At Monday night’s Great Bend City Council meeting, City Administrator Howard Partington gave an update on the activities of various city departments in the past couple weeks. Below is a summary of some of the highlights.
Public Lands
• The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has informed the city that they will institute the trout stocking program at Stone Lake after the first of the year. The city has not been informed of any changes to the status of Veteran’s Memorial Lake which has long been plagued by a blue-green algae problem. Vet’s was upgraded from a warning status to an advisory status approximately one month ago.
The reason KDWPT is moving the stocking to Stone is due to the algae at Vet’s.
Engineering
• Held a pre-construction meeting with L&M Contractors of Great Bend on Nov. 28 to discuss the work schedule for the work at the sports Complex. L&M Contractors will begin work on this project this week. On Nov. 5, the council accepted the low bid from L&M for $114,866.50 to expand the parking lot at the complex.
Fire/EMS
• All members participated in live burn training at Station 2 with the University of Kansas Burn trailer.
• Two new Volunteers have completed initial training.
• Hosted the Barton County Chiefs training meeting at Station 2.
Public Works
• Patched asphalt joints on hike and bike path and on concrete low water crossing west of Patton Road.
• Removed pipe at north end of parking lot at Baker and 12th.
• Set up parade route detour for the Christmas Parade.
• Mixed salt and sand in preparation for winter weather.
• Started crack sealing on 10th between Washington and Heizer.
• Quick video inspection for the City of Hoisington.
• Started water meter testing training.
• Sanitarian reports 948 year to date complaints, six new complaints (three by citizens and three by staff), 33 complaints completed by citizens, seven abatement notices sent, five abatements performed and 18 vehicles removed.
Police
• Eisenhower, Lincoln, and Jefferson Schools held D.A.R.E. Graduations
• The D.A.R.E. truck took part in the Home for the Holiday Parade
• Nov. 26 - Officer Jefferson Davis and Officer Brian Dougherty did a “True Lies/Bullying” presentation for Juvenile Intake
• Nov. 29 - I Make A Difference party winner - Holy Family School
Administration
• Completed November’s Explore Great Bend Promotion and stores reported great success and the idea caught on. One Store reported doubling their Black Friday Sales on Saturday, and others said that the themes of the month actually got people in the store to make purchases. The $1,000 winner was Christi Thompson from Hoisington and $250 winner was Judy Foster from Great Bend. Great weather and lots to do helped get the people out for Nov. 24 activities and the parade. City will air parade on Cox Channel 20 starting this week.
• Community Coordinator Christina Hayes is continuing to promote December holiday events, Santa’s Magic Mailbox promotion and Thank You Thursdays are the promotional push for December. Stores will be open until at least 7 p.m. for Thank You Thursdays in December. The Retail Roundtable will decide next week if Thank You Thursdays should continue into the New Year.
• Mayor Mike Allison and Partington visited the Hutchinson Convention Center and toured the Meridian Center in Newton on Friday. “This was a very valuable tour,” Partington said. He said they got a lot of good ideas they could incorporate into the development of the Great Bend Convention Center.