McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved signing a letter to the Kansas Department of Transportation opposing a plan to close access to US 56 from Limestone Road east of McPherson as part of a KDOT project proposed on the highway between McPherson and Marion.
In the letter, it was stated KDOT’s plan would divert traffic to 17th Avenue, which has numerous safety issues of its own including increasing amounts of truck traffic there and also on Centennial Drive. In addition to being a primary access to the north side of McPherson from the east, there is considerable development activity in the works in that area.
The letter cited considerable opposition expressed to the Commission on the proposal. Terry Lacy, who lives near that intersection, also cited increased traffic in that area and potential access issues for people on 18th Avenue north of the highway in opposition to the idea. City officials in Hillsboro have also voiced opposition to proposed access limits in that community.
Commissioners approved an updated resolution related to weight limit changes on nearly 200 bridges around the county. Public Works staff engineer Elizabeth Hopp said the revisions reflect recent inspections on bridges across the county as directed by the Kansas Department of Transportation. The weight limit resolution also reflects different limits related to emergency vehicles, which in most cases is lower than for other vehicles.
Also approved was a just over $3,000 payment to KDOT for work it did on a curve reconstruction on 14th Avenue just north of Chisholm Road, six miles east and two north of Inman. While this work was done a few years ago, KDOT frequently lags in the process of billing counties for work of this type, and it’s not unusual for that billing to come 3-4 years after a project is done. It also approved payments for CPR training for Public Works employees, which is being done by McPherson EMS.
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Moundridge related to the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. This plan, which also involves Moundridge USD 423, was originally proposed last February, and has received approval from USD 423 and also from the Kansas Attorney General’s Office. It provides a rebate of taxes on the increased valuation of designated improvements over a ten-year period.
It approved the concept design for a new logo for the County, which will be incorporated into the McPherson County Building now being renovated. Lori Bower for BowerComm presented Commissioners three concept options, and reviewed options for placement of the logo on the first floor of the building. On the renovation project.
Commissioner David O’Dell provided an update on the project, which is 78 percent complete, with electrical switchover completed last week along with door and tile installation ongoing.
Approval was also given for a just over $8,700 purchase of four exterior security cameras and related equipment for the Health Department building. On recommendation of Health Department director Shalei Shea, an original proposal for interior cameras was dropped for privacy concerns
Commissioners approved multiple personnel change orders for several departments. Among them is the hiring of an emergency communications dispatcher which will bring it to full staffing. Also approved was a promotion for one employee in the Appraiser’s Office and an end of introductory raise for another in that department, a promotion and new hire in the Treasurer’s Office, and an end of introductory raise for a part time employee in the Noxious Weed Department.
