The Great Bend City Council heard to tidbits of good news about the community when it met Monday night.
City Clerk Amit Patel received an email from a Great Bend resident who received an email from an Ottawa parent of a player in a recent American Legion baseball state tournament at the Great Bend Sports Complex. The parent expressed their appreciation for the warm reception they received from the community.
They went on to add “We have traveled all over the state for many years and spent time in some terrific places. But to a person everyone mentioned what a nice town Great Bend was and how fortunate we were to get to play there. And we are all so jealous of the outstanding baseball complex you have.”
City Administrator Howard Partington said this was just another example of how the city created a facility that was top notch. “We did it right.”
Secondly, Partington said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment conducted a review of the city’s storm water program in 2015 “and does not have any recommendations for improvements at this time.”
Inspectors said, “Please continue to maintain a good program and enhance the program in the future.” Previous cities inspected since 2005 include Wichita (in 2005 and again in 2012), Kansas City, Kan., Topeka, Hutchinson, and Leavenworth.
These reports were part of Partington’s departmental update. Other highlights included:
Public Works
• Replacing the water main line under the bridge on Rock Bridge Road in the Twin Lakes area because of a leak in the line.
• Repaired a water main line in the alley north of 10th Street between Monroe and Jackson. (Line was hit by a contractor working on the new Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers).
• Installing new water main line valves at 21st and Odell to keep from shutting the main part of Great Bend High School down if were to have a major water main line leak similar to the one we had earlier this year.
• Working with Code Enforcement Office Stuart Baker, City Sanitarian Tom Holmes and Street Superintendent Mike Crawford on efforts to clean up the utility and drainage easement along Third Street from Kiowa Road to Plum Street on the south side of 3rd. Several fences, building, vehicles and debris are encroaching into the 20’ easement that needs removed before we can clean the open drainage ditch that is holding water back onto Third Street not allowing it to drain.
Fire/EMS/Inspection/Code Enforcement
• The state Board of Emergency Medical Services conducted its annual inspection where they look at the EMS training, EMS protocols, the quality and improvement process with the medical director and inspected all four ambulances. The only item found was one out of date bottle of saline which was immediately replaced.
Administration:
• The Convention and Visitors Bureau is currently working on an Events Center guide and Meeting Room Guide that will be a resource for anyone planning events in Great Bend.
• The Retail Roundtable meeting will be held this Wednesday morning at 8:30 at City Hall to discuss past and future retail unification and needs for Great Bend.
• In the retail world, this today is the last day that E&E Glass will be open. E&E served Great Bend for 47 years and was purchased a year ago by Tammy Hammond of Rosewood Services. Proceeds from all E&E Glass and Gifts purchases go to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation, which helps fund medical/therapeutic needs, as well as educational endeavors for people with developmental disabilities.
• Party in the Park is Saturday, Aug. 13, at Veterans Memorial Park.
