The City of Great Bend will begin to emerge from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in a measured manner after the City Council Monday night approved a resolution setting the stage for a four-phase plan.
The action is based on Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s easing of statewide limitations known as the Ad Astra Plan. Introduced last Thursday night, the governor’s plan includes dropping the stay-at-home order and a four-phase approach to reopen businesses and activities.
“This gradually reopens city facilities and returns staff to pre-COVID-19 status,” Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said. “Nearly every department has adjusted its staffing so we didn’t have all our eggs in one basket.”
Some personnel were working remotely and shift schedules were juggled throughout the city, he said. “And that will continue, but as we progress in this plan, you will see that things are slowly returned to normal.”
Effective at noon Friday, March 20, all city facilities, including parks, were closed to the public until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This action was taken after the City Council approved a resolution outlining the measures during a special meeting earlier in the morning.
In a special meeting last Friday morning, the Barton County Commission lifted its county-wide order mandating the closure of gathering establishments and opened the courthouse on a limited basis.
This plan picks up where that one left off, Francis said. But, it is subject to change.
The plan includes:
Phase 1 – Effective May 5 (gatherings limited to 10 people).
• City Hall reopens to public access
a. Staffing rotation remains unchanged
b. Encourage virtual interactions
c. Social Distancing strictly enforced
d. Gathering restrictions enforced
• City parks reopen to public access
a. Park restrooms remain closed
b. Playground equipment remains off limits
c. Gathering restrictions enforced
d. Social distancing encouraged
• City Council Meetings
a. Resume in-person meetings
b. Social Distancing enforced
c. No in-person public access – Facebook Live satisfies the Kansas Open Meetings Act
• Municipal Court can reopen
a. Utilize Events Center
b. Social distancing strictly enforced
c. Gathering restrictions enforced
• Advanced emergency medical technician training may resume
• Encourage virtual interactions
• Staffing rotations and segregation remains unchanged
• No non-essential business travel
Phase 2. – 14 days following Phase 1 (earliest possible date is May 18 and gatherings limited to 30 people).
• Police Department reopens to public access
• Fire Department reopens to public access
a. Station separations remain unchanged
b. Social Distancing strictly enforced
c. Gathering restrictions enforced
d. Meeting room remains closed to the public
• Building Inspections reopens to public access
a. Staffing rotations remain unchanged
b. Encourage virtual interactions
c. Social Distancing strictly enforced
d. Gathering restrictions enforced
• Brit Spaugh Zoo reopens to public access
a. Operation hours noon – 4 p.m.
b. Staffing rotations remain unchanged
c. Gathering restrictions enforced
d. Gift shop and Raptor Center will remain closed
e. Outdoor restrooms remain closed
• Public Works reopen to public access
a. Staffing rotations remain unchanged
b. Encourage virtual interactions
c. Social Distancing strictly enforced
d. Gathering restrictions enforced
• Front Door reopens to public access
a. Staffing isolation remains unchanged
b. Encourage virtual interactions
c. Social Distancing enforced
d. Resume rental of meeting room – Lecture Hall remains closed for staff – gathering restrictions enforced and social distancing enforced
• Events Center reopens to public access
a. Resume rentals – gathering restrictions enforced and social distancing enforced
• Sports Complex, Veterans Park Fields & Tennis Courts, Harms Fields & Motocross track reopened to organized events with restrictions.
• Expo Buildings
a. Buildings 1, 2 and 3 reopen to public access
b. Gathering Restrictions enforced
c. Social Distancing enforced
• Encourage virtual interactions
• No non-essential business travel
Phase 3 – 14 days following Phase 2 (earliest possible date is June 1 (gatherings limited to 90 people).
• City Council Meetings
a. Public access resumes – social distancing enforced and gathering restrictions enforced
• City Hall staffing returns to normal
a. Social Distancing enforced
b. Gathering restrictions enforced
• Brit Spaugh Zoo
a. Resume normal operation hours
b. Staffing returns to normal
c. Gathering restrictions enforced
d. Gift shop and Raptor Center reopen
e. Outdoor restrooms remain closed
• Building Inspections
a. Staffing returns to normal
b. Social distancing encouraged
• Public Works staffing returns to normal
• SRCA Dragstrip reopens for races
• Expo grounds reopen for public events
• No non-essential business travel
Phase 4 – 14 days following Phase 3 (earliest possible date is June 15).
• Front Door
a. staffing returns to normal
b. Resume rental of lecture hall
• Fire Department
a. Station staffing returns to normal
b. Meeting room reopens to public access
• Wetlands aquatic center reopens
• Playgrounds, park restrooms & zoo outdoor restrooms reopened
• Non-essential business travel can resume.
Francis said there is also a city COVID-19 Information Help Line. The number is 620-791-5035, and it is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In addition, the City set up a dedicated email address, customerservice@greatbendks.net. The City website, www.greatbendks.net has public information as well.
