During each Great Bend City Council meeting, city administrator Howard Partington lists the activities and accomplishments of various city departments. Below is a recap of that report from this past Monday.
Engineering
• Received notification from KDOT that the City’s application to the FY2014 KLINK Resurfacing Program through the Kansas Department of Transportation was approved. The value of this award is a maximum of $200,000.
This is a state/city partnership with the state providing 50 percent of the cost for street maintenance. KLINK stands for “connecting links” and involves city streets that also carry a state highway designation.
• The Architect Selection Committee received interest from 15 architects regarding the Convention Center renovations. The Committee met and developed a shortlist of four firms to be interviewed. These interviews are scheduled to occur this  afternoon.
Police Department
• Officer Jefferson Davis and Susie Guenther attended the Suicide Prevention Task Force meeting at the Health Department, Guenther attended the Child Abuse Prevention Education meeting at Great Bend Middle School, and Davis and Officer Brian Dougherty presented training on school shootings”.
• On Aug. 14, officers attended a class on “DUI Enforcement Violations” hosted by the Attorney General’s Office.
Street Department
• Sprayed Lischesky ditch for bindweed, school zone lights were turned on, and mowing started on the levee.
Sanitarian
• There have been 663 complaints year to date: 34 new complaints (14 from citizens and 20 reported by staff); 30 complaints completed by citizens; eight abatement notices sent; three abatements performed; and nine cars removed.
Park Department
• The annual Bark at the Waterpark on Saturday was very successful.
Fire Department/
Emergency Medical Services
• All personnel participated in Dive Training at Big Ben Lake
• All ground ladders and aerial ladder were tested and passed.
Administration
• Christina Hayes, community coordinator, said she assisted and promoted Summer Sidewalk Sale on July 28, many stores said sales were up 20 percent while others said it was not a good year for the sale. Children’s activities with the Great Bend Panthers didn’t go over well and will be reviewed for next year.
• Hayes also worked with the Great Bend Tribune to further develop the Summer Street Stroll and created event on Aug. 9 during which the Tribune gave away 425 ice cream sundaes. There was also free popcorn, kids’ activities and many stores were open late for Thank-You Thursdays. She said it was a great turnout and a greata opportunity to show partnership among city, school and businesses.
•  Officials continued to work with Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge and the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau to develop signage for Cheyenne Bottoms.