McPHERSON, Kan. — Annual and preventive maintenance on 11 sites of the City of McPherson’s storm sirens was approved by the City Commission Tuesday. The work to be done by Blue Valley Public Safety for a cost not to exceed $5,675 including changing out batteries on four of the sirens, something that has to be done every three years. The Commission also approved another payment on the North Main Fire Station project which is nearing completion.
The Commission approved an annual payment for the training software used by the police department and hiring of a part time clubhouse assistant at Turkey Creek Golf Course. Wage increases of one dollar per hour were also approved for six long-time seasonal workers at the golf course. On that it was noted they are not expecting to have as many hours of work from seasonal staff this year as they did in 2024.
The Commission approved renewal of their planning and zoning consultant agreement with Foster and Associates. The Foster firm has served in this role for the city for many years, and even more remarkable is the fact the annual contract cost of $8,000 hasn’t changed in a very, very long time.
The Commission approved allowing the use of the Community Building Globe Refiners Court by the teams participating in this week’s McPherson Invitational Tournament and next week’s Mid America Classic, and for a celebration of McPherson High School’s debate team successes including a 2-speaker state title and 4-speaker runner up finish at last week’s 4A state tournament in Winfield.
A change order was approved on the inspection contract with Kaw Valley Engineering for the Euclid extension of the Elm Street drainage project The original contract approved last June of just over $80,000 was at the time said to be low by Public Works Director Jeff Woodward, as it typically is based on ten percent of the construction contract. The $60,000 being added to that will bring the inspection cost closer to the ten percent figure, but still below it.
Due to weather, no work was done on the drainage or Deerfield Estates South projects, but the new grit removal system at the Wastewater Treatment Plant was scheduled to go online Wednesday. Work has also resumed on Lift Station 3.
The Commission set a public hearing for Feb. 11 on an amendment to the Rural Housing Incentive District for the Terra Nova Phase II, that would extend the payback period under the existing district from 15 to a maximum of 25 years. Notice of the proposed amendment is also required to the McPherson County Commission, USD 418 Board of Education, and to the city’s Planning Commission.
The Commission also approved payment of the 2025 property, casualty, liability and cyber insurance premium, which came in over $100,000 less than the original cost estimate from Iron Insurance Partners quoted when coverage was bound on Dec. 23.
