McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission Tuesday approved entering into an Administrative Order on Consent agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency related to compliance with the Clean Water Act and National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.
As we previously reported, this came out of a routine audit in 2024 which found a number of issues related to pre-treatment monitoring and record keeping. None of the issues involved any risk to the public. Public Works Director Eric Duerksen said most of the issues have been dealt with just a few things left to finish, including drafting of final procedures to address the issues raised. City Attorney Ann Elliott said she’s been working with EPA attorneys to wrap up the remaining minor details. The agreement calls for a 120-day time frame to complete this, which Duerksen said they will easily meet.
Commissioners approved other items for the wastewater treatment plant including a just over $8,000 replacement of a composite sampler in the headworks building at the plant which is tied to the compliance issue. Also approved was restocking of cationic polymer used in the sludge dewatering process at the plant. The city purchases this product in units of six totes to get a price break on a product it orders throughout the year, which aids in reducing sludge volumes it has to haul away.
Related to that sludge, it approved a 2026 agreement for time sensitive farming operations with Dennis Friesen on the just over 197 acres of ground the city uses for sludge application. Brome grass is grown on this site and harvested, which generates income for the city.
Commissioners authorized a just over $158,000 payment to Weis Fire of Salina for the second of two brush trucks it ordered in 2024. Like the other truck it approved payment on last week, the City had made an initial payment for the chassis last spring. The second truck is expected to be complete next week.
The Commission approved purchase of five portable radios for the Police Department from KACOMM for just over $22,500 which completes radio replacement, and renewal of the department’s online Records Management System. It also approved, subject to City Attorney approval, of the purchase of a new software package for the department.
Commissioners received for review an updated Construction Certificate Management Procedure for floodplain management purposes. This procedure is part of the Community Risk Survey permit the city holds from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and covers the procedure to be followed in the city’s process for permitting buildings in the flood plain. This procedure is an item that helps reduce rates for flood insurance in McPherson.
A payment was also approved for concrete crushing including an increased cost reflecting the fact more concrete was crushed than estimated when this was first approved.
Multiple event requests were approved, including two for All Schools Day, including a Plaza Jam from 4-8 p.m. May 8 and a skate event May 9 at Wall Park Skate Park that’s a fundraiser for the park. Also approved was McPherson Main Street’s Shop the Night Away July 10.
Commissioners approved two beer license renewals, payments of property and liability insurance premiums for 2026 amounting to just over $453,000 and the city’s just over $629,000 share of expenses for the Law Enforcement Center, which is an 8.19 percent increase from 2024. This payment also covers the city’s share of 911 dispatch expenses.
On the Moderate Income Housing/ARPA grant the Commission approved a $14,000 payment to SCKEDD for grant administration on the South Deerfield Homes project, and an amendment to the grant agreement to extend the time frame for construction to be completed from May to September 2026.
