Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington attended an Economic Lifelines Meeting in Topeka recently. Economic Lifelines is the group that works toward enhancing the state’s transportation system.
During the meeting, Partington said Secretary of Transportation Richard Carolson, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita, and the Chair of the House Transportation Committee Rep. Richard Proehl, R-Parsons, came in to discuss state legislative matters. Of particular interest was the preservation of funding for road projects in the state, some of which he said impact this area.
The issue came up during Partington’s departmental update given during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Other highlights included:
Police
• The Department has been dealing with a high volume of criminal activity, including a drive by shooting and armed robbery.
• The Department held a “Coffee with a Cop” event on Friday, Feb. 17.
• Chief Couch met with the local Ministerial Alliance on February 14 to discuss ways that churches and community groups can help address issues in our community.
• The Department held new officer tryouts on Feb. 9. The department is currently trying to fill two vacant officer positions and still have several officers in new recruit training.
Public Works
• Burned tree limbs at the compost site. This will continue the next couple weeks.
• Replaced four streetscape light poles around the Courthouse.
• Cleared trees from the city storm water drainage easement on north main west side.
• Remove downed tree branches along the flood control levee.
• Patched asphalt streets in several locations throughout the city.
• Flushed areas of town clearing a noticeable rusty tinge in the city water distribution. (Initial complaint came from 1211 9th street).
• Pulled abandon fire hydrants from the airport transload facility location.
• Bladed alleys and streets throughout the city.
Administration
• Community Service Day is just around the corner, City staff partners with the Great Bend High School to arrange projects on City Grounds for 300-plus students.
This year the event is April 26, but the school is finalizing projects soon to help keep organized.
• Community Coordinator Christina and staff are currently working on plans for the 2017 June Jaunt. “Things are beginning to come together but we are still very interested in partnering with other community groups who want to make things happen in Great Bend the first weekend in June,” Hayes said.
• Hayes said they are excited that classes are coming to the city to help them celebrate and plan their class reunions. The Convention and Visitors Bureau staff is interested in helping promote, welcome, connect and, if necessary plan, a class reunion “to ensure a great turnout and warm welcome to our community.”
• Hayes and CVB staff member Emily Goad attended Destination Statehouse two weeks ago for the Tourism day. “It’s nice to know our representatives support growing our tourism community,” Partington said.
