By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — In addition to the resignation of City Administrator Nick Gregory this morning, the City of McPherson Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Code Enforcement Officer Jennifer Burns, effective October 6th. Staff indicated Jennifer did an outstanding job during her short tenure with the city.
Commissioners approved a $300,000 agreement with Prairie Landworks for a retaining wall and grading project at Turkey Creek Golf Course. This project involves installation of around 900 feet of new concrete block retaining walls around the Hole 9 green and Hole 1 tee box. Part of this wall will replace an existing worn railroad tie retaining wall. Prairie Landworks had the low of two bids submitted from four companies from which bids were submitted.
Change orders on two projects now completed and one in progress were approved. One change order involved final adjustment of items on Phase 2 of the Lakeside Park bank restoration project, with an added cost of $3,395.50. A change order adjusting final items on the 2023 chip and fog seal projects resulted in a decrease in contract of $7,874.62.
The other change order was an $11,782.75 addition of sewer laterals for the McPherson Housing Coalition’s upcoming project, which will enable tie-in of laterals without blocking and tearing up the alley in the future. Cost of this change is being split between the city and MHC.
Commissioners approved construction of an ADA parking place on Kerschner Drive. Lakeside Plaza Apartments will be contributing $500 towards the $2,202.25 material cost for this project to be done by city crews. The commission also approved renewal of technical support contracts for the software that controls the city’s wastewater treatment facility at a cost of $6,220, and renewal of software licensing for the city’s GIS system which costs $4,800.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward provided updates on current projects during Tuesday’s meeting. On the Oak alley sewer project about 450 feet of sewer main is in, one manhole installed, and 19 laterals installed. Due to a plan error on the sanitary sewer for the Veranda West subdivision that project was delayed, but the error has now been worked out with work expected to start this week. Concrete is now placed on the Deerfield Lane cul-de-sac, and with that the remainder of that street in the Deerfield Village project is scheduled to be placed this week.
In other actions, Commissioners approved closing of the 400 blocks of North Main and North Maple Saturday for the American Legion Car Show and closure of Homestead Place from 4-7:30 PM Sunday for a neighborhood block party.
