June 19 Traffic Stop Tuesday: Vehicle Approaching or entering Intersection; Right of Way Rule

Have you ever come to a stop at a four-way intersection at approximately the same time as another driver, and you were unsure who should proceed first? This week’s Traffic stop Tuesday addresses this very issue.

According to Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO), Sec. 57 on Vehicles Approaching or Entering Intersection, When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of way to the vehicle on the right.

In the illustration we provided, B should yield to A, since A is right of B. Hopefully, next time you encounter this situation you won’t be left sitting at the intersection. Sometimes, there are vehicles stopped in all four positions, which can make things a bit confusing. When in doubt about who should proceed, for safety sake, be courteous and wait.

City accepting housing rehabilitation applications

The City of McPherson is currently accepting applications for a housing rehabilitation project designed to benefit low- to moderate-income families. The project utilizes a $300,000 federal grant designated for specific home improvements. This is the second grant awarded to the City through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The 2016 grant resulted in 13 home improvements and three demolitions. The current grant will support 11 home improvements and two demolitions. Typical rehabilitation improvements include windows, siding, air conditioning, heating and roof replacement.

The designated target area for the project is defined as “an area bound by 1st Street on the south, west to Main Street, north on Main Street to Hulse Street, then east on Hulse Street to Wheeler Street; south on Wheeler Street including both sides of the street, south to Loomis Street, then east on Loomis street, including both sides of the street, to the alley between Barber Street and Myers Street, then south in the alley to the southern border at 1st Street.”

Applicants will be screened and rated in accordance with eligibility criteria as defined in the Housing Rehabilitation Plan. Those who completed the pre-application process will receive priority. CDBG guidelines and applications are available at www.mcpcity.com. For more information contact City Administrator Nick Gregory at 620.245.2535.

Construction Update June 18, 2018

Update on the Avenue "A"/Centennial Drive 10' Sidewalk

We had another week with great progress on this project.  All of the remaining base was completed.  The contractor placed the sidewalk along the two blocks of Walmart property and filled in several tie-ins that have to be hand placements along Centennial Drive from the dog park up to Avenue "A" .  Back-filling and dressing from the dog park up to KMU is essentially complete.  All concrete was completed on the RBB.

Update on the Barnstormers-Premier Subdivisions Project

All street and curb and gutter are installed on the Premier subdivision.  Seeding and erosion control are completed in Premier.  In the Barnstormers Subdivision, Curtiss Drive is placed from the east end to Eastlinks.  Erosion Control and seeding and mulching were completed for the back yard drainage system.

The remainder of the cement treated base is scheduled to be completed starting tomorrow (Tuesday).  

Update on the Elm Street Drainage Improvements

The contractor has completed all of the work up to the AT&T conflict.  We are trying to work through a solution to enable the contractor to continue.  The contractor will pull off for at least three days, depending on whether a workable temporary solution can be accomplished. 

City announces two public meetings

Notice of Public Meeting: Safe Routes to School Construction Project Meeting

There will be a Public Meeting for the Safe Routes to School Project on Thursday, June 28, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., in the Commission Room of the Municipal Center, 400 E. Kansas.   Letters of notice will be sent to all of the property owners adjacent to and across from the proposed sidewalks.

Community Building Owners Meeting - June 26th, 1:30 pm. - Hutton Construction

The Commission will be holding another Community Building Owners Meeting with Hutton/GLMV on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at 1:30 pm in the Hutton Construction Offices Conference Room at 1401 S. Highway 81 Bypass, McPherson.   Because all Commissioners are expected to be in attendance, this is considered a Public Meeting.

City approves Fire Department, Public Lands purchases

Fire Department

Motion to approve payment to Feld Fire for air pack flow testing for an amount not to exceed $1,661.30.

Public Lands and Facilities

Motion to approve the purchase of one (1) Wave 300 XL automatic, robotic cleaner by Maytronics, from Westport Pools, Inc., for an amount not to exceed $9,500.00.

Provide (1) Wave 300 XL automatic, robotic cleaner from Maytronics. The robot carries a full warranty on non-wearable parts for 36 months or 3,000 hours (whichever comes first). Robot comes with an additional filter. Total: $ 9,500.00* 

McPherson Hospital holds ceremony for final beam

McPherson Hospital recently held a “topping out” ceremony to celebrate the placement of the final steel beam in the construction of the medical office building. Hospital staff, volunteers and members from associated boards at the hospital signed the beam over a two-week period prior to the placement celebration.

“Our general contractor, Hutton Construction, informed us of this construction custom,” said Amy Bower, director of development for the McPherson Healthcare Foundation. “We thought it was a great idea to celebrate the last of the beams going into place and give everyone associated with the hospital and clinics and chance to leave their legacy.”

With the completion of the support beams in place, emphasis is now on placing roofing materials and construction of the external walls.  

City to hold public meeting for Safe Routes to School project

The City of McPherson will hold a public meeting on Thursday, June 28, 6:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room at the City Offices, 400 E. Kansas. The meeting will address construction for the Safe Routes to School project.

For more information contact Public Works Director Jeff Woodward at 620.245. 2545.

Pipeline fire near Hesston Friday morning

A pipeline fire started at around 7:45 on Friday morning southwest of Hesston. Emergency crews in Harvey County are working to control and contain this fire after the eruption resulted in flames bursting up to 100 feet into the air. Pipeline is shut off and now waiting for gas to bleed out.

The Hesston Record reported on Facebook that there are no injuries or structures damaged. 

Bratcher hearing set for June 28

The preliminary hearing for the Jordan Krell murder case was held on Thursday afternoon. McPherson County Attorney Greg Benefiel has requested that 17-year old Noah Bratcher be tried as an adult. 

A judge will rule on that motion at a hearing on June 28, 2018.

Weekly Road and Bridge Maintenance Schedule June 13-19

Here’s the road and bridge maintenance schedule in McPherson County from June 13-19

Road Construction

Quivera Road from 5th Ave. to County Line

Ditch Work

27th Avenue Pueblo Rd. to Pioneer Rd.