Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jan Peters told the City Council Monday night Great Bend is indeed a great place.
“In the month of April, I have been more proud to be from Great Bend than at any time ever,” she said during her monthly economic development report. She referred the numerous events that have taken place in the past several weeks.
The first-ever Farm and Ranch Expo was a success. Although all the numbers have yet to be tabulated, “it came out better than expected,” she said of the show which ran April 2-4.
Promoted by Darren Dale of Bird City, the event replaced the biennial 3i Show which ceased alternating between here and Garden City so the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association can be permanently stage it in Dodge City.
More recently, “April 28 was an amazing day to be in Great Bend, Kan.,” she said. That was the day of the Jack Kilby statue dedication that brought dignitaries, including the governor, and Kilby family members to town, many of who didn’t want to leave.
“It was truly a magical night,” she said.
Peters also said she’s been working with four different business prospects looking at locating here and discussed the progress on the Golden Belt Cinema Six complex. Bank of the West will move into its new location in mid July and that’s when the old bank building will be razed to make room for the theater.
In addition, she mentioned the next job fest May 17 and the upcoming June Jaunt June 1-3.
In other business, the council:
• Learned there are openings on the city’s various boards and commissions as of May 1. In most cases, those currently serving are eligible for reappointment, but a handful are not. Mayor Mike Allison will begin making the appointments soon and council members were asked to submit names of possible candidates. For information, contact the city at 620-793-4111.
• Approved abatement resolutions for five Great Bend properties. They are: 1107 Fifth St. owned Ciro and Primpiba Guerra for accumulation of refuse; 337 Frey owned by Julie Braymer for graffiti; 1215 VanBuren owned by Evelyn Klusener for accumulation of refuse; 1422 Holland owned by Brian and Stacy Boy for accumulation of refuse; and 2506 Gano owned by Evelyn Medlock for accumulation of refuse.
So far this year, there have been 271 messy property complaints filed, 48 properties taken care of by owners, 14 abatement notices sent out and three abatements performed by city crews. Thirteen vehicles have also been removed.
• City Sanitarian Gregg Vannoster said the city impound auction is set for June 8 and he already has 10 impounded vehicles that will for sale. There will also be other surplus city property on the auction block.
• Set the schedule for the budget planning process. There will be an all-day tour of facilities June 15, agency presentations following the council meeting June 4, a goals session following the meeting June 18, a budget workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 11, and a public budget hearing prior to the meeting Aug. 6.
• Learned the Great Bend Fire Department aerial truck assisted with a recent fire at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building in Ellsworth. Great Bend has an agreement with Ellsworth, Hays and Russell to share aerial fire-fighting capabilities.
• Learned there was a reason for the top caps of fire hydrants to be painted different colors. The colors indicate the water volume firefighters can expect out of the hydrant which aides them when they arrive at the scene of a blaze.
• Were told the new drop slide at the Water Park has been completed. Opening day for the pool is May 26 and Paige Achatz is returned as the aquatics director.