By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Issues related to review or surveys and filing of some were a major topic of discussion during Monday’s McPherson County Commission meeting. This discussion tied into the current vacancy in the position of county surveyor.
Public Works Director Tom Kramer said a firm doing a new parcel cutout recently contacted him and needed to know how to proceed. Surveys have to be filed with the County’s Public Works Department, which are separate from plats filed with the Register of Deeds office.
A 2018 resolution included a provision that waived filing of plats for review, and that surveys be filed with the Register of Deeds. Register of Deeds Laurie Wiziarde says she doesn’t have enough room to accommodate them. This matter will be coming back for further discussion at next week’s meeting.
Commissioners also engaged in an extensive discussion on the surveyor vacancy, for which it has not received any applications. Commissioners asked that advertising of the vacancy be expanded from what they have been doing.
There was also discussion on a township request for engineering assistance to address a drainage issue. Commissioners asked township representatives to meet with them to further discuss this.
The Commission approved a special use permit for a special event and performance venue at a location on 28th Avenue North of Canton where owners John and Carla Shearer currently hold annual cattle production sales. Following a hearing July 8, the McPherson County Planning Board recommended approval of the permit on a 7-0 vote.
Commissioners approved purchase of rubber stair tread for the interior stairs going to the basement of the Courthouse, which will be easier to clean and maintain than carpet. The material is being purchased from The Finish Flooring and Interiors in McPherson for a cost of $8,855.42.
Replacement of two air handling units at the Law Enforcement Center was approved. Jim’s Plumbing and Hearing submitted a quote of $30,380 for the project, which replaces handlers above the offices of the sheriff, police chief and assistant police chief.
Commissioners approved proceeding with a $32,000 engine replacement on a truck where additional issues were found after an injector pump issue developed. It authorized repairs to a guard rail on a bridge at 22nd and Iron Horse Road southeast of Galva that was damaged in a crash. The $8,600 repair to be done by J&J Contractors of Iola is covered by insurance for which payment has been received, and purchase of replacement brushes for road brooms for just over $6.500.
