In other business Monday night, the Great Bend City Council:
• Approved numerous motions regarding the Party in the Park, set for Aug. 8 at Veterans Memorial Park. Approved were motions to: Close the westbound lane of 17th Street Terrace west of McKinley to White Sands Drive from 7 a.m. to midnight for use as extra parking and allow one-way traffic to be directed to the west and to only allow one-way traffic to go clockwise through Vets Park that day with entry on 17th Street Terrace only; allow the discharge of fireworks in Vets Park on Saturday, Aug. 8, by contracted officials only for the fireworks display starting around 10 p.m.; allow non-street legal cars that are local car club affiliated to be able to preregister and travel no more than 12 blocks to get to the Party in the Park Car Show; and to allow people to be in the park past midnight for cleanup of the Party in the Park activities.
Also given the nod were allowing 3.2 beer in the park (in coolers and in non-glass containers), and the fireworks show.
• Authorized Mayor Mike Allison to sign the lease agreement with Kestrel Inc. of Waukee, Iowa, for the lease of land and a building at the airport. There is currently a building on the land and they may construct an additional building that could house the EagleMed aircraft, said Airport Manager Martin Miller. The agreement calls for a $750 annual payment for five years.
• Adopted a resolution establishing a special permit that would allow the development of a residence in the warehouse at 505 Stone at the request of Dan and Carolyn Maser. They sought the permit to allow a residence to be developed in an M-2 Zone to allow 24-hour security in the warehouse. In the event the real estate is sold, the permit terminates.
The city’s Planning Commission had already given its blessing.
• Heard a report from Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. She noted that there are 30 businesses signed on to participate in the annual Sidewalk Sale Saturday, up from previous years. She also outlined the schedule of events for the Party in the Park Aug. 8.
• Heard an update from City Administrator Howard Partington.
In keeping with its priority to clean up the city by razing dilapidated structures, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved resolutions deeming structures on five properties as dangerous and unsafe.
“This begins the process,” said City Attorney Bob Suelter. The motions set hearings on the properties for Sept. 8 in conjunction with the council’s meeting and calls for notices to be published in the Great Bend Tribune.
Included were 815 Madison, 817 Madison, 819 Madison and 823 Madison (all owned by Keith and Jaunita Reimer of Great Bend), and 3000 Gano, and 100 Walnut, (owned by James Hsiao of Arcadia, Calif.).
Code Enforcement Officer Stuart Baker said this action is just the latest in a long-running issue, He’s been in touch with the Reimers since April who have promised to clean the properties, and he’s had difficultly contacting Hsiao.
Baker said all the homes have broken windows and are open to the elements and to trespassers. Many have missing doors, and most are filled with trash, including mattresses and other debris.
According to information from the City Inspector’s Office, the property is found to be unsafe and dangerous because of the following conditions:
1. The structure is not occupied and no utilities in service at this time.
2. The property located at 815 Madison Street, has been allowed to be in such a state of disrepair that it is considered to be unsafe and dangerous to the citizens of the City of Great Bend.
3. There are windows broken out on the north and south sides of the house.
4. There is siding missing on the west and south sides of the house.
5. The condition of the premise is an eminent danger to the adjacent property owners and to the public. The premises also are a blighting influence on the adjacent neighborhood.
6. The structure should be razed and the lot leveled and cleaned of all debris.
7. The Complaint and Notices were signed for and I have talked to the owners on several occasions about the properties and have requested a letter of intent but have not received one.
These properties, which include four houses and two trailer homes, meet all these criteria, Baker said.
“This is what we’ve been looking to do,” Mayor Mike Allison said. “Let’s keep on doing it.”
In a related matter, the council approved abatements at: 815 Morton, owned by Moses Properties, accumulation of refuse; 1315 Monroe, owned by Stueder Rentals, accumulation of refuse; 3410 Lakin, owned by Joseph Farris (Attn:Stacey Farris), accumulation of refuse; 2906 23rd, owned by Thomas Pearson, accumulation of refuse; 1907 Monroe, owned by Norma Hammeke Revocable Trust, accumulation of refuse; 1603 Morton, owned by Sarah Schwartz, accumulation of refuse and a motor vehicle nuisance; 3422 16th, owned by Bert/Ida Marie Luse Revocable Trust, motor vehicle nuisance; and 320 Chestnut, owned by Martin Aleman-Parra/Nora Olivas, motor vehicle nuisance.
Also abated was 1620 Morton, owned by Delton Sullivan, for accumulation of refuse. This was discussed in a public hearing.
Sullivan had submitted a letter to the council stating the violations were uncalled for, but did not attend Monday night. It was determined by the council that, since photos taken today still showed the refuse, that the abatement should proceed.
