CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 2, 2025 Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Kathryn Salsbury, Tracy Dancer, Dyllon Olson, and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Lisa Dillon/Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Michael Hoyt, Jack Welch, Zac Crumby, Patrick Barnes/Olsson, Diane Striler, Anne Dare, and Harold Martin.
VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and WELLS said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the Citizens, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the amended agenda with the addition of Ben Hart/BakerTilly/Appearances and the removal of Item D/New Business/Action Items – purchase of the skid steer. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consent Agenda
– Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1391-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of August 13, 2025 – August 26, 2025 – $1,554,438.30
– Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of August 19, 2025
– Request to Pay – Invoice No. 527851 – Olsson – Project No. 024-06580 – FSK RSA Grading and Runway Lighting Project – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-024/025-2025 – Design and Bidding (services rendered through February 1, 2025) – $41,850.00
– Approval of Resolution No. 20-2025 A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY, THE PROPOSITION OF LEVYING ONE-HALF PERCENT (0.5%) RETAILERS’ SALES TAX IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Public Comment
Harold Martin requested permission to comment during the discussion on the sale of lake lots which was granted.
Appearances
Zac Crumby – Request for Temporary Street Closure – Motorcycle Benefit Ride for KRI/Ride 4 Kids – September 13, 2025 – National to W. Oak from Wall St. – 3:00PM – 11:30PM – Last stop at Sharky’s.
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the Temporary Street Closure for the ride for kids event from 3PM to 11:30PM on September 13, 2025 . WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Jack Welch – CHAMPS (H.O.T.) Heart of Texas Football Bowl
Welch, Founder and CEO of America’s Drug Free Productions, requested City sponsorship for the December 6th CHAMPS bowl game, a 501(c)(3) event promoting awareness on alcohol, drugs, bullying, and suicide. He seeks $30,000 in funding to cover team lodging and a banquet, though $20,000 would cover the game alone without the banquet. Ticket sales support future events. The game typically features a top Texas team against one from Kansas, Mississippi, or Arizona, though it would be canceled in case of bad weather. Welch will host the event at Frary Field.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to host the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Football Bowl with the City of Fort Scott with a donation to help cover those costs including the banquet of $30,000.00 out of the Special Alcohol/Drug Fund. OLSON seconded. VAN HOECKE, OLSON, and SALSBURY voted yes. WELLS and DANCER voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 3-2.
Ben Hart/Baker Tilly was available for Commissioners’ questions in preparation of the public hearing for the budget scheduled for September 16, 2025, including a 0.8 mill decrease.
New Business
Public Hearing:
Consideration of Resolution No. 21-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 102 N. BARBEE – L. Kruger
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
KRUGER gave a history of the structure as it pertains to code violations and Code’s Enforcement.
He stated the owner was unresponsive to outreach attempts, and the property is delinquent on
taxes. There we no other public comments.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve Resolution No. 21-2025 a resolution directing the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 102 N. Barbee. OLSON seconded.
DANCER, SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE and OLSON voted yes. WELLS voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Consideration of Resolution No. 22-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 602 S. BARBEE – L. Kruger
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
KRUGER requested the item be tabled for another time because a gentleman has a contract with a realtor to buy the property. There we no other public comments.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to table the public hearing for 602 S. Barbee for (90) days. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Resolution No. 23-2025 A RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 505 CLARK – L. Kruger
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
KRUGER gave a history of the structure as it pertains to code violations and Code’s Enforcement. He stated the owner was contacted and expressed no interest in fixing the property.
No public comments.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve Resolution No. 23-2025 a resolution directing the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 505 Clark. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Action Items:
Consideration of Olsson proposal to perform the design and bidding phase services for KDOT-KAIP (Project No. AV-2026-16) – Olsson Project No. 025-04135 – Patrick Barnes/Olsson
BARNES presented the proposal from Olson to design and perform bidding services for taxiway lighting at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport was presented. The project is funded by a KDOT grant with a 90/10 split. He was present to answer questions.
MOTION: WELLS moved to allow Olsson to move forward. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Overview of MIH Grant Application as it relates to the proposal advertised for qualified residential developers (Applications due September 20, 2025) – L. Dillon
DILLON appeared to request permission to apply the MIH grant along with the Kansas Housing Investor
Tax Credit (KHITC). She stated that a Request for Proposals has been advertised and approximately (4) developers are interested. The grant being sought is $650,000, with approximately 10% allocated for down
payment assistance for moderate-income housing.
MOTION: WELLS moved to give permission to go after the MIH and KHITC grants. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Discussion of the Sale of Lake Lots – L. Dillon
DILLON stated that an individual had inquired about purchasing lake lots and wanted to know the process. Discussion was had about the remaining that were still open and owned by the City, and the previous sales. The Commission concluded that the topic and process needed to be discussed and reevaluated in the future.
MARTIN commented that he was encouraged that the Commission was taking a cautious approach on making the decision for further sales of lake lots. He expressed his concern about the health of the lake and recommended that they consider doing a bathymetric survey, environmental impact study and regular water quality testing. He also expressed concern about the sewer system and lift station at the lake regarding its ability to manage an increase of residents. He has brought these items to the City’s attention several times in the past.
Discussion was had on encroachment on City property and improvements at the lake.
MATKIN left the meeting at 7:01PM and returned at 7:03PM.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to table the lake lot discussion until another time in the future, based on our previous procedures of selling lake lots, or until such matter is brought up again. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Resolution No. 24-2025 A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AUTHORIZING THE REDEMPTION AND PAYMENT OF ITS TAXABLE INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS, SERIES A, 2014 AND SERIES B, 2014 (SLEEP INN AND SUITES HOTEL PROJECT) AND THE SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO FS HOSPITALITY GROUP, LLC
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve Resolution No. 24-2025. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Chip Seal Payment
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to accept the offer from Bettis for the Chip Seal payment at the reduced rate of $201,000.00 Olsson. DANCER seconded. DANCER, SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE and OLSON voted yes. WELLS voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Consideration of 99-Year Land Lease Agreement – M. Wells
MOTION: WELLS moved to table the discussion until September 16, 2025. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Reports and Comments
CITY ENGINEER
– E. National Project Update
– Davis Lift Station
CITY ATTORNEY – Observation on American Legion representative for the car show, thorough and appreciative.
FARMER left the meeting 7:13PM and returned at 7:15PM
CITY MANAGER
– Franchise fees with Evergy – agreement expires February 2026
– Milling of Lee Circle Drive and Crescent Drive
– Curb and guttering work on Eddy Street
– 100th Year Celebration of Memorial Hall, Friday, Sept. 5 – 11:30AM
– Organizational chart for DANCER coming this week
– Memorial Hall renovation scope of work to come
ACTION: MATKIN will provide a Scope of Work for Memorial Hall project for bond consideration by September 16, 2025, meeting.
COMMISSIONER WELLS
– Additional activities on Skubitz Plaza
– Concerns about Lake Patrol and camping area improvements
– Evergy franchise agreement
– Bettis Asphalt
– Memorial Hall in combination with Library expansion for bond
COMMISSIONER OLSON
– Comments regarding city events and Commission is doing a good job
COMMISSIONER SALSBURY – No comments
COMMISSIONER DANCER
– Moody building status
– Revisit food truck ordinance September 16, 2025
– Sidewalk improvement in downtown district (mostly south side)
– Budget reports feedback to come Monday, September 8, 2025
ACTION: CITY CLERK to put food truck ordinance on September 16, 2025. MATKIN will look for SALSBURY’S submitted suggestions for the ordinance.
ACTION: DANCER will talk with MATKIN regarding the budget reports he is requesting.
COMMISSIONER VAN HOECKE
– Response to comments made by WELLS
Adjourn
MOTION: OLSON moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:36PM. DANCER seconded.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:36PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk