The Martin Luther King Jr. celebration continues today with a noon Lunch and Learn at the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
This community discussion will be moderated by Rev. George Proctor of the United Missionary Baptist Church.
Lunch will be provided by Luther’s BBQ.
Films will also be shown throughout the day Monday at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and 1:30 pm.
Colene Janette Gress, 67, of Fort Scott, Kansas passed away Wednesday evening, January 15, 2020, at her home.
She was born August 27, 1952 in Salina, Kansas the daughter of John W. and Carolee Ann (Green) Summers.
She married Wesley Gress August 24, 1975 in Kansas City, Kansas, he survives of the home.
She was a C.N.A and C.M.A. and a Surgical Technician and Worked at Mercy Hospital, Fort Scott, Kansas.
In addition to her husband, Wes, she is survived by three daughters, Andrea Weak of Pocahontas, Illinois, Renea Gress of Fort Scott, Kansas and Stephanie King of Pittsburg, Kansas, two sisters, Tonja Seusy, Deborah Smith both of Bella Vista, Arkansas, a brother, Ron Summers of Bella Vista, Arkansas and two grandsons, Levi and Kyran Weak.
The family of Colene Gress will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home with the funeral service beginning at 3:00 p.m.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Avalon Hospice, donations may be sent to or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, P.O. Box 309, 15 W. Wall St., Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Condolences may be emailed to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney,com.
The Bottom Line
It’s been said that “you can‘t keep a bird from flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair.” I can remember being called out in grade school for daydreaming. My thoughts and vivid imagination would take over and I wouldn’t even hear what the teacher was saying. Have you ever been thinking about something other than your driving and miss your turn?
How would you classify your thoughts, imaginations, and attitudes? Are they clean or corrupt; positive or negative? The beginning of a new year is a perfect opportunity to change up some things in your life. A great place to start taking inventory is your thought life. Whatever you think about will profoundly affect what you do. God created us, so He knows our tendencies. God knows all about you but He loves you anyway! “…You know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence!” (Psalm 139:4 TPT). God has given us specific instructions in the Bible to keep our thoughts headed in the right direction for holiness and victory.
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). Inner purity is a challenge that requires you to guard your thought life with diligence.
If you have the attitude that your thoughts don’t matter and it’s only what you do that counts, you’re gravely mistaken. What you do outwardly — the things that people see — determines your reputation with man. But God is interested in what’s on the inside of an individual. Even though God knows what we’ll think and do beforehand, He expects those who believe and love Him to line up their thoughts and actions according to His Word. Scripture reveals that your thoughts do matter. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV).
We need to stop an impure thought the moment it pops into our mind. Jesus spoke plainly regarding our thought life. “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5: 27,28 NKJV).
In Luke 7:36-50, Jesus was invited to the house of Simon the Pharisee. While there, He was anointed by a woman whose life had been drastically changed by the love of Jesus. “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!’ Then Jesus answered his thoughts….” Simon did not audibly voice his critical opinion, he simply thought it and Jesus knew what he was thinking. Simon’s thoughts mattered, and so do yours.
God knows if you reject or accept negative or impure thoughts, and He expects you to control them out of respect and love for Him. What you think to yourself counts with God. It’s encouraging to know that God’s grace will enable you to maintain inner purity so that your life will honor Him.
The Bottom Line: Man doesn’t know your thoughts, but God does…if you love Him you’ll walk the line.
Pastor Jimmy Tucker
Diamond Community Church
2591 Jayhawk Road
10:45 a.m. Worship
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jeremiah 8:20
One of my heroes was the great preacher Dwight L. Moody. One time, Moody was preaching a great revival crusade. As the service was about to start, he looked over and saw a man standing by himself. The still small voice of the Holy Spirit nudged Moody to go talk to the man about his soul. He walked over and said, “Sir, I just want to ask you if you’re saved?” The man said, “No. I know that I need to get saved. But no, I’m not saved. I’m not ready right now. I will get saved another day.” Moody said, “Sir, you need to understand that we have today. The Bible says today is the day of salvation.” Still, the man refused. He said, “No. I’m not ready. But someday I will. Someday I will get saved.”
Several months later, Moody received word that the man had gotten deathly sick. So, he traveled across Chicago and went to his home. Moody asked, “Are you ready to get saved?” The man said, “I’m going to do it, but not now.” He said, “If I get saved now, people will say I got saved because I was sick.” Moody said, “Don’t think like that. Today is the day to get saved.” The man said, “Once I get better, I plan to buy a fruit orchard over in Michigan. When I get there, and I am not sick anymore, I will get saved.” Moody tried to reason with him. He did all he could. But the man refused to give his life to Christ.
The man did get better. He bought the orchard, and he moved to Michigan. However, his illness returned. Dwight L. Moody heard about the man’s condition, and he got in the boat and traveled across Lake Michigan. He went out to the man’s farm, walked into the farmhouse, and went into the back bedroom where the man lay dying.
When Moody walked in, the man said, “You’re too late. I didn’t ask you to come.” Moody said, “Sir, it’s never too late. The thief on the cross got saved in the eleventh hour. It’s never too late.” The dying man said, “But I’m not the thief on the cross. The thief on the cross got saved the first chance he had.” He said, “I’ve had many chances. Each time I was close, but I said, ‘No.’ No. No. No. No.” The dying man said, “I’ve said no one too many times. I’m telling you, for me, the clock is striking twelve. You’re too late.”
Moody got down next to the dying man and he began to pray for him. As he was praying, he heard the man mumbling something. Moody thought, “What’s he saying?” He put his ear down close to the man’s mouth. The man was saying over, and over, and over, to himself as he died, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved. The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved…”
Those were the man’s last words. Dwight L. Moody later wrote, “We took his Christ-less body and we wrapped it in a Christ-less burial shroud. We put his Christ-less body in a Christ-less casket. We carried him out and buried him in a Christ-less grave. The man went into a Christ-less eternity, all because he said, ‘Tomorrow.’”
The point is: Today is the day of salvation. The saddest words in all the Bible are found in Jeremiah 8:20. They are two simple words, “not saved,” but they are the saddest words in all the Bible. They speak of a tragically missed opportunity.
What if today was your last day on earth? One day, your last day will come. Perhaps you have been putting off accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior until a more convenient day. But that day may not come. Your salvation is only a prayer away. Don’t put it off. For you, the harvest has not passed. The summer has not ended. You can get saved today.
James Collins is pastor of Fort Scott’s First Southern Baptist Church. You can write to him at PO Box 227, Fort Scott, KS 66701 or by email at [email protected].
The Kansas Senate voted Wednesday to confirm all 33 of Governor Laura Kelly’s appointments heard and advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee during the 2019 legislative interim.
Of the 33 confirmed appointments advanced by the Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, three were Cabinet members, five were agency heads and the remaining 25 were board or commission members.
The three Cabinet-level appointments were DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration; Herman Jones, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol; and Jeff Zmuda, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
“I commend the Senate for acting to approve all of my interim appointments,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “My administration has methodically and intentionally searched for the best candidates to hold these positions, and I’m confident they will all perform their duties with courage, poise and expertise.”
The full list of confirmed interim appointments is listed below.
Cabinet-level appointments:
Executive branch agency directors:
Board or commission members:
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes are unapproved until the Jan. 21 meeting.
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 7th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.
INVOCATION: Rev. Gene Payne, Minister, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Duncan, Greg Gauss, Josh Jones, Carey Spoon, Robert Uhler, Jeff Fischer, Jeff Deane, Gene Payne, Bobbi Kemna, Patrick Wood, Jason Gorman, Jason Pickert, Brian Allen, Janice Allen, Michael Hoyt, Jenna Campbell, Margie Brown, Deb McCoy, Dave Bruner, Elaine Buerge, Carol Lydic, Michael Mix, Jerald Mitchell, Susan Bancroft, Devin Tally, Lindsay Madison, Beth Nuss, Larry Nuss, Lee Lorimer, Linda I. Fox, George Fox, Aaron Judy, Nancy K. Van Etten, Kerry Van Etten, Chris Maycumber, Ryan Coon, John Coon, Max Fanning, Deb Needleman, Rachel Pruitt, Chad Brown, Kevin Allen, Lindsey Watts, Pete Allen, Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Tammy Helm, Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 17th, 2019 and special meeting of December 30th, 2019.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1253-A totaling $617,401.89.
Resolution 1-2020 designating the official City newspaper.
Resolution 2-2020 designating the official City depositories for public funds
Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
City Manager thanked Cheryl Adamson, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, and Jeanie Parker for their many years of service. He presented them with a plaque of appreciation, their picture which hung in the Commission Room, and their name plate.
Swearing in of new City Commissioners – City Clerk, Diane Clay, administered the oath of office to Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, and Lindsey Watts.
Election of Mayor
Randy Nichols moved to appoint JoLynne Mitchell as Mayor of the City of Fort Scott. Lindsey Watts seconded.
Kevin Allen moved to appoint Pete Allen as Mayor of the City of Fort Scott. Pete Allen seconded.
Nichols, Mitchell and Watts voted aye in favor of JoLynne Mitchell being appointed as Mayor. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-2.
APPOINTED JOLYNNE MITCHELL AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.
Election of Commission President
JoLynne Mitchell moved to appoint Randy Nichols as President of the Fort Scott City Commission. Lindsey Watts seconded. Nichols,
Pete Allen moved to appoint Kevin Allen as President of the City Commission. Kevin Allen seconded.
Mitchell, Watts, and Nichols voted aye in favor of Randy Nichols as President of the Fort Scott City Commission. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-2.
APPOINTED DR. RANDY NICHOLS AS PRESIDENT OF THE FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION.
Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative
Mitchell moved to appoint Dr. Randy Nichols as the City’s representative on the Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. Pete Allen seconded. P. Allen, Nichols, Watts, and Mitchell voted aye. K. Allen voted no. Motion carried 4-1.
APPOINTED DR. RANDY NICHOLS AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BOURBON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.
Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate
Kevin Allen moved to appoint Lindsey Watts as the City’s representative on the Fort Scott Housing Authority Board. JoLynne Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.
APPOINTED LINDSEY WATTS AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) –
Bob Duncan – Mr. Duncan said that he thought you guys all thought he would just go away but he didn’t. Mr. Martin and Dave Bruner have a huge bully pulpit in this room and in the Tribune and local radio at no cost to themselves. Still, three incumbent Commissioners were ousted and the other two would have also been turned out had they been on the ballot. Even though they have overwhelming support of most local government and school board employees who comprise a big portion of the voting electors. The reason is enough citizens have taken time to actually know the truth of how the City’s leadership has been performing in the past. He said he doesn’t know Pete’s position on a lot of the issues, but he has superior intellect. The rest of you would do well to take heed and help facilitate his efforts. In the coming months, I hope to shed some light for the rest of the citizens so they can see why our infrastructure is crumbling and why so many have come and gone. Good entrepreneurs and innovative who would be taxpaying citizens. Much of the problem is incompetence, but some of it is outright dishonesty.
Commissioner Kevin Allen said he would like to respond and say thanks for coming in and he appreciates it. He said that he listens to you when maybe you feel like no one is listening to you. He’s here to listen to you and for people to call him.
Michael Hoyt – Mr. Hoyt said he had two things he would like to bring to your attention as a newly seated board. The minutes that were entered into the record for the special meeting of December 30th are either an admission of fraud by the previously seated Commissioners or a change of position of how they were acting individually at City expense or some other mystery took place at that meeting that we don’t know about. That they met in secret and devised some plan or response to the Attorney General that we don’t know about. Pick one. You’re fraudulent, guilty, or you acted in violation of K.O.M.A. and you should be fined, and you should be suspended from your office.
Mayor Mitchell said that it’s not that we don’t want to spend taxpayer’s money on bad things, but we want to spend $500.00 per Commissioner so we can be found in violation?
Mr. Hoyt said that money comes from your pocket, not from the City. Read K.O.M.A. and that will let you know.
Jeff Deane, City Attorney, said he would say we have no comment at this time. The response from the Attorney General’s office speaks for itself.
Mr. Hoyt said to read K.O.M.A. and that the money does not come from City funds. Secondly, Ms. Watts, he hopes that you are aware of 24-CFR-570-486, conflict of interest. You cannot receive as an elected official any monies, grants or other public funds, if you are holding an elected office. He would suggest that you study this and he said he would give her his copy.
Commissioner Watts asked if that is in response to anything that has happened previously or from here on.
Mr. Hoyt said that from the date of election.
Commissioner Allen asked the City Attorney how the decision will come out.
Jeff Deane, City Attorney, said that it has already come out. He released the Commission’s response, or his response on behalf of the City Commission. As soon as it was filed with the Attorney General’s office, it becomes a public record that is subject to a K.O.R.A. request. He provided it to the local news agencies that requested it. Fort Scott.Biz published some excerpts from it. It is already public record and available. We have not yet heard back from the Attorney General but that is not unusual. We responded on January 2nd or 3rd, and this will become public record when they respond.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:21 p.m. Watts seconded. All voted aye.
6:00 p.m. Consideration of CDBG Grant – Mayco Ace Public Hearing – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that there are actually six different categories for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) programs. This grant is for one of the categories which is Commercial rehab, and the City is able to apply for one per year. She has been working closely with Chris Maycumber of Mayce Ace Hardware for the past year. Mr. Maycumber is here this evening also. This business has been here since the early 1970’s. It was started by Chris’ uncle and then his father took it over. It is a great blessing to have a hardware store downtown.
Carey Spoon is here from the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission. She will be facilitating the paperwork to apply for the grant.
Chris Maycumber said that a lot of the rehab is simple repairs to the building. There was damage from the hail storm and wind storms that their insurance company would not repair. There were leaks on the Dollar General side and the floors were damaged. They want to make the building more energy efficient and rentable for hopefully a new retail tenant.
Commissioner Pete Allen asked about the Statement of Assurances and Certifications form. This form states that the building is blight. He doesn’t consider this building blight.
Rachel said that in the State’s definition it qualifies for blight. There is contamination with asbestos in the building.
Carey Spoon read the description of the grant to the Commission: This application is for the rehabilitation of 205 Scott Avenue. This project proposes to replace the roof, upgrade the façade, replace the windows, replace the south entrance door, remove the north end door and replace with a double sliding door, construct an ADA accessible entrance on the north end consisting of an accessible ramp and sidewalk with column adjustments as necessary, construct two accessible restrooms in the north end of the building, install emergency lighting and smoke alarms throughout the main and lower level of the entire building, replace 6000 square feet of ceiling tile damaged by roof leakage in the north end, and install two emergency fire disconnects in the alley behind the building. The estimated project cost is $299,250 with the maximum grant request of $224,437. There are no City funds involved. The matching funds are from the property owner.
Commissioner Pete Allen asked how many of those grants are available each year?
Rachel Pruitt said that there are six total available.
Discussion was held regarding the different types of grants available.
Commissioner Kevin Allen asked if the grants were publicized and made known to other building owners.
Rachel Pruitt said that this information is all available on the City’s website.
Carey Spoon said that the two resolutions will need to be approved for the application to move forward as well as approval of the grant administration contract.
Approval of Resolution No. 5-2020 – to Apply for 2018 Kansas Small Cities CDBG Grant and authorizing the Mayor to sign and submit an application
Nichols moved to approve Resolution No. 5-2020 to apply for the grant and submit the application. Mitchell seconded. Pete Allen, Randy Nichols, Lindsey Watts, and JoLynne Mitchell voted aye. Kevin Allen abstained. Motion carried.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 5-2020 CERTIFYING LEGAL AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR THE 2018 KANSAS SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM FROM THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN AND SUBMIT SUCH AN APPLICATION.
Approval of Resolution 6-2020 – Declaring a building blighted with respect to the Kansas Small Cities CDBG Grant Program
Carey Spoon defined the definition of blight to the Commission.
Mitchell moved to approve Resolution No. 6-2020 to apply for the grant and submit the application. Watts seconded. Pete Allen, Randy Nichols, Lindsey Watts, and JoLynne Mitchell voted aye. Kevin Allen abstained. Motion carried.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 6-2020 DECLARING A BUILDING BLIGHTED WITH RESPECT TO THE KANSAS SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM.
Approval of Agreement for Administrative Consulting Services for the 2020 Kansas Small Cities CDBG Grant Project
Carey Spoon informed the Commission that the City applies to the State on behalf of the building owner.
Watts moved to approve the Agreement for Administrative Consulting Services for the 2020 Small Cities CDBG Grant Project. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE AGREEMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE 2020 SMALL CITIES CDBG GRANT PROJECT WITH SOUTHEAST KANSAS REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION.
Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:35 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:35 P.M.
Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:36 p.m. Watts seconded. All voted aye.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:35 P.M.
6:15 p.m. Resolution 3-2020 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 510 S. Heylman Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure needs to either be repaired by the property owner or demolished. This timeframe is for 60 days. He shared photos of the structure with the Commission showing the dilapidated condition of the structure.
City Clerk and City Attorney explained the demolition process to the Commission.
Kevin Allen moved to give the property owner 60 days to either repair or replace the structure. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 3-2020 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 510 S. HEYLMAN STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY MARCH 13TH, 2020 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.
6:15 p.m. Resolution 4-2020 – Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 501 S. Osbun Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure needs to either be repaired by the property owner or demolished. This timeframe is for 60 days. He shared photos of the structure with the Commission showing the dilapidated condition of the structure. This structure is owned by Terry Hartman and he has been notified by certified mail.
Kevin Allen moved to give the property owner 60 days to either repair or replace the structure. Watts seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 4-2020 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 501 S. OSBUN STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY MARCH 13TH, 2020 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.
Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:42 p.m. Watts seconded. All voted aye.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:42 P.M.
CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of Contract with Suez Treatment Solutions for SCADA upgrades to the ozone system at the Water Treatment Plant – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that as part of the River Intake Project, some other items are being addressed. One of those items is update of the SCADA hardware. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition is what SCADA stands for. This is basically the sensors and computers that control the system. He shared a video of the ozone building with the Commission. He asked for approval for the contract with Suez Treatment Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $184,847.00. This is an additional scope to their project as it was not included in the original scope of the project. The funding is part of the USDA loan, which is approved already, and this is part of that.
Discussion was held regarding the amount of the loan, repercussion of what could happen if this system was not updated, and the fact that parts are not available for the older system any longer.
Kevin Allen made a motion to postpone this item until the January 21st, 2020 meeting so it can be further researched. Lindsey Watts seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE JANUARY 21ST, 2020 MEETING SO MORE INFORMATION CAN BE RESEARCHED.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
Director Updates: Robert Uhler gave an update on three items:
Smart Growth America Workshop – Robert said that this date has been moved due to scheduling conflicts with the D.C. team and some data transfer issues. The new dates for the workshop will be February 25th and 26th, 2020.
Lake Advisory Board – He said that he was delayed in getting the first meeting of the new board scheduled in 2019. The first meeting will be this Saturday, January 11th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall. Since JoLynne Mitchell has been elected Mayor, she decided to not serve as the City’s representative on this board. Marci Myers has also resigned from this board. Letters of interest will go out to fill Marci Myers position.
Kevin Allen volunteered to serve on this board.
2020 Legislative Update – Robert said that the legislative session will start on January 13th, 2020. There are already 250 pre-filed bills on the Senate side and 432 pre-filed bills on the House side. It is looking like this will be a very active legislative season. At the next City Commission meeting, he said he would give an update on the legislative agenda for the City.
B. City Commission:
Randy Nichols – Dr. Nichols welcomed the new City Commissioners. He said he hopes that we can all move forward together in a positive fashion.
Kevin Allen – Kevin said that he had two items. He thinks it is important to see your local government work. He said that Josh Jones is recording facebook live tonight at this meeting. He asked if the City had something to record the meeting and if the City had any microphones. He made a motion to ask the City Manager to investigate recording the City Commission meetings live and check into microphones.
City Attorney said we need to make sure that we follow K.O.M.A. records and the proper retention schedule. We also need to make sure that Commissioner Pete Allen can hear the meeting.
City Manager will have a recommendation at the next meeting.
His next item was the three-minute citizen time limit. He doesn’t think that three minutes is sufficient. He made a motion to change this time from three minutes to five minutes and allow the Mayor the authority to override this time frame if needed. A Commissioner can also request the Mayor allow that person more time if needed. Lindsey Watts seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO CHANGE THE CITIZEN COMMENT SECTION OF THE MEETING FROM THREE MINUTES TO FIVE MINUTES AND TO ALLOW THE MAYOR THE AUTHORITY TO OVERRIDE THIS TIME FRAME IF NEEDED. A COMMISSIONER CAN ALSO ASK FOR THAT PERSON TO HAVE MORE TIME FROM THE MAYOR.
Discussion was also held moving the citizen comments to the end of the meeting.
His last item is about residency. He said that he heard from people who own businesses in town and pays taxes, but live outside the City limits, but cannot vote in City elections. When he served before, he bought property 300’ outside the City limits. He had to turn his seat over, because you had to live in the City limits. He wants to see why he was able to stay in that position and is there a legal way to have people with property outside of the City limits be able to vote. He thinks this changed 15 years ago.
City Clerk told him his term was almost over and the Commission at that time allowed him to continue to serve his term.
City Attorney said that this topic should probably happen in Executive Session. He said he could research this issue if he can get some time. The County Commission solved your issue. Residency is what it is tied to. As a general matter, the State presumes that you have to have a residency in the City where you vote. He will look at our ordinances and get back with you.
Kevin said that we have City employees that can look up that information instead of paying the attorney.
City Manager said that he will check into this.
Lindsey Watts – Lindsey said that she did feel rushed after getting her packet but understands why it was late. She thinks we can all work together in a positive way and looks forward to the next two years.
Pete Allen – Pete said that he would like to explain that in his running for Commissioner that he talked to a lot of people in Fort Scott. They are unhappy in the way our City is moving. He wants to explain how powerful these five people (Commissioners) are. They represent 7,500 people in Fort Scott. These people have made a statement by electing three new Commissioners. They want change and are unhappy with how things were done in the past. They want change for the better. He is looking at our run-down infrastructure. Susan Bancroft reported that we are in good financial shape, which is good, but at what cost. We have ignored our streets, our sewers, our water lines, and our storm sewers. These have all got to be improved upon before they collapse. We have sewer lines made out of clay tile that was put there in 1888 that are in danger of collapsing. We spent $300,000 this past year patching and fixing and trying to make our system work. We have to face the fact that we have 72 miles of run down, broken down lines. We must start fixing our sewer system. We cannot fix any streets until we fix our sewer and water lines. Our water lines are 140 years old and made from metal. We have health hazards with lines leaking. No one has stepped up and said these need to be fixed. We need to be part of history and say that we need to fix these water and sewer lines. We need to start this immediately. He has facts and figures on what it will cost. The President has worked out a plan for cities just like us. It is called the Water Infrastructure and Finance and Innovation Act. This is a plan where they provide funds for financing water and sewer lines and storm water systems. We need to be a part of this plan. We have necessary funds where we can start replacing lines. We are currently paying an out of town contractor a massive amount of money to come in here and replace sewer lines. We have at least three bondable contractors in town that could do this work. We need to replace these lines. We need to shop local and put our money in Fort Scott. Michael has two people to handle 72 miles of sewer lines. That just isn’t enough. We are throwing our money out of town. We can get a six-man crew and make this work. We should hire a superintendent that can oversee this crew. He thinks the people that voted should see change. 68% of the people that voted, voted for those candidates that ran for change. 15% of the people voted for doing the same old thing. Those candidates were good people, but the people wanted change. We need to fix what the citizens want.
He proposed that a work session be held next Tuesday at 6:00 and invite Michael Mix here and explain the sewer system as he knows it. He would like to get a sewer crew from Fort Scott going and keep the money local. This would probably take five to seven years. We don’t have time to waste.
City Manager mentioned that the whole Commission will need to be polled to see if they can make this date and time. City Clerk will poll the Commissioners.
Discussion was held regarding input from citizens at a work session.
City Attorney reminded the Commission that they cannot email each other due to K.O.M.A. violations.
Pete Allen made a motion to hold a work session next Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss water and sewer lines. Kevin Allen seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO HOLD A WORK SESSION NEXT TUESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2020 AT 6:00 P.M. TO DISCUSS WATER AND SEWER LINES.
JoLynne Mitchell – JoLynne welcomed the new Commissioners to the board. The voters did speak and they are looking forward to change. She and Randy and willing to work and listen to new ideas.
City Manager:
Dr. Burke – 109 S. Main Street – City Manager said that Dr. Burke will be opening an office at 109 S. Main Street and will be working for Via Christi. They have requested a handicapped parking spot and a parking spot with a ramp to get to the street. This would be a temporary ramp. The estimated cost is $250.00. Within a year, they will either be in a building or another location.
Chad Brown said that it will be a concrete ramp.
Lindsey Watts moved to approve for Public Works to construct a handicapped ramp and a parking spot with a ramp in front of 109 S. Main. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO HAVE PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCT A HANDICAPPED RAMP AND A PARKING SPOT WITH A RAMP IN FRONT OF 109 SOUTH MAIN FOR DR. BURKE’S OFFICE.
Spring Break – City Manager said that the USD #234 spring break will be held March 16th through the 20th. He asked for approval to move the City Commission meeting to March 24th, 2020 for that meeting due to Spring Break.
Kevin Allen made a motion to move the March 17th meeting to March 24th, 2020 due to Spring Break. Lindsey Watts seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO MOVE THE MARCH 17TH MEETING TO MARCH 24TH, 2020 DUE TO SPRING BREAK.
Training Session – City Manager informed the Commission that a training session will be held in the near future on K.O.M.A. and K.O.R.A. laws. Diane will check dates with you after the City Attorney gives us some dates. This will probably be held on a Saturday morning.
Additional information – City Manager confirmed that he will be researching microphones, facebook live, and what occurred 15 years ago with Kevin Allen’s residency. He will bring back options at the next meeting.
Lindsay Madison remarked that the City of Pittsburg has a You Tube channel. You might check with them.
ADJOURNMENT:
Kevin Allen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. Lindsey Watts seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:39 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on January 21st, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
DIANE K. CLAY
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
JANUARY 21, 2020
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
K. ALLEN P. ALLEN NICHOLS WATTS MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE:
III. INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 7th, 2020.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1254-A totaling $805,509.03.
Request to Pay #2 – Strukel Electric, Inc. – $125,107.65 (Electric Vault Building – Airport)
Consideration of Pay Request #5 – Crossland Construction – River Intake Project – $242,379.46
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE: Don George, Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
Consideration of approval of final plat for the property more commonly known as 401 Woodland Hill Boulevard – Approval of Ordinance No. 3557
Consideration of Contract with Suez Treatment Solutions for SCADA upgrades to the ozone system at the Water Treatment Plant
Consideration of purchase of Composite Wastewater Sampler to obtain samples for K.D.H.E. and waive the bidding process
Consideration to solicit bids for cleaning and repainting of aquatic center pool
Consideration of Audit contract for 2019 with Diehl, Banwart & Bolton
IV. COMMENTS:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: January 21, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45 – Jim Harris
9:45-10:00 – Jess Milburn, JC Restoration re: front steps, windows
10:00-10:30 – Jody Hoener, Business Incubator Guidelines
12:00-1:30 – Lunch
1:30-2:00 – Polsinelli Law Firm
2:00-2:15 – Robert Leisure, EMS Update
2:45-3:00 – Courthouse Security
3:00-3:15 – Barb Peine
3:15-3:30 – Kim Simons, Wind Turbines
3:30-3:45 – Mike Wunderly, Wind Turbines in Bourbon County
Fort Scott is set to begin construction on a city-wide infrastructure revitalization project that will provide upgraded and improved environments for visitors, city staff, and the community-at-large. Through this project, the city is partnering with Schneider Electric, a global energy leader, who has helped identify energy savings and facilities upgrade opportunities at the following city facilities:
| · Airport
· Aquatic Center · Buck Run Community Center · City Hall · Davis Lift Station
|
· Animal Shelter
· Fire Station #2 · Golf Course · Gunn Park · LaRoche Stadium · Memorial Hall
|
· Public Safety (Fire/Police)
· Public Works · Water Distribution · Water Production Plant · Wastewater Treatment
|
Citizens will notice a variety of improvements spread across multiple city facilities, parks and infrastructure. The budget-neutral project is being paid for through guaranteed energy, operational and maintenance savings over 20 years. The ability to leverage savings provides an opportunity to reinvest operating expenses back into needed capital improvements.
The energy-saving measures will provide funding for several city projects that have been unfunded in recent years. With a goal of anticipating and mitigating future needs, this strategic initiative also plans to reduce annual operating and maintenance costs that will create new revenue streams through improved city services and infrastructure.
Construction is slated to begin the first week of February and will continue through the fall of 2020. The first scope items to be installed will include energy-efficient lighting across multiple facilities The City and Schneider Electric will provide updates throughout the course of construction to the local community through monthly information sessions with the City Commission.
For more information on Schneider Electric, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.
About Schneider Electric
At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) Board of Directors took no action today toward establishing a “medical mall” within the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital. Prior to finalizing plans for the construction of a new primary care clinic, CHC/SEK had spent the past month assessing the feasibility of remaining in the existing building.
“It was our goal,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai, “to see if we could recruit enough occupants to cover the cost of repurposing the former hospital built in 2002 at the cost of $30 million.”
“After analyzing costs over the last year and projecting expenses if the building’s space was fully utilized, we estimated that we would need about $800,000 to $1 million annually to cover utilities and maintenance plus the staff to keep the building maintained and fully operational,” said Postai, adding the bulk of that expense would have to be covered by CHC/SEK and Ascension/Via Christi who together would occupy a large percentage of the overall building.
CHC/SEK staff met with multiple people and organizations to discuss their interest including officials from Fort Scott Community College who identified opportunities for space for their nursing department, as well as additional dormitory space. We were especially appreciative of the Bourbon County Commission who had pledged “in-kind” support to take care of mowing, snow removal, etc., as well as the Mercy Health System who had tentatively committed funds for needed and future repairs.
“Altogether, we had tentative commitments from about a half dozen interested in being a part of the project which covered about 100,000 sq. ft. of the 125,000 sq. ft. of available space,” said Postai, who explained the entire building is 177,000 sq. ft. but about 50,000 sq. ft. is dedicated to mechanical space that supports the overall building operations.
“That was assuming Ascension/Via Christi remained in the existing ER and Diagnostic Imaging area, and we continued to occupy the clinic space plus the pharmacy,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we were notified Wednesday that after analyzing their options, Ascension/Via Christi had determined to remain in the existing building on a permanent basis was cost-prohibitive, and it was more fiscally prudent to build a new ER,” said Postai.
“We were told the existing ER space would need about $3 million in renovations and that, plus a lease payment adequate to cover the cost of their share of the facility, would make it far more expensive than a new facility,” said Postai. The CHC/SEK Board was prepared to make a go/no go decision at their Board meeting Thursday but after learning that Ascension/Via Christi was moving forward on their own construction, the board determined it was not possible to pursue this project without them.
“We all have to make hard decisions about what is best for our organizations and, unfortunately, we all have limited funds and have to maximize our capital investments,” said Postai adding that both organizations remain committed to providing services in Ft. Scott.
Both CHC/SEK and Ascension/Via Christi had already started designing new facilities on the existing campus and will proceed on, said Postai explaining CHC/SEK was planning a 25,000 sq. ft. to 30,000 sq. ft. facility facing Horton Street at an estimated cost of about $5 million.
Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin is unhappy with the raises of administrative county employees, he said. He would have preferred giving input into raises in his office, including the one given him by the Bourbon County Commissioners.
A raise for elected officials became effective Dec. 15, 2019, according, to Bourbon County Commission minutes. This raised the clerk and treasurer’s salary to $47,248 annually, the register of deeds to 44,821 and the sheriff’s salary to $60,000.
Martin said in his budget request he had asked for a three-percent raise for all his employees.
“I did not request that large amount” for the sheriff’s position, he said.
There were no across-the-board raises given by the commission.
Martin said he was not aware of any raises until he received an email from Bourbon County Clerk Kendall Mason on Dec. 18, 2019.
“At no other time was any raise amount ever discussed with me by the commission, not for myself or any member of my staff,” Martin said. ” I attended several commission meetings where I questioned the commission on budget figures for 2020 and, as usual, I was not ever given any answers. At no time after I submitted my 2020 budget did anyone on the commission engage myself or my jail administration in salary discussions.”
In 2015 Martin had paid for a wage comparison survey and presented it to that Bourbon County Commission because he wanted to bring the salaries of the county employees as a whole up to standard amounts.
He felt it fell on “deaf ears” at the time, he said. It was a different set of commissioners.
For the 2020 Sheriff’s Office budget he had requested a three percent raise for his employees.
Instead, Martin’s salary was raised from $45,000 to $60,000.
He contends that discussions with him and his staff would have been beneficial to the decision making process.
“I am never provided with verbal information or written information as to where the money is put, cut or moved to in the budgets,” Martin said. “My door is always open for any discussion.”
Martin has two salaried employees.
“One of the two fell below the new income guideline set by the Federal Wage Law and the US Department of Labor,” Martin said. “A captain at the correctional center fell under this ‘salaried employee category’ and therefore is required by law to have a salary increase. If this wage increase is not performed, this employee would be eligible for overtime. I can assure you that increasing this wage is far less harmful than allowing this employee to request overtime hours for all the overtime he works. I am still unaware if this salary increase has been added to the correctional center budget. The commission was made aware of this federal law… several months ago.”
Martin said the responsibility of the sheriff’s office falls to him.
“I am the face and the buck stops with me, so to speak, but they are the men and women with their lives on the line every, single day and every single night. Christmas, Easter, Monday through Sunday. They sign up to make a difference in their community where they live. It’s nice to be thanked and appreciated and compensated to prove yourself worthy.”
“Top-Heavy”
The county has two many administrative positions, Martin said.
“Our county is now so top-heavy with administration that the people in the offices and on the road and doing the jobs are unable to receive any fair raises and are far from a competitive wage for the jobs they are doing,” Martin said. “Our county has a road and bridge supervisor that makes over $60,880 a year plus benefits. This county has a part-time, county counselor who makes $64,000 a year for 25 hours a week and has a private practice on the side; this is in addition to the county attorney who makes $50,000 a year. This county now pays (not attacking the person) an economic development director… $70,000 a year plus benefits. As of January 1, we have a sheriff making $60,000., a county clerk, making $47,248 a treasurer making that same amount and a register of deeds making $44,821…We have three county commissioners who make $21,416 (each) per year plus benefits, which is another $64,248 plus benefits in a year.”
” I have been requesting additional deputies every year since I have taken office and every year, I am told that there is no money to spend, budgets are close, overspending and overtime are out of control,” Martin said. “Yet, we have almost $200,000 in salaries for administrative staff, who hold jobs that should be performed by our road and bridge director and crews, the elected county clerk, our elected county attorney, and our elected county commission. $200,000 would pay for other staff raises, staff who are on the ground working.”
“It would pay for a much-needed school resource officer for Uniontown Schools plus a courthouse security officer, which is mandated by the state,” he said. “I cannot get anyone to understand that when you pay a deputy a $35,000 a year salary, you are better off to hire two more deputies on the force and reducing the $60,000 in overtime pay. I am contending that if they would not have raised my pay $15,000, they could have very easily allowed me to hire one new deputy and they would have been ahead money. Where did all this money come from and how do we put these jobs back in the hands of the people who were elected to do them and eliminate all the huge salaries that we are paying right now.”
The sheriff’s office operates around the clock much like an ambulance service or hospital does, he said. And some of his employees are struggling financially.
“People do a great job for great pay,” Martin said. “People do a decent job for decent pay and proud people show up to work to draw a wage rather than go on welfare. Some of my employees can claim state insurance benefits for their families and that is shameful to think that we cannot provide a wage above the poverty level… I also have other employees who work two and three jobs and I cannot control what my employees do outside their duty time… during my time as a deputy, I worked three jobs to provide for my family and pay my bills.”
