By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The City of Great Bend revealed their reopening plan Monday night at the Great Bend City Council meeting. Similar to the State of Kansas Ad Astra plan, the city is reopening operations in a phased approach which is subject to change based on evolving information.
Beginning Tuesday, May 5, City Hall, city parks and the Municipal Court will reopen with gathering restrictions of no more than 10 people still enforced.
City Administrator Kendal Francis says the plan is divided into four phases based on vulnerability. The more vulnerable staffing, such as The Front Door, return to normal later.
"We have adjusted their physical locations at The Front Door, but because of the amount of staff, we couldn't work altering schedules," said Francis. "They are the most susceptible because they will have the most walk-in traffic, so they are the last department to return to normal."
Phase two would take place at the earliest May 18 with gatherings of up to 30 people. This phase would reopen the Police and Fire departments and Brit Spaugh Zoo. Francis says organized sports practices would not be allowed until May 18.
"Currently, you can not have an organized practice until Phase 2," said Francis. "If a parent and their child wanted use the ballfields on their own, that is fine."
Phase 3 is planned for June 1 with opening public access to City Council meetings, SRCA Dragstrip reopening for races and the Great Bend Expo Complex grounds available for public events not to exceed 90 people.
Phase 4 is set to begin June 15 with all city operations going back to normal, the Wetlands Waterpark opening and playgrounds reopening.
Despite the gradual reopening of many city operations, Francis still encouraged customers and residents to take advantage of virtual interactions and social distancing.
The full reopening plan from the City of Great Bend is listed below...
REOPENING PLAN
This plan is based on the framework developed in the State’s Ad Astra plan. As such, our plan is subject to change based on evolving information/circumstances.
Phase 1 – Effective May 5th. (Gathering = 10 people)
1.
City Hall reopens to public access
a.
Staffing rotation remains unchanged
b.
Encourage virtual interactions
c.
Social Distancing strictly enforced
d.
Gathering restrictions enforced
2.
City parks reopen to public access
a.
Park restrooms remain closed
b.
Playground equipment remains off limits
c.
Gathering restrictions enforced
d.
Social Distancing encouraged
3.
City Council Meetings
a.
Resume in person meetings
b.
Social Distancing enforced
c.
No in-person public access
- Facebook Live satisfies KOMA
4.
Municipal Court can reopen
a.
Utilize Events Center
b.
Social distancing strictly enforced
c.
Gathering restrictions enforced
5. AEMT Training may resume
6. Encourage virtual interactions
7. Staffing rotations & segregation remains unchanged
8. No non-essential business travel
Phase 2. – 14 days following Phase 1. Earliest possible date is May 18th. (Gathering = 30 people)
1.
Police Department reopens to public access
2.
Fire Department reopens to public access
a.
Station separations remain unchanged
b.
Social Distancing strictly enforced
c.
Gathering restrictions enforced
d.
Meeting room remains closed to the public
3.
Building Inspections reopens to public access
a.
Staffing rotations remain unchanged
b.
Encourage virtual interactions
c.
Social Distancing strictly enforced
d.
Gathering restrictions enforced
4.
Brit Spaugh Zoo reopens to public access
a.
Operation hours 12pm – 4pm
b.
Staffing rotations remain unchanged
c.
Gathering restrictions enforced
d.
Gift shop & Raptor Center will remain closed
e.
Outdoor restrooms remain closed
5.
Public Works reopen to public access
a.
Staffing rotations remain unchanged
b.
Encourage virtual interactions
c.
Social Distancing strictly enforced
d.
Gathering restrictions enforced
6.
Front Door reopens to public access
a.
Staffing isolation remains unchanged
b.
Encourage virtual interactions
c.
Social Distancing enforced
d.
Resume rental of meeting room – Lecture Hall
remains closed for staff
i.
Gathering restrictions enforced ii.
Social distancing enforced
7.
Events Center reopens to public access
a.
Resume rentals
i.
Gathering restrictions enforced
ii.
Social distancing enforced
8. Sports Complex, Veteran’s Park Fields & Tennis Courts, Harms Fields & Motocross track reopened to organized events with restrictions.
9.
Expo Buildings
a.
Buildings 1, 2 & 3 reopen to public access
b.
Gathering Restrictions enforced
c.
Social Distancing enforced
10.
Encourage virtual interactions
11.
No non-essential business travel
Phase 3 – 14 days following Phase 2. Earliest possible date is June 1st. (Gathering = 90 people)
1.
City Council Meetings
a.
Public access resumes
i.
Social Distancing enforced
ii.
Gathering restrictions enforced
2.
City Hall staffing returns to normal
a.
Social Distancing enforced
b.
Gathering restrictions enforced
3.
Brit Spaugh Zoo
a.
Resume normal operation hours
b.
Staffing returns to normal
c.
Gathering restrictions enforced
d.
Gift shop & Raptor Center reopen
e.
Outdoor restrooms remain closed
4.
Building Inspections
a.
Staffing returns to normal
b.
Social Distancing encouraged
5. Public Works staffing returns to normal
6. S.R.C.A. Dragstrip reopens for races
7. Expo grounds reopen for public events
8. No non-essential business travel
Phase 4 – 14 days following Phase 3. Earliest possible date is June 15h.
1.
Front Door
a.
staffing returns to normal
b.
Resume rental of Lecture Hall
2.
Fire Department
a.
Station staffing returns to normal
b.
Meeting room reopens to public access
3. Wetland’s aquatic center reopens
4. Playgrounds, Park Restrooms & Zoo outdoor restrooms reopened
5. Non-essential business travel can resume.