By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — A bid from Dacus Towing and Recovery to remove an RV parked along Maxwell Street behind a home on Arcadian Court was approved by McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday. The tag on the RV in question expired in 2014, and enforcement action on it began in March.
The owner of the RV had asked for an exception to zoning regulations so the unit could remain, but it had been denied by the Board of Zoning Appeals in July, The owner had been notified in writing to remove the unit no later than last Thursday, and the period which the BZA decision could be appealed to District Court has also passed. Dacus was the only company to respond to a bid request, with a bid of $1,462.50.
Commissioners adopted a resolution starting the process to establish what would be the fourth Rural Housing Incentive District in the city. This is for the Deerfield South project for which a moderate-income housing grant has been awarded by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.
The application for the RHID being submitted to the Kansas Secretary of Commerce includes a housing needs assessment which looks at housing needs, past housing history and ongoing and future efforts to add additional housing in McPherson.
Also related to housing, Commissioners approved payments to DH Home Improvement and SCKEDD for rehabilitation of a house on South Chestnut under the 2022 Community Development Block Grant.
Repair work on a storm siren damaged in recent severe storms was approved by McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday. After being alerted to a need for repairs, it was found critical components in the siren had been damaged, likely by power surges, and the siren’s batteries and charging system also needed replacement. Cost of the repair by Blue Valley Public Safety came to just over $2,800.
Another change order on the South Walnut reconstruction project was approved, involving additional drainage work from the parking lot of Roosevelt Elementary School, for which a trench drain was added, and replacement of a short section of fence to align it more appropriately. The change order came to just over 7.200 dollars.
Commissioners approved an approximately three percent cost of living pay increase effective September 18th, along with a revised employee wage scale for the city. Commissioners also accepted a resignation of an equipment operator in training and seeking a replacement, a conditional job offer for a substitute crossing guard,
The Commission approved a Childhood Cancer Awareness Walk Sunday Sept. 24, starting at 4 p.m. from the Genesis Health Club parking lot and ending at The Plaza at Main and Marlin. At The Plaza they will have speakers and a memorial balloon launch along with cancer awareness information. Commissioners also approved a proclamation for September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Commissioners also approved spending just over $3,000 for replacement of assorted brooms and conveyor seals on a street sweeper, which is a routine maintenance item for it, and beer license renewals for two convenience stores.
