It’s going to be a case of daja vu at the Great Bend Sports Complex May 29 and 30 as Great Bend hosts another big baseball and softball tourney. This time it will be the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 1-2A State Baseball and Softball Tournament.
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said this tournament is operated by Great Bend and she needs extra volunteers at the games. Those wanting to help can contact the Great Bend Recreation Commission at 620-793-3755 or Hayes at 620-793-4111.
This follows the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Baseball and Softball Tournament April 30-May 3.
Great Bend landed the high school tournament due to scheduling conflicts at other locations. Hayes said if Great Bend makes a good impression on organizers, they could bring it back next year.
The KCAC signed a two-year contract with the city. That tournament will, for sure, come back next spring.
This information was part of City Administrator Howard Partington’s bi-weekly departmental update. Other highlights included:

 Police
• Officer Jefferson Davis presented the summer Youth Academy to all sixth and seventh grade students in Great Bend. Applications are now being accepted.
• D.A.R.E. essay winners and students enrolled in America’s Promise attended the annual Fly Day this past Saturday at the Great Bend Muncipal Airport, coordinated by Davis.
• Chris Rowland was hired as a new Police Officer.
 
Public Works
• Street - mowing season has started.
• Water Division - cleaned storm lines that flow into Veterans Memorial Lake.
• Sanitarian: 458 year to date complaints, 49 new complaints (14 by citizens and 35 by Staff), 44 complaints completed by citizens, seven abatement notices sent and 21 cars brought into compliance.

Fire/EMS/Inspection
• Reviewed quotes for the new burn building (for firefighter practice) at Fire Station 2. Eakin Ready Mix of Great Bend had the lowest quote and will start work within two weeks.
• Chief Mike Napolitano worked with Gail Moeder and the Barton County officials to allow a fireworks display at Camp Hope which will be held June 19 at Barton Community College. The County Commission approved the display Monday morning.
• City Inspector Lee  Schneider continues to work on the demolition of the building at Forest and Williams, the old opera house that has started to crumble. The building has already been declared unsafe for use.

Administration
• Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said she is finalizing the 2014 June Jaunt Marketing plans working to ensure that registrations and information can get out to the public.
• Hayes continues to work with the SeaPort Airlines marketing team to set up a marketing plan and get the open house ready. At this point, the SeaPort open house is set for 1 p.m. June 17. This would be open to the public, and council members were encouraged to attend.
• City Clerk Amit Patel said us the auditors were onsite for the City’s 2013 Audit. Most of the work was completed onsite. They will complete offsite work and will be in contact once they are ready to over findings.