upgrades, and equipping the splash pad with a single activation button and other items to more efficiently control it.
Commissioners Tuesday approved a payment for just over $3,800 for fit for duty physicals for firefighters. This is the second part of a billing from Hutchinson Clinic for the physicals that are an annual requirement for them.
Commissioners accepted a just under $44,000 bid from Tim Cheatham Construction for the east parking lot paving at the Police substation. Cheatham has the lowest of two bids submitted out of five contractors solicited. Two of the other three did not bid and the third was not able to.
A revised contract was approved with the Kansas Set-Off program, used by Municipal Court, to move the collection charges from the city to the person or entity owing money.
Commissioners approved an equipment lease agreement with USD 418, covering the school district’s use of items such as pull-behind air compressors and paint striping machines, which saves the district money on short-term seasonal operations.
Two items connected with the West First concrete patching equipment were also approved including a just over $97,000 contract with Pavement Pro’s LLC of McPherson for joint sealant on new and existing joints in that project area. Seven bids were solicited, just two received I
Commissioners also approved a just under $100,000 contract with Air Capitol Recycling for crushing some eight thousand tons of concrete rubble. Three bids were received from four companies solicited, one of which didn’t bid due to their crusher being out of service. Once crushed, that concrete will be utilized on future street projects, saving the city about $40,000 in material cost.
McPherson Board of Public Utilities General Manager Josh Bedel told Commissioners they are making good progress on making contact with the remaining homes involved with the lead-copper water line survey. They have had good luck with personal contracts with residents who have let them inside to check the water lines.
Overhead electric crews are finishing up a line rebuild on 15th Avenue, after which they will be moving to the area of Hickory and Grant to begin some structure replacement work, with other pole replacements in progress in the 1400 block between North Main and North Maple. The underground crew working in the neighborhood west of Washington School should be able to start primary conductor next week after which they will make new service connections.
Water crews are finishing up hydrant installation at Fire Station 2 and next will relocate a hydrant on West Kansas that has been struck twice.
Commissioners approved an agreement with Caselle to prepare W-2 and ACA statements for city employees for 2025 and submit data to the IRS for income tax services. Caselle, the city’s payroll provider, has provided this service for several years, this year’ s cost not to exceed $6,160.
Commissioners approved a $3,000 payment to Bennifer’s to cater the city’s holiday party on Friday, and a $125 Chamber Check bonus for each employee as per past practice. Related to the holiday party, the McPherson Municipal Center will be closed from 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM Friday.
