McPherson Chamber of Commerce to host Student Entrepreneurship Competition

McPherson Chamber of Commerce E-Loan Program, in association with the Network Kansas E-Community Partnership, announces the McPherson High School Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (YEC) will take place Wednesday, November 14 at the McPherson Opera House, 219 S. Main.  The YEC is part of a 2018-2019 Challenge series being held across the state of Kansas.  The goal of the competition is to expose Kansas students to entrepreneurship.

Jennifer Burch, Executive Director of the McPherson Chamber of Commerce “we are so excited to get this opportunity to work with Taylor Stucky, McPherson High School Business and Entrepreneurship Instructors’ students.  Encouraging creativity and exploration of problem solving is really the beginning of thinking and experiencing entrepreneurship,” said Burch.  

McPherson, Kansas is one of the many communities across Kansas to host a locally organized event designed to give students a hands-on understanding.  The competition will consists of students preparing a written business plan or executive summary, a “tradeshow” booth, and a presentation.  The students will be competing against each other for id="mce_marker",500 in prize money.  The students’ work will be judged by local business community members.  This is the 1sttime McPherson has brought this competition to their community.

“Students tell us every year how local entrepreneurship competitions open their eyes to new career possibilities, reward innovation and creative problem solving, and give them valuable experience presenting ideas to a panel of judges.  It’s a wonderful gift that the community can give their youth,” says Anne Dewvall, Manager of the E-Community Partnership.

During the 2017-2018 season, 709 students from 35 communities hosted 31 local entrepreneurship competitions as part of the YEC series.  The 2018-2019 academic year marks the sixth annual YEC series coordinated by NetWork Kansas and the E-Community Partnership.

The annual YEC series culminates in a statewide championship, where the top students from each local competition face off against each other for prize money and other honors.  The 2019 statewide championship will be held a date TBD at Kansas State University.

For more information, contact Jennifer Burch, McPherson Chamber of Commerce at 620-241-3303 [email protected]

For more information about NetWork Kansas or the E-Community Partnership, visit www.networkkansas.com

Riverview Estates Match Day on October 20

An anonymous donor has offered to match dollar for dollar up to $10,000 to help Riverview Estates in Marquette build their endowment fund. Donors may contribute at Riverview Estates on Saturday, October 20 from 10 am to 2 pm or online until midnight. 

Earnings from the endowment will provide a permanent resource for the organization to purchase equipment or fund operational costs. An endowment is not intended to replace annual gifting, but provide a more diverse funding stream.

Click here to contribute online on October 20:  mccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1303

Fire Chief warns public about space heaters

With the weather getting colder and the use of space heaters becoming more common, McPherson Fire Chief TJ Wyssman warned about the problems of running space heaters for too long and the damage it can do.

“Space heaters, especially at this time of year, we can easily overload outlets where they’re plugged into and combustibles being near them,” Wyssman said. “The older ones are not safer than the newer ones and the newer ones have their limitations as well. Both of them can easily overwhelm the outlets and start fires. I would tell everyone to use caution when using space heaters.”

Wyssman also talked about emergency personnel on the side of roads, especially in winter weather.

“With the first winter storm already here I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone that if you see emergency personnel working on the side of the roadways, then please slow down and move over, Wyssman said. “This is for the safety of the victims and our personnel and it’s the state law. So please slow down and move over.”

Community Building meeting set for Tuesday

The regularly established Owner/Architect/Contractor Meeting regarding the McPherson Community Building is being held at the Hutton Construction Conference Room on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 10:30 a.m.   Because more than one Commissioner may be present, this is considered an open meeting.

Construction Update October 15

Update on the Elm Street Drainage Improvements

Due to rain, no work was completed on this project last week.  It did dry up towards the end of the week, but their dump site was too muddy to enter.

Update on Barnstormers-Premier Subdivisions Project

No work was accomplished this past week.  Paperwork to add additional drainage features to the Barnstormers/Premier Contract is in progress. 

Union Pacific Railroad - Street Closures

Union Pacific Railroad has announced the following road closures beginning next week in order to complete railroad crossing repairs in the City of McPherson.  Repairs are expected to take 2 days per crossing. As always, the length of time is dependent on weather:

South Main Street will close on Monday, October 15th, to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located south of Central Christian College. 

Following the Main Street completion, East Avenue A will close to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located south of Wall Park. 

Following the Avenue A completion, South Maxwell St. will close to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located east of Wall Park. 

Motorists are advised to drive cautiously, seek alternate routes and follow detours.   For more information, contact the Public Works - Engineering Department at 620.245.2545.

Public Works Report October 15

Street Department: Sidewalk Maintenance Program for 2018

The Sidewalk maintenance program has been a successful way to eliminate trip hazards and improve sidewalks for the general public without the individual property owners having to bear the entire expense.  We have $15,000.00 budgeted for this item but, need official approval to extend the program into 2018.  I failed to get this approved early in the year, so am bringing it now for approval.

Street Department: Offer on 26-69-02 2002 Freightliner FL-70 Single Axle Dump Truck

Motion to approve the sale of unit #26-69-02, a 2002 Freightliner FL-20 single axle dump truck, to the City of Goddard for $12,500.

We received an offer from the City of Goddard to purchase unit #26-69-02, a 2002 Freightliner FL-20 Single Axle Dump Truck, for $12,500.00.  The trade-in offer was $10,000.00.   We recommend this sale.

Street Department: #4 Rebar (McPherson Concrete Products)

Motion to approve the purchase of 3,000 lineal feet of #4 reinforcing steel from McPherson Concrete Products for a cost not to exceed $1,084.16.

We need to order reinforcing steel for stock for use in various concrete projects.  We received an invoice in the amount of $1,084.16 from McPherson Concrete Products for 3,000 feet of #4 rebar.

Crushing Agreement with Vogts-Crushing

Motion to approve the Agreement with Vogts Crushing, LLC, to crush concrete and asphalt rubble for reuse, and authorize the Mayor to sign the Agreement.

Attached please find the Agreement with Vogts Crushing to crush concrete and asphalt rubble for reuse.  This agreement allows Vogts Crushing to store up to 5,000 tons of material on our debris site.  The City will get a reduced price of $6.50/ton for concrete and $5.50/ton for asphalt, with no mobilization fee.  Any resizing costs will be split 50/50 between Vogts Crushing and the City of McPherson.  This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.  The last time we crushed, we paid $7.65/ton and a $3,000 mobilization fee.  The agreement will have to be re-signed, if or when Vogts raises the crushing price.  The City will have the option to pay the increased price or terminate the agreement.

WWTP: Sanitary Sewer Manhole Repair/Rehabilitation (Mayer Specialty Services)

Motion to approve the repair and rehabilitation of five sanitary sewer manholes by Mayer Specialty Services, Goddard, KS, for a cost of $750 per manhole and a single $600 mobilization charge, for an amount not to exceed $4,350.

WWTP has identified five sanitary sewer manholes in need of reconstruction of the "bench" portion of the manhole.  The bench includes where the flow goes through the manhole at the bottom, typically made of concrete and/or brick, which deteriorates over time.  When the manhole bench fails, raw sewage can infiltrate into the ground around the bottom of the manhole.  This can undermine the structural integrity of the manhole itself, resulting in complete failure of the manhole, major sewer backups, as well as contamination of the soil around the manhole with raw sewage.  We received a quote from Mayer Specialty Services, Goddard, KS, for a cost of $750 per manhole and a single $600 mobilization charge for a total of $4,350.

Avenue "A"/Centennial 10' Sidewalk (Phase II) Design: Change Order #1 (Alfred Benesch & Company)

Motion to approve Change Order #1 for the Alfred Benesch and Company design contract on the Avenue "A"/Centennial Drive Sidewalk, Phase II project, for a deduction in the amount of $2,170.28 and authorize the Mayor to sign the Change Order.

With the Avenue "A"/Centennial Drive Sidewalk Phase II Project complete, we are ready to close out the design contract.  Alfred Benesch and Company charges us at the contract rate for time and materials for actual time spent.  They completed the design in less than estimated time, resulting in a $2,170.28 reduction.

Barnstormers/Premier Subdivision Project: Change Order #12 (Vogts-Parga Construction)

Motion to approve Change Order #12 with Vogts Parga Construction, LLC, on the Barnstormers/Premier Subdivision Project, to adjust seeding quantities to the current total, which results in an overrun of $666.25 for the Barnstormers Subdivision and an underrun of -$5,733.00 in the Premier Subdivision and authorize the Mayor to sign the Change Order.

Change Order #12 adjusts the final quantity of seeding on the Premier Subdivision. Seeding quantities on the Barnstormers Subdivision are greater than the plan quantity.  Therefore, we have adjusted the Barnstormers quantities to the current amount so we can pay the Contractor.  Once the pipe is installed, we will finish the Barnstormers storm sewer and will complete the final seeding.  The net underrun amount of seeding on Premier Subdivision is $5,733.00.  To date, we have overrun Barnstormers $666.25 and will have more seeding to be installed. 

Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project Design Contract (BG Consultants)

Motion to approve the design contract with BG Consultants for the Chestnut Street Improvements project, contingent upon receipt of CDBG funding for the Chestnut Street Improvements project, for a cost not to exceed $54,770.00.

On 09/17/2018, the Commission approved submitting an application for the Community Development Block Grant to fund the Chestnut Street Improvements (Avenue C to the South City Limits).  One of the requirements of the CDBG grant is that we have contracts in place for the design of the project.  The estimated design cost is $54,770.00.  This contract is contingent upon receipt of the CDBG funding.  This contract has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.

Chestnut Street Reconstruction Project Inspection Contract (BG Consultants)

Motion to approve the inspection contract with BG Consultants for the Chestnut Street Improvements project, contingent upon receipt of CDBG funding for the Chestnut Street Improvements project, for a cost not to exceed $48,880.00.

On 09/17/2018, the Commission approved submitting an application for the Community Development Block Grant to fund the Chestnut Street Improvements (Avenue C to the south city limits).  One of the requirements of the CDBG grant is that we have contracts in place for the inspection of the project.  The estimated inspection cost is $48,880.00  This contract is contingent upon receipt of the CDBG funding.  This contract has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney.

Historical Society to explore early Kansas settlement

The McPherson County Historical Society will meet at 2 p.m. on Nov. 3 to learn about Etzanoa-the great settlement on the Kansas plains.

Located in southern Kansas lies the ancient settlement of Etzanoa, once home to the ancestral Wichita Native American people. The Spanish Conquistador Juan de Oñate led a party there in 1601 where he discovered a city that held 20,000 people making it one of the largest Native American cities in North America. Over time, the city was abandoned and its location became a mystery. In 2015, Wichita State University archaeologist Don Blakeslee began a field study in central and southern Kansas with the goal to re-discover the long-lost city. His efforts paid off and he found the location of Etzanoa near the present-day town of Arkansas City.

The McPherson County Historical Society will host Dr. Blakeslee as he tells of his research to find Etzanoa, what led him to the location to begin his excavations, what they have found so far, and what they hope to find in the future. As an added bonus Dr. Blakeslee encourages guests to bring any Native American artifacts they may have for identification.

All Historical Society programs are open to the public and are free of charge. The program will take place at the McPherson Museum & Arts Foundation. 

Police searching for shooting suspect

On Friday, October 12, 2018, at 6:44 pm, McPherson Police Department Officers responded to a residence in the 400 Block of Lynn’s Lane in McPherson, in reference to a report of a 23-year-old female having been shot with a firearm. When Officers arrived, the female told them she had been out walking and had been shot with a firearm, by an unknown male, at an undetermined location. McPherson Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded and provided medical assistance. EMS transported the female to Wichita, to receive further treatment for her injury, which was determined not to be life threatening. McPherson Police Department Officers and McPherson County Sheriff’s Deputies searched the area for the suspect, but did not locate a suspect. Further investigation continues by the McPherson Police Department’s Investigations Section.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the McPherson Police Department at (620) 245-1266 or McPherson County Crime Stoppers at (620) 241-1122. 

McPherson PD announces Prescription Drug Take Back event

On Saturday, October 27th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the McPherson Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 16th opportunity in 7 years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the McPherson Joint Law Enforcement Center at 1177 W. Woodside Street. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April Americans turned in 475 tons (949,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,842 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,600 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 15 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in more than 9.5 million pounds—more than 4,900 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 27 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website, or contact Captain Mark Brinck at the McPherson Police Department, by phone at (620) 245-1200. 

Railroad repairs close city streets

Union Pacific Railroad has announced the following road closures beginning next week in order to complete railroad crossing repairs in the City of McPherson. Repairs are expected to take 2 days per crossing. As always, the length of time is dependent on weather:

South Main Street will close on Monday, October 15th, to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located south of Central Christian College. 

Following the Main Street completion, East Avenue A will close to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located south of Wall Park. 

Following the Avenue A completion, South Maxwell St. will close to allow Union Pacific Railroad to complete repairs along the railroad tracks located east of Wall Park. 

Motorists are advised to drive cautiously, seek alternate routes and follow detours.   For more information, contact the Public Works - Engineering Department at 620.245.2545.