McPherson County Public Works has received a draft report on a TEAP study by the Kansas Department of Transportation on two intersections near Moundridge including Arrowhead Road and Old 81 Highway just west of Moundridge where there was a double-fatality accident last summer.
Engineer Elizabeth Hopp said engineers have recommended placing four way stops at both Arrowhead Road and at 22nd Avenue on the south edge of Moundridge, along with adding temporary or permanent rumble strips, and that the intersections continue to be monitored. If there isn’t any improvement in safety factors, they recommended a roundabout be considered.
The study noted the average speed at Arrowhead Road is 59 miles an hour, though the speed limit through that area is 45. It also noted at Arrowhead the higher traffic volume is on Arrowhead and not on Old 81. Included in the draft are the comment cards submitted at a community meeting earlier this year, with over half of respondents backing the four way stop idea.
Hopp also provided an update on the Safe Streets for All grant application, and indicated it is currently in the review process and she hopes to know more on it shortly.
Commissioners were informed of a temporary closure of a bridge north of Canton. This is on 29th Avenue between Navajo and Overland roads, where last week it was reported the bridge felt “spongy” Hopp said this bridge, which while a county bridge is due to it’s length one that KDOT requires inspections of, is the worst condition bridge in the county. There is only one house along that segment of road, and replacement of that bridge would cost about a million dollars.
Hopp also provided an update on the Comanche Road bridge project near Groveland where new pilings have not yet reached a base. She discussed the possibility additional pilings may be needed at this site, which it was indicated is not an unusual problem in this area.
Commissioners approved purchase of repair parts for a 2008 Caterpillar backhoe at Public Works. Fleet Maintenance Foreman Mike Evans said the swing frame on the unit was damaged when the top pin that holds the boom to the machine frame worked its way down.,Three quotes were obtained and Commissioners agreed to purchase the parts through Foley CAT, as their quotes were close to that of aftermarket parts, and these particular parts are safety sensitive. The $3,899 cost is covered through a budgeted line item.
The Commissioners approved a larger than usual number of adds and abates to the tax rolls. County Appraiser Stacy Hubbard said a number of these relate to Board of Tax Appeals orders that have been pending for a while, including abatements for the Board of Public Utilities substation on Mohawk Road, a McPherson Housing Coalition project, and for the city of Canton. 30 abates were approved along with four adds, two of which related to a clerical error during transfer of an ownership of a mobile home
While McPherson County law enforcement made a larger than usual 29 arrests last week, the population count of the McPherson County Jail dropped by one last week to 57 as of Monday morning. Jail capacity is 60. Sheriff Jerry Montagne said the population count includes eight female and one being held of Municipal Court. Two juveniles are currently in out of county detention facilities. Commissioners approved personnel change orders covering promotion of a deputy to the rank of Sergeant, an end of introductory raise for a deputy, and hiring of a night shift corrections officer.
During the meeting a proclamation was adopted designating the month of April as National and Kansas County Government Month, submitted by the Kansas Association of Counties and National Association of Counties.
The commission also approved personnel change notices involving hiring of a new diversion coordinator and trial clerk for the County Attorney’s Office and a promotion of an employee in the Register of Deeds Office.
