In other business Monday night, the City Council:
• Approved annual fire contracts with Great Bend, Buffalo, South Bend, and Liberty townships. The rates remain the same as last year, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. The annual Fire Protection contract amounts are:
Great Bend Township – $47,618
Liberty Township – $14,329
South Bend Township – $21,777
Buffalo Township – $23,819
Napolitano said the fees, which are set by a formula that considers the township’s valuation and fire department usage, are set every five years. This is year five so adjustments will likely be made for the 2016 contracts.
• Heard a report from Community Coordinator Christina Hayes. She outlined numerous activities planned for 2015, including Run the Runway (a fundraiser for the air show) on March 27, the KCAC baseball/softball tournament April 29-31, the KSHSAA baseball/softball tournament May 27-30, June Jaunt June 5-7, Party in the Park Aug. 8 and the air show sometime in September. “I’m feeling really good about 2015,” Hayes said.
• Approved a request for a tree trimmer license from Ark Valley Tree Service out of Larned.
• Approved an abatement at 300 Buckeye St., owned by Domingo Villarreal Jr., for accumulation of refuse.
Technically, the City of Great Bend’s ordinance banning parking on sidewalks is a zero-tolerance one. But, over the years, an unwritten rule softening that stance has evolved.
That approach was addressed at the City Council meeting Monday night at the request of First Ward Councilman Matt Hiss. He has received complaints from constituents about vehicles on sidewalks.
“If you have room, stay off the sidewalks,” Hiss said. “They should have some pride in their community.”
He was also concerned about damage being done to the concrete. “We have to protect our infrastructure.”
Great Bend Police Capt. Bob Robinson said the guidelines the police department now follows were passed by the council 20 years ago. Under these, officers will only investigate a vehicle on a sidewalk if there is a citizen complaint and only issue a ticket if there isn’t enough room for a handicapped person to pass using a wheelchair or walker.
City Administrator Howard Partington is serving as acting police chief and after much discussion on the matter asked for guidance from the council. If council members wanted the zero-tolerance enforced, he’s see to it.
Councilman Wayne Henneke said he’d much rather see the police department spend its time fighting drugs and maintaining public safety. “I think this (sidewalk parking) is a waste of the police department’s time.”
In the end, everyone agreed the problem shouldn’t be ignored. The council reaffirmed its 20-year-old stand, but emphasized the need for residents to step forward and take action by reporting violations.
“We all need to be educated,” Councilwoman Allene Owen said. It was Owen who put forth the motion to “educate and encourage the citizens of Great Bend to turn in any violations.”
This can be done anonymously by calling the police department or online. On the city’s website, there is a “report a concern” tab.
Clicking this tab opens up a menu allowing someone to file a wide verity of complaints, Robinson said. City officials have three days to respond to the complaint via email with a report on what is being done.
