A staffing change at Brit Spaugh Zoo will impact the hours of the facility’s Raptor Center, which serves as the main entry point for the zoo, Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington told the City Council Monday night.
Brit Spaugh’s curator Marge Bowen has submitted her resignation effective at the end of the week. Bowen headed up the zoo’s animal care and filled in for Director Scott Gregory when he was away.
So, in order to effectively utilize remaining staff during December, January and February, the Raptor Center and gift shop will be opened only on weekends, Partington said.
He stressed that the zoo will remain open regular hours, but the entrance will be through the gate to the north of the Raptor Center. This is a return to what was in place prior to the center’s construction.
Although inconvenient, Partington said these three months see the lowest attendance at the zoo.
These remarks were part of Partington’s update on city departmental activities which he gives at each council meeting. Other highlights include:
Public Works
• Helped put up Christmas lights.
• Constructing interior roads with milling at the zoo.
• Trimmed low hanging tree branches on Lakin and Forest streets that were hitting street sweeper.
• Doing Manhole inventory in the city.
• Sanitarian: 1,221 year-to-date complaints, four new complaints (three by citizens and one by staff), 20 complaints completed by citizens, six abatement notices sent, four abatements performed and four cars into compliance.
Police
• Nov. 5 – I Make A Difference October party – Ellinwood.
• Nov. 13 – America’s Promise event at the Walnut Bowl.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• City Inspector Lee Schneider is reviewing plans for the building Hazmat Response is constructing next to Fire Station 2 on West 10th Street.
• Schneider conducted final inspection at the office building at Great Bend Regional Hospital
• Working with Airport Manager Martin Miller to prepare for airport inspection this week
• Held its annual award banquet where firefighter Lucas McNally was recognized as firefighter of the year.
• Chief Mike Napolitano attended a week long class “Healthcare Leadership for Mass Casualty Incidents” along with representatives from Great Bend Regional
Administration
• Trail of lights dates for greeters are full, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes reported. They have greeters at Brit Spaugh from 6-9 p.m. from Nov. 30-Dec. 22. Greeters will take donations for the lights displays, give out holiday goodie bags, and track license tag data on each car.
• Explore Great Bend month is coming along nicely as well as the Holiday events, Christina will give further details in tonight’s report.
• The Great Bend Zoological Society has asked for Coordinator’s help in marketing a big event that is coming in October of next year. There is a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Zoo Meeting Room.