Monthly Archives: March 2023

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for March 7

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

To view entire packet:

DOC030423-03042023115447

 

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

March 7, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

   Roll Call:

  1.       J. Jones     T. Van Hoecke     E. Woellhof     K. Harrington     M. Wells
  2.      Flag Salute:
  • Invocation: Regan Wells

 

  1. Approval of Agenda:
  2. Consent Agenda:
  3. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 21, 2023

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1331-A totaling $311,195.45

 

  1. Public Comment:

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

 

VII.      Old Business:  

 

  1.   Contract – City Manager, Brad Matkin

 

 

VIII.     Appearances:

 

  1. Mike Miles – Fire Department Retention presentation
  2. Bourbon County Casa – Requesting donation from the City

 

  1. 3. Healthy Bourbon County Action Team – Update on Center for Economic Growth – Jody Hoener, Rachel Carpenter, Dacia Clark

 

  1. Cory Bryars – Request to close Riverfront Park September 29th and 30th, 2023 for the Care to Share Event

 

  1. Update on status of 1107 W. 6th St. – Contract of Sale – James Malveaux

 

 

  1. Public Hearing: None
  2. New Business:
  3. Discussion of 10 N. National property
  4. Consideration of Utility Easement Adjustment on Purchased Lake Lot
  5. Consideration for purchase of Storm Siren – Walnut Hill – Chief Bruner
  6. Consideration for purchase of Body Cameras – Chief Pickert
  7. Consideration of Paint for Striping Machine – Tom Coffman
  8. Purchase of Attachment for Skid Loader – Tom Coffman
  9. Consideration of Annual Water Meter Changeout Program – Bill Lemke
  10. Consideration 1107 W. 6th Street Bids
  11. Consideration of Banking Service Bids
  12. Consideration of Ground Lease Bids
  13. Consideration of Fort Scott Pavilion Bids – J. Dickman
  14. Consideration of CDBG Sewer Project Bids – J. Dickman
  15. Consideration of RFQ for US 54-CCLIP Geometric Improvements – Phase I

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. Interim City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:
  5. VanHoecke –
  6. Woellhof –
  7. Harrington –
  8. Jones –
  9. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

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

 

XIII.        Adjournment:

 

 

K-State Extension, Youth

Celebrate National Reading Month

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Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Many people recognize this quote from Dr. Seuss’s book, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!”. March is designated as National Reading Month to celebrate the birthday of this famous author and his impact on creative storytelling. This national celebration was established as a way to promote reading to individuals of all ages.

Reading is a crucial part of every individual’s life, regardless of age. For children, it is a large component of education while for adults, it is part of professional development. Reading is also a leisure time activity that has many immediate and long-lasting health benefits. Studies have found increased cognitive function, memory, vocabulary, empathy, and decreased levels of stress in individuals that read regularly. When done before bedtime, it has the potential to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Reading even has the power to strengthen relationships through shared learning.

There are several ways you can celebrate this national holiday all month long. One of the simplest would be to visit a library or read the books you already have on hand. Libraries provide great environments for young children where they can access books for free while being immersed in a learning atmosphere. Another easy way to celebrate is to read with a family member or friend. Studies indicate that when parents read to their children, it helps with bonding and attachment. Read aloud even if it’s for a short period. Reading aloud develops fundamental skills, promotes social interaction, and improves vocabulary, word recognition, listening comprehension, and cognitive development.

Submitted photo.

The importance of reading extends far beyond educational development. Pick up a book and enjoy all the benefits of reading during National Reading Month. You might even create a positive habit that lasts throughout your whole life! For more information, contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620.

Business, Food, Fort Scott

New BBQ Restaurant Coming to Fort Scott in May

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Carissa and Alex Bowman with their children, Gracie and Campbell.. Submitted photo.
Carissa, 34, and Alex Bowman, 33, have plans to open a bbq restaurant at 3 W. Oak Street, called Brickstreet BBQ.
Brickstreet BBQ is located at the corner of Oak Street and National Avenue on Fort Scott’s north side. The River Room Event Center is located on the second floor.
“We  plan to open hopefully in May, 2023,” Carissa said. “We felt that Fort Scott residents and ourselves missed being able to get good barbecue in town and thought since we’ve been able to manage and maintain a local restaurant that we have the know-how and the will power to make it happen!”
Alex is the manager and cook at Nu Grille Restaurant. just across the street from Brickstreet BBQ.
Carissa is the Family and Consumer Science teacher at Fort Scott High School.
Carissa Bowman, gives a thumbs up on a new banner at Brickstreet BBQ, from the restaurant’s Facebook page.

They have started some social media to help the public get to see their progress:

The Bowman’s plan on employing about 40 full-time and part-time people. The employment application can be accessed on their Facebook page.
Contact info: One can contact Carissa at her email: [email protected]
Government

Ag Producers Safety Net Program

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Agricultural Producers Have Until March 15 to Enroll in USDA’s Key Commodity Safety Net Programs 

 

Manhattan, Kansas, March 3, 2023 – Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.
“The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs provide critical protection to many American farmers. As producers across the country deal with market volatility and natural disasters, these programs offer much-needed stability,” said Dennis McKinney, State Executive Director for FSA in Kansas. “I am encouraging producers to reach out to their county offices to learn about program eligibility and election options today, so that they can begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.”

 

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which are both commodity-by-commodity, or ARC-Individual, which covers the entire farm. Although election changes for 2023 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Additionally, if a producer has a multi-year contract on their farm and makes an election change for 2023, they will need to sign a new contract.

 

If producers do not submit an election by the March 15, 2023, deadline, the election remains the same as the 2022 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the commodity.

 

In Kansas, producers have completed 74,828 contracts to date, representing 72% of the more than 104,000 expected contracts.

 

Producers who do not complete enrollment by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2023 year and will not receive a payment if triggered.

 

Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities:  barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
Decision Tools

 

In partnership with USDA, two web-based decision tools are available to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations:

  • Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC.
  • ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&M University that allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2023.

 

Crop Insurance Considerations and Decision Deadline

 

ARC and PLC are part of a broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.

 

Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.

 

Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider. However, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.

 

Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election.

 

Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.

 

Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to make certain that the election and enrollment made at FSA follows their intention to participate in STAX or SCO coverage. Producers have until March 15, 2023, to make the appropriate changes or cancel their ARC or PLC contract.

 

More Information

 

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center.

 

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

 

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

 

 

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Take Down Tobacco

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Kansas Department of Health and Environment Resist Program, and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition host National Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol

TOPEKA – Today, members of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Resist program and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition hosted Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol – a national day of activism where youth are encouraged to speak out against commercial tobacco companies and speak with policymakers about tobacco prevention.

“Take Down Tobacco Day is a great opportunity to unite communities and create a unified voice to stand up to commercial tobacco companies,” said Bryce Chitanavong, youth tobacco prevention coordinator. “Tobacco companies use deceitful marketing tactics to target the youth because they see them as future customers. We want them to know that we won’t allow it.”

For most people, tobacco use starts when they are young. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by the age of 18. Young people are even more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as their brains develop. Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. The use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, regardless of whether it is smoked or not.

Previously known as Kick Butts Day, Take Down Tobacco Day provides an opportunity to educate students about the importance of youth advocacy in tobacco prevention. The American Heart Association provided advocacy training on the evening of March 1 to prepare students to speak with their policymakers. Each group that registered will get a chance to meet with their local representative and discuss tobacco prevention with them.

Resist is a youth-led program focusing on peer-to-peer education, awareness and policies preventing tobacco and electronic cigarette/vaping use. Resist chapters are locally established and hold community awareness events to promote tobacco-free environments. Resist is made possible with the support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition.

Resources are available for people who want to quit smoking or vaping. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit ksquit.org.

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Fort Scott, Schools

Schedule An Appointment For U234’s Kindergarten Round-up

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The USD 234 Kindergarten Round-Up is coming next month.
The event is Wednesday,  April 19th from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Please bring your child’s Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, Immunization Records and a Physical.

Your student must be 5 years old before September 1st to attend Round-Up.
Please call the Winfield Scott Office at 620-223-0450 to schedule an appointment.
Business, Church news, Fort Scott

Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church Golf Tourney Fundraiser is March 25

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Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church on day one of demolition March 1, 2023.

Plans are in place for a golf fundraiser for the Catholic church that burned down last summer.

On March 25, 2023 there will be an 8 a.m. registration and  9 a.m. tee off at Woodland Hills Golf Course in Fort Scott.


 Mid-Continental Restoration Company is hosting a golf tournament at Woodland Hills Golf Course to help raise funds for replacing the Mary Queen of Angels Church building which burned on the night of August 29, 2022.

 

“THE TOURNAMENT IS FILLED!” Franks Halsey said. “BUT we are still looking for hole sponsors from businesses as well as silent auction items or donations. In addition, Mid-Continental has purchased and will raffle a golf cart. Raffle tickets are
on sale for the price of $25 for one ticket, or 5 tickets for $100. You do not have to be present to win the golf cart.”

The golf cart that is being raffled for the Catholic Church fundraiser. Submitted photo.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at Woodland Hills or send a check Mid-Continental Restoration, 401 E. Hudson, Fort Scott, KS 66701 made out to Mary Queen of Angels (Building Fund). Any monetary
donations or any silent auction items can be donated and sent to Mid- Continental Restoration as well.


 For any questions or any more information please reach out to Chase Halsey at 620-704-2733, or
[email protected].

Opinion

Faith Journeys by Patty LaRoche

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Ever feel like you’re missing out?  You see the commercial with the snow-capped mountains in the background, the horse-drawn carriage pulling up to the home of the loving family offering toasts beside the wood-burning fireplace, and you sigh.  That’s certainly not your life. The view from your window is the wintry blast that’s left your roads ice-covered and a front porch too slick to shovel.  Your kids are cranky from being couped up inside and are griping about the Kraft Mac and Cheese you’ve given them for the fourth straight night.

How is it that some people’s lives represent Hallmark moments, and others…well, don’t?  Right now, I’m looking out at the beach, listening to the waves crash against our sea wall.  Most people are lounging at the pool or ordering food from our Palapa restaurant.  I, on the other hand, am bundled in blankets, trying to fend off some nasty flu/cold, trying to stop coughing so I can attend a huge meeting tomorrow where I will resign after serving seven years on the Board.  A meeting where I will serve as Parliamentarian because Carol, who always officiates at this bilingual, annual meeting, can’t be here.  Instead, she’s at her home in Aspen, Colorado, no doubt making those Hallmark moments come alive.

If Carol is a 100 in her knowledge of Roberts’ Rules of Order, I am a four.  Last year, when someone tabled a motion and it was opened for discussion, it was Carol who announced that there would be no discussion, only a vote.  I didn’t know that.  Only because I sort of understand the amendment process am I this year considered “qualified.”

So tomorrow, when someone tables a motion and another person stands to discuss it and I say he/she can’t and that individual argues, I will melt. Sort of like the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.  “Why can’t we discuss it?” someone will scream.  And I will melt. “I don’t know,” I will answer.  “Ask Carol.  Carol who’s not here because she’s sitting beside her wood-burning fire, looking at the snow-covered mountains outside her window.”

Two days later: No one at the meeting called for my head, probably because I texted Carol for help when I foresaw a need arising.  (I now accept this is as one more talent I do not have.)  All I know is this: I am officially off the Board.  Such relief. So why, in the middle of the night, did I break out in hives?  Literally.

Not exactly a Hallmark moment.  I am miserable.

Little did I know how bad “miserable” could look.  Within a day, I would end up in the hospital here in Mexico, covered in welts that gave me an empathetic feel for what Job went through in the Bible. “Be careful what you complain about,” my mother used to say, “because it can always be worse.”  She was right.

What I did find over the past six days in the hospital is how much I relied on my praying friends who daily sent encouragement, scriptures and sweet messages of comfort to let me know that God would carry me through this ordeal.  Some offered medical advice while others shared that they were spending time on their knees for me. It couldn’t get any better!  And then today, in an Instagram post, I read this: “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”   God had it all under control, even if I didn’t.

And suddenly, I realized I didn’t have it so bad after all.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott-By the Chamber

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott!

March 2nd Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, something for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!

March Special at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore

Buy 2 Children’s Books, Get 1 free

Gardening Books 25% off!

3/2 ~ BINGO hosted by American Legion post #25, Memorial Hall, doors open at 6pm, Bingo starts at 7pm

3/2-11 ~ Bourbon County Fine Arts Exhibit, open to public for viewing, click here for more info.

(Artist Reception 3/2 6-8pm open to the public)

3/4 ~ The Artificers are hosting a whistle making class for kiddos, only $10 per kid, classes on the 1/2 hour, click here for more info.! Twigs & Berries will be there with Cotton Candy!

3/3-4 ~ Trolley Tours start for the season and run thru the first weekend of December, 50-minute narrated tour of Fort Scott, on the hour from the Chamber, Fridays 11am-3pm, Saturdays 10am-3pm , $6 adults, $4 children 12 and under

OPENING WEEKEND SPECIAL 1/2 OFF!

3/4 ~ FSHS Tiger Girls play at 5pm, hosting

Sub-state! Go Big Red!

3/4 ~ 2nd Annual Marsha Fest in honor of the late Marsha Lancaster of Marsha’s Deli at the Liberty Theatre, 8pm, click here for more info. Baloney Ponyz live in concert ~ don’t miss it!

3/4 ~ Storytime at Hedgehog.INK!, 2:30pm, click here for more info.

3/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Riggs Chiropractic – a new business & Chamber Champion member, 304 E. 23rd St., 8am!

3/7 ~ Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge hosted by the Chamber through NetWork Kansas and our E-Community program in conjunction with FSHS, student business competition, tradeshow by students of businesses open to the public! Come vote on your favorite! FSHS Aux Gym, 11:30am-12:45pm, the Chamber will be presenting nearly $3,000 in cash prizes to the students!

See flyer below for more info.!

3/10-12 ~ FSCC College Rodeo, March 10th starts at 7:30pm, Saturday March 11th starts at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, and Short Go at 1pm on March 12th, Admission is $12 for adults, children ages 6-12 $5 and children 5 & under get in free, FSCC students w/ID – $5. Click here for more info.

3/10 ~ Dangerous Doug Harper performing Indie Folk Music at Common Ground Coffee Co. 7-8pm, free admission. Click here for more info.

3/12 ~ Daylight Savings Time, Spring Forward!

3/12 ~ Austin Parks Benefit Dinner, FSHS Cafeteria, 11:30am-2pm or until out with an auction starting at 1pm, this is a free will donation with all proceeds going to Austin Parks Family to support him during his cancer treatment journey, click here for more info.

3/13-17 ~ Kids Spring Art and Paint Parties, 702 S. National Ave, cost is $125, $25 to reserve your child’s spot and the balance of $100 due the first day of camp, click here for more info.

3/17 ~ St. Patrick’s Day! Find the Golden Coins for discounts at Sunshine Boutique, 10am-6pm, contact Sunshine Boutique for more info.

3/17-18 ~ SEK Spring Classic Lamb & Cattle Show, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, click here for more info.

3/17 ~ Baked Potato Bar and Pie at First United Methodist Church 301 National, free will donation, 11:30am-1:30pm, see flyer below for info.

3/23 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Big Sugar Lumber, 1005 S. Clark, 8am, celebrating 40 years in business in March!

3/24 ~ FSCC Aggie Days at Fort Scott Community College, 8am-3pm

3/24 ~ Knights of Columbus Annual Fish Fry, Kennedy Gym, 705 S. Horton, click here for

more info.

3/24-25 ~ Spring Open House ~ Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event, Downtown & Around, shop at participating retailers for savings!, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ Mary Queen of Angels Benefit

Golf Tournament, 4 person scramble $60 per person ($240 per team) 8:00 Registration, 9:00 Tee off, click here for more info.

3/25 ~ Unique Fundraiser at Museum of Creativity, $15/person, starts at 9am, click here for more info.

Save the Date!

3/29 ~ Star Party at the Fort Scott National Historic Site

3/31 and 4/1 ~ Home, Sport, Farm, & Garden Show, Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 9am-3pm, Arnold Arena at FSCC, 2108 S. Horton St., hosted by KOMB FM 103.9 and 98.3 FM Radio

4/13 ~ JOB FAIR hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 3-6pm, click here to register for an employer booth.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

March Into Savings at

Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore!

Bourbon County Arts Council

Annual Fine Arts Exhibit, March 2nd-11th

2nd Annual Marsha Fest!

Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge

Tradeshow of 18 Competing Student Business Ideas

Open to the public, Tuesday, March 7th 11:30am-12:45pm!

FSHS Aux. Gym, 1005 S. Main St.,

enter thru main/west doors of the school.

Austin Parks Family Benefit

Dinner and Auction!

United Women in Faith hosting a Baked Potato Bar and Pie!

Spring Open House Find the Golden Egg Shopping Event!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema

…

Fort Scott, Schools, Sports

Fort Scott High School Girls 4A Sub-State Basketball Championship is March 4 @ Home

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The 4A Girls Sub-State Basketball Championship game between Topeka-Hayden and Fort Scott will be Saturday, March 4th at 5:00 at Fort Scott High School.

Doors will open to spectators at 3:45.
Admission is $8 adults, $6 students. No passes per KSHSAA post-season policy.
FSHS students will get in for free but must get ticket at door.
Go Tigers!!!

Submitted by

Jeff DeLaTorre
Athletic/Activities Director
Fort Scott High School