City Administrator comments on leaving Great Bend

City Administrator Brandon Anderson wrapped up his report to the Great Bend City Council on Monday with a comment about his leaving. He submitted his resignation to the City Council on July 9, giving 30 days notice.

“So on a personal note, I’d like to thank the council, city staff and citizens of Great Bend. I apologize my stint here was short but I’ve also come to believe that life is short. And COVID taught me that many things can easily be taken away. So with that, I want everyone to know this move is solely for personal reasons. But thanks again for making my short stay here in Great Bend very rewarding,” he said. 

Mayor Cody Schmidt ended the meeting by saying, “Brandon, I would personally like to say thank you for all you’ve done for us.”

Here’s a quick look at actions taken by the Great Bend City Council at the July 15 meeting. All votes were 6-0 unless otherwise noted. Councilmembers Davis Jimenez and Tina Mingenback were absent.

• Approved the payroll register ending July 6 in the amount of $460,711.89

• Approved a resolution requesting a GAAP Waiver for 2024. This is the annual request for a waiver from the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for the reporting of the City’s financial statements. It allows the City to use the regulatory basis of accounting under the Kansas Municipal Audit and Accounting Guide.

• Approved a tree trimmer’s license for Wayne Meeks, doing business as Meeks Tree and Lawn, Great Bend.

• Approved on a 4-2 vote the motion to adopt the findings of fact on a rezoning request from Jesus Carbajal for 1013 Hubbard St., and adopted, on a 4-2 vote, the ordinance to rezone the real estate from R-3 to C-2. Those voting no were Lindsey Krom-Craven and Jolene Biggs.

• Denied a rezoning request from Manasas Enterprises LLC for 1620 Baker Ave. Jack Manases requested that the property be rezoned from R-2 (two-family) to C-2 (general commercial).

• Approved on a 5-1 vote the lease of 9.6 acres of land on the north end of the airport with Tiakkon Operating LLC. Councilwoman Biggs voted no. The three-year lease is at $365 per acre per month.

• Approved Heizer Park improvements. These included four bids:

- $128,750 for a Musco mini-pitch double pitch system with electrical

- $43,450 to Ramirez Construction for the 79-by-88 foot slab (with concrete depth of 5 inches)

- $26,850.50 to Superior Sprinklers LLC for the irrigation of the park

- $92,743 (reduced from $94,093) to CXT Restrooms for the Cortez model restroom.

• There were reports from City Administrator Brandon Anderson, Assistant City Administrator Logan Burns, and Community Coordinator Christina Hayes (with Airport Manager Martin Miller giving a presentation on the Great Bend Airport Airfest). During public comments, there was also an update provided on the HVAC system at the Great Bend Public Library by GBPL Director Maribeth Shafer.

• Heard a presentation from Bond Counsel Dominic Eck with Gilmore Bell, then met in executive session for 20 minutes to discuss economic development matters that include confidential financial information and trade secrets of a business. Joining the council in this meeting were Eck, the city administrator and assistant city administrator, the city attorney, and Great Bend Economic Development President Sara Arnberger.

• Met in executive session for 30 minutes to discuss City Administrator Brandon Anderson’s resignation. His last day will be Aug. 9. After the executive session, Mayor Cody Schmidt said plans for the search and interim management will be on the agenda for the Aug. 5 council meeting. Schmidt ended the meeting by saying, “Brandon, I would personally like to say thank you for all you’ve done for us.”