The 2018 November election will mark the second year with city elections, and the earlier filing deadline. The Kansas Legislature made changes to remove the spring elections, partly because of lack of voter turnout.

Great Bend City Clerk Shawna Schafer reminds everyone that the filing deadline to run for the Great Bend City Council is noon on June 1.

Shawna Schafer Audio

Any candidate that files must pay a $20 application fee at the Barton County Clerk’s Office inside the Courthouse.

The City Councilmembers that served two years already and who will be up reelection if they choose to run again in November are: Vicki Berryman in Ward 1, Joel Jackson in Ward 2, Cory Zimmerman in Ward 3, and Brock McPherson in Ward 4.

To find out which ward you live in visit greatbendks.net.

After making safety improvements to the railroad crossing on 17^th Street Terrace in Great Bend last week, the City of Great Bend has approved upgrades to three more crossings.

Great Bend Engineering Tech Karl Otter says a crossing signal, flashing light straight post type gates will be installed at the Lakin Avenue, Forest Avenue, and Grant Street crossings.

Karl Otter Audio

The agreement with the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad Company and the State of Kansas leaves the City of Great Bend with no expense outside maintaining the pavement markings and the signage for the crossing.

Otter says the gates will be similar to the crossing at 8^th Street and Pine Street. The installation of the gates will not affect traffic since they will be off the roadway.

BOOKED: Tyler Schwager of Great Bend on Harvey County District Court warrant for failure to appear with no bond.

BOOKED: Lori N. Fiscus on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation with a bond of $20,000 C/S. Rice County District Court warrant for probation violation with a bond of $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Alexis Cruz of Garden City on Barton County District Court case per County Attorney.

RELEASED: Juan M. Bautista on Barton County cases after serving sentence.

RELEASED: Jeffrey M. Compten on Hoisington PD battery case on an 18-hour OR bond.

RELEASED: Tyler G. Schwager to Harvey County Sheriff’s Office.

RELEASED: Robert Crawford of Great Bend posted a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding on BCDC case for driving while suspended and no turn signal.

And the color will be…gray and black. The Great Bend City Council decided on the new style and color for the carpet replacement at the Great Bend Events Center.

In an ongoing effort to revamp the Events Center over the last two-plus years, the City will have Kustom Floor Designs install the carpet and tile in August.

Great Bend Community Coordinator and CVB Director Christina Hayes says there will a 12-foot outline of tile around the whole main room at the Events Center for cleaning purposes.

Christina Hayes Audio

The City originally had 10 companies interested in the bidding process, and the CVB committee narrowed the list to three finalists. Sutherlands submitted a bid for $119,000, Millers of Claflin came in at $117,000, and Kustom Floor’s bid was $99,000. The City Council voted 8-0 to approve the bid from Kustom Floor.

The carpet will be installed as squares with easy cleaning in mind.

Christina Hayes Audio

Hayes says the current carpet has been in place since the 1970s and the City hopes the new carpet will last 30-plus years.

Upon researching carpet installation, the City found out there was asbestos in the glue underneath the tile of the dance floor. ACM Removal will remove the asbestos for $4,780 the first week of August. The dance floor will have carpet laid over it, with a portable dance floor available in the future.

On the surface, it might seem like an easy decision for County Commissioners to decide whether or not to place a four way stop at the intersection of North Washington and Juco Road.

But the board found out Monday that there are many different factors and emotions that were linked to their decision.

Heather Weber Audio

That’s Heather Weber, Mother of 18-year old Shealee Stover, who died in an accident at the intersection last month. Weber was one of several people who spoke at Monday’s meeting where Commissioners contemplated changes to the intersection including making it into a four way stop. But they also had to consider the property owners and those who live by the road who would also be affected by their decision.

Kaitlyn Aiken suggested lowering the speed limit and would even go along with a four way stop if the intersection didn’t include rumble strips.

Kaitlyn Aiken Audio

And then there is Greg Schenk. He owns the house on the corner that has trees that some have blamed for being part of the cause of the deadly accident even though the trees are cut back and are not in the County easement.

Greg Schenk Audio

The board voted 4-0 Monday to improve the signage and road markings at the location and lower the speed limit to 45 mph further North on Washington, with the caveat that they would continue to keep the four way stop option available following further study.

In February of 2017, JCPenney announced the closure of over 100 stores nationwide, with Great Bend’s location impacted by the effort to advance sustainable growth and long-term profitability. The closure ended over 90 years of business for the Great Bend JCPenney store.

Thoughts of using the structure for something else have been fairly quiet because of its sheer size, but Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters says there are a couple of interested parties.

Jan Peters Audio

The JCPenney store in Great Bend was scaling back their inventory since 2012 before finally closing the summer of 2017. Nearly 30 employees lost their jobs with the closure, including four full-time workers. The building at the intersection of Kansas and Broadway is 50,000 square feet.

With the concern of internet and software security, the City of Great Bend knew they needed someone to look over software installation, backups, and maintenance of the City’s computers, networks, and Information Technology (IT) systems. Knowing what they want is not an issue, finding a person to handle the job is.

Interim City Administrator George Kolb says the City has offered the Network Administrator position to two candidates, but both have declined.

George Kolb Audio

The Network Administrator will be responsible for the strategic vision and overall planning for the current and future technology needs of the City. At the time, the position will earn a minimum salary of $44,658 and no higher than $75,868.

Kolb also mentioned the Great Bend City Council will also meet in executive session on May 21^st following their regularly scheduled meeting to narrow down finalists for the City Administrator position.