By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — Bids from Prairie Landworks for street, drainage and sewer projects in the Deerfield Estates South Subdivision were accepted by McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday. This is being bid as two projects, one for street and drainage and the other for sanitary sewer, at a combined cost of $2.14 million. The Developer has already deposited this amount long with the Developer’s Share of Costs with the city.
Commissioners approved spending just over $10,000 to purchase two drums of that most important chemical used by the Park Department at this time of the year. Mosquito chemicals are being purchased from Van Diest Supply Company’s Specialty Division. CHS has expressed a willingness to cover the cost of one 55-gallon drum. Public Lands and Facilities Director Wayne Burns said they may be looking at a change in chemicals used in 2025.
Two additional items for earlier approved abatements were approved. This involves removal of one vehicle from 701 South Chestnut and several inoperable vehicles from a property at 1204 South Chestnut, where tall grass and weed abatement was authorized earlier. Dacus Towing and Recovery submitted the low bid for the removal from both locations, the bid for which was not available until last week.
The Commission approved an ordinance to rename Veranda Drive to Veranda Lake Drive as requested by the developer to ensure compliance with adopted naming conventions and emergency/911 regulations.
A Partial Release of Easements between FLI, Inc., and the City of McPherson was approved. In 1948, previous property owners entered into agreements that encumbered the Right of Way within the property.
Commission approved payment of the second half of 2024 Workers Compensation Insurance premiums to Eastern Kansas Regional Insurance Trust, which also includes the premiums paid for by BPU and the McPherson Public Library.
Payment not to exceed $3,040 for the police department to have Susan Harlan sew 608 patches onto new uniform shirts was approved.
Event requests involved closure of the 1500 block of Manchester for a 4th of July block party and for an ice cream event being hosted by MTC July 9 from 5-7 p.m. in Hess Park.
A $400,000 transfer of ARPA funds to the North Main Fire Station project was approved. This accounts for about ten percent of the nearly $4 million project cost, with other funds coming from a variety of sources Commissioners also approved replacement of a Level A HAZMAT suit for the Fire Department to replace one that ailed annual testing and payment of an invoice for replacement of four tires on Ladder 1 that were at the end of their service life.
The Commission approved a new temporary building event assistant for the Community Building. This position is being budgeted for 2025, but there are funds in the 2024 budget that would allow this position to be filled now, to assist with set up, tear down, and cleanup of various events, of which there will be a lot of later this year. Commissioners also approved a conditional job offer for a new police officer and for a street department equipment operator.
