McPherson, KS Partners with eCivis to Increase Grant Funding

McPHERSON, KS, August 1, 2011 — McPherson City Commissioners on Monday approved a one-year contract with eCivis Grants Network.

The company specializes in giving organizations and communities access to grant opportunities. Through an always-expanding online database, eCivis helps organizations find and win grants.

McPherson City Administrator Nick Gregory said the city has always been proactive in applying for grant opportunities but with revenue streams from the state and taxes slowing, finding more grants could help fill financial holes.

"This is a very good option for us," he said. "The one-year contract allows us to find out if this is of any value to us."

The eCivis network will not only help the city find grants it could be eligible for, but also provides examples of applications that were successful in earning grant money.

Gregory said the grant database will hopefully help the city find more grants related to the creation of more bicycle and walking paths, something the city has been focusing on during the past year.

Commissioners also gave McPherson Mayor Tom Brown the authority to sign a letter in support of the McPherson County Community Foundation's grant for better access to healthy foods in McPherson.

The grant will help provide the necessary financial resources in local efforts to provide healthier, more balanced food choices to families and particularly young people in the McPherson community.

The grant would compliment the city's ongoing health and nutrition efforts including the Commit To Be Fit initiative.

In other meeting news:

• Scott Loyd with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd LLC presented the city's 2010 audit report. The firm found no problems with the audit.
• Commissioners approved a public nuisance declaration for an inoperable vehicle located at 400 S. Chestnut. City code enforcer Vince Rocco said when the landowner was notified that he needed to move the vehicle, he was also cited for trash and grass issues. Rocco said the property is being rented and that the landowner complied with the grass and trash warnings but has not moved the vehicle. The public nuisance will give the vehicle owner another 10 days to remove the vehicle from the street.
• McPherson Public Works Director Doug Whitacre received approval for David Bauer to attend the annual water and wastewater operators school in Lawrence at a cost not to exceed $520. He also reported that the city had signed a formal agreement with the McPherson Township for the maintenance responsibilities for the newly paved section of S. Maxwell Street. The township board must still approve the contract. Whitacre also received approval for a change order for the asphalt paving project to add Hospital Drive to the scope of the work being done on N. Main Street.
• The commission approved a one-year cereal malt beverage license for Ponchos.
• The 2011 meeting of the McPherson Landfill Improvement Corporation was set for 8:15 a.m. Monday, July 25, in the commission meeting room.