By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — Bids from three companies for rehabilitation of houses at 1115 South Chestnut and 1208 South Walnut were opened during Tuesday’s McPherson City Commission meeting. These projects are funded through a Community Development Block Grant.
S&A Construction of Topeka had the low bid of three on the Chestnut Street project at $28,917 while Arambula Construction of Wichita had the low bid of $27,273 on the Walnut Street home. One bid submitted was not considered as it arrived after the deadline. South Central Kansas Economic Development District will review the bids and make a recommendation on bid acceptance to the Commission.
Commissioners approved purchase of a handheld narcotics analyzer for the Police Department. The TruNarc unit is being purchased from opioid settlement funds and allows law enforcement personnel to scan more than 530 suspected controlled drugs in a single, definitive test without having to physically have to handle it, which for some drugs can be extremely dangerous.
The Commission also approved the resignation of Clifford Dorf as School Crossing Guard, effective Aug. 4, 2024, and approved a conditional job offer (pending successful completion of pre-employment testing) to Mary Ann Hanna, effective Aug. 19, 2024.
Commissioners agreed to provide up to $19,000 from 2024 funds towards the local match on two projects at McPherson Airport. One of the projects, through the Kansas Airport Improvement Program, is for pavement preservation on the airport’s main runway to be funded this year, and for the design and bidding services for a runway lighting replacement project mostly funded by the FAA. Construction on the latter project is planned for 2025. Both of these projects are necessary to maintain existing operations and be able to accommodate the large number of business jet aircraft that use the airport.
Purchase of items for two fire units was approved. One is an intake valve for the new Rescue 1, which has a water tank pump on it the prior Rescue 1 did not and this is to allow connection of a hose to the pump and not lose existing water in it. The other is to add a positive pressure fan to Engine 3 that is used for ventilation of structures during and after firefighting operation. Combined cost of the two items is about $6,675 including shipping.
Updates on current projects were given by Public Works Director Jeff Woodward . Very good progress was made on the Euclid extension of the Elm Street drainage project, with removals underway on Phase 1B and storm sewer work underway on Phase 1A. Outside forming of the structure for the grit removal project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is nearly complete.
The wall is nearly complete on the south side of Phase 4 of the Lakeside Park bank restoration project, with the base started on the north side. Respectable process is being made on the second of three sanitary sewer mains on the Deerfield Estates South project, with the contractor to drop back and start on street construction.
A new ten year franchise agreement with Kansas Gas Service was approved. The agreement continues the current five percent franchise fee. Commissioners approved a just over $15,000 payment to Dennis Friesen for farming operations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, involving the swathing, side raking, bailing and moving of hay bales, of which 418 five-foot round bales were produced this year.
Trick or Treat Main Street was approved for Oct. 24, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the downtown area.
Wages to increase for two employees were approved as well as a renewal of beer licenses for two convenience stores.
