Monthly Archives: April 2021
The National Avenue Pavement Preservation Project Began Yesterday
With city street improvements, comes a little inconvenience.
And the City of Fort Scott has two projects on National Avenue in the works.
National from 13th to Wall
A pavement preservation project began on April 13 and will continue through next week.
National Avenue from 13th Street to Wall Street will be affected by this project, with one lane open at all times, according to a City of Fort Scott press release. Each day, specific sections of the street will be targeted in an effort to mitigate the impact on local businesses.
“This project is being performed…by Proseal Asphalt Preservation,” Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier said.
He said the contract for this work was awarded in November 2020, prior to his arrival as the city manager.
The first phase is completed, phase two started yesterday.
“Proseal is currently prepping the cracks in the pavement by blowing them out with extremely high-pressure air blowers to address heavily damaged and cracked street areas.”
“On Thursday they will be going back through those same cracks starting at the bridge near the Marmaton River… but this time they will be blowing the cracks and then filling them immediately thereafter street (with) crack filling solution,” he said. “This will reduce further damage to the roads and extend the life of the streets. The debris will be blown to the side of the streets and the larger portions taken away.”
Friday, workers will finish what is needed from Thursday’s work.
“If the weather cooperates, it is expected that this process will conclude by Monday of next week,” Frazier said.
City employees will use the street sweeper to remove debris, Frazier said.
“City staff has reached out to the affected businesses along National to provide notices of the work to be performed,” Frazier said.
The cost of the second phase work was quoted to be roughly $38,000, Frazier said.
National From Hwy. 69 to 13th
A second project will begin in late spring 2021 for a mill and overlay project on National between 13th Street and Hwy 69, Frazier said.
“We received heavy rains a few weeks ago that resulted in the drastic deterioration of National (Avenue) near Hwy. 69,” Frazier said.
At an unrelated meeting with KDOT, Frazier mentioned this deterioration.
KDOT informed Frazier that there was a possibility of piggybacking on the mill and overlay work that was soon to begin on Hwy. 69 by Bettis Asphalt.
The news couldn’t have come at a better time, he said.
“After checking with the city attorney, and given the water-related damage that had occurred on National, coupled with the possibility of adding to a project currently underway, I felt that it was necessary to address the damage as quickly as possible,” Frazier said.
The city staff requested a bid from contractor Bettis Asphalt, to add National Avenue up to 13th Street from Hwy. 69 onto the existing project, he said.
The company was already going to pave a small portion of the entrance from Hwy. 69 onto National Avenue.
“It made sense to take advantage of this contractor’s presence for a few additional and recently damaged blocks,” Frazier said.
The quote was received on April 6, 2021, in the amount of $116,350.50 and presented to the Fort Scott City Commission for consideration and possible approval.
They approved the project and it is estimated that the project begins in late May or early June after the completion of the US-69 project, Frazier said.
“This project will consist of milling the existing asphalt over the bricks and the replacement of a 1.5” overlay on top of those bricks,” he said. “There is a possibility that in an effort to save or reduce project costs that the city may offer street sweeping services for cleanup during the project. Otherwise, this project would be completely executed by Bettis Asphalt.”
.
Please contact City Hall at 620-223-0550 for questions.
USD234 News Release
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, April 12, 2021
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, April 12, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda. The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – March 11, 2021 – $1,410,272.92
D. Financial Report
E. Activity fund accounts
F. Parent/Teacher Conference statistics
G. KASB Membership Renewal with Season Pass and Legal Assistance Fund Contract Renewal for 2021-22
H. Employee Recognition Reception – May 10 – 5:00 p.m. – Fort Scott Middle School Commons
Students from the Fort High School Drama and Thespians Department gave a presentation.
Patrons spoke during the public forum section.
Reports were given by the following:
· Brenda Hill, KNEA President
· Administrators’ written reports
· Dalaina Smith, Academic Director
· Ted Hessong, Superintendent
· Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk
The board acknowledged receipt of negotiations lists for 2021-22. There was a Return-to
School Plan discussion. Board members received a Roof Inspection Report. In addition, the board heard a Summer Projects Report from Daniel Koppa, Facilities Director.
Board members approved the following:
· Community in Schools Renewal for 2021-22
· Southeast Kansas Gear Up Program
· Technology purchase
· Concrete bids – RII Concrete Construction
· Early retirement payout
· Purchase of two smaller buses
· Health insurance waivers of $456.96 for the entire 2020-21 school year
· Federal Fiscal Procedures and Policy
· Contract for Provision of Educational Services Specialized Learning
· Summit Truck Group estimate on bus repair
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.
The board approved the following employment matters:
A. Retirement of Pam Williams, Winfield Scott teacher aide, effective June 1, 2021
B. Retirement of Tom Lancaster, bus driver, effective April 1, 2021
C. Resignation of J. P. “Phil” Hammons as USD 234 Treasurer, effective March 5, 2021
D. Resignation of Joy McGhee, Winfield Scott Principal, effective at the end of the 2020-21 contract year
E. Resignation of Tammy Grimes, Eugene Ware speech paraprofessional, effective April 3, 2021
F. Resignation of Dillon Duffy, middle school four-hour paraprofessional, effective March 29, 2021
G. Termination of Gary Floyd, middle school paraprofessional, effective March 29, 2021
H. Transfer of Clint Heffern, high school social studies/physical education teacher, to the additional high school physical education teacher position for the 2021-22 school year
I. Leave of absence for Carrie Southwell, Eugene Ware third grade teacher, for the 2021-22 school year
J. Clarification of contract for Stephanie Flanner, elementary behavior specialist
K. Employment of Scott Kimble as high school principal for the 2021-22 school year
L. Employment of Sarah Dunivan as the Winfield Scott music teacher for the 2021-22 school year
M. Employment of Michael Casner as high school industrial technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year
N. Employment of Ashley Wilcox as Winfield Scott technology teacher for the 2021-22 school year
O. Employment of Susan Carnes as Eugene Ware speech paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
P. Employment of Sabrina Cady as a middle school four-hour paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
Q. Employment of Nina Merriman-Reed as a middle school paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year
R. Employment of Rhonda Dawson as USD 234 Treasurer
S. Employment of Fort Scott High School licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
T. Employment of Fort Scott Middle School licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
U. Employment of Eugene Ware Elementary licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
V. Employment of Winfield Scott Elementary licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
W. Employment of Fort Scott Preschool Center licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
X. Employment of special services/technology licensed personnel for the 2021-22 school year
Y. Resignation of Allison Gorman as high school head girls’ tennis coach, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year
Z. Employment of Terra Kegler as high school head volleyball coach for the 2021-22 school year
AA. Resignation of Courtenay Slinkard, high school English teacher, effective at end of the 2020-21 school year
AB. Addition of a full-time high school agriculture education teacher position for the 2021-22 school year
AC. Employment of Margaret Marino as a Winfield Scott special education teacher for the 2021-22 school year
The board adjourned.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of April 6
April 6, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Oharah and Harris present, (Commissioner Beth arrived at 9:20) the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Jeremy Frazier, Susan Bancroft and Nancy Van Etten.
Lynne made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting, Jim seconded and all approved and signed the minutes.
Eric Bailey previously received a request to move an oversized load on the County roads; he said he has the insurance paperwork from this requestor and that Justin Meeks had reviewed and approved it. Lynne made a motion to approve the moving permit, Jim seconded and the motion passed.
Eric Bailey reported that they have finished capping the C&D at the Landfill.
Eric reported three trees had fallen across the road last week, which they have pushed off of the side of the road.
Eric said they hope to be crushing at the Beth Quarry by the last part of the week.
Eric reported that the burner on the oil tank quit, but the part has been ordered for repairs. He said they are working on repairs to the laydown machine.
Eric reported the low water crossing at 60th & Grand had given out, he said engineer Frank Young is involved and they are putting in temporary culverts there.
Eric asked Jim Harris about the crossing at 115th & Range to the north; Jim suggesting asking Frank Young to pull the review of this crossing.
Eric briefly discussed the windfarm project; he said the contractors are 13% complete on capping the roads and said they are working on 40th & 50th and at 39 & Cavalry Road. He said weight limit signs have been put up at a few crossings.
Continue reading Bourbon County Commission Minutes of April 6
DEADLINE TODAY 4/14 FOR Chamber of Commerce AWARD NOMINATIONS!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chamber Coffee Hosted by Fort Scott Christian Heights School on April 15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports April 14
2021 Cruise Night Online Auction
Tri-Valley’s signature event, Cruise Night, is an annual fundraiser for our organization. The event includes dinner, drinks, music, and silent and live auctions. For 2021, we are holding an online event. Please join us April 12th – April 15th as we hold our first online auction. Come back often to check your bids!
CRUISE NIGHT 2021 Online Auction
DATE: April 12th – 15th, 2021
LOCATION: Online Auction
DETAILS:
Due to Covid-19, we have decided to switch things up for 2021. Instead of an in-person event, we are holding an online auction. In 2022, we return to our normal fun-filled in-person event.
“Cruise Night ” is a fun filled evening that includes dinner, music, door prizes, and both live and silent auctions. All money raised from the evening goes toward our mission of providing quality and affordable homes as well as aid in the delivery of services to our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities in the counties of Allen, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson in Southeast Kansas.
With state funding dwindling, fundraising events like Cruise Night are essential to keeping our services and clients thriving. We hope to raise more than $25,000 each year through this event and the proceeds will be used to provide quality and affordable housing for our neighbors with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Through fundraising efforts, the Friends of Tri-Valley Foundation has been able to build six homes, acquire three homes and a duplex, as well as renovate properties as the needs arise in Allen, Bourbon, Neosho and Woodson counites. In January 2020, the Foundation expanded services into Chautauqua, Elk, Greenwood, and Wilson counties. . Our thirteen houses are now “home” to 61 of our neighbors with I/DD. Please join us for the 2020 event and help us further our mission of belonging!
A Few Auction Items
– Unique photos of Fort Scott Historical Site
– Autographed NCIS New Orleans Script
– Wine Connoisseur Baskets
– plus many, many more unique items.
2021 CRUISE NIGHT SPONSORS
Kansas Workforce Development Improvement Begins
Governor Kelly’s Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council Holds First Meeting on Improving Workforce Development in Kansas
TOPEKA – The Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council held its first meeting Monday, officially beginning its work to implement Governor Laura Kelly’s vision of Kansas having the best educated, most skilled workforce in the Midwest.
The Governor signed an Executive Order in March establishing the Advantage Kansas Coordinating Council, which creates a statewide forum for crafting policy and legislative proposals aimed at workforce development.
“This council will align our education system with the needs of business and industry to build the robust pipeline of skilled workers needed to ensure we don’t fall behind in a constantly-evolving economy,” Governor Kelly said. “We must invest in our children and our businesses to create opportunities for all Kansans.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, the Council committed itself to the Governor’s 5-year vision of being the best in the Midwest in three key areas:
- Post-secondary readiness and success;
- Preparation for high-wage, high-demand, high-skilled, critical need occupations and;
- Business expansion, attraction, and retention.
The Council reviewed findings surrounding Kansas’s economic competitiveness from the state’s new economic development strategy, the Framework for Growth. After assessing the state’s existing advantages and areas for growth, the Council delved into educational attainment data in Kansas, identifying information gaps and metrics to assess growth in workforce development opportunities like apprenticeships, certifications, and more. The group concluded the meeting by organizing itself into three workgroups, each focused on one of three priority areas identified by the Governor:
- The Jump Start Kansas team will work on post-secondary readiness and success, helping to improve work based and applied learning opportunities in the state;
- The Talent Ready Kansas team will focus on preparation for high-wage, high-demand,, high-skilled, critical need occupations in Kansas, working to expand apprenticeship programs and increasing industry preparation in higher-education;
- The Opportunity Kansas team will center its work on business expansion, attraction, and retention, helping to make Kansas the best place to live, invest, and grow.
The Advantage Kansas Council will meet monthly, with the next full-council meeting scheduled for May 12th. All meetings will be streamed live and notice will be posted via Public Square. Members of the public can view the meeting on the Board of Regent’s YouTube page here and access the meeting documents here.
Governor Kelly appointed the following members:
- Alan Cobb, Topeka, Co-Chair
- Shelly Kiblinger, Cherryvale, Co-Chair
- Vijay Ramasamy, Topeka, Governor’s Office Representative
- Dr. Cindy Lane, Kansas City, Governor’s Office Representative
- Ann Mah, Topeka, State Board of Education Representative
- Jean Clifford, Garden City, State Board of Education Representative
- Dr. Randy Watson, McPherson, KS Commissioner of Education
- Dr. Blake Flanders, Topeka, President and CEO of KBOR
- Trent Armbrust, Manhattan, KS Department of Commerce
- Matt Lindsey, Lawrence, Kansas Independent Colleges Association
- Becky Wolfe, Augusta, Chamber of Commerce Executives of Kansas
- Bob Hale, Kansas City, Organized Labor Association Representative
DOWNTOWN SPRING CLEAN DATE MOVED DUE TO FORECAST
The Downtown Division of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the Downtown Spring Clean event planned for this Friday, April 16th has been moved to Friday, April 23rd from 3 to 6pm due to the forecast of inclement weather.
Community members interested in volunteering for the downtown cleanup event are welcome to participate by contacting Bailey Lyons, Downtown Division Chair by phone 620-224-7795 or email [email protected]. Each volunteer will receive a free t-shirt courtesy of MyOne Stop and businesses/organizations who provide a donation for materials by April 19th will be listed on the back of the shirts. Donations may be made to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and dropped off at 231 E. Wall St.
Over 200 volunteers are confirmed from Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott High School, Rotary Club, St. Martin’s Academy, local businesses, and other individuals. Projects include painting curbs, striping and numbering parking spaces, weeding, mulching, crosswalk art and more. The event will be a great community gathering to spruce up downtown.
COVID 19 Brazilian Variant Identified in Sedgwick County
TOPEKA – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Variant known as the Brazilian or P.1 variant has been identified in an individual in Sedgwick County. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as, if others may have been exposed. No further details will be released concerning the patient, including demographics.
The variant was determined through the whole genome sequencing conducted through the laboratories at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
The P.1 variant was originally identified in four travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at Haneda airport outside Tokyo, Japan. This variant was detected in the U.S. at the end of January 2021 and has been found in 31 states and territories in the U.S. At this point, there is still much to learn about the transmission characteristics and potential severity of the P.1 variant. Although this strain can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, vaccines still provide strong protection against severe illness and death.
“We continue to encourage people to take the appropriate precautions. This includes wearing a mask that fits snuggly around the nose and face and has multiple layers of fabric or layering thinner masks with an additional cloth face mask to improve the fit,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Kansans should also follow isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distancing, good hygiene, staying home if ill and getting the vaccine if you are able to.”
Two other variants of concern have been identified in Kansas, including the UK variant, B.1.1.7, and the South African variant, B.1.351. Variant information in Kansas can be found on the COVID-19 dashboard under the “Variants” tab.
“In addition to following these healthy behaviors, this finding also shows the importance of getting tested for COVID-19,” Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, adds.
Testing is available and free for all Kansans. To find a location near you, visit: www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for April 16 Special Meeting
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: April 16, 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 THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
SPECIAL MEETING BEGINS AT 8:30AM
Call to Order
- Flag Salute
- Executive Session – BWERKS
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.