Great Bend City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Great Bend City Council did Monday night:
• Following a public hearing, deemed a dilapidated garage at 1210 Morton St. as unsafe and dangerous.
The owner James Dandy was instructed to repair, or raze and remove, the structure within 15 days of the publication of the resolution or not later than April 8. The city has not heard from the owner.
• Approved a resolution setting the master fees schedule and adopted an ordinance amending certain code sections.
This is the completion of the migration of fees and charges from the ordinances to the master fee schedule set by resolution. At the last meeting, the council passed an ordinance creating a new code section that authorizes the setting of fees by a master schedule resolution, said City Attorney Allen Glendenning.
• Approved improvements to the Water Treatment Plant’s ultra-violet disinfection system’s south channel at a cost of $147,344 from the Ray Lindsey Company of Belton, Mo. The system disinfects effluent before it flows into the Arkansas River.
• Approved a request from Sara Hayden to use the main hangar at the Great Bend Municipal Airport to host a wedding reception.
City Administrator Kendal Francis said he initially denied the request because the structure is not designed as a public-use venue.
• Heard a report from City Administrator Francis. He focused on the recently formed Quality of Life Committee, which has met once and is now seeking public input.
• Heard a report from Christina Hayes, community coordinator and Convention and Visitors Bureau director.
• Authorized parking arrangements for the annual Summer Street Stroll and Thursday food truck events.
Approved were parking reservations every Thursday from May 12- Oct. 20 and overnight parking space options on Main, Lakin and Kansas to accommodate the food trailers on May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15 and Oct. 20.
• Approved a cereal malt beverage license for N-Stant Convenience, 10th and Harrison. The business had reapplied due to change in management.
• Approved abatements for trash and refuse at:
3114 Lakin Ave., Kevin and Gina Benker; 2415 11th St., Bruce and Christina Ball; 2107 30th St., Carolyn Stacey Farris; 30 1 Hickory St., Stephens Properties LLC.; 1709 16th St., Diana Hejny; 221 Holland St., Hector Dominguez; 1514 Park Ave., Jacqueline Urban; 3118 18th St., Ramirez Construction LLC., 1411 18th St., Kristy Straub; and 1923 Adams St., Marcia Melton.
• Approved an abatement for a vehicle nuisance at 1615 16th, Kenton Grauerholz.
Reversing an earlier decision by City Administrator Kendal Francis, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved a request from Sara Hayden to use the main hangar at the Great Bend Municipal Airport to host her wedding reception on Oct. 15, noting that such use adds another venue in the city’s arsenal to attract large events.
“If we allow it for one person, then we set a precedent and must allow it for everyone,” Francis said. He initially denied the request because the structure is not designed as a public-use venue.
The city leases that hangar to its fixed-based operator to provide a service to airport patrons, which should be the primary goal, he said. “We should not allow activities that detract from that service or in any way contribute to decreasing that level of service.”
The city’s lease with FBO Coulson Aviation requires council approval for the sub-leasing the facility by Coulson, he said.
However, Hayden and her fiancee Curtis Arnberger were present to plead their case.
“There are very few venues that can accommodate a wedding with 500 people,” Hayden said. And, those that could, like the Great Bend Events Center or the Expo Complex, are booked.
And, the two thought they had a site reserved but were told the venue had to cancel their reservation as they were double booked.
Without this option, they would be forced to go outside the area. They don’t want to do this since it would inconvenience guests who live around here.
And, “we both have family ties here,” she said. “We have guests coming from 13 states and we are excited to show off our hometown.”
Arnberger said they will fence off the area to contain the festivities, offer security and liability insurance, and provide bathrooms. They would also have parking attendants and pay for any damage to the grassed parking areas. The airport would remain open and there would be no disruption to its operations.
Arnberger also said they have a letter of support from Coulson Aviation. They are willing to shuffle planes to other hangars if necessary.
The company also sees this as another possible revenue stream for them. Using this agreement as a model, they may block out times of the year when the building could be used.
“I am not trying to ask for special treatment here,” Hayden said. “We have no intention of being disrespectful of the facility.”
“Why don’t we think about giving this a try?” said Ward 2 Councilwoman Jolene Biggs. “I think we should look outside of the box.”
Since other city-owned facilities are being booked regularly, perhaps another option is needed, she said. Besides, the airport isn’t as busy as it has been and the chance of getting passenger service back is unlikely.
Now, outside of Airfest which takes place every three years, there isn’t a lot of demand to use the airport, Ward 3 Councilman Cory Urban said. He, along with most on the council, supported the idea.
But, Ward 4 Councilman Brock McPherson offered some concerns. He sits on the Airport Advisory Council and at its most recent meeting, opposed the move.
“The hangar is for storage. It is leased for that,” he said.
In the end, the council OKed the proposal, with the caveat it meets all Transportation Safety Administration and Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.
Other issues to be considered included standardized pricing and requirements, as well as making sure fair and equitable access to all city facilities is available.
