The Great Bend City Council Monday night authorized city administrators to proceed with the project to install artificial turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex, contingent upon the effort being approved by the Unified School District 428 School Board.
The council also set a maximum amount for the project of $1,589,440, and authorized it to go out for bids. The bid deadline is March 19 and the issue will again be on the council agenda April 5.
This is a collaboration between the city, USD 428 and the Great Bend Recreation Commission to the turf on the infields and bullpens of the four sports complex softball and baseball fields and Langrehr Field, City Administrator Kendal Francis said. At a Feb. 16 work session, the council heard a presentation on the work and gave its consensus to move forward and that was finalized with Monday night’s vote.
A three-way split
The budget estimate for the project is $1.59 million, Francis said.
Based on that total, the GBRC voted on Feb. 19 to approve $200,000 for the initial installation, as well as yearly turf maintenance.
“We support the project wholly,” GBRC Director Diann Henderson said, addressing the council. “We are excited to support the city.”
The improvements will have economic benefits, improve athlete safety and bring more business to the already quality facility.
She did say quality of the product used for the project was key to the Rec Commission’s continued backing of the endeavor.
USD 428 has proposed providing $280,000 towards the project. The school board will make a final decision at its March 8 meeting.
“Our board understands the importance of the partnership with the city,” USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said during the meeting Monday night. He said passage was likely, but he just needed to take the additional information back to school officials.
The balance of the funds will be provided by the city. “The city needs to take the lead. It is our facility,” Francis said, noting he has visited with school and GBRC representatives.
He said the total cost may be reduced based on final bid.
Going out for bids
As for the next step, “We had proposed using a cooperative purchasing agreement through Greenbush Educational Service Center’s purchasing cooperative,” Francis said. “However, we have received substantial interest from local contractors and vendors statewide.”
It was initially suggested Austin, Texas-based Hellas Construction, which has a Wichita office, handle the installation.
Hellas Construction proposed a trio of options from the $1.4 million for turf on the five baseball and softball infields and bullpens to $3.5 million for an upgraded package. Great Bend opted for the smaller package, with the addition of a $100,000 option to include heat-control measures and bullpen concrete improvements.
The turf will last 12-15 years, Francis said. Heavy traffic areas may need more frequent replacement, but that is part of what GBRC would handle.
Great Bend will also set aside some $60,000 each year for maintenance on the fields.
It was noted that the low bid may not be the best bid. Francis said the bid specifications are pretty strict to weed out any fly-by-night contractors.
“We want a quality product,” Francis said. “We want to protect ourselves.
Great Bend City Council meeting at a glance
Here’s a quick look at what the Great Bend City Council did Monday night:
• Authorized city administrators to proceed with the project to install artificial turf at the Great Bend Sports Complex, contingent upon the effort being approved by the Unified School District 428 School Board.
The council also set a maximum amount for the project of $1,589,440 million, and authorized the it go out for bids.
This is a collaboration between the city, USD 428 and the Great Bend Recreation Commission to the turf on the infields and bullpens of the four sports complex softball and baseball fields and Langrehr Field.
At a Feb. 16 work session, the council heard a presentation on the work and gave its consensus to move forward. That was finalized Monday night.
The Rec Commission has already signed off on the project.
• Authorized Mayor Cody Schmidt to sign the agreement for a $600,000 community development block grant. The money will help fund improvements to an approximately 13 block section of Broadway between Polk and Morton Streets and the reconstruction of the intersection at 19th and Harrison.
The grant does require a local match for the project which is projected to be $692,800. However, city officials anticipate the actual amount being less as city staff will handle construction inspections, said City Administrator Kendal Francis.
• Held a 15-minute executive session to discuss pending litigation consultation with an attorney for the body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.
The council reconvened in open session and no action was taken.
• Heard an update on Sunflower Diversified Services transportation facility from Sunflower Executive Director Jon Prescott.
• Heard a report from City Administrator Kendal Francis. He focused on the impact of the recent cold snap and how it might impact consumers’ energy bills.
• Heard a report from Great Bend Economic Development Inc. President Sara Hayden. She focused on various projects her office has in the works such as a housing study, workforce development and finding a solution to the childcare shortage.
• Held a work session following the meeting to discuss issues related to a city engineer.
• Approved abatements at: 713 Holland, accumulation of trash and refuse, Mayra Contreras; 300 Walnut, accumulation of trash and refuse, Maria Galindo; 108 Maple, accumulation of trash and refuse, Daniel Lauber; 700 Baker, accumulation of trash and refuse, Anita Stos; 1123 Heizer, accumulation of trash and refuse, Linsey McHenry; 1447 17th accumulation of trash and refuse, Stacey Farris; 1301 Hubbard, accumulation of trash and refuse of Mark Sherman & Crystal Ellis 313 Maple accumulation of trash and refuse of Christopher Madrid 1501 Broadway accumulation of trash and refuse, Gregory and Lisa Richmeier; 1801 Hubbard, accumulation of trash refuse, ML0 Rentals; 520 Hubbard, accumulation of trash and refuse, Howard and Catherine Johnson; 2712 17th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Jack and Crystal Charles; 2710 19th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Moses Properties LLC.; 2815 20th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Stueder Rentals LLC.; 1919 Jefferson accumulation of trash and refuse, Janiece Walter; 2720 20th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Jose and Adriana Valdovinos; 1821 Van Buren, accumulation of trash and refuse, Shane Satterfield; 210 Baker, accumulation of trash and refuse, Francisco Ruiz; 436 cedar, accumulation of trash and refuse, Kevin Davison; 1912 8th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Gonzalo Canales-Escalante; 2516 11th, accumulation of trash and refuse, Kyle Walter; 2553 Russell Pkwy, accumulation of trash and refuse, Michael Estes and Kalla McKay; 1308 Morphy, accumulation of trash and refuse, Stacy Farris; 1320 1Oth, accumulation of trash and refuse, Juan Gonzalez and Adelita Diaz; 1100 Baker, accumulation of trash and refuse, Jacqueline Fletcher; 1318 Frey, accumulation of trash and refuse, Petra and Jose Garcia; 814 Morton, accumulation of trash and refuse, Peggy Wheeler; 915 Jefferson, motor vehicle nuisance, Tony Jones; 1113 9th, Motor Vehicle Nuisance, Al and Patricia Smith; 319 Grapevine, accumulation of trash and refuse, Mario Gonzalez; and 407 Grapevine, motor vehicle nuisance, Miguel Gonzalez.
