By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — On Tuesday, Oct. 17, McPherson City Commissioners approved the final plat and a special use permit for the new North Main Fire Station. Both had been recommended for approval by the Planning Commission at their meeting on Oct 3. The site had been rezoned from agricultural transition to single family residential in July, and the special use permit allows the fire station to be located on the 6.72-acre site at 1705 North Main.
The Commission also accepted the resignation of a Fire Department intern who said the cost of driving from Wichita was too expensive for him. They heard a report on a trip that 5th graders from McPherson and Elyria Christian schools took to the Sedgwick County Zoo last week as part of Fire Prevention Week for the Learn Not to Burn program graduation event.
One of the smaller change orders you’ll see on a project was approved by the Commission, a change order reflecting a reduction on the final costs for the Walnut Street reconstruction project, reducing the final cost of it by $53.39.
The Commission also approved two change orders on the Oak Alley Sewer Phase II, one changing the pipe encasement at Elizabeth at the request of BPU where the sewer line crosses a water main, with no additional charge, and a $22,665 add order related to an overrun to patch additional concrete on Skancke, Sutherland and Elizabeth along with some other minor adjustments on final quantities.
The Commission approved a $4,000 increase in the contract amount for mowing of non-park areas in the city. In April the Commission approved a $17,000 contract with Prairie Landworks for that mowing, but that amount was exceeded when PLI submitted their October invoice. An additional $4,000 is being allowed to complete the year.
Signing of a project agreement with KDOT for an upcoming bridge replacement on South Main at the Union Pacific tracks on the south edge of the city was also approved. Under the agreement, KDOT will cover all of the cost of construction, while the city will be responsible for utility relocation and will remove any encroachments as required on the project.
The Commission approved a contract with Alfred Benesch and Company to design repairs to the south handrail and hub guard of a box culvert at the west entrance to McPherson High School Damaged in a February traffic accident.
Commissioners also approved a payment to Earles Engineering for nuclear density tests on comp action behind the new retaining wall at the Lakeside Park Pond, and the hiring of two temporary workers for Turkey Creek Golf Course, one in the Clubhouse and the other in the maintenance shop.
