The status of two key, yet vacant, positions was discussed as the Great Bend City Council met Monday night.
First was the network administrator. “We have been advertising for the network administrator position for some time now,” Interim City Administrator George Kolb said.
“We have made two offers for the position and both of those people declined our offer for different reasons,” he said. But, “we are continuing to advertise.”
In March, the council voted to hire an information technology professional in lieu of the city’s contracting with a third-party IT firm. This is an important job as the city faces many issues in bringing its computer systems up to date, officials have said.
Second was the search for a permanent city administrator. The council will hold an executive session at the end of its May 21 regular meeting to narrow the list of semi finalists down to a handful of finalists.
Kolb’s comments came as he presented his administrative update. Other highlights included:
Human Resources
• For many months, the city has been working with Kansas Municipal Insurance Trust, KMIT, to set up a pre-employment physical capacity testing program. This program is called P.O.E.T., or post-offer employment testing. KMIT will pay $75 toward the cost of each new hire physical capacity testing just for us participating in this testing. This test allows the city to determine if a person is physically able to handle the physical requirements of the position for which they were hired.
Community Events/CVB
• Community Service Day took place on April 25, despite the weather the students got a lot accomplished in various parts of the city during the day.
• Christina presented to the Golden Belt Community Leadership group on April 27th in regards to sustainability for the City events. Their focus project is the Summer Street Stroll enhancements.
• On April 27, the Regional June Jaunt committee met in Great Bend, all publications and posters were printed for all communities here in Great Bend. 2018 is ready to go.
• The Great Bend Rec hosted a Hap Dumont tournament April 27-29 where 44 teams played at the Great Bend Sports Complex. Also an Adult Tournament was hosted at Vets Park on May 5.
• The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball/Baseball Championship was held May 2-5, Great job to all the hotels hosting, the Great Bend Recreation and City Staff for hosting another great tournament.
• The Annual Art and Wine Walk took place in 18 different stores last Friday night.
• CVB Staff gave a Welcome speech to the League of Women’s Voters Conference Attendees on April 28.
Finance/City Clerk
• The auditors from Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball were here last week to do the annual audit of the City. The audit delivery is scheduled for June 18 at the council meeting.
Public Works
• Repaired the storm sewer at 18th and 281 bypass.
• Cleaned storm drain catch basins throughout the city.
• Stone Sand Co. cleaned the storm discharge drainage area at the end of Madison ditch.
• Blading alleys and streets throughout the city. Work Continues
• Repaired asphalt utility cuts at Morton and Lakin.
• Mowing on the flood control levee has started.
• Continue street marker sign repair throughout the city.
• Crack sealing on Grant Street.
• Street sweeping throughout the city.
• Replaced damaged fire hydrant at 24th and Main street.
Police
• Lt. Scott Harper and Lt. Jason Settle attended 16 hours of “Documenting Use of Force” training at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.
• Chief David Bailey along with other department heads and council members delivered Meals on Wheels in Great
Bend.
• April 30, GBPD held corporal promotional testing. Officer Michael Bradley was promoted to the rank of corporal.
April Patrol Division stats:
• Criminal cases reported - 323
• Accident cases reported - 34
• Citations issued - 191
• Narcotic cases - 10
• Warrant arrest - 44
