A Song In The Night By Carolyn Tucker

Carolyn Tucker. Submitted photo.

Keys to the Kingdom

 

After 40 years of marriage, I laid my kind and gentle husband to rest on February 25. One of my earliest memories as a young child was attending the funeral of a relative on my mother’s side. From that day on, I’ve attended or provided music for hundreds of memorial services. Over the years, I’ve said, “Death is just as much a part of life as living is, but most people don’t know how to deal with it.”

Trying to stuff hurting emotions way down inside your soul is not God’s way. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount included The Beatitudes in Matthew 5:4 NKJV: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Believers need to understand that the blessing is not in the mourning, but the blessing is in the comfort you receive if you resign yourself to grieve appropriately. Jesus can’t comfort you if you refuse to mourn, because He cannot go against His own word.

God’s Word is the best source regarding the topics of death and grieving. Reading and studying the Bible teaches us how to live a holy life, and how to get ahold of “dying grace” that only comes through Christ. Thousands of songs have been written about death and heaven. Country music artist Kenny Chesney recorded a song with these lyrics: “Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now.“

Those lyrics reflect a truthful sentiment, but that’s not the song I recently found myself singing upon my bed in the night. I awoke after a couple of hours of sleep and began to sing a Dottie Rambo song: “The things that I love and hold dear to my heart are just borrowed, they’re not mine at all. Jesus only let me use them to brighten my life, so remind me, remind me dear Lord. Roll back the curtain of memory now and then. Show me where you brought me from and where I could have been. Remember, I‘m human and humans forget; so remind me, remind me dear Lord.”

By day, the Lord is a continuous source of comfort, anointing our lives with His grace and tender mercies. “The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me” (Psalm 42:8 NKJV). I’ve never sung a song in the night before, but I’ve never had a reason to until now.

I like King David’s meditation in Psalm 77:6 NKJV: “I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.” Believers have the choice to reflect upon God’s merciful help in the past and to trust that He will remain faithful to provide comfort and peace for the days ahead. David refused to allow present heartache to erase the reality of God’s unfailing forever love.

Jimmy’s Bible has the following scriptures underlined: “I look up to the mountains — does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber. The Lord Himself watches over you” (Psalm 121:1-3,5 NLT).

The Key: If you sing a song in the middle of the night, just go ahead and cry while you‘re at it. You’ll then be blessed by God’s loving comfort and peace.

4-H Beef Introduction

Jennifer Terrell, K-State Extension Agent

4-H Beef

In the beef project, youth will learn all aspects of the beef industry by raising a market steer or building your own herd by raising heifers and cows.

There is 4-H Curriculum that can be purchased for anyone interested in the beef project. Here is a breakdown of what youth can learn at different levels:

Things to Learn/Do in the Project

Age 7-9

  • Identify breeds of beef cattle

  • Learn the parts of a calf

  • Compare animal differences 

  • Halter break a calf

Age 10-13

  • Learn about cattle feeds and how they are digested

  • Judge beef cattle and present oral reasons

  • Show a calf and learn showing techniques

Age 14 and Older

  • Use performance data to make breeding decisions

  • Evaluate beef carcasses and identify meat products

  • Explore impact of technology and career opportunities in the beef industry

In addition to the curriculum, youth are also offered the opportunity to attend project meetings held by volunteers. Each year, youth are able to demonstrate their hard work locally at the county fair and depending on age and placing, the Kansas State Fair. There are other local and state shows available to youth as well.

The beef project is a great opportunity for youth to learn important life skills. For more information about this project or the workshop, contact Jennifer K. Terrell, 4-H Youth Development for K-State Research and Extension – Southwind District at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for March 2

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: March 2, 2021

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN COMMISSION ROOM AT CITY HALL. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

PLEASE NOTE THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT CITY HALL BEGINNING AT 9AM

Call to Order

 

  • Flag Salute
  • Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
  • Eric Bailey – Road and Bridge Report
  • Eric Bailey – Executive Session, KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
  • Discuss Unlocking Front Door During Business Hours
  • County Counselor Comment
  • Public Comment
  • Commission Comment

Justifications for Executive Session:

          KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy

          KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships

          KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property

          KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

Agenda for the FS Commission Meeting March 2

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL

CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
MARCH 2, 2021
6:00 P.M.

Call to Order

  1. Roll Call:

K. Allen P. Allen R. Nichols L. Watts J. Jones

II. Flag Salute:

  1. Invocation: Led by: (To be Announced)

  2. Approval of Agenda:

  3. Proclamations/Recognitions:

  4. Consent Agenda:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 16th, 2021 and special meeting minutes of February 12th, 2021 and February 23rd, 2021.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1283-A totaling $335,76

  1. Request to Pay – HDR Engineering, Inc – $6,455.27 – River Intake Project

  1. Request to Pay – Bourbon County Clerk – $8,047.48 – Charter Ordinance No. 31 Election costs

  1. Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

  1. City Manager Reports and Comments

  1. Director Reports

  1. Old Business: None

  1. Appearances: None

  1. New Business:

  1. Resolution No. 5-2021 – Resolution in reference to the levying of a 1% Countywide Sales Tax allocation

  2. Consideration of Bids – Brush Blasting & Pool Repainting – Aquatic Center

  3. Consideration of move of Dispatch Center to 207 S. Judson (old Correctional facility)

  4. Consideration to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc – $616.00 – January invoice

  5. Discussion of electric scooter company, Bird, establishing services in Fort Scott

XII. Reports and Comments:

A. Commissioners Reports and Comments:

B. City Attorney Reports and Comments:

XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)

XIV. Adjournment:

FS Commission Special Meeting Minutes of Feb. 23

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 23rd, 2021 Special Meeting #6

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 23rd, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, and Lindsey Watts were present with Mayor Josh Jones presiding. Randy Nichols was absent.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Bailey Lyons, Lindsay Madison, Allyson Turvey, and Susan Bancroft.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration to apply for a grant for downtown Christmas lights – Bailey Lyons, said that she is the Chairperson for the Downtown Committee for the Chamber of Commerce. They have identified a project to work on this year. They decided to focus on Christmas decorations in the downtown area. There are improvements that can be made to the decorations and they have identified some grant funds and are looking for more grant opportunities. They are not asking for money, but for permission to apply for grant funding. The Chamber is not a 501C3, nor are they are government entity, so they would be applying for these grants using the City’s name. The Chamber would do all the work on this. The funds would be allocated to the City for the purpose of Christmas decorations. They think the citizens would like to see new Christmas decorations in the downtown area.

Bailey said that they were looking at lighted toy soldiers that are about 8’ tall and would be attached to the light poles. They would need the City’s assistance in placing these soldiers on the poles. They did talk about possibly doing a fundraiser also. There is a company in Stilwell, Kansas that they have talked to regarding Christmas decorations.

Susan asked that when you are ready to purchase these, that Chad Brown be checked with to make sure that there are no issues with power on the poles.

K. Allen made a motion to approve the Chamber to apply for grants for downtown Christmas decorations. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW THE CHAMBER TO APPLY FOR GRANTS FOR DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

ADJOURNMENT:

K. Allen moved to adjourn the special meeting at 7:07 p.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:07 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.

City Clerk

FS Commission Minutes of Feb. 12

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 12th, 2021 Special Meeting #5

A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 12th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, and Randy Nichols were present with Mayor Josh Jones presiding. Lindsey Watts was absent.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Michael Mix, and Michael Hoyt.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Change Order #1-Sanitary Sewer Cleaning & Video Inspection Services – Michael Mix informed the Commission that he has some figures for equipment if the City Commission would decide to go that direction. He said after thinking about this last night, it is still his recommendation to allow the company, Pipe Detectives, to complete their work. They have two weeks left until the project is finished. They have the specialty equipment that the City does not have. It will take a City crew much longer than that to complete. He also spoke to the supervisor on this job who told him that they only had 30 minutes of looking for a manhole and all the other charges were root removal. His City crew did find as many manholes as possible. Michael shared some photos of the lines with roots in them and then the lines after they had been cleaned.

Michael said that it would cost between $100,000 and $130,000 for a camera truck. An easement machine would cost approximately $45,000. The attachments which would include larger saws would cost approximately $11,800. Michael said that the work this company is doing in removing roots should last at least 5 years.

Kevin asked if the attachments could be put on the City’s vactor truck.

Michael thought that they could be placed on the truck.

Pete asked how more 30” lines there are.

Michael said he does not know. This company was hired to inspect the larger lines since the City does not have the equipment to do so. He said that there is 17,000 linear feet left to inspect that is greater than 15”. Last year there was 1.4 miles completed. It is a never-ending cycle. Inspect, document, rehab, and repeat.

Randy said that he thinks it makes more sense to let this company finish up this project since they only have two weeks left. This will help with the sewer overflow issues that we have been having with this company removing the roots. He isn’t sure that Michael had time to get all the numbers he needed to present to them. He doesn’t think we have enough information to buy equipment and then train our people when we have a crew that could finish it in two weeks. His vote is to let the company finish the work they have started.

Josh asked how critical it is to have this project completed in two weeks. If it is not critical, Michael could do some more research and get more numbers for them to look at.

Michael said if we had unlimited funds, it would be better do this in-house with a City crew. His recommendation is still to let this company finish this project.

Kevin said that we have two guys right now and would need a third person for this crew.

City Manager said that he can see both sides of this. He can see where it looks attractive to have the project finished in two weeks. It would also be great if the City had the equipment and could do the work ourselves. He said that we will execute what you decide as a Commission for us to do.

Pete said that we should have taken the $30,000 and bought equipment. Now we are back to square one and it’s not working. He referenced the street project on National for the crack sealing which is still not completed. He asked Michael if he had verified the 51 hours of work that this crew has completed.

Michael said that he has not watched all 51 hours, but he has watched some of it. Our own crew can get into the 8” or below manholes.

Josh said that is why shouldn’t buy the equipment if there is only 25% of the project left to complete. We won’t have to reinspect for 5 years.

Michael explained to the Commission that this project was bid as a unit/rate bid and not a total bid. This bid was comprised by the City’s former engineer, Nate Stansberry.

R. Nichols made a motion to approve Michael’s recommendation to finish this project and to have the City Manager clarify the issues with equipment needed for future projects so the City crew can do the work themselves. J. Jones seconded. R. Nichols and J. Jones voted aye. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion did not pass.

DENIED MOTION TO APPROVE MICHAEL MIX’S RECOMMENDATION TO FINISH THIS PROJECT AND HAVE THE CITY MANAGER CLARIFY THE ISSUES WITH EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS SO THE CITY CREW CAN DO THE WORK THENMSELVES.

Discussion was held to bring back more numbers and discuss this at an upcoming work session.

ADJOURNMENT:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the special meeting at 2:00 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 2:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.

City Clerk

FS Commision Minutes of Feb. 16

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 16th, 2021 Regular Meeting #4

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 16th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners P. Allen, K. Allen, R. Nichols, and L. Watts were present with Mayor J. Jones presiding.

INVOCATION: Diane Clay, City Clerk, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Russell Lingerfelt, Rachel Pruitt, Allyson Turvey, Susan Bancroft, Michael Hoyt, Max Fanning, and Michael Mix.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

L. Watts moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing attorney-client privilege in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The subject matter will be held a legal matter. The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 6:20 p.m. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, and Community Development Director.

L. Watts moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 6:20 p.m. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: R. Nichols made a motion to approve the agenda. L. Watts seconded. K. Allen, R. Nichols, L. Watts, and J. Jones voted aye. P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 4-1.

APPROVED AGENDA.

CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 2nd, 2021 and special meeting minutes of February 11th, 2021.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1282-A totaling $481,476.32.

  1. January financials

  1. Lauber Municipal Law Firm – January Invoice – $16,432.50.

  1. Request to Pay – SAM, LLC – Sanitary Sewer System GPS Data Collection – $9,000.00.

  1. Request to Pay – Joplin Roofing Co., Inc – Replacement of Wastewater Treatment Plant roof – $29,368.00.

K. Allen brought up the Lauber Municipal Law Firm invoice for January and the amount. He thought the Commission had directed for City staff not to contact the attorney unless approved by the City Manager.

Jeff Deane said that is the new procedure. He doesn’t respond to a request unless he has heard from the City Manager to approve for him to do so. He is still involved in legal litigation that he charges for. There were some open records requests also that he was involved in.

P. Allen asked about the special meeting minutes of February 12th, 2021 and why they weren’t on there.

City Clerk told him she didn’t have time to type the minutes before the agenda went out. They will be on the next agenda for approval.

L. Watts moved to approve the Consent Agenda. R. Nichols seconded. J. Jones, R. Nichols, and L. Watts voted aye. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-2.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on the agenda and limited to 5 minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

Michael Hoyt – He said that based on the rules adopted by the committee for Presidential debates, he is invoking his response to his name appearing on the attorney’s bill.

His first item is the summary statement said that he inquired about the deeds. He did not inquire about the deeds. He did mention in the meeting that he had not gotten a response from his K.O.R.A. request. What he requested were the comments made by the Mayor that he wanted to the resolution to be adopted to accept the deeds. He said to Mr. Deane that there is no such thing as a limiter liability corporation. He hopes his spell check is fixed. Those deeds are over at the courthouse and they are recorded they are defective in his opinion.

His second item is that Mr. Deane felt the need to respond to him on his K.O.R.A. request on a page and a half letter because it was faxed in and you only received half the page and no one responded. When it says K.O.R.A. request, Michael Hoyt, his phone number, his address, and his email address, but the bottom half is empty, he thinks a phone call would have been warranted instead of ignoring him. Instead, you got to pay for a page and a half letter to him saying why they didn’t respond. He said that he would go on record and say that the last time he ever spoke on the phone with Mr. Deane was in December when he called him and said you should have voted and he didn’t vote.

His next item concerns K.D.H.E. and correspondence. He didn’t respond to anything concerning those overflows. He only submitted a K.O.R.A. request to K.D.H.E. and not to City Hall. Why he felt the need to put K.D.H.E. and his name on the bill, he doesn’t know.

He said that Susan brought up Senate Bill 87. She said it was scary. It is an act concerning sales taxation relating to county wide retailers sales tax discontinuing a portion of revenue for general purposes. They don’t have a sales tax at the County for general purposes. It is for hard surface roads so this bill doesn’t apply. This bill is only four pages long and is for only non directed funds so it doesn’t apply.

The last thing is the holidays that have been approved by the Governor for Kansas. There are only ten. He asked Susan how many we had.

Susan said that she didn’t have that in front of her.

Mr. Hoyt said that President’s Day was not one of them.

City Manager Report and Comments: Jeremy Frazier, City Manager, informed the Commission that this is the first day of his official third week with the City of Fort Scott. The first two weeks were filled with getting to know City staff. We have had some interesting meetings like the Eagle Block meeting and the Land Bank meeting. He has had the privilege to be on the radio show. He and Ally have been reviewing software for the Codes Department. This would allow the community to report violations. This would make it more manageable. We are looking to hire more staff in that department. He has set up official times to interview and speak with every department one on one. Because of some of the departments and how big they are, an extra meeting had to be set. He has been focused on this the last two weeks. Then there was the snow storm to deal with that we just had. He’s had lots of meetings in the last two weeks, probably more than he has had in the last two years. He is learning names with faces. He wants to focus on the operational aspects of the City and work with the Commission to connect their vision with the City staff.

He also informed the Commission that he had been contacted by Pam Henderson of Senator Jerry Moran’s office who would like to set up a meeting next week.

He was also contacted by Congressman Jake LaTurner’s representative, Whitney Tempel, who wants to set up a meeting once a month and make City Hall the location for their meetings for Fort Scott.

Jeremy was asked about a Codes update. Jeremy said that they have looked at a Codes supervisory position and a building inspection official position. He should know more in the next week or so.

Ally said that they have conducted several interviews over the last few weeks. They have narrowed down their candidate on the codes inspector position and they are working on a potential building official/consultant position. They don’t feel like they have the budget for two full time positions but could look at one full time and one part time position. She said that Craig Campbell, with the Good Neighbor Action Team, has volunteered to assist with Codes and possibly with some of the property owners who can’t make their own repairs.

Director Reports:

Sick and Vacation Liability Numbers – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, shared with the Commission numbers of vacation and sick leave liability. Susan said that if employees retire with 12 years of service or more, they are eligible for half of their sick leave they have remaining. The total amount of vacation liability is $273,887.18 and the total of sick leave liability is $149,376.50. The grand total of both is $423,263.68. These numbers change every pay period. Susan said that these numbers are budgeted when she knows employees are thinking about retirement.

Discussion was held if changes need to be made to the City’s policy.

City Manager said that employees sometimes are not reimbursed well in pay, and the benefits are attractive to the employees. He is not alarmed by these numbers.

Susan will bring these numbers to every budget session that we have.

Pete asked if the City had a time card system.

Susan said that we have a system where employees request vacation and/or sick leave and it is tracked.

Review of Purchase Policy – Susan Bancroft informed the Commission that after the last special meeting, the Commission asked that the purchase policy be looked at again. On page 22 it states that “local preference applies to businesses in the following order: 1) Those within the City of Fort Scott corporate limits; 2) those located within Bourbon County; and 3) those located within the State of Kansas. Our policy does specify that preference be shown to companies located in Kansas over other states”.

R. Nichols asked about on page 21 as it refers to the City Engineer and we currently don’t have a City engineer. He asked if this should be changed.

P. Allen said that we should be looking for another City engineer as the Commission directed Staff to hire a City engineer a few months ago. That direction still stands, and staff should be looking to hire an engineer. We should have an engineer on staff.

J. Jones asked who was in control of severance packages or any bonuses given to employees and if that should go before the City Commission.

Susan said that is controlled by the City Manager as he does the hiring and firing of employees. He could let the Commissioners know in executive session of his actions.

Old Business: None

Appearances: None

New Business:

  1. Consideration of Golf Cart Lease Agreement – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that the purchase of 34 golf carts and one beverage cart was approved earlier in the year. This agreement is for the golf cart lease. She asked for approval of the lease with DeLage Landen Public Finance, LLC. This is a five-year lease with annual payments of $17,641.00.

K. Allen moved to approve the Golf Cart Lease Agreement. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED GOLF CART LEASE AGREEMENT WITH DELAGE LANDEN PUBLIC FINANCE LLC. FOR A FIVE-YEAR LEASE WITH ANNUAL PAYMENTS OF $17,641.00.

  1. Consideration of Charter Ordinance regarding Residency – Jeff Deane, City Attorney, informed the Commission that he was asked to look into a new charter ordinance regarding residency. There were three existing Charter Ordinances 8, 10, and 21, which exempted us from State Statute. This State Statute was repealed by the State of Kansas. Two of these old charter ordinances were passed in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Charter Ordinance No. 21 changed to reflect all City employees have to live within a five-mile radius of the City limits. Another regular ordinance was passed that stated employees had to reside in Bourbon County. This Charter Ordinance will repeal the other ordinances (3189) and require employees to reside in Bourbon County.

Josh read the current portion from the Employee Handbook. It states the following: “All Director level and above employees are required to reside within Bourbon County. New employees at this level are expected to establish residency within Bourbon County, Kansas no later than six (6) months after the beginning date of employment in a director level and above position. Employees whose duties include responding to urgent or emergency situations must be able to report to their normal worksite within a thirty (30) minute response time commencing from the time of the request to return to work.

Jeff Deane reminded the Commission that this Charter Ordinance, if approved, will be published for two consecutive weeks and not take effect until 61 days after the final date of publication.

L. Watts moved to approve Charter Ordinance No. 32 repealing Charter Ordinances 8, 10, and 21 and Ordinance No. 3189 regarding residency and other qualifications for appointive office. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CHARTER ORDINANCE NO. 32 REPEALING CHARTER ORDINANCE NO. 8, 10, AND 21 AND ORDINANCE NO. 3189 REGARDING RESIDENCY AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTIVE OFFICE.

  1. Consideration of Charter Ordinance to replace vacant City Commissioner position – Josh Jones said that this was brought up before he came into the position. Josh read the proposed Charter Ordinance:

The Candidate from the last regular election for City Commission receiving the highest number of votes in the results of the regular election, but not seated, shall be seated to fill that vacancy if:

  1. The Candidate is available to be seated;

  2. The Candidate is a current registered voter and resides within the City limits of Fort Scott, Kansas; and

  3. (This was added) – The Candidate received at least the number of votes in the last regular election equal to or greater than 25% of all votes cast in the last regular election of the City Commission.

Kevin said that he likes this ordinance. He doesn’t think it should be someone that they select.

Lindsey said that she has discussed this with a lot of people, and she doesn’t understand why we need to change the current ordinance. We were voted in by the citizens to make rules and set policies for this city.

Josh said that if this was in place before he wouldn’t be here.

Kevin referenced the Presidential election and how the Vice-President moves up to President. This shouldn’t be a challenging decision to make.

Josh said that the deciding vote should not be made by the City Attorney.

Randy said that the Commission made the correct decision when Barbara Wood was placed into office. The correct decision was made at that time. They saw her as the best fit for the Commission. He doesn’t support this Charter Ordinance, but you are aware of how he feels.

Pete said that you have to look at when the vote is tied, that person who makes the decision is someone who is not from Fort Scott. That’s not fair.

Lindsey said that this Commission has made lots of important decisions and came together and even hired a City Manager. We have been forced to work together when it really matters. We haven’t had to have the City Attorney break a tie vote.

K. Allen made the motion to approve the Charter Ordinance No. 33. P. Allen seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, and J. Jones voted aye. R. Nichols and L. Watts voted no. Motion denied.

Per Jeff Deane, the motion had to have four (4) yes votes to be approved and it did not.

MOTION TO APPROVE CHARTER ORDINANCE NO. 33 – REPLACING VACANT CITY COMMISSIONER WAS DENIED.

Josh asked Lindsey and Randy to come up with a solution, so the City Attorney doesn’t have the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Kevin asked about the possibility to look at splitting the city into wards so there can be representation from all over the city.

  1. Consideration of Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades – Request for Engineering Services – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the next step towards accomplishing the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project for this year is a request for engineering services. There are four ways this can be accomplished. 1) This can be done with a Design Build and no Request for Qualifications; 2) Design building with Request for Qualifications; 3) Traditional Design Bid and Build with No Request for Qualifications; and 4) Traditional Design Bid with Request for Qualifications.

Lindsey asked why we would go out for RFQ’s when Burns and McDonnell has already completed the engineering previously.

Josh said that he feels like this is the best route to go.

Michael said that this will just take time to send out all the requests and publicize it. It will take two to three months.

Lindsey said that we just went out last year on this. She doesn’t understand why we would go back out again for RFQ’s.

Josh said that we might get a lower cost by doing this.

J. Jones made a motion to approve the Traditional Design Bid with Request for Qualifications. K. Allen seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, and J. Jones voted aye. R. Nichols and L. Watts voted no. Motion carried 3-2.

approved the Traditional Design Bid with Request for Qualifications for the wastewater treatment plant upcoming project.

  1. Consideration of Water Treatment Plant – Request for Engineering Services – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the first rehabilitation of the water clarifier was completed in 2020. This is for painting of the clarifier. This agreement is for engineering at a cost not to exceed $9,800.00 with Allgeier, Martin & Associates of Joplin, Missouri. This project will be sent out for bid and is included in the 2021 capital improvement plan.

Discussion was held regarding the project and the engineer. City Attorney recommended going into executive session if you are talking about specific performance of a company to prevent any possible litigation.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

L. Watts moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing attorney-client privilege in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The subject matter will be potential litigation. The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 8:10 p.m. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, and Public Utilities Director.

L. Watts moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. J. Jones seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, L. Watts, and J. Jones voted yes. R. Nichols voted no. Motion carried 4-1.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

L. Watts moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing attorney-client privilege in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). The subject matter will be potential litigation. The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 8:22 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission, City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, and Public Utilities Director.

J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 8:22 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

R. Nichols moved to approve Allgeier Martin & Associates engineering proposal and move forward with this project. L. Watts seconded. R. Nichols, L. Watts, and J. Jones voted aye. K. Allen abstained. P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-1-1.

approved Allgeier, Martin & Associates engineering proposal at a cost not to exceed $9,800.00 and move forward with the water clarifier project.

  1. Discussion of First Source building -Selling, Renting, Marketing – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that she was here to give them an update on the First Source building.

Josh wondered if it would be good to lease with an option to buy.

Rachel said that the previous tenant was given the option to purchase the property, but they did not want to own property. She said that she has 23 years of data. The last real estate option we had was back in 2017 and that amount of $961,000. It is costing the City about $3,000 in utilities each month on this empty building. This amount is not budgeted. We do need to make a decision. She asked for more time to get a real estate opinion on this property. This could be put out for an R.F.P. for a real estate agent also. The Public Health Office is utilizing this building and their next clinic is February 23rd. They are predicting three to six more months of usage. She said that there is some private industry interested in the property. She would like to go forward with getting a real estate opinion on the property. She will bring this opinion back to them at the next meeting.

  1. Approval of Bid and documentation for Mayor to sign for Mayco Ace Project – CDBG Grant – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that there were three bids received for the rehabilitation of the Mayco Ace Hardware project. The low bid is from Triangle Builders, LLC of Paola, Kansas in the amount of $212,715.00. The State has approved this bid and has been sent to the City for approval of the Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, and approval for the Mayor to sign all the pertinent documentation.

R. Nichols moved to approve the Notice of Award to Triangle Builders, LLC in the amount of $212,715.00. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED NOTICE OF AWARD TO TRIANGLE BUILDERS, LLC OF PAOLA, KANSAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $212,715.00.

L. Watts moved to approve the Notice to Proceed and authorize the Mayor to sign all pertinent documentation. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE NOTICE TO PROCEED AND AUTHORIZED THE MAYOR TO SIGN ALL PERTINENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS GRANT.

  1. Approval to apply for the Rural Preservation Grant for Memorial Hall – Allyson Turvey, Community Development Manager, informed the Commission that the City has an opportunity to apply for a State Historical Society for the Rural Preservation Grant for the preservation of the front steps of Memorial Hall. It is a 90/10 reimbursement program with an upfront cost of $39,600 of which $35,640 of the project cost would be reimbursed after completion. The City received a proposal from Mid Continental Restoration in the amount of $39,600. She gave the Commission a list of an upcoming schedule for events to be held at Memorial Hall this coning year. She shared with the Commission a priority list of repairs for Memorial Hall. The first priority is for the steps is $33,000; 2) Window and Door Sealant is $11,340; 3) Wood Floor Resurfacing is $10,000; and 4) General repairs to the Building Exterior is $84,698.00. These repairs total $139,038.00. The steps are the first prioritized item. She asked for approval to apply for the Rural Preservation Grant and have the Mayor sign the letter of support for this grant.

L. Watts made a motion to approve to submit the Rural Preservation Grant to the State Historic Society for the Memorial Hall steps. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

approveD to submit the Rural Preservation Grant to the State Historic Society for the Memorial Hall steps.

  1. Consideration to accept Request for Qualifications for City Attorney – Josh Jones, Mayor, informed the Commission that this is something that he brought up a meeting or two ago. He has spoke with Jeff Deane on this also. He thinks all contracts should be reviewed. He wants to see what else is out there to consider.

Randy said that he doesn’t see the purpose of this and why the short time frame of 11 days. He knows there are concerns with the cost, but it was a difficult year last year. We have a great legal service and great legal advice. Jeremy is going to be involved in our legal issues now. What about continued representation in our ongoing legal issues? Where are we putting this out at? Is 11 days long enough? He thinks it is premature to post this and should give it another couple of months. He asked to table this issue at this time and let Jeremy put his thoughts in on it.

Josh said that we can just go and see what is out there. He said that he has talked with Jeff Deane and they will be putting in an R.F.Q. also. He asked him to put in a joint effort request also, and if there is someone local here, he can always assist with the bigger projects.

R. Nichols made a motion to table this issue at this time.

(His motion died for lack of a second).

Kevin said that there are no hard feelings towards Jeff Deane.

Lindsey also questioned the 11 day time frame and thinks it is too short.

Josh said that we can have them in before the next meeting. He said that when we went out for City Manager we have 14 days for them to submit resumes.

Lindsey said that was a different situation as we had an Interim City Manager at the time.

Josh said that we also shouldn’t ever publish anything with a stated salary in it like the City Manager position was advertised for.

J. Jones moved to accept Request for Qualifications for City Attorney until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 26th, 2021. K. Allen seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, L. Watts, and J. Jones voted aye. R. Nichols voted no. Motion carried 4-1.

APPROVED TO ACCEPT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR CITY ATTORNEY UNTIL 1:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, 2021.

Reports and Comments:

  1. Commissioner Reports and Comments:

L. Watts – Thanked the City employees and all the Public Works employees for the great job they did during this last snow storm. She knows that they spent some long days and nights.

P. Allen – Nothing to report.

K. Allen – Also thanked the Public Works crews and Bill Lemke, who has been unthawing water meters like crazy. He thanked Buck Run and Tom Robertson for having Buck Run as a warming station in Fort Scott. He thanked Josh Jones for volunteering to give rides to people.

He asked Travis Shelton about animals that are out in this weather tethered up without proper water and food and shelter. He asked if there was any programs that could be started to help with this?

Travis said that they have also received several calls. He has had Max Daly go out and check these concerns that were called in. There are State standards that they have to go by. The State requires food, water, and shelter. If they are meeting the State standards, they can’t do anything.

Kevin said that the stop sign removal at 1st and National has been well received. He thinks that citizens are adjusting to it. He said that maybe we can look at 2nd Street in the future.

Kevin asked about UTV’s licenses and why they have to have the County bill of sale.

Travis said that this was discussed, and documentation was given to the Commission at the February 2nd meeting on this issue. He explained the process to them again.

Discussion was held about the process for golf carts and UTV’s and if there are inconsistencies.

City Clerk will send them information on both licensing the UTV’s and golf carts.

R. Nichols – Thanked the City crews for all their assistance in cleaning the streets.

Randy said that we are two weeks away from the sales tax vote and asked if there was a campaign in promoting this vote.

Randy asked Jeremy as we move forward and as we buy equipment, and then hire more employees, his concern is at the federal level to increase minimum wage. He asked if projections can be made to see how it will impact our community. We need to see a long-term impact of this.

Randy said that we get money from special streets that is based on fuel sales in our community. The world is changing, and vehicles are changing to electric vehicles. He asked how much our fuel sales contribute to our street fund, and how much sales tax comes from the percentage of fuel sales. We need to be thinking about this. We don’t need to be hiring above our level.

Susan can put some numbers together for them.

J. Jones – Josh had several items to discuss:

He asked to see the Craw-Kan bill and all the fees and services provided.

He asked to see the cost of Incode software and if there are other opportunities besides Incode that the City can use.

He mentioned the possibility of the City and County sharing a building to save money.

He mentioned crosswalk painting by the school. He said that there are several artists in town that could paint murals in the downtown area or painting in the crosswalk areas.

He asked about the possibility of having paddleboats at Gunn Park and a concession stand area. He thinks there are volunteers that can work the concession stand area.

He asked about the Fort Scott High School student representation and where we were with that.

He asked if a subject had been determined for the February 23rd, 2021 work session. He asked if it could be on economic development.

Randy said that he won’t be here for that work session and he would like to be present for that.

Josh said that we can pick a different subject.

City Attorney Report and Comments: Nothing to report.

Adjournment:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:31 p.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 9:31 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, MMC

City Clerk

Why Does Health in all Policies (HiAP) Matter?

Submitted by: Jody Hoener

President and CEO

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, inc.

Health in all policies matters because health happens outside the doctor’s office. Communities reflect their populations—the people and systems that comprise them. Weaving health throughout all policy decisions is critical to community and economic development. We speak the same language as economic developers in terms of measuring key indicators to establish where we are and set goals for the vision of where we’d like to be. Building wealth, increasing average and median household wages, access to food, unemployment, housing, education: a healthy workforce is a prerequisite for economic success in any industry and in all cities.

The social determinants of health clearly identify the conditions that effect health outcomes. Healthy People 2020 list the five key domains as (1.) Economic Stability (2.) Education (3.) Health and Health Care (4.) Neighborhood and Built Environment and (5.) Social and Community Context. Through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to Healthy Kansas Grant, the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is addressing each of these determinants through “pathways,” with the addition of a 6th food pathway.

Social and economic factors impact health. Factors such as quality of education and safe neighborhoods are paramount. Our work at the community level is to improve environments where we live, create accessible support systems, encourage community engagement, and to make the healthy choice the default choice.

Equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to access what they need to thrive. This requires removing obstacles to good health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including: powerlessness and lack of access to well-paying jobs, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care (Braveman et al., 2017).

Policies continue to create differences in home ownership, small business development, and other wealth building strategies. Structural inequities create disparities in people’s ability to participate and have a voice in policy and political decision making.

The HBCAT has always defined our target population as Bourbon County, including the six incorporated cities it encompasses. This was defined in 2016 with the completion of the first community health needs assessment. The HBCAT recognizes we are only as strong as our weakest link. Impacts of decisions made by City of Fort Scott officials are often felt throughout the county and policy decisions made through the county are often felt in each of the cities. Regardless of where your home is located, we are all connected and intertwined. Every corner of the county is working toward the same goals in terms of access to safe walkable neighborhoods, healthcare, jobs, income, education, or safe affordable housing.

Policy makers are often juggling competing priorities. Including a Health in all Policy (HiAP) approach will allow policy makers to recognize the health impacts of decisions early on. The strategy is to use the Kansas Health Institute’s Health Impact Checklist (HI-C) tool. The tool asks a series of questions with check boxes and written responses to connect potential changes in social, economic, and environmental conditions with potential health impacts.

Policy decisions can shape what our community looks like and have implications on the health and quality of life for all residents. Research has shown that it is not lack of personal responsibility, low motivation or culture of poverty but deeply entrenched societal factors that cause disparities. The HBCAT looks forward to working with city government on the HiAP checklist to inform decision-making for proposals that appear to be unrelated to health such as housing, transportation, and land use.

Background of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team:

The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, inc. is registered through the State of Kansas as a non-profit organization. The action team strives to increase access to healthy food and physical activity, promote commercial tobacco cessation, enhance quality of life and encourage economic growth. The problems of health inequity and social injustice are complex in nature and inextricably linked to key economic indicators. The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team aims to improve health outcomes, promote economic inclusion, and address inequities through direct action in the local community and by nurturing relationships with other helping organizations throughout Kansas.

Obituary of Margaret Thorpe

Margaret “Peg” Thorpe, age 73, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Thursday, February 25, 2021, at the Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas. She was born November 7, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of John Howard Raftery and Margaret Montgomery Raftery. Following high school, Peg attended Moser Secretarial School in Chicago. From 1967 to 1969, she served an internship at WGN Radio Station in Chicago. She later served as executive secretary for Midwest Contractor Assoc. in Geneva, Illinois. In 1980, Peg moved to Ft. Scott where she was part owner of the McDonald’s restaurant until 1989. Peg married Wayne Thrope on November 12, 1993, in Ft. Scott. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Red Hat Society and the American Legion Auxiliary. She and her husband, Wayne, also volunteered their time at the Presbyterian Village. Peg enjoyed knitting and reading.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne, of the home; her daughter, Jennifer, Peters, of Leawood, Kansas and three granddaughters, Lydia, Ella and Madeline Anstoetter, all of Leawood. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Kate Rosenthal and a brother, John Raftery.

Rev. Reed Hartford will conduct graveside services at 11:30 A.M. Wednesday, March 3rd at the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:30 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 11:15 A.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Shriners Transportation Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

New COVID-19 Travel Quarantine List

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include several countries – Mayotte, Czechia, San Marino, Montenegro and Seychelles.  The last changes to the travel quarantine list occurred Nov. 17. Kansas has continued to review state and country rates every two weeks; however, no locations have met the threshold for being added to the list until today. The five countries were added to the list due to the countries all having COVID-19 case rates three times Kansas’ numbers.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after Feb. 26 to the countries of Mayotte, Czechia, San Marino, Montenegro or Seychelles.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their web page.

“Kansas has seen lower case rates, which has prompted the addition of these five countries that have been experiencing higher case rates,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “As we start moving into spring, we continue to urge people to avoid travel. And, if you do travel, please take appropriate precautions such as mask wearing, social distancing and practicing good hygiene.”

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

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