McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday approved a just over $26,000 quote from Happy Playgrounds for a shade structure to be installed on the stage area of The Plaza at Main and Marlin. Private donations through the McPherson County Community Foundation including one from Sid and Wendy Johnson, which amounts to $23,000. The balance is being funded through McPherson Main Street.
The Commission also approved waiver of rental fees for the McPherson Optimist Club’s Halloween carnival on Oct. 23, including use of the building the day before for setup. This includes the blocking off of parking spaces as need for unloading of games and such.
Commissioners approved the renewal of software contracts for the Fire and Police Departments. The Police renewal with Cellbrite is for the software utilized to extract cell phone and other electronic data. Cost of the renewal came to just under $18,000. The Fire Department’s contract with Caliber Public Safety covers eight licenses for mobile data terminals used to connect to McPherson County’s computer aided dispatch system. This is a reduction of five licenses from prior years with a reduction in annual cost of just under S2,672.54.
Public Works Director Eric Duerksen said there is a potential the city might not have to do the planned asphalt overlay on West 1st as more concrete patching work is being done than initially planned. He’s currently reviewing a potential change of scope with engineers as they continue to do patching work, which may end up providing the smooth street surface the city is seeking.
A change order to reflect actual quantities of bituminous material used in overlay of streets in the Sycamore area was approved. This adds just over $22,000 to the project cost. In review of current projects, Progress is continuing on the reconstruction of Myers Street and the Northview sidewalk projects, and just a few things are left to do on the 1100 block of North Elm. Commissioners also approved hiring of a street operator in training, as they are getting closer to being at full staffing.
Board of Public Utilities General Manager Josh Bedel gave an update on surveying of lead and copper water piping in the city, A BPU staff member is contacting in-person some 250-300 customers who have not yet responded to a survey that has been mandated of all cities by the EPA. Water crews are finishing up a line replacement project on South Main, after which they will begin work on a hydrant installation at Fire Station 2. He also gave updates on overhead line work in rural areas and underground line work, with the next upcoming project to convert overhead service to underground for customers in the area bounded by Hartup, Kansas, Park and Marlin Streets.
Commissioners agreed to replace two workstations at the Municipal Center. The $5,270 purchase through Design Central is to replace the workstations in the offices of the Mayor and Public Works Director that are in disrepair. The new ones are similar to what are now used but will also have a stand-up option for ergonomics.
Commissioners also approved the 2026 employee wellness policy for city employees and were informed there will not be a Veteran’s Day Parade this year although the event at the Park Department Building will still take place as planned.
