In other business Monday night, the Great Bend City Council:
• Approved a resolution of support for Housing Opportunities Inc.’s housing project for six lots at 28th and Washington, just south of the Walnut Bowl. HOI was seeking support for its Housing Tax Credit application through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.
Envisioned are eight duplexes targeted for those 55 and older. The will have the following amenities: washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, attached single car garage, garage door opener, trash pick-up, storm shelter, lawn care and snow removal.
• Accepted a bid from Sharkey Construction of Otis for $78,601.05 for concrete replacement at the Great Bend Municipal Airport and Great Bend Expo Area. For a number of years, the city has continued to replace portions of the concrete at the airport expo area. This year, the city has accumulated money for two years so that more can be done at one time, said Director of Public Lands Scott Keeler.
The area involved is a 321x62-foot patch of what is now asphalt south of the Expo II building, Keeler said. It has cracks that present a trip hazard and embedded metal anchors that won’t allow city personnel to mill off the surface. So, it was deemed best to just replace it.
The Sunflower Rod and Custom Association continues to support these upgrades with financial contributions by contributing $10,000 per year.
• Heard a report on a proposed special events permit process ordinance from Police Chief Cliff Couch. He explained the need for the updated ordinance. Action on the possible adoption of the ordinance will take place at a future council meeting.
• Approved abatements at: 219 Fruit, accumulation of refuse, Fernando Jiminez; 219 Fruit, motor vehicle nuisance, Fernando Jiminez; 1209 Washington, accumulation of refuse, Melvina Sue Gruber; 1206 Frey, accumulation of refuse, John Sawaya; 420 Buckeye, motor vehicle nuisance, Nancy L. Strain; 2115 Hubbard St., accumulation of refuse, Fernando Jiminez; 340 Heizer St., accumulation of refuse, Martha Hernandez; and 205 Frey, accumulation of refuse, Miguel and Brandi Garay.
The City of Great Bend has a new city clerk/finance director. The City Council Monday night confirmed Mayor Mike Allison’s appointment of Shawna Schafer to that post.
The approval came on the recommendation of the City Clerk/Finance Director Interview Committee. “Shawna Schafer is well qualified for the position and the committee is very happy to recommend her for the position,” said Mayor Mike Allison, who sat on the committee.
“We’re real pleased to have Shawna with us,” said City Administrator Howard Partington. A certified public accountant, Schafer comes to the city from Adams, Brown Beran and Ball and has worked with the city on its annual audit in the past.
An Ellinwood native, Schafer joined ABBB in 2012. In 2015, she was named senior staff accountant at the firm’s Great Bend office location.
She graduated from Kansas University in 2011 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. Schafer is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Kansas Society of CPAs.
She currently resides in Ellinwood with her husband, Matt, and young child. In her spare time, Schafer enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and watching KU basketball.
In related action, the council approved a resolution giving city clerk/finance director banking authority to Schafer.
Schafer replaces Amit Patel who left for a job in Texas last November. He took the job following the retirement of Wayne Henneke who now serves on the city council.
