By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — The McPherson City Commission Tuesday approved a final change order on the Veranda West Street project. The change order from Andale Construction reflects the actual material quantities used, which resulted in a cost savings of just over $33,000. Approval was also given for material purchase for a driveway approach and sidewalk repair at a home in the 1400 block of North Grimes.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward said that weather continues to cause delays related to the two ongoing projects, with just a little work remaining on the Deerfield Village Subdivision project and seeding in the 900 block of Wheeler, which will happen once things dry out enough and street crews can work it into their schedule.
The first of two bills for repairs to a dump truck were approved. Woodward said the truck had a broken snowplow mount and had been taken to the company where the truck was built, at which a broken spring hangar was found. That company took it to another firm to make that repair, and the commission approved payment for the spring repair. The bill for the snowplow mount will be up for approval next week. Commissioners also approved purchase of two replacement pumps for inventory purposes for three of their lift stations to provide backup pumps if one has to be removed for repairs.
An internship program for the city has been approved. It was discussed at a study session last week reviewed by the City Attorney. For 2024, the program will be funded through salary savings from existing budgets if a department wishes to have an intern, and for 2025 would be included within budgets. The Commission also approved a tuition reimbursement program for full-time city employees, which will allow for a reimbursement of up to $1,000 for eligible expenses of approved classes.
Payment for another home rehabilitation project funded through a Community Development Block Grant was approved. The payment to Windows for America for work on a home in the 1100 block of South Walnut and to SCKEDD for final inspections came to $27,550, to which are added some local expenditures which are not being reimbursed through the grant amounting to just over $1,000. The Commission also approved the first payment to Hutton for preliminary costs connected to construction of the new North Main Fire Station.
The Commission approved hiring of a new police officer subject to completion of pre-employment requirements. Chief Mikel Golden said they currently have two applicants in the pipeline, and later this week will be conducting promotional interviews.
One item that was initially listed on the agenda for Tuesday was taken off. That was consideration of the retirement resignation of Fire Chief TJ Wyssmann, who has been on administrative leave since late last year.
The Commission at the end of the meeting held an executive session to discuss a legal matter with the City Attorney, from which no action was taken.
