McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Building renovation project is about 85 percent complete.
McPherson County Commissioner David O’Dell shared information at Monday’s meeting from the last monthly project meeting, and he said flooring has been completed on the 4th and 5th floors, and furniture has been ordered. Work is in progress on the storage cabinets for the Register of Deeds Office, and O’Dell noted some items that are in their safe at the Courthouse will probably stay there as it would not be cost effective to move it. He also provided updates on specific work currently ongoing in the building.
One question that was brought up regarded after hours meetings such as Planning Commission meetings. For those, entry for which will be via the east doors of the building.
O’Delll also gave a report on a Technical Engineering Assistance Program study meeting regarding Old 81 Highway and Arrowhead Road held last week in Moundridge. About 30 people attended the meeting, and O’Dell and Commissioner Keith Becker, who was also at the meeting, said many of them family members of people who have died in crashes at that intersection just west of Moundridge
Commissioners and Public Works Director David Bohnenblust also suggested additional input be sought from Moundridge area residents. Mayor Jeremy Moore and staff were among those in attendance at the meeting. Once the study is completed by Kirkham Michael it will be submitted to KDOT and to the County, and then presented to the Commission.
Commissioners deferred action on a new five-year lease agreement for the space at 121 North Main Harvey/McPherson County Community Corrections has been occupying since it moved out of the McPherson County Building for the renovation project there. The delay is to add a provision allowing an early termination in the event state funding is eliminated. Monthly rent payments will be $2,000 per month which includes all utilities except trash and internet services.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jon Kinsey told County Commissioners Monday he attended an informational meeting on Battery Energy Storage Systems last week in Wichita. This meeting, organized by BESS supporters, included information addressing a number of concerns that have been raised on these facilities, which are under moratoriums in several area counties and which a special use permit was rejected for one in Saline County last month.
Purchases of inventory for Public Works were approved by McPherson County Commissioners Monday including a $10,524 purchase of various tires and tracks from Smoky Valley Tire of Marquette. It also approved purchase of seven broom cores for their three road brooms. They go through between six and nine of these cores a year, and they still have two from the last order. Cost of those from United Rotary came to $5,676.
It also approved a $3,990 payment to Central Power of Wichita to replace a thermostat, coolant temperature sensor and refill coolant for the generator at the Emergency Communications Roxbury tower, and a $3,378 purchase of hardware to relocate an existing intrusion system from the Courthouse to the County Building.
Aaron Mayfield was appointed by McPherson County Commissioners Monday to the 9th Judicial District Nominating Commission. The Nominating Commission comprises four lawyer members and four non-lawyer members, two non-lawyer members each appointed by the Harvey and McPherson County Commissions. Mayfield will take the position previously held by Glen Snell, who did not request reappointment to a new four year term. County Commissioner David O’Dell is the other non-lawyer representative from McPherson County, and he was also reappointed to a new four year term.
In personnel actions this week Commissioners approved the hiring of two correctional officers for the jail, which brings them to full staff, and an end of introductory raise for a Sheriff’s deputy. For Community Corrections, end of introductory raises for two intensive supervision officers and a secretary at their Newton office.
The Commission also authorized the advertising for a part time bridge construction inspector for the Comanche Road bridge project near Groveland and to fill a vacant maintenance worker position.
