McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson’s new Fire Station 2 on North Main is close to being finished. Fire Chief Chad Mayberry told McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday First Wireless completed installation of alerting systems inside the system last week, and the concrete pre-pour connected with replacement of the originally installed drainage system on the back side of the station is in the process of curing at this time. A concrete re-pour for the front entrance is scheduled this week. Connected with the project, Commissioners approved payment to Hutton of invoices for work done during January and February.
The Commission approved replacement of one of the fire department’s Level A Hazardous Materials Response Suits. The department has six of these suits, the newer of which have a ten-year expiration Three of the existing suits are past the ten-year mark but are still passing annual leak testing. Each of these suits has a cost of just under $3,300 including an allowance for shipping, and the plan is to purchase one new suit annually over the next four years, with the next replacement cycle to begin in 2033.
Commissioners accepted the resignation of a paid-call firefighter and the transfer of the remainder of the funds raised for restoration of the 1928 American LaFrance Fire Truck to the department’s safety and education fund. This just over $10,500 will be used to cover a few remaining minor items for the project along with fuel and ongoing maintenance.
A developer’s agreement with Paul Properties for the Terra Nova LLC duplex project was approved. Paul Properties has already deposited the required 105 percent of the estimated construction costs for the project, and the developer chose to negotiate the cost of sewer with his preferred contractor, which was acceptable to the city. Public Works staff will take care of required inspections for this project. The Agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.
Public Works Director Jeff Woodward said BPU has nearly completed relocation of a water line at Euclid and Maple connected with the Euclid extension of the Elm Street Drainage project, with the south leg of the intersection to open shortly. Work has started on replacing the inlet in the alley north of Euclid east of Main and the alley should reopen later this week. Woodward also reported minor-clean-up and hauling out of equipment was done last week on the Lift Station 3 project.
The McPherson City Commission Tuesday accepted the bid from Prairie Landworks for mowing of non-park areas. This is generally the area along US 56 east of the Union Pacific Overpass to the medians on the east side of the northbound on and off ramps for I-135. This year’s contract cost of $19.440 is almost $3,400 less than what the city paid in 2024 and includes any spraying needed.
McPherson EMS Director Will Moore said they are about 45 days out from getting back an ambulance which is having a remount of a box on a new chassis, which at this point would put delivery around May 9th. Commissioners approved purchase of two power cots to replace older cots at a cost of just over $55,500 plus shipping with trade of the old cots.
The Commission approved a payment to Caliber Public Safety for renewal of their online records management system at a cost of just over $32,000, which Police Chief Mikel Golden said is less than prior years through a reduction in the number of users authorized to a more realistic figure from the original contract.
Commissioners also authorized use of a golf cart connected with a home and garden show April 5th at the Community Building and partial closures of Simpson and Eshelman Streets for Thursday’s Special Olympics Polar Plunge which takes place from 9 AM to 4 PM. In that plunge individuals will jump into a tank of cold water to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics.
The new demand charge for residential and some small commercial electric users of the Board of Public Utilities will take effect Tuesday. BPU General Manager Josh Bedel said they are also still working on lead and copper pipe surveys, and as part of this EPA mandated survey they are working on surveying some of their lines between their mains and meters. They heed to survey 300 of these lines, of which 40 have been completed.
Bedel reported crews have completed upgrading of electrical lines south of the Cemetery, and that crew is now doing some pole replacement on dual circuits along Avenue A and West 1st. Work is also proceeding on conversion of lines along North High Drive between Countryside and Northview to underground service.
