McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners have accepted the resignation of Planning and Zoning Administrator Virgil Lyon. The resignation was submitted to Public Works Director Jeff Woodward Monday and is effective May 23. Lyon is leaving to take a position in Savannah, Georgia where he will be focusing on affordable and workforce housing and strategic planning.
The Commission also accepted the resignation of a police officer, effective May 25 and terminated a street operator in training due to an unscheduled absence of three working days without management approval, which under city policy is considered a voluntary resignation without notice.
The Commission approved a conditional job offer to Julianna Kauffman as Assistant City Clerk, effective June 9th subject to completion of pre-employment requirements, created a seasonal maintenance position for the Water Park, and accepted the resignation of Roger Wofford from the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.
It approved the purchase of five sets of bunker gear for the Fire Department at a cost of just under $16,800. This protective gear has a ten-year life span due to wear and tear and degradation of material over time. This is part of an annual rotation to keep their gear in compliance. The Commission also approved a payment of $7,799 to Hedlund Electric for installation of electrical outlets for an air vac system used to filter vehicle exhaust at Fire Station 2.
The McPherson Fire Department has been awarded a $6,000 safety excellence award from CHS. The grant is tied to fundraising for two projects, one of which is replacement of an existing fire prevention trailer in need of major repairs with an inflatable fire safety house.
Commissioners also approved a change order on the Euclid extension of the Elm Street Drainage Project to add just over $438 for bricking in an opening in on inlet where design assumed there was a pipe to tie into, which there was not.
The other project is to purchase a system that uses a propane burner with safety features and rechargeable pressure water extinguishers that will be used as part of their fire prevention program involving extinguisher training. With this grant, they will have raised just over half of the $20,000 needed.
The Commission approved a change order and the final payment for design services on the Turkey Creek Golf Course irrigation project. Due to some unforeseen travel expenses, a just over $1,500 was approved to the contract, with the final payment coming to just over $103,000.
During the meeting Commissioners recognized the three city employees, Heather Reissig, Katie Krier and Ryan Bauer, who graduated from the 2025 Leadership McPherson class, adopted a proclamation for Police Week, and approved Miracles Ministry’s request for party with a Purpose May 31 from 3-8 PM in Lakeside Park.
A resolution was adopted conditionally authorizing issuance of up to $7.1 million for the proposed Deerfield Senior Homes affordable housing project. This approval is conditioned on award of federal and state low income housing tax credits, acceptable underwriting and due diligence by the city, that the bonds be sold as a private offering, that developers cover all bond issuance costs, and liability matters.
While not typically seen, the nature of this project is such that IRB’s can be issued, having been done in the Kansas City area and approved last week for two apartment projects proposed in Hutchinson.
