By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — At Tuesday’s meeting McPherson City commissioners approved payments for two items connected with the Police Range training building project. The range is located on BPU property near 17th and Mohawk Road.
A $77,823 payment was made for a 56 by 36 foot Morton Building, with delivery to be made in January. This purchase, which will come out of the Capital Improvement Fund, is contingent on approval by McPherson County Commissioners at their meeting next Monday and review of it by the City Attorney. It also approved a payment to the city street department for the concrete foundation and footers for that building, the $13,381.40 cost of it being covered by asset forfeiture funds.
The Commission approved multiple purchases for the Wastewater Treatment Plant including a change order on a new maintenance building Tuesday. Largest of the purchases was the $18,525 purchase of a backup pump assembly for a new grit removal system at the plant, which functions on a 24/7 basis.
Other purchases include replacement and spare electrical ballasts for UV disinfection unit, replacement of a failed and now obsolete activated sludge controller, and six replacement tires for the sewer truck, at a total cost of $15,862, along with a $1,134 change order on the new 4-bay maintenance building regarding a higher level of insulation required by the building manufacturer that was specified on plans.
Multiple event requests were approved by McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday, among them the closure of part of the 100 block of West Marlin Saturday from 6 AM to 2 PM for McPherson Main Street’s Burnin’ Down Main Cook-Off along with use of picnic tables from the Park Department. Other events approved include a Cruise-In Friday Oct. 20 from 5:30 until 9 PM that involves closing Main from Kansas to Euclid, a breast cancer awareness run from 3-5 PM on Sunday Oct. 15 put on by the McPherson College Pre-Health Professionals Club in Wall Park, and the Trick or Treat Main Street in Downtown McPherson on Thursday Oct. 26.
Commissioners accepted the retirement of Animal Shelter Director Sonia Luttig, who is stepping down on Jan. 1 after 17 years of service to the city. It also accepted the resignation of an animal shelter technician and authorized the start of the hiring process to fill both positions. One other personnel item approved was hiring of a temporary maintenance shop worker for Turkey Creek Golf Course.
Commissioners approved a payment to Walton’s Tree and Stump Removal to take out two Siberian Elm trees at Lakeside Park, which will be replaced with Autumn Splendor Maples, Cost of the removal comes to $1,728.
The Commission approved a request to use city equipment on this Saturday’s Meadowlark Trail volunteer work day. Wastewater Superintendent Mike Wagner asked to use the Mule and small tools to do volunteer work on the trail. It would be used by him only and he will be responsible for delivery and return. It was noted that this is not routine practice of the city, and any use of city equipment for things like that has to be specifically approved by the Commission.
Commissioners approved the 2024 holiday schedule for city employees. The holiday schedule follows the practice of past years, and for 2024 only one City Commission meeting date will change as they will meet Monday, Dec. 23 rather than having a meeting on Christmas Eve.
