As the area has been inundated with rain of late, the City of Great Bend has remained relatively unscathed, City Administrator Howard Partington told the City Council Monday night, due in large part to the levee system encircling the community.
“The flood control project is working well,” he said during his update on city activities. So far, it has protected the city from the Arkansas River, and the Dry Walnut and Wet Walnut creeks.
“The project completed in the mid 90s has proved be work all that was invested in it at the time,” he said.
On a flood-related note, Public Works Department crews set up high water signs in areas around town on Saturday, July 27, and again this past Sunday, due to heavy rain. They also closed the low water crossing on the levee several time due to the rain
In addition, on Sunday city employees cleaned culverts at 16th Street and 281 bypass that were not draining due to the rain.
The Water Division on Sunday put sandbags around the Great Bend Municipal Airport lift stations, 22nd and McCormick lift station and Primus lift station on North Main, and monitored water conditions.
Video inspections of all culverts on flood control levee were done for the city engineer.
Other highlights of Partington’s report included:
 
Fire/EMS/Inspection
•  Participated in emergency personnel recognition day at Waters True Value
•  Crews conducted a preplan tour of Red Barn and High Rise
•  Hosted Bus extrication training

Public Works
•  Helped with Youth Academy Reunion.
•   ADA ramp at 26th and Morton
•  Painted street marking for all RR crossings
•  Reset crosswalk controller cabinet for Riley school on new pole
•  Trimmed trees from traffic signs in the NE part of town
•  Started replacing the concrete valleys on Lakin from Coolidge to Truman
•  Sanitarian: 930 year to date complaints, 84 new complaints ( 27 by citizens and 57 by staff), 73 complaints completed by citizens. Thirteen abatement notices sent, 16 abatements performed and 14 cars into compliance.

Police
•  Officer Jefferson Davis attended “Finding Words” training presented by the Child Advocacy Center.
•  Davis provided a tour of the Police Department for a group of children from the Great Bend Learning Center and the Center for Counseling.
•  Staff and detectives attended the Lee Turner Lectureship training at Barton Community College.
•  July 26 – 14th-annual City Youth Academy Reunion party at Walnut Bowl.
•  Two new police officers started work Monday – Heather McLemore and Amber Quinn.

Administration
•  Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said the Summer Sidewalk Sale went very well this year for participating retailers. Retailers said a number of things helped factor in the success: Cool weather and the Make A Movement Event at the Square (a fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center). Overall, retailers were very satisfied with sales and reported their highest weekend volume had in a long time, increased sales and lots of customers in their businesses.
•  Hayes is working on the next Summer Street Stroll outdoor movie to take place on Aug. 15 with a classic musical as the theme. The Great Bend Tribune will have its ice cream social during the evening, and City of Great Bend and Waters True Value will provide free popcorn, lemonade, watermelon and lollipops for during the show which will start around 9:15 p.m.
•  Back to School Stores Pay the Sales Tax sale will take place Aug. 10, promotions have been scheduled and marketing plan is in place.
•  The Budget Worksession was held on July 24.