At Monday night’s Great Bend City Council meeting, City Administrator Howard Partington gave an update on the activities of various city departments in the past couple weeks. Below is a recap of some of the highlights.
Street Department
• Continued to paint pavement markings, milled blow-ups (heat-related ruptures in asphalt streets) around town, repaired senior center parking lot, and replaced flap gate by north Main Street bridge.
Water Department
• Video inspected 2,000 feet of sewer line for the town of Alden.
• Repaired fire hydrant at 24th & main.
City Sanitarian
• 566 complaints year to date, 34 new complaints (16 by citizens and 18 by staff), 50 complaints completed by citizens, 10 abatement notices sent, nine abatements performed and 16 vehicles removed.
Police Department
• Officer Jefferson Davis and Officer Brian Dougherty attended Kansas Juvenile Officer’s Association Conference in Lawrence.
• Detective Ryan Bieberle attended Practical Homicide Investigation Training in Lawrence.
• Officer Randy Cornwell joined the Police Department and is currently in training.
• Officer Jacob Harlow is attending D.A.R.E. Officer’s Training in Pierre, S.D.
Engineering Department
• Performed intersection studies in response to requests for the consideration of stop sign placement at 18th and Baker and 11th and Heizer.
• The Veterans Lake Consultant Selection Committee decided to forgo pursuing the “Cyanobacteria Mitigation Plan and Stormwater Study” through the Clean Water Neighbor Grant Program due to timing considerations. This would have been a $10,000 grant and the project would have looked at ways to lessen the blue-green algae problem at the lake.
• Met with several architects to discuss the current quote requests for architectural services for the Convention Center. Coordinated with the City Attorney and conducted several site tours of the existing facility. Statements of qualifications are due to the City on Friday, July 27.
• Conducted construction observation of the waterline relocation at the bridge on US 281 at the north City Limits. The Kansas Department of Transportation has the bridge replacement programmed for construction next summer.
• Issued a letter to local contractors that perform concrete work reiterating the requirement for a permit to be obtained to remove and replace sidewalks within the community. Lately there has been an issue with some contractors performing this type of work without a permit. The City’s Code of Ordinances indicates that a permit “is required” for the removal and replacement of sidewalks.
Fire/EMS Department
• Mark Orth is working with Joe Tracy at the water company on hydrant software program.
• Partington met with members of the Pawnee Rock Fire Department to discuss mutual aid procedure.
• Gave presentation to the Barton College sports training program on EMS response to sport accidents.
Community Coordinator
• Started on the Great Bend Shopping and Dining Guide to have for promotions.
• Continuing to work on Airfest planning and collaboration for “Bikes, Bombers and Butterilies Weekend” in Great Bend.
• Lining up media for upcoming promotions and Summer Sidewalk Sale.
• Hosted Retailer Roundtable Meeting, 13 were present. “Thirsty Thursdays” name will be changed to “Thank You Thursdays” as voted on by retailers both present and through e-mail, Holiday planning was started, and Summer Sidewalk Sale will feature Great Bend High School golf, dance and madrigals to help entertain kids while parents shop in the stores.
• Spoke to Noon Lions Club about position and upcoming events, 29 people were present.
• Planned and co-facilitated the Summer Street Stroll Fashion Show that featured the market vendors and stores that stay open late on Thursdays.
• Changed out information on the Kiosks at the Great Bend Sports Complex for the State Hap Dumont Tournament.