By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — A $9,250 bill for emergency repairs to a sewer main on East Hulse was approved by McPherson City Commissioners Tuesday. A person associated with the owner of a house cut away an eight-inch main and, in its place, put in a four-inch pipe and service Y, which in turn caused a backup for an upstream property.
Due to the urgent nature of the situation bids were solicited and Ace Plumbing, Heating and Supply was brought in to make the repairs. That cost is going to be billed to the property owner, but Commissioner of Public Works Larry Wiens said it’s likely going to require legal action. Commissioners approved an additional amount for repairs to a damaged police unit. In November the Commission had approved the repairs, which ended up costing nearly $400 more than initially expected due to vehicle hood parts not in the original quote.
The 2025 Contract with McPherson Hospital to provide EMS services was approved. Under the contract the city provides operational and capital improvement funding along with insurance coverage on ambulances. McPherson County also contributes funding for the areas of the county McPherson EMS serves.
Parts of this agreement have been amended to clarify parts of it, and City Attorney Ann Elliott has recommended approval. Commissioners were also provided an updated continuity of operations plan for EMS.
Commissioners approved the hiring of Brandon Huff and Nicholas Richardson as firefighter-EMT’s subject to meeting pre-employment requirements.
The Commission approved an additional payment on purchase of a new bucket for a Bobcat skid steer, to replace one that had been broken several times and weld repairs didn’t hold. The new bucket is being purchased from Bobcat of Salina and reflects an added cost for the bucket. Commissioners authorized disposal of two Street Department trucks as surplus property. One of the trucks may be transferred to Turkey Creek Golf Course, the other definitely will be sold through online auction.
Another change order was also approved on the Euclid extension of the Elm Street Drainage project to fill a void adjacent to Citizens State Bank with ten cubic yards of flowable fill. Due to where it was the fill could not be placed straight out of the truck, so an excavator was used to move the fill.
Commissioners Tuesday approved four-year renewals of the lease agreements for the two sites where McPherson signs are located along I-135 on either side of McPherson. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Joni Reigner said it was a busy holiday season this year for the city’s trolley, which was used 57 times during the holiday season. It was used every night except for Friday the 13th. She also reported on visitor attraction grants the CVB Advisory Board has already approved for 2025.
The Commission also approved the city’s 2025 fee schedule, the 2025 strategic plan for the city, and a package beer license for Walgreens.
