The moving process for departments being relocated from the McPherson County Courthouse to the County Building is progressing well, according to Maintenance Director Josh Pimentel. The County Appraiser’s office is closed this week so they can get everything moved over, and at Monday’s County Commission meeting they approved closing the Register of Deeds Office the week of July 6th for their move.
Register of Deeds Laurie Wiziarde told Commissioners her moving process is complicated in that they have to relocate 450 large books of deed records, along with moving the shelving required for those books.
The Offices of the County Clerk, Treasurer including the tag office, IT, and Planning and Zoning have already been moved, and after the Register of Deeds relocates, they will move the Administration, Finance, and Human Resources Departments which will complete the project freeing up the Courthouse for District Court and related offices.
Related to the County Building, a contract for custodial services there was awarded to City Wide Facility Solutions of Wichita. Three proposals were submitted, and City Wide’s bid of 4,954 a month was lower than those submitted by two local vendors, one of which currently does cleaning at the Courthouse. Commissioners discussed the potential of adding the Courthouse to this contract at some future point.
Commissioners approved purchase of a free-standing mailbox for the McPherson County Building. Currently, departments individually pick up mail at the courthouse each day, and this change would allow for mail to be delivered directly to the building. Cost of that mailbox is $3,780 plus shipping. There would be a savings in staff time along with what departments are currently paying for post office box rental.
The conduit replacement project for the fuel islands at the McPherson County Public Works Yard is going to take a bit longer than expected. Fleet Maintenance Foreman Mike Evans said when crews excavated around the corner of the shop building, they found several conduits that ha rusted through with exposed wires. As they continued digging to the other island, they found many other holes and exposed wires., which will be replaced.
Most of this work is being done in-house, with assistance from county bridge crews as available. The project, which was to have been finished by mid-week, will now probably take the rest of the month to complete. In the interim, county equipment and vehicles are being taken to MKC for fueling.
In his report Public Works Director David Bohnenblust said paving work is in progress on 18th Avenue north from Old 81 Highway. He also discussed with Commissioners an issue that has come up about where workers and equipment on the bridge replacement project on Comanche Road west of Groveland are parking, along with issues with some landowners in the area have to go through one property to get to theirs. There was also discussion about an erosion area along Pawnee Road west of 14th Avenue which staff is working with an adjoining landowner on.
`In personnel matters this week. Commissioners approved the re-hiring of a person who has been working o digitizing records in the Planning and Zoning and Public Works Departments. This person had been hired earlier for up to 500 hours of work, which will run out July 3rd with work on scanning Public Works Documents including bridge data still in process. In order to have this person finish the project, it was necessary to release her from employment at the end of the originally approved 500 hours and then re-hire her. She will be able to work an additional up to 499 hours on this arrangement.
Commissioners also approved an end of introductory period for a maintenance worker and transfer of an another to a mechanic position, where he has been assisting at times.
Sheriff Jerry Montagne also introduced two new correctional facility employees to the Commission. In his weekly report Montagne said despite 23 arrests being made last week, the number of persons held in the McPherson County Jail is down to 43 as of Monday, the lowest it’s been in some time.
