By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission has approved an arbitration agreement with three property owners related to easements needed for Phase 2 of the Northview Road 10-foot sidewalk project. The Public Works Department has been unable to agree on a price with the property owners for the easements, and all parties have agreed to enter into binding arbitration,
In other Public Works matters Tuesday, Commissioners approved trading in of track skid steer and wheel skid steer loaders for new units through Bobcat of Salina, continuing a program the city entered into in 2019. Also approved was material purchase for street repairs and alley approaches at Elizabeth and Ash requested by Bluestem Pace, and a supplemental agreement with KDOT for maintenance of traffic signals on the northbound off ramp of the I-135/US 56 interchange to adjust unit prices to the city’s current labor and equipment schedule.
An issue involving some parking spaces on the east side of the 400 block of North Main was brought to the Commission. The city received a complaint about trucks blocking six parking spaces in front of Grain Craft, where they are loading and unloading semis. A request was made by Grain Craft to make those six spaces a no parking zone, which Commissioners indicated support for.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward said this probably should have been brought to the Commission earlier. Action on the request is expected at next week’s Commission meeting.
Two Planning Commission recommendations for special use permits were approved. One is for a coffee roaster facility and retail store at 210 North Main, and the other is to allow a permanent single family dwelling unit inside the Executive Inn at 2110 East Kansas.
Commissioners approved purchase of a new vehicle from Midway Motors for the Convention and Visitors Bureau for a cost not to exceed just under 44 thousand dollars plus the cost of wrapping the vehicle with McPherson graphics and logos. While CVB is purchasing the vehicle, it will be available for all city departments to use.
In other actions, Commissioners approved tree trimming work in Lakeside park to be done by Treder Tree of Marquette, this work to focus on the area north of Euclid Street, a conditional job offer for a seasonal park department employee, promotion of firefighter/paramedic Casey Hanline to the rank of lieutenant, an Easter egg hunt to be held by Oxford House Chapter 22 March 31st from 9-4 at Linnea Park, and the Moderate Income Housing-ARPA agreement with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for the Deerfield South Development.
