Great Bend City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a quick look at what the Great Bend City Council did Tuesday night:
• Approved permissions for the city’s annual Party in the Park.
• Discussed once again the idea of compensating council members in some fashion to encourage more people to run for office. There are mixed feelings about this on the council, and the matter will come up during a study session in the future.
• Heard a report from City Administrator Kendal Francis. He focused on the ongoing Community Development Block Grant project resurfacing Broadway Avenue. Venture Cooperation of Great Bend is still targeting completion by the end of July.
He also mentioned the city is still waiting on the Great Bend Public Library so the city can complete its audit. City officials have a budget set with finalized numbers, but can’t complete it until the audit is done.
• Approved a tree trimmer’s license for Ben Arensman, Kinsley, doing business as Arensman Services.
• Approved abatements at: 520 Odell St., vehicle nuisance, Thomas L. Pearson; 1801 Stone St., trash and refuse, Carolyn Stacey Farris; and 1821 Van Buren, trash and refuse, Shane Satterfield Revocable Trust.
• Heard an update on abatements thus far this year from Code Enforcement Officer Art Keffer.
As of last Tuesday: 1,250 properties have been written up: 398 overgrown vegetation violations; 593 trash and refuse violations; 149 motor vehicle violations; 20 unsafe structure violations; 90 other violations ranging from graffiti to traffic hazard reports and minimum housing violations.
Also, as of last Tuesday, the office had closed 61 properties this year.
Great Bend is set for the annual Party in the Park on Saturday, Aug. 13. Monday night, the Great Bend City Council approved key elements of the city-sponsored celebration held at Veterans Memorial Park.
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said events start at 8:30 a.m. with the obstacle mud run, and the Oozefest mud volleyball tournament starts at 9. The party will conclude with a Crash Dadeez kids concert (kids under 10 free with parent at 6:15 p.m. (concert gates open at 6), Fool House – The Ultimate 90s Dance Party at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. and the Kory Brunson Band concert (lead singer is originally from Great Bend) at 10:30 p.m.
The rest of the day will be busy as well. Activities include:
• 9:30 a.m.-noon – Paint in the Park, sun catcher mandalas
• 10 a.m. – Wet/Dry Parade on 17th St. Terrace
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Mega Kite Display
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m.– “Encanto” key hunt in park with Rana Luna (win an “Encanto” party for finding the key that fits the door in the park)
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m.– Optimist Kids Fun Zone (inflatables and water fun)
• 11:15 a.m. – Kiwanis Anything That Floats Race (she needs fun entries, just no boats. Cash prizes awarded)
• Noon – lunch with vendors
• 2 p.m. – car show starts hosted by the Central Kansas Shifters
• 3 p.m. – Froot Loop Eating Contest (kids, adult and teams)
The Great Bend Recreation Commission is sponsoring the mega kite demonstration by Great American Kites and the Oozefest mud volleyball tournament. The volleyball tournament is open to anyone 16 years of age or older. Registration is $75 per team and is through the GBRC.
Hayes said tickets to the concerts can be purchased at Party in the Park for $5 or at the gate for $10. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.
To pave the way, the council Monday night approved a host of permissions for the event, including:
• The closure and blocking off of McKinley Street and 17th Street Terrace starting at 9:50 a.m. to allow for the third Great Bend Wet/Dry Parade. This will run east down 17th Street Terrace. The first half will be dry, but at the end, those watching, who want to, can exchange water volleys with participants.
• The closure of 17th Street Terrace west of McKinley Street to White Sands Drive from after the parade to midnight to utilize for extra parking and to allow one-way traffic to be directed to the west. The street will be completely closed to all traffic (except to car show entries) from McKinley Street to the low road coming from the park.
Traffic will only be allowed to go one way through Vets Park at the north entrance and the exit on 17th Street Terrace.
• The discharge of fireworks in Vets on that day is by contracted officials only for the fireworks display starting around 10 p.m. The display will be set up on the south peninsula of the lake by the big shelter house. That area will be closed starting at 7 p.m. for safety and insurance purposes.
• Allowing non-street-legal cars that are affiliated with any car club to be able to preregister and travel no more than 12 blocks to get to the Party in the Park Car Show.
These cars will be parked for the duration of the car show and will be home before dark, especially if they don’t have working taillights or signals. Most of the cars will be trailered and delivered to the park, but there are a few that it’s just easier to drive down to the show.
• Allowing cereal malt beverages to be in the park for the day. The concerts will be over around 11:45 p.m.; however city personnel will still have some time to clear out the crowd and also allow staff time for cleaning up and taking down past midnight.
Spectators can bring in coolers with cereal-malt beverages; no bottles or glass. There will be security with the Great Bend Police Department and the American Legion Riders to check IDs of those that bring in the coolers.
• The discharging of a fireworks display on the south peninsula of the lake by the big shelter house, which will be closed to the public starting at 7 p.m. for preparation.
• To allow people to be in the park past midnight for cleanup.
The GBPD will help with traffic flow, parking and parade procedures.
Residents can show up for an activity or two, or can bring lawn chairs and coolers and make a day of it. “Party in the Park is planned and we are almost ready to pack the park,” Hayes said.
Dating back to 2013, the idea for the party stemmed from citywide festivals held in years gone by when citizens would gather in public places and celebrate summer, harvest or just the joys of living in a small town. Now, the city is bringing that vibe back.
City employees go all out for this. Many put in extra hours getting things ready or hanging around the day of to make sure it runs smoothly.
For more information, visit the Explore Great Bend Facebook page or email Hayes at chayes@greatbendks.net.
