McPherson Hospital applying for Rural Health Clinic status

For the last six months, McPherson Hospital has had a strategic planning effort, which has also included Mayor Thomas Brown. What they have come up with is that the hospital would like to have a reevaluation of their rural status and potentially take in some of the benefits that a Rural Health Clinic can receive in an underserved area.

According to the way Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and CMS designate rural areas, McPherson County is one of the seven counties across the state that is not classified as a medically underserved area. John Worden of McPherson Hospital talked at City Commission on Dec. 10 about what they can do to be reclassified as medically underserved and the benefits that would bring to McPherson County hospitals.

“I started to look at that and my ‘back of the napkin’ calculation came up that we easily meet this. How have we not in the past?” Worden said. “Mayor Brown and I started to have some inquiries and, to his credit, he reached out to KDHE and had a contact that’s in that office and provided some real clarity that said some of the application process that was turned in in the past, and people the way they interpreted the application, the bottom line was that it probably wasn’t necessarily filled out right in the past for the whole county.”

“So what does that value bring? McPherson Hospital does not qualify for critical access designation, but a rural health clinic would be very similar to that same designation but for the physician clinic side. This also opens up the opportunity for any other provider or clinic in the county to apply for the same Rural Health Clinic status, whether it be Lindsborg or Moundridge or anywhere else, they have that same opportunity.”

McPherson Hospital has begun the process of applying for Rural Health Clinic status.

City, USD 418 splitting crossing guard expenses

For many years the City of McPherson has provided, hired, and trained crossing guards for the eight (8) school crossings located near area schools in McPherson.  Many of the years have been a struggle to keep qualified, interested individuals to serve as crossing guards or substitute crossing guards. The McPherson Police Department has had to fill many open shifts utilizing officer overtime, law enforcement supervisors and administrative staff, or had to take officers off the street to provide the service.  This has caused a serious strain on an already understaffed department. 

After extensive discussion with USD 418 leadership about possible alternatives to continue filling positions internally, it has been determined that the best scenario for both parties is to contract out crossing guard services with a company that specializes in this service. All City Management Services (ACMS) provides these service for a number of other cities in Kansas. We are suggesting that the City enter into a contract with ACMS to provide crossing guard service in McPherson.

The cost for the annual service is estimated to be $70,671 based on 2,736 hours at an hourly rate of $25.83. In discussion with the 418 School District a 50%/50% cost split would result in an anticipated cost of $35,335.50 for both the City and School District individually. The proposed contract for these services would start in January of 2019, as school reconvenes for the semester and would continue until the school year ends in May of 2020. Executing this contract with ACMS will be contingent on the USD 418 Board of Education signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of McPherson and the 418 District agreeing to split costs for period of the ACMS agreement (January 3, 2019 - May 3, 2020). The City would provide a strong suggestion that crossing guards currently employed by the City of McPherson be retained by ACMS. The City portion of costs would be similar to our total payment for crossing guards in past years.

Moving forward with this contract in a timely matter is critical to get ACMS up and running by the January 3, 2019, semester start.  Staff's recommendation is that the McPherson City Commission approve the contract with ACMS and MOU with USD 418 subject to approval of form by the McPherson City Attorney and subject to approval and signature of the MOU by USD 418 to share cost equally for the crossing guard service. 

The city of McPherson approved the crossing guard agreement with All City Management Service (ACMS) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USD 418 and authorized Mayor Thomas Brown to sign the agreements, all subject to approval of the form by the McPherson City Attorney and subject to approval and signature on the MOU by USD 418, which shares cost equally for the crossing guard service.

Construction Update December 10

Update on Barnstormers-Premier Subdivisions Project

The dirt subcontractor started moving dirt up along the ditches that will be filled after the pipe installation.  The storm water subcontractor is scheduled to mobilize to the project today and installation of the pipe and inlets should start tomorrow.  As always, this is weather dependent. 

Public Works Report December 10

Street Department: Concrete Crushing (Vogts Crushing, LLC)

Motion to approve concrete crushing at the debris site, 3,100.27 tons of material @ $6.50/ton plus 1/2 of the additional processing fee ($10,200) which equals $5,100 for a total cost not to exceed $25,251.76.

As per our agreement with Vogts Crushing dated 10/03/18, we received an invoice for 2,691 tons of regular crushed material and 409.27 tons of oversized material both at $6.50/ton.  Along with that cost, the City is responsible for 50% of the oversized processing.  Vogts spent 30 hours using the hydraulic breaker @185/hr and 30 hours using the muncher @ $155/hr.  The total amount of the invoice is $25,251.76.

Street Department: Alley Trickle Channel and inlets on Woodside (JP Construction)

Motion to approve payment to J.P. Construction for the construction of a trickle channel in the alley east of Ash Street, two inlets on Woodside Street, sidewalk work, and associated aprons, for a cost not to exceed $31,947.00 and bill Grain Craft $13,550.00.

On 8/27/18, the Commission approved hiring JP Construction for an alley trickle channel and for the installation of inlets on Woodside.  The total cost of the work was estimated at $27,100.  Grain Craft agreed to contribute a total of $13,550.  However, there were several additions that were needed.  A driveway approach, an alley approach and a sidewalk had to be added.  The size of the new box and lid for the inlet had to be increased to a 5'x6' because it was discovered the existing drainage pipe was larger than anticipated.   The total cost of work by JP Construction is $31,947.00.  We will invoice Grain Craft $13,550.00 as per the original agreement.  

Street Department: Tires for Backhoe

Motion to approve the purchase of two 340/80 R18 Firestone Duraforce RT tires, and a rear tire repair for the Street Department backhoe, from Canton Service Center, for a cost not to exceed $1,200.00.

We need to replace the front tires and repair one of the rear tires on the Street Department backhoe.  We solicited two quotes and the lowest quote was from Canton Service Center, for two 340/80 R18 Firestone Duraforce tires and a tire repair on one of the rear tires for a cost not to exceed $1,200.

Cookies with Santa

Join us at 411 E. Euclid on Thursday December 20th from 5:00 - 6:30pm to eat cookies with Santa! Register to win a bike from Walmart! We will be giving a bike to a boy and one to a girl! Drawing for bikes will happen at the end of Swap Shop on Friday Dec. 21st. 

Library hosting Holiday Open House

Everyone is invited to stop by the McPherson Public Library between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14th for their Holiday Open House.  Hot beverages and bite-sized treats will be served, and an assorted selection of Christmas books, holiday music and seasonal DVD’s will be on display and available for check-out. 

The open house, hosted by the library staff, is a chance for the library to extend season’s greetings to library patrons and showcase the extensive collection of holiday items available.  

For more information about the event, call the library at 245-2570, or visit the library’s website for details. 

Community Foundation helping with Holiday Wish List

Looking for a gifting option this holiday season? How about a gift in honor of a loved one to local charity? By clicking on the link below, you will see the Wish List of 24 local organizations participating in the 2018 Grants Catalog. The catalog is full of items the organizations need to help with basic operations.

To help, you may use the online portal to donate all or a portion of the cost requested. Another option is to contact the organization directly and donate the actual item. 

The catalog is open until December 31, 2018.

mccf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list/grant

McPherson PD makes arrest in connection with burglary

On Saturday, December 08, 2018, at 9:47 am, McPherson Police officers were dispatched by McPherson County Emergency Communications/Dispatch to the 800 Block of North Cedars Drive in McPherson in reference to an unknown situation. While en route, Officers were informed by Dispatch that a 90 year-old man needed medical assistance, and McPherson Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was also dispatched to respond at that time. The man was transported by McPherson EMS to McPherson Hospital and treated for his injuries, which were not life threatening.

Through investigation, law enforcement officers identified a suspect, and arrested Michael A. Hodges for Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Robbery, and Aggravated Battery. He was subsequently transported to the McPherson County Jail

Investigation into this incident continues by our Investigations and Patrol Bureaus. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the McPherson Police Department at (620) 245-1200 or Crime Stoppers at (620) 241-1122. 

Scholarship funds established at Community Foundation

The McPherson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce an anonymous gift to establish two funds in honor of Edwin R. Stucky’s work in debate and forensics.

One fund will serve to enhance programs at area high schools, while the other will provide scholarships for graduating seniors who participated in debate and are pursuing a post-secondary degree or certificate.

The donor had the good fortune to be a student of Mr. Stucky and believes the skills and experiences acquired in Debate and Forensics are valuable for youth later in their careers. Through the enhancement fund, we hope to give current students the same opportunity for participation provided to former students. The scholarship fund will provide financial support to participating students planning to further their education after high school.

The donor has offered to match dollar for dollar up to $50,000 for all gifts received between December 1 and March 31 to support the enhancement fund.  Because the defined purpose of the Edwin R. Stucky Debate and Forensics Fund is to promote debate and forensics education in the public school setting, monies will not replace a district’s debate and forensics budget. Instead, they will enhance the current program in the following ways:

Help fund middle school exposure to debate and forensics.Enable travel to more prestigious/competitive tournaments in Kansas.Help fund any students who might qualify for national tournaments.

The donor is contributing $50,000 for the establishment of the scholarship fund. The purpose is to grant scholarships to those students who can demonstrate how debate and forensics impacted their lives. Students who participated in debate and forensics for a minimum of two years will be eligible to a total of $2500 in scholarships. Donations to this fund will help build the principal of the endowment, eventually allowing for more than one scholarship recipient per year.

Money added to both funds will be invested, and a portion of the annual earnings will be used to fund enhancement programs and scholarships.  Gifts to support either fund are considered tax deductible.

Donations should be sent to the McPherson County Community Foundation, 206 S. Main, McPherson, KS 67460. Please note Stucky Debate Fund in the memo. Donations may also be contributed online by visiting the Foundation’s  website atwww.mcphersonfoundation.org. Donations of other assets including stocks, real property or other may be contributed. To learn more about options, contact the Foundation office at 620.245.9070 [email protected] 

Moundridge women craft caps for newborns

With loving, skilled hands, a group of women from Moundridge has crafted beautiful, comforting caps for newborn babies to help welcome them into the world. Through the Moundridge Recreation Commission, a group of ten or so women have knitted 100 caps and presented them to staff at the Women’s Care and Birth Center at McPherson Hospital.

Vicky Kessler, Moundridge recreation director, said she has been expanding the activities of the commission to reach a broader age range and wanted to try a knitting class. She was inspired for this particular project after seeing a national charity do a similar project for newborn caps. “When I saw what others were doing, I thought this is something we could do for our area babies,” Kessler said. “There are a couple of nurses from Moundridge who work on the OB unit at McPherson Hospital so it was a natural fit.”

Jacquie Disque, nurse manager for the Women’s Care and Birth Center at the hospital said, “We are so thankful for the baby hats that the women so lovingly made for our newborns at McPherson Hospital!! Not only does it help keep them warm but also provides a small memento from a very special time. We can’t wait to share them with our newest patients!!”

Pictured are from left Glenda Golden, Vicky Kessler, and Elaine Penka.