Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington advised the City Council Monday night that the Kansas City property developer wanting to build a new subsidized apartment complex in Great Bend is still interested in the project.
Matt Gillam of Overland Property Group called last week to give an update on their intention to file an application for housing tax credits again this year, Partington said. The council will have a resolution of support on the next agenda Jan. 6.
Overland Property Group is looking to build their complex on Grant Street just south of the Comfort Inn motel. They had planned to develop the project earlier this year but could not get the tax credits they needed to make the endeavor work for them.
This was one of the highlights of Partington’s update to the council. Other items included:
 Public Works
 • Sanitarian: 1,222 year to date complaints, two new complaints (one by citizen and one by staff), 22 complaints completed by citizens, one abatement performed and seven cars brought into compliance.
Police
 • Officer’s Michael Bradley, Heather McLemore and Amber Quinn graduated from Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Hutchinson.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• The fire department opened bids for an ambulance. The low bid came from Osage Industries of Linn, Mo., for $157,474. A trade-in will reduce that cost. Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said the purchase was already in the department budget and it’s been saving for this for two years.
The GBFD has four ambulances and trades them in on a rotating basis every two or three years.
• Five firefighters/emergency medical technicians completed EMT class and are now preparing for state testing
Administration
• Community Coordinator Christina Hayes is working with United Way of Central Kansas, the Great Bend Tribune and Be Well Barton County to create a bike, run, walk event that will take place on Jan. 2. “Light To Unite” will be traveling through Great Bend so that the participants get to see the lights for another aspect and the idea is to decorate themselves and glow. All will benefit the Local United Way.
• A little over 3,000 bags have been given away at the Trail of Lights so far. “Greeters have done a wonderful job collecting donations and spreading the Christmas Cheer,” Partington said. This past weekend, Clasen Carriage Rides had a successful weekend taking people through the park and they will be there this next Friday and Saturday as well.