Following a public hearing that netted no public input, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved applying to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds. The project eyed by the city is a mill and overlay of 12 blocks along Broadway Ave. (Polk St. to Morton), as well as the reconstruction of the intersection of 19th Street and Harrison.
This grant falls under the Community Facilities Category, which includes streets, senior centers, community centers, bridges, fire trucks/station, sidewalks, etc., said City Administrator Kendal Francis. The maximum award is $700,000.
The minimum required match is 25%, but as it is extremely competitive, a 50% match is usually recommended to provide a competitive advantage.
The engineer’s estimate is $1,292,800, therefore a 50% match would make the city’s share $646,000. Should the city be approved for the grant, that money would cover the balance of the project.
Another requirement for this funding bases it on the number of residents in the low- to moderate-income levels. Since all of Great Bend fits this criteria, Francis said the city is eligible for the full $700,000.
Francis said the city will draw on its quarter-cent sales tax dedicated to street maintenance to cover the cost. This project will utilize most of the balance in that fund for this year.
The application is due in mid October. Award announcements will likely come in February, Francis said.
These are federal funds funneled through the State of Kansas. Great Plains Development of Dodge City will administer the grant for Great Bend.
Great Bend City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Great Bend City Council did Monday night:
• Held public hearing for and approved a resolution for applying to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds. The project will be a mill and overlay of 12 blocks along Broadway Ave. (Polk St. to Morton), as well as the reconstruction of the intersection of 19th Street and Harrison.
• Approved a bike share arrow route change.
In June, the city received a $2,400 grant from Be Well Barton County regarding repainting the bike share arrows. Several cyclists in the group brought attention that Adventure Cycling Association has a route that has been routed through the community.
Thus, they thought it would be in everyone’s best interest to change the existing route to match the Adventure Cycling Association route, said Assistant Public Works Director Jason Cauley.
Off of K-96, the new route will go down Patton Road to Broadway, Broadway to Main, and south on Main out of town.
• Approved the low bid from Shane Suchy Construction for $67,600 for the crack sealing performed as part of the city’s annual street maintenance. The city received three bids, with Suchy’s being the lowest, said Assistant Public Works Director Jason Cauley.
Included are streets in all four corners of Great Bend, covering about a quarter of the city.
• Heard an update from City Administrator Kendal Francis. He focused on improvements at Al Burns Field at Veterans Memorial Park and Sunflower Rod and Custom Association dragstrip, and Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) funding.
• Heard an economic development report from Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden. She focused on business prospects that are in the works.
• Approved abatements at: 2525 12th, accumulation of trash/refuse, Eduardo Torres; 204 Elm, motor vehicle nuisance, Matthew O’Connor; 300 Frey, accumulation of trash/refuse, Charles Lamb; 2554 McBride, accumulation of trash/refuse, Michael Ward Jr.; 115 Becker Ct., motor vehicle nuisance, Tyler Epp; 712 Baker, motor vehicle nuisance, Mario Garcia; 3200 21st, motor vehicle nuisance, Thomas Pearson; 821 Pine, accumulation of trash/refuse, German Castanon Calderon; 429 Cedar, accumulation of trash/refuse, Leobardo and Matilde Espino; 2527 7th, accumulation of trash/refuse, Justin Schartz; and 2418 Lakin, accumulation of trash/refuse, Bruce and Christina Ball.
