By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson Public Works Director Jeff Woodward provided an update on the Wall Park Lake retaining wall repairs during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting. Half of the wall panels at Wall Park had failed, and Woodward said at this time they believe it to be an issue with the concrete used to make the wall panels originally installed. Further testing is being performed on those. A contractor brought in by Lock and Load is removing panels on the west side and have started putting back the aggregate.
Meanwhile, on the Lakeside Park Bank Restoration Project Phase 3 project, part of the work has to be redone because the first section of the wall has geogrid running the wrong way, requiring the top two panels to be removed and replaced after the geogrid is installed correctly.
Dondlinger and Sons Construction of Wichita was awarded a contract for a new grit removal system at the McPherson Wastewater Treatment Plant. Bids for the project were opened March 14th, and Dondlinger’s nearly $960,000 bid was the lowest of three received, and not quite $12,500 above the engineer’s estimate.
Commissioners approved payment for a sewer main repair in the 600 block of North Elm, where three sections of the main psst the tap were found to need replacement while a contractor was fixing a sewer lateral line, and a point repair to fix a sinkhole that developed in the alley behind a home on East Euclid. Also approved was a payment to McPherson County for asphalt overlay of the 900 block of North Elm, completing a project approved in January 2022.
Commissioners approved two items for the Water Park including replacement of three features that were removed in 2017. This project, first brought to the Commission over two years ago, had been budgeted last year but funds were reallocated to slide repairs. Public Lands and Facilities Director Wayne Burns said with the recent acceptance into the 2024 Sunflower Summer Program, staff believes the current situation and an eyesore to the facility and community. Also approved was surface repair, preparation, and painting of the Splash Pad and Lazy River.
The Commission approved purchase of a total of 165 boxes of .223 and 9mm ammunition for the Police Department, including duty ammo and practice ammo used for training, and purchase of security cameras for the Animal Shelter and Police Range, the latter covering both the building there and the range itself. Approval was given for computer replacements for the Municipal Court clerk and assistant clerk and replacement of two mobile data terminals for the Fire Department.
Police Chief Mikel Golden also announced another honorary police officer will be sworn in Wednesday afternoon at 1. Brailie Thrash is currently battling cancer, as is her mother.
Commissioners approved hiring of Rockworks LLC to clean up a property at 500 South Tulip. This work involves mowing, weed whipping and removal of assorted trash limbs and other debris. Several notices had been sent out on this property, action slowed by the fact the owner of the property was deceased and it took some time to track down family members, who were subsequently sent notices with no work being done.
Among multiple personnel items before the McPherson City Commission Monday was acceptance of the resignation of Police school resource officer Hannah Fisher, effective April 26, and the hiring of Mubasheer Mazharuddin as a new officer starting May 13. Also approved was the promotion of Beth Odell to Police administrative support supervisor and Torie Miller to Operations/Records Management assistant, both effective Monday.
Commissioners approved a revised job description for an Investigative/Records Management Administrative Assistant and start of the hiring/promotional process. Related to recent changes in the Police Department the Commission approved an updated wage scale.
Three conditional job offers were approved for seasonal staff at the McPherson Water Park, and two seasonal hirings for Turkey Creek Golf Course.
The Commission set a public hearing for April 30 at 9 a.m. on a proposed Rural Housing Incentive District. This is connected with a project for 40 homes in the Deerfield South subdivision. Commissioners approved a fun run put on by FYI Mac-Town on May 11 in conjunction with All Schools Day, and a Church in the Park/Fun in the Park event organized by New Legacy Church May 25 at Lakeside Park.
