With the final numbers yet to be crunched, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said the recently concluded Melting Pot Month was a huge success. Her update was part of City Administrator Howard Partington’s report to the City Council Monday night.
Hayes indicated that officials at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center were happy with the turn-out at the Mad about Monarchs event Sept. 14. KWEC is happy with the turnout, people who attended had a wonderful time
Those involved with the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association drag races Sept. 21 said there were not a lot of extra people there, but they were happy to have the marketing exposure and be part of the overall picture.
The Party In the Park, also Sept. 21, received excellent reviews, she said. Comments from participants included “it’s about time Great Bend hosts something like this,” “this is Just what Great Bend needed,”  and “Our whole family had a ball, can’t wait for next year.”
The Benefit Bull Ride had around 550 people in attendance and the Big Bend Bike Rally set a record with around 3,200 through the gates. The motocross shootout was an excellent addition for their event.
As for the Renaissance Faire, Hayes said organizers were pleased with the new location (at Brit Spaugh Park) and loved the time of year. They liked being a part of the event-packed month.
She also said the Explore Great Bend pins were a new concept introduced and urged people not to throw them away. She is working on some pin benefits through the holidays.
Other highlights of Partington’s report included:
Police
 • Officers Jefferson Davis and Jacob Harlow completed a practice lockdown drill at Jefferson School and Officer Davis completed ones at GB Middle School and Lincoln School.
• Sept. 19 – America’s Promise event at Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo.
• Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Jefferson elementary schools had their D.A.R.E. bowling parties.
• Oct. 4 – America’s Promise participated in the Homecoming Parade. Officers assisted with the Homecoming Parade.
• Officer Chason Lueth graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Hutchinson.
Engineering
• Held a bid opening for the Veterans Memorial Park Walking Path Improvements Project on Sept. 24.  The low bid was from Suchy Construction for $12,877.20. The city will use $5,000 from Barbara Bushnell Trust on this project as well.
 • On Oct. 4, received notification from Kansas Department of Transportation that the city’s application for a FY2015 KLINK project was awarded funding. This project will occur along US 56 between Main and Frey streets, and along US 281 between 24th Street and the north city limits. KDOT will provide funding for 50 percent of the actual total participating costs up to a maximum amount of $200,000.
• Venture Corporation began work Monday on the 2013 Residential Street Program.
Public Works
• Updated signs at Vet’s Park and Stone Lake. These included “No Wading” and “No Swimming.”
• Installed ADA ramp at the northeast corner of 21st and Jefferson.
• Painted parking stalls at the convention center.
• Moved bleachers for motocross races.
• Sanitarian: 1,184 year to date complaints, 78 new complaints (15 per citizens and 63 per staff), 84 complaints completed by citizens, 11 abatement notices sent, 10 abatements performed and 13 cars into compliance.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• Fire personnel have started visiting schools for Fire Prevention.
• Started recruit training new firefighter/emergency medical technician, Nathaniel Florian.
Administration
• Hayes is working on gathering Trail of Lights volunteers for the month of December, gathering information and coupons for the Trail of Lights goodie bags, and gathering holiday events for the holiday brochure that is distributed for November and December.
• Human Resources Director Terry Hoff and Partington met with a citizen who had recommendations for Veterans Memorial Park. Partingting said city officals want Vets Park is the place to go for many purposes. “We will be reviewing his recommendations and thoughts.”
• On Monday, Mayor Mike Allison, Chamber of Commerce President Jan Peters and Partington conducted a community tour for Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary Pat George. George also attended and spoke to the Rotary Club at noon.