McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission Tuesday approved purchase of a snow blade attachment for the Public Lands and Facilities Department. During this past winter’s snowstorms it came to their attention a new blade had not been received as expected. It later surfaced John Deere had no record of the blade actually being ordered by them. So, the Commission gave the approval to purchase the six-foot blade from PrairieLand Partners for an amount not to exceed $ 5,000.
Commissioners approved a vendor change for purchase of picnic tables to improve quality of service, and with that 12 tables will now be purchased through Champlin Tire Recycling of Concordia for just over $11,000, slightly less than another quote received and including shipping.
Two items related to invoices to Hutton for construction of Fire Station 2 were approved. One was to correct an invoice it approved in March in which Hutton discovered an accounting error correcting a few invoices, which slightly reduced what that invoice should be, and it approved payment of the remaining retainage of just under $51,000 upon completion of rework of concrete on the apparatus bay approaches. The Commission approved removal of failing covers on gym lights at the Community building, to be done by Hedlund Electric for $2,087.
The Commission approved the appointment of Britta Erkelenz as temporary assistant city clerk, while a permanent replacement is sought. It also approved an agreement with Wichita State University to allow Planning and Zoning Administrator Virgil Lyons to complete the field experience portion of his classes at Wichita State University. Commissioners also approved another round of seasonal hirings for the Water Park and parks.
A Change Order for a drainage design contract for a sewer project on Tulip Street was approved. The change order amounts to up to $63,800 and covers additional surveying and drainage design. Adding drainage improvements is expected to make obtaining needed easements easier from the 40 property owners involved and address issues the city has received over the past several years.
The Commission also awarded a $466,000 bid to Kansas Paving for a mill and overlay project on North Maxwell. The two bids received were within about $11,000 of each other and was just over $200,000 below the engineer’s estimate.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward also provided an update on the three currently ongoing projects including the Euclid extension of the Elm Street drainage project which is still on track to be finished before All Schools Day.
Bids were awarded for the final set of homes being rehabilitated through a 2022 Community Development Block Grant. Two projects, at 1016 and 1208 South Chestnut were awarded to S&A Construction, with New Windows for America to do work at 430 West Avenue C, and Skyline Contracting a project at 1114 South Walnut. Combined cost for the four projects came to just over $96,000. Additional funding for the projects comes from the Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program and landlord contributions on rental properties. The Commission also waived building permit fees and authorized sales tax exemptions on these projects.
Multiple appointments were made during Tuesday’s McPherson City Commission meeting, including:
- Rodger Swanson, reappointed to three-year term on the McPherson Board of Public Utilities.
- Roger Wofford, Chuck Schmidt and James Melland for three-year terms on the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning appeals.
- Karen Krupp and Stephen Weller for four-year terms on the Library Board.
- Wayne Burns, Monica Frey and Tyler Glidden for two years on the Convention and Tourism Board.
- Eric Wall and Angela Brunk for four-year terms on the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Committee.
- Kristi Fowler, Michael Yates and Jeff Wilson for three years on the Construction Advisory Board of Trades and Board of Appeals.
- Tim Frankenfeld, Bob Cox, Janet Franz, Chad Mitchell and Kevin Stockham, appointed to the Cemetery Advisory Board. Cox and Frankenfeld (two-year terms), Franz, Mitchell, Stockham (one-year terms).
- Jan Hurst, Michael McIrvin, Kurt Wagner, Kendra Flory, Gary Flory, Ron Peters and Commissioner Gary Mehl appointed for three-year terms on the Park Board.
The Commission also adopted proclamations for National Day of Prayer, Public Service Recognition Week, and National Travel and Tourism Week. It also approved parking restrictions along Baer and Gordon Streets connected with Saturday’s CARS show at McPherson College.
