In his biweekly report to the Great Bend City Council Monday night, City Administrator Howard Partington said he, Human Resource Director Terry Hoff and Park Superintendent Scott Keeler met with Stephanie and Chad Boone regarding the automated, set-to-music Christmas displays that the council discussed at budget time. “We are very excited with the new display that will be added to the area in the north part of Jack Kilby Square,” he said.
The Boones will set up the display and take it down, and all the city has to do is store it.
Other report highlights included:
Public Works
• Replaced valley gutter and installed Americans with Disabilities Act ramps at 26th and Gano.
• Repaired asphalt entrance to the Senior Center.
• Patched areas at the Airport next to new concrete by the terminal.
• Director Charlie Suchy is working with City Engineer Rob Winiecke on the Blizzard Energy water study.
• Sanitarian reported 1,106 year to date complaints, 43 new complaints (22 by citizens, 21 by staff), 44 complaints completed by citizens, 12 abatement notices sent, seveb abatements performed and one car brought into compliance.
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• Sent five firefighters to Hays for annual ladder drill training
• Captain Luke McCormick, and firefighters Lucas McNally and Nick Maddy represented the department at the 911 memorial stair climb in Kansas City.
• Fire Prevention Committee met with school officials to present to them this year’s program which includes a live fire.
Permits issued for August: Building, 36; plumbing, 17; electrical, 12; mechanical, 18; and signs, 3
EMS responses for July, 14
Fire responses for July, 31
Police
• Sept. 12 – Officer Jefferson Davis and Officer Jacob Harlow did the “True Lies” presentation at the Great Bend Middle School.
• Davis did the “Noise” presentation for the Association of National Retired Federal Employees and the Association of Retired School personnel.
• Davis also assisted with practicing the lock down drill at Eisenhower School.
Administration
• Hayes and Partington met with Alicia Lear of Harper Camperland and they are donating the use of RV’s of the Music in the Park event.
• Airport manager Martin Miller, Human Resource Manager Terry Hoff and Partington met to discuss repairs to electrical systems at the airport. Miller has worked hard to find partners to help us with the costs.
• City Attorney Bob Suelter purchased 12 eight-foot rectangular and 22 six-foot rectangular tables for the convention center.
The last Summer Street Stroll of the season took place last week on a rainy Thursday evening at the Barton County Courthouse Square. But, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the Great Bend City Council Monday night the vendors still sold all of their fresh produce.
Hayes said that even though the showers forced the canceling of the free movie “Rudy,” all to attended enjoyed the experience. However, next year they may end the weekly farmers market and monthly movies at the end of August instead of continuing into September because of the unpredictable weather and other conflicts.
Also related to the Street Stroll, Hayes said the State of Kansas audited the market. “We passed with flying colors.”
In addition, Great Bend was part of a pilot program to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to senior citizens, and over $1,200 extra dollars were shared in the Thursday night market due to this program, Hayes said. Barton County Health Department Educator Janel Rose headed up that program and gave the market great reviews.
Looking down the road, Hayes said she is beginning preparations for Explore Great Bend Month in November. There are 10 different businesses are already signed up to be part of the $1,000 first-place giveaway, and $250 second place.
The money will be spent only at participating businesses, she said. Last year was a great success and winners are drawn after the Holiday Parade.
Speaking of the parade, it is set for Nov. 30 and the theme is “All I want for Christmas is…” Stores decided to start a window decorating contest to include the whole city, with businesses, churches, organizations and more.
Hayes also gave an update on last weekend’s “Mad About Monarchs” event at the Wetlands Education Center. She said there were 150 participants, half children and half adults.
That was less than last year when 300 took part. In 2012, it was on what was dubbed “Bikers, Bombers and Butterflies” weekend when there were multiple events that drew people to the area.
But, center Director Curtis Wolf said monarch tagging was still a success since, despite the smaller turnout, more butterflies were tagged.
