Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis issued a statement to the public Thursday concerning gatherings at City Council meetings. It reads:

“I would like to address citizens’ concerns in regards to the number of people attending recent city council meetings.  

“Each phase of Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, provides mass gatherings limits. The current Phase 1 limit is 10 persons. However, the plan also provides a new definition for mass gatherings.

“Mass gatherings are defined as instances in which ‘individuals are in one location and are unable to maintain six feet of distance between individuals (not including individuals who reside together) with only infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity.’ Although the meetings exceeded 10 persons, all remained socially distanced and compliant with the governor’s orders.

“I apologize for any appearance of impropriety. However, I assure you that the City of Great Bend will always lead by example in an ethical and forthright manner.” 

For more information regarding the City of Great Bend and COVID-19 updates, visit www.greatbendks.net/75/Public-Information.