By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson Main Street director Johni Doughman expressed thanks during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting for all the work done to get Main Street reopened from the drainage work that closed the Main and Euclid intersection.
“All of the updates from Jeff (Public Works Director Jeff Woodward), the extra grant money for our events to bring people downtown, I appreciate that so much,” Doughman said, also expressing thanks for use of the CVB trolley and a golf cart during filming of TV commercials.
She said it has been a successful holiday season so far, in particular the Ladies Night Out event where several Main Street members said it was the busiest they have ever seen.
On the Euclid Extension of the Elm Street Drainage project which caused the intersection closing, Commissioner Larry Wiens said the westbound lanes of Euclid will be opening soon, and crews have already begun work on the north side of the Citizens State Bank building.
Commissioners approved a contract amendment with Hutton Corporation to take care of some minor items on the new North Main Fire Station 2, totaling just over $16,000. Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said completion of the project is very close, with Hutton’s part of it basically done as they have reached substantial completion. The major thing left to do is to complete concrete work, final pours for which began Monday and should be done by the end of next week.
The other major items remaining is installation of security and IT equipment, and Mayberry said as of now they expect to move into the new station shortly after the first of the year.
Commissioners approved a recommendation from Police Chief Mikel Golden to hire Michael Davis as Investigations Captain. Davis is retiring as chief of police in Lindsborg, and brings over 34 years of law enforcement experience to the position. Pending completion of pre-employment requirements Davis will join the Police Department December 23rd.
An update was provided on the Turkey Creek Golf Course irrigation project. Nearly all of the large diameter mainline is in, with holes 1-9 and the driving range on 18 irrigates except for a few heads along a new stone wall on hole 9 which will be put in once the retaining wall is complete, and work on that is progressing.
One of the issues they have dealt with is the two large gas lines that run across the course, including an abandoned crude oil line that one of the mainline had to go under. Cart paths that were cut have concrete re-poured, and all seven bores for the project have been completed.
The city and three property owners have agreed to go to binding arbitration for right of way purchase connected with Phase 2 of the Northview Road Ten Feet Sidewalk project. Commissioners approved a payment of just over 9,700 dollars to a Salina law firm which is handling the arbitration project, which the city is obligated to pay for.
Commissioner Wiens, reporting for Public Works Director Jeff Woodward, gave updates on ongoing projects. paving on Spring Creek Road in the Deerfield Estates South project began Tuesday and should be complete this week. Removals began Monday on the west loop of Sycamore between Avenues A and B, and work is being finalized on Avenue b between Sycamore and Cottonwood. Minimal work was done last week on Lift Station 3 and the grit removal system at the wastewater treatment Plant is nearly complete.
Commissioners also approved payments to Hedlund Electric for emergency repairs to a motor control center and addressing a number of electrical issues found while replacing conduit on a previously approved project.
In other actions, the Commission approved various payments related to a CDBG housing rehabilitation project at 1208 South Walnut, including those to the contractor and for final inspection and administrative expenses, totaling just under 31 thousand dollars. The Commission approved renewal of enhanced cereal malt beverage licenses for Jump Start, Kwik Shop and Yesway for package sales and the Village Geek for on-premises consumption continuing the prior limitations on hours of sale approved when that license was originally issued.
