Minutes of the Bo Co Commission on May 8

May 8, 2023                                                                                                                         Monday, 5:30 p.m.

 

 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

 

Shirley Richard Locke, Deb McCoy, Clint Walker, Anne Dare, Teri Hulsey, Trace Evans, Don George with KDWP, Michael Hoyt, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.

 

Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Nelson Blythe.

 

Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from last week, approval of payroll totaling $210.758.69, and approval of accounts payable totaling $321,662.17. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the Commissioners with a Request for Quote for the overpass feasibility study. Eric stated the request will be published in the newspaper this Saturday. Jim clarified that the request has already been approved and Eric was just giving a copy to the Commissioners for review before publication. Nelson asked when the last overpass study was completed and it was discussed at least eleven years ago, and that location was for 23rd Street, which would not work out now due to the expansion of local businesses. Jim stated Jayhawk Road is not a locked in as the location, and that after the feasibility study, a better area might be suggested. Nelson questioned if we had to have the feasibility study before we applied for grants, and Jim replied yes. Jim explained it seems like a lot of money, but sales tax money can be used since it is a hard surface road. Eric updated the Commissioners that the house at 201 Crawford has been torn down, and they will finish hauling it off tomorrow. Eric thanked the Commissioners for giving him permission to purchase a truck for the landfill if one came available and gave details on the truck that was purchased. A 2018 Mack Pinnacle CXU613 with 156,000 miles and 505 horsepower was purchased for $74,000 delivered. Eric said the truck currently at the landfill will be moved to road and bridge to haul gravel with a belly dump trailer. Eric said the laydown machine is having motor issues again and they are waiting on a part to fix it, and they are looking at the later of the part of the week having it back. Eric said he wants to start the asphalt program right away as the oil prices are low right now. Eric said they are going to start at 245th and Valley and work east to the state line. Eric said the culvert crew replaced some culverts last week to be ready when they are able to start asphalting. Eric said the culvert crew is working down their list of culverts that need to be installed and the bridge crew is cutting trees and clearing decks.

 

At 5:45 the public hearing for the 5-Year Solid Waste Plan opened. Jim explained that per statute this plan has to be updated which generally includes updating the committee to reflect any new commissioners. Eric stated the other changes are we are now a composting facility at the landfill due to accepting soybean hulls and waste and adding sawdust to them to make compost. Jim opened the hearing to public comments and Clint Walker stated he think it’s wonderful that Bourbon County is doing composting. Clint questioned if the compost can be used for cover for the construction and demolition area, and Eric said yes. Michael Hoyt questioned where the soybean waste product was going before Bourbon County started accepting it, and Eric stated Arcadia. Michael voiced his concerns about the issues the city is having at the wastewater treatment plant and doesn’t want to move the problem from one location to another. Jim stated he was not sure what type of material the city was accepting but explained that the county is accepting hulls which can be fed to livestock, so it is pretty safe. Eric said that a sample of the soybean material was sent to K-State and the results came back good with it only being high in nitrogen and was told what to mix in to make it lower. Clifton made a motion to close the public hearing. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to adopt the 5-Year Solid Waste Plan and resolution 11-23. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.

 

Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds, handed out a map showing the location of a portion of road that has been requested to be closed. The road closure will be placed on the agenda again in a few weeks once the Commissioners and Public Works Director have a chance to look at the road.

 

Don George, with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, came to discuss other possible revenue sources to help with the repair of Elm Creek Lake dam. Don said the first step is to have a meeting to get the best estimate for repairs that we can. Jim asked if it would be good to get some contractors to come out and give estimates for the repair and asked Eric to meet with them. Eric said that would be a good idea to get an idea of how much it would cost so that we can make an educated decision. Don commented about the $165,000 estimate the engineer had previously submitted, but Eric said that was only to fix the initial problem and doesn’t include the valve or the areas to the west by where the drain is. Eric said when we tear into the dam, we need to fix it completely, not just put a Band-Aid on it. Clifton said he feels at least three contractors need to look at the dam to get their opinions. Clifton said there are several contractors in the area with the equipment and expertise to fix the dam. Eric asked if Jim would like to be involved with the contractors since he was here previously with repairs. Jim said he would if Eric would like him to be, and Clifton and Nelson both said that would be ok. Don said he had mentioned an opportunity to apply for an additional $40,000 grant and spoke of a new special account for lake renovations that just started this year. Mr. George said he wants to help Bourbon County but really needs to get solid numbers within the next three weeks. Don said he would like to be kept informed and the sooner the better.

 

Mark McCoy had submitted his letter of resignation for the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department Board to the Clerk. Clifton Beth and Anne Dare are also Bourbon County representatives for the board. The Commissioners discussed the board and were unable to come up with an individual to appoint to the board. Clifton suggested putting a notice of the vacancy on the county website and Facebook asking for interested individuals to submit an application.

 

Lora Holdridge said she met with the City of Fort Scott and they brought her plat maps so that she could research the interior roads at the Fort Scott Lake. Lora said the maps the city brought were not signed, so she went through the maps in her closet and found signed maps that showed the only roads that are Bourbon County’s are 190th Street and 195th Street. Lora stated all interior roads and the common area belong to the City of Fort Scott. Jim asked what the process would be if the city wanted to give the county the roads and Lora stated they would have to do a Deed of Dedication. Beth Nuss thanked Jim for bringing the matter forward so the residents could know what is going on moving forward. Beth said it sounds like they need to visit with the City of Fort Scott. Frank Halsey questioned if a precedence was set about 20 years when the county was paving 190th Street and paved the access roads as well. Jim said the City of Fort Scott needs to get involved with this matter and fix the roads or start the process to petition the county to take over the roads.

 

Justin Meeks, on behalf of Susan Bancroft, asked the Commission to set up two days for reviewing department budgets. After discussion the it was determined to set up the budget meetings for June 12th and 13th starting at 8 a.m.

 

Teri Hulsey, EMS Director, and Trace Evans came to follow up on the discussion of purchasing an ambulance. Teri commended Trace for doing the leg work researching and trying to find available ambulances. Teri said they have spoken to Dave Vance at Osage, and they will hold the demo unit for delivery in fall 2024. Jim said he spoke to Susan and said that if it is purchased today, it would have to be paid for this year unless the company is willing to allow us to do a two-year lease purchase and make the first payment this year and pay it off next year. Clifton said there is cash basis law that we have to follow. Trace said he has been reassured that if we need to split payments, we can do that. Clifton asked if there is any reason to keep the old ambulance since we would only receive $10,000 for the trade in. Trace said it could be used as a backup and used as a standby unit for area football games. The Commissioners discussed the benefits of keeping the old unit and decided to keep the old ambulance. Clifton made a motion to accept the demo truck from Osage, keep the old ambulance for a backup, pay the full amount of $306,323.35, and to allow Chairman Harris to sign the purchase agreement. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton said that if we didn’t purchase this demo unit it would be 2026 before we would be able to get a new ambulance. Trace agreed and said he has reached out to other companies and the soonest they could get an ambulance would be spring 2026.

 

Clint Walker suggested reaching out to senators for money, like CHC has done. Clint also thanked the Commissioners for the gravel on Tomahawk Road.

 

Michael Hoyt handed out an article from the Kansas Bar Association outlining the position the Kansas Supreme Court has taken interpreting the Kansas Open Records Act. Mr. Hoyt said a few KORA requests that have been submitted to the Clerk’s Office have been denied for various reasons including identifiable personnel records. Michael said that the Supreme Court ruling says that individuals who submit KORA requests cannot be charged for paper copies if the documents can be submitted electronically.

 

A 5-minute break was taken, and normal session was resumed at 6:30.

 

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session 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 for possible litigation to include the three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:45. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:45 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session 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 for possible litigation to include the three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 6:57. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:57 with action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

 

Justin Meeks asked the Commissioners to give the Clerk the ability to schedule some employee training and if there is overtime to approve the overtime as well.

 

Clifton made a motion to allow the Clerk to set up employee training that could potentially result in overtime and to approve that overtime. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.

 

Clifton said last week he discussed talking to senators and received approval from the other Commissioners to ask for money. Clifton said as a taxpayer he would like to see everybody who is spending the tax dollars to submit an invoice for those expenditures, and Jim agreed. Jim said the Commissioners are responsible for the budgets, so they are requesting all department heads or elected officials submit invoices for all purchases to the Clerk and accounts payable for payment or it might be questioned if they are paid or not. Jim said he appreciates all Eric is doing for the roads, that he has called him about a few roads, and he has a quick response for our public.

 

Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:01. Clifton seconded the motion, and all approved.

 

 

 

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

_______________, Approved Date

 

Bo Co Commission Meets at Garland Community Center at 5:30 p.m. on May 22

Payroll Report 5-19-23 AP 1 AP 2Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Attachments:

Payroll Report 5-19-23

AP 1

AP 2

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Garland Community Center

 

May 22, 2023, 5:30 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/15/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $327,284.67
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $780,170.75
  1. Matthew Wells, City of Fort Scott-Request for Donation for Fireworks
  2. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
  3. Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Tim Spehr-Road Closure
  • Jeremiah Hill-Road Closure
  1. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Discuss Locations of Future Commission Meetings
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commission Comments
  • Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Garland Community Center

 

May 22, 2023, 5:30 PM

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute and Prayer
  • Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 5/15/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll totaling $327,284.67
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable totaling $780,170.75
  1. Matthew Wells, City of Fort Scott-Request for Donation for Fireworks
  2. Department Updates
    1. Eric Bailey, Public Works Director
  3. Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
  • Tim Spehr-Road Closure
  • Jeremiah Hill-Road Closure
  1. Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk-Discuss Locations of Future Commission Meetings
  2. Public Comments
  3. Commission Comments
  • Meeting Adjourn

 

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting

would jeopardize such security measures.

 

Mental Health Self-Care Fair May 23

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center…
The SEKMHC Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair in Fort Scott is THE place to be Tuesday, May 23! From 5 to 8 p.m. at Fort Scott Middle School, we are welcoming the community to an evening focused on self-care and good mental health. You are invited!
Self-Care Information and Booths
We will be hosting over 20 Self-Care “Superstars” (vendors), including:
  • Author Maranda Collins
  • SEK Multi-County Health Department
  • The Massage Artist
  • SEK Recovery Resources
  • Fort Scott Public Library
  • Fort Scott Walking Labyrinth
  • Momentum: Health, Wellness, and Athletic Development
  • Mmm Flavor Shop
  • COPE
  • K-State Research and Extension
  • Riggs Chiropractic of Fort Scott
  • Arbonne
  • Courtland Hotel and Spa
  • Flying P Ranch
  • Renewed Strength, LLC
  • Azar Health and Wellness
  • Faithfully Fit Forever Yoga
  • Desert Bloom Boutique
  • Happy Snappy Art
  • Mary Kay Cosmetics
  • Bourbon County Garden Club
Self-Care Micro-Sessions
During the evening, expert presenters will share information about self-care during micro-sessions provided FREE to the public! Micro-sessions are scheduled as follows:
  • 5:30 p.m. – Self-defense skills/tips with Kim Schwab, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
  • 6:00 p.m. – Yoga with Certified Instructor Megan Hageman, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
  • 6:30 p.m. – FSHS Orchestra (Music is good for your mental health!)
  • 7:00 p.m. – Food tips and nutrition (healthier chicken nuggets) with Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research and Extension
  • 7:30 p.m. – Mobility/strength training with Katie Holtzman, Renewed Strength, LLC
Food! (It’s good for mental health!)
Come for dinner while you’re at the Self-Care Fair! The Fort Scott High School Choir is hosting a baked potato bar fundraiser onsite during our event. For just $7, you’ll get a baked potato with your choice of toppings, a drink, and dessert. All funds raised will support the students’ trip to Orlando next May. The choir will travel with the band to participate in an educational workshop at Universal Studios.
Get a FREE Speaker!
Come early and get a FREE Bluetooth speaker! We are giving the first 100 attendees a FREE Bluetooth speaker – limit 1 per household, please.
Details:
Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th Street
5 to 8 p.m.
This will be a fun night focused on self-care and good mental health! Come for dinner, enjoy the orchestra, and learn some tips about self-care! We hope to see you there!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

FS City Has Advisory Board Openings

The City of Fort Scott has the following Board openings:

 

 

PARKS ADVISORY BOARD:

 

  • One opening for a three (3) year term that would expire December 10, 2023. This was created by a recent resignation.

The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott.

 

All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.  Currently the Parks Advisory Board meets as City Hall as needed at 4:00PM.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected].  The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.

 

Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 7, 2023.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________–

 

 

 

STREET ADVISORY BOARD:

 

  • There are TWO (2) openings on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott.

 

All Boards and Commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Street Advisory Board meets at City Hall on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00PM.

 

If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected].  The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.

 

Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on June 14, 2023.

 

Phone: 620.223.0550

Web: www.fscity.org

Email: [email protected]

123 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

 

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 19th Weekly Newsletter

What’s Happening in Fort Scott! May 19th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Tours: 10am & 1pm

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

Upcoming pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

Click here for all the FUN activities at the

Museum of Creativity, something for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

May Special for Hedghehog.INK! Bookstore;

25% off Gently Used Inspiration Families/Parenting Self-Help Books

5/19 ~ Common Ground LIVE music event featuring The Tucker Family “Gospel Songs of Graceland”, 6-8pm, see flyer below.

5/20 ~ Paint and Pizza at Papa Don’s, click here for more info!

5/20 ~ Shead Homestead Festival, 10am-5pm, click here for flyer.

5/20 ~ Frankie Durossette Benefit Golf Tournament, 8am, Woodland Hills Golf Course

5/20 ~ Patio Concert at Liberty by Bourbon County Arts Council “Wednesdays at the Hermans”

5/20 ~ Elks Annual Youth Fishing Derby, ages 2-15, 9:30 registration, FSCC Lake, hotdog lunch after, click here for more info.

5/20 ~ Bikini Bike Wash & Cornhole Tournament, Holmtown Pub, 60% of tournament fee as payouts, 12pm-3pm, click here for more info.

5/23 ~ Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair hosted by Southeast Kansas Mental Health at Fort Scott Middle School, 5-8pm, SEKMHC is NOW requesting Vendors for this event, register here for a FREE booth.

5/25 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Greyhound Football Legacy Center, 11 N. Main, 8am

5/25 ~ Chamber After-hours Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at M’axe Throw House, 212 E. 1st, 5:15pm to 6:30pm, Chamber members receive one complimentary drink ticket at the door then cash bar, pizza will also be available, $2 admission at the door.

5/26-29 ~ Symbols of Sacrifice Flag Display at Fort Scott National Historic Site, 8am, click here for more info.

5/29 ~ The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on 5/30.

5/29 ~ Memorial Day Program at the National Cemetery, 10:30am, Guest Speaker Jill Jaworski, Superintendent of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

6/1 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Good Ol’ Days, Skubitz Plaza, 8am

6/2 ~ Good Ol’ Days Chicken Dinner, 4:30-6pm, tickets on sale NOW at the Chamber, $9/dinner.

6/2-3 ~ Good Ol’ Days Parade and festivities, get your entries in NOW, deadline May 31st!

6/2 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, 8 N. National Ave.

6/2 ~ First Friday Backroom Art Gallery located at Hare & Crow, local art by local artist, 118 S. Main St., 1-9pm, click here for more info!

6/2 ~ Street Dance, Whiskey Outlaw and Bobby Degonia, Downtown Pavilion, bring your lawn chair , come out and enjoy music on the bricks, 7pm

6/2-3 ~ St. Mary’s MEGA sale in Kennedy Gym, all proceeds go to rebuild St. Mary’s Church

6/3-4 ~ Kansas Free Fishing Days, click here for more info!

SAVE THE DATE!

6/9 ~ Rock Star Karaoke at Memorial Hall, doors open at 6pm, live music at 7pm, food & drink available for purchase, entry $10 per person or $60 for a table of 6, all proceeds go to Memorial Hall Upgrades.

6/10 ~ Kansas Crossing presents Three Dog Night, must be 21+ to attend, click here for more info and to get tickets.

6/11 ~ First Presbyterian Church of Fort Scott Presents Rev. Darryl Burton, 10:30am, click here for more info!

6/22 ~ Rural Workforce Summit hosted by Bourbon County REDI and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, register today for $20/person, click here for info.

_________

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
[email protected]
fortscott.com

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.

May Special at Hedgehog. INK! Bookstore!

Live Music at Common Ground!

Shead Farm Festival, FUN for the WHOLE family!

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is NOW requesting vendors for their Self-Care Fair!

42nd Annual Fort Scott Good Ol’ Days:

Back to the Bricks! June 2nd & 3rd, Downtown Fort Scott, click here for details!

Ribbon Cutting and Open House at

M’axe Throw House!

Upcoming Movie Schedule @ Fort Cinema
THANK YOU TO OUR CHAMBER CHAMPION MEMBERS!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce
231 E. Wall Street
Fort Scott, KS 66701
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Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

Two Economic Development Projects Moving Forward: Pork Processing Plant, Sports Complex

The Fort Scott City Commissioners, from the May 17 Special Meeting on Youtube. From lower left, clockwise: City Attorney Bob Farmer, Commissioner Edwin Woellhof, Commissioner Tim VanHoecke, Mayor Matthew Wells, Commissioner Josh Jones and City Manager Brad Matkin. Not present: Commissioner Kathryn Harrington,

A meat processing plant is back in the works for Bourbon County.

“I have been working to bring about the meat processing plant, a pork processing plant,” Fort Scott Mayor Matthew Wells said in an interview.

Billy Madison is the owner of the business, S.H. Pork Processing.

“This plant will provide farmers with an outlet for their pork processing,” Madison said. “And provide 15-30 new jobs.”

This is an artists rendition of the S.H. Processing Plant that Madison will build. Submitted.

To view a prior 2021 story on Madison’s pork processing plant coming to Fort Scott:

https://fortscott.biz/news/48890

2023 plans have changed location

In 2021, the project was to be just south of the LaRoche Baseball Complex, but that was changed to a location agreed to by Madison and the City of Fort Scott.

“At this juncture I am not at liberty to say the location,” Wells said.

Wells noted that nothing has been signed, nor no one committed to this yet.

“The city approved to send out letters to respective parties involved (at a special Fort Scott city meeting on May 17) and (will) survey the property to define the boundaries and move forward in the process of securing the land,” Wells said.

Following completion of this preliminary work, the Fort Scott Planning Commission will get involved, Wells said in the May 17 special city meeting.

In the 2021, the pork processing plant site was to be located on 47 acres south of the Kansas Department of Transportation facility on Hwy. 69 south of the LaRoche Ball Park.

“That place didn’t have an entrance and we spent eight months getting an entrance to get on the property to do the engineering of the property,” Billy Madison, owner of the proposed meat plant said in a fortscott.biz interview on May 17.

Madison said that in March 2023, he “received an order to cease and desist in the (pork processing plant) plans from Rob Harrington (Director of the Regional Economic Development Inc.), “because they are going to build a sports complex there,” he said.

Sports Complex

At the May 16 regular Fort Scott City Commission meeting, Rob Harrington asked the city to authorize establishing STAR Bond and TIF District financing tools as part of the sports complex planning.

Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a financing tool that allows Kansas municipalities to issue bonds to finance the development of major commercial, entertainment and tourism projects, according to https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/star-bonds/. The bonds are paid off through the sales tax revenue generated by the development. The intent is to increase regional and national visitation to Kansas.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a real estate redevelopment tool applicable to industrial, commercial, intermodal transportation area and residential projects, https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/taxes-and-financing/tif/. TIF uses the increases in real estate tax revenues and local sales tax revenues to retire the bonds sold to finance eligible redevelopment project costs (K.S.A. 12-1770 et seq.) or to reimburse the developer on a pay-as-you-go basis.

This project will require many steps because they will be working with the developer, the county, the state and the city council.

At the city meeting on May 16, Fort Scott City Attorney Bob Farmer told the Fort Scott City Council that they will have to partner with the Bourbon County Commission, because some of the proposed land is theirs.

The sports complex developer, along with the Kansas Department of Commerce,  will look at a list of  the developer’s ideas, then the state has to see if it is eligible, Farmer told the city council.

 

Youth Fishing at FSCC on Saturday May 20

The Fort Scott Elks #579 will have the annual youth fishing derby tomorrow (May 20) at the Fort Scott Community College Lake.

Children will fish from 10 a.m.– noon and the prizes will be awarded immediately following recognizing the most fish caught and the largest fish caught in each of the three age categories.

Submitted by

Millie Lipscomb,  Elks Fishing Derby chairperson

Unapproved Minutes of the Uniontown City Council on May 9

The Regular Council Meeting on May 9, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, and Amber Kelly.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Loren Korte, Personal Service Insurance planned to be here to present the City with a dividend check from EMC, but was unable to make it due to the weather.

 

Don George, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism planned to be here to pick up grant application but wasn’t able to come.  Clerk Johnson asked council what percentage of match for this application, 56% was used for phase I.

 

Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to submit CFAP Grant Application with a 56% match.

 

Clerk Johnson will email application to Don George tomorrow.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger present the April 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $345,407.78, Receipts $33,990.09, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $20,937.77, Checking Account Closing Balance $355,428.10. Bank Statement Balance $357,610.00, including Checking Account Interest of $74.34, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $2,181.90, Reconciled Balance $355,428.10.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,223.90, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,841.76, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,499.83, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $441,993.59. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $302.32, and Utility CDs $164.51 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $466.83.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of April 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  April Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00; for Total Transfers of $3,026.00.  Net Income for the month of April $10,026.32, Year-to-Date Net Income $11,876.13.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $38,134.93 (31.2%), Expenditures $38,690.75 (24.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $11,987.81 (32.5%), Expenditures $10,443.41 (25.4%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $74,395.57 (47.5%), Expenditures $42,133.87 (18.7%); General Fund YTD Revenue $58,008.36 (38.7%), Expenditures $60,617.60 (32.7%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,937.49 (52.8%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The May 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $37,906.04 were presented.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

  • Minutes of April 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
  • Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that nuisance/debris letters were sent.  Mayor Jurgensen requested that he be notified when and to whom letters are sent.  There was an apparent breakdown in communications which caused an issue with a letter recipient.  Clerk Johnson will send a letter to that recipient apologizing for the communication breakdown.  Coyan will next target unmowed properties.

404 Washington St was discussed.  Coyan and Johnson will review the dangerous structure ordinance(s) and discuss with the council again next month.

Codes Enforcement Officer Binford has issued 14 citations for failure to register dogs/cats.  As of today, five have been taken resolved.  Court is scheduled for May 15, 2023 for the remainder.

 

Clerk Johnson informed the council a letter of financial commitment was received from Bandera Stone for the Mural Grant as part of the grant application.  Grant application was submitted 4/17/2023.

 

She asked City’s insurance agent if Old Settlers Committee was required to have event insurance or would the City’s policy cover the event.  He said the Old Settlers Committee needs to have their own event policy.  This was passed on to the committee.  Johnson will inquire about cost of a policy for the committee.

 

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – wanted to know if the ball association is allowed to use the lights for practices.  After discussion Johnson will send message to President and Vice-President of association the lights can be used for organization practices, only when needed and last coach of the day is responsible for making sure they are shut off.

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilman Hartman – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – wanted to make sure we have enough chemical for mosquitos.  Yes, we do.

Councilman Stewart – absent

Mayor Jurgensen – hired Cindy Mumbower as the new custodian/water sampler.  She started last week.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to provide rock for the culvert extension at Chaffin and the alley west of Franklin

 

He also found someone to haul off the big rock at the railroad right-of-way and north of the pond.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Placemaking Project – Committee met on May 3 and doesn’t recommend outdoor exercise equipment.  Doesn’t feel it is cost effective.  They said yes to the pickleball court, possibly a community garden was discussed.  Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will be here for the June meeting to discuss the key findings from the community perception survey and have a “Community Conversation” for the project.

 

Motion by Danea, Second by Hartman , Approved 4-0, to solicit quotes for a 30’X60’X6” concrete slab with fiberglass rebar and light broom finish for the pickleball court

 

American Rescue Plan Act update –Annual Project and Expenditure report was submitted on 4/17/2023.  Mayor Jurgensen suggested capping the scales instead of removing and building ramp over cap on south side of warehouse before skinning and installing new rollup doors.

 

KMGA/MMGA Prepay project – have not received anything yet from KMGA.

 

Street repairs/resurfacing – Three bids were received for the project and opened (bid tabulation attached).

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to award base bid plus alternate bid to Bettis Asphalt for the total amount of $175,597.19

 

NEW BUSINESS

None

 

Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 9:15PM

Rural Workforce Summit: June 22

Sending on behalf of Chamber Member
Bourbon County Redi…
Rural Workforce Summit
The Rural Workforce Summit will feature seven nationally recognized industry leaders in workforce development, who will share their insights and expertise. This diverse group of speakers will offer valuable knowledge and practical strategies that can benefit individuals and businesses alike.
We have arranged a block of discounted hotel rooms at the Sleep Inn exclusively for summit attendees. If you have any out of town employees or executives who may choose to stay overnight before the event, they will gain unprecedented access to a networking event with all of the speakers. This exclusive opportunity allows for one-on-one conversations with each of the speakers, fostering valuable connections and insights.
To ensure your participation, please RSVP by June 19th by using the QR code on the attached flyer or the Eventbrite link in this email. We kindly request a nominal admission fee of $20, which includes lunch and a continental breakfast provided during the event.
Date: June 22, 2023 Time: 7:15 AM – 1:00 PM
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members below!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

The Paralysis of Fear by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023

Melanie and her husband, Beau, picked me up at the Philadelphia airport and drove us to our hotel in Wilmington, Delaware, where I would deliver a TEDx talk the following afternoon.  A “Meet and Greet” was scheduled that evening which was where Melanie introduced me to some of the other speakers. I then realized what a nerve-wracking ordeal this really was.

I met entrepreneurs, Google masters, scientists, life coaches, geniuses.  Several were there with their agents and support staff who would be in the audience, assuring a standing ovation for their friend.  I was there with…well, me.  Close friends had asked to come, but I had chosen to go it alone.  Now I wasn’t so sure that was a grand plan.

One lady, a psychoanalyst, shared that she had submitted four videos to the TED organizers.  All were rejected.  She hired an audio coach.  A speech coach.  A videographer.  A make-up person.  Only then was she accepted.  I had done none of that.  Melanie Burris, a recruiter for this platform, had orchestrated this opportunity for me. Until then, I had no idea how much people needed this talk to advance their positions in the workplace.

I was to speak at 3:30. By noon, they were an hour behind, so they shortened lunch and omitted the afternoon break (which came one speaker before me).  From backstage, I sensed the audience was lethargic for the two speakers preceding me.  Not good.  My opening line, intended to get a laugh, got none.  This was an uphill battle I had not intended.  Within the first two minutes, I messed up a sentence.  My recovery was not stellar.  The next “humorous” section caused a few chuckles but not what I had hoped for.

Maybe I needed a stun gun.  Or a trap door that would swallow me whole.

Suggestions made by friends (Suck on a lemon drop; drink tons of water with electrolytes; have no caffeine) had helped, so at least I hadn’t passed out or had my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, but I was not capturing my audience.   I reminded myself that God had allowed this opportunity and visualized Jesus standing beside me. My biggest fan was on that stage with me.   Friends were praying for me.  The audience needed to hear this message about the rewards of rejection.

When I came to the next funny part, I was shocked to hear people laughing…hard.  From that point on, they continued to do so. At the end, several stood to applaud, and at the after-party, many introduced themselves and made kind comments. A thousand-pound weight was lifted from my shoulders, most which came from me having no idea what to expect when I first said “yes” to memorizing this speech.

The unknown is so ridiculously…unknown, isn’t it?  Several times before this talk, I considered backing out, but when I thought of the people praying for me, trusting that God had a purpose (perhaps to teach me humility?), I knew that I could not let Fear win.  Fear can paralyze.

One of my close friends recently shared that she avoids large crowds because of an experience with a cruel teacher who called her to the front of her fifth-grade class and demanded an answer. When the student froze, she had to hold her hands out for the teacher to strike each palm with a ruler.  All while her classmates watched. To date, she is fifty-five years old and is terrified of crowds. God wants differently.

“Fear not” is written 365 times in the Bible.  Obviously fear is a problem God wants us to overcome. One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 41:13: For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  The coolest thing is—He does.  We just have to be willing to give Him a chance.

Letter to the Editor: Randy Nichols

Fort Scott Emergency Room

Attending a recent meeting I was reminded how critical Emergency Room (ER) services are to our community.  As you recall, recently a man with a gun was reported near the middle school.

In response to that report our ER staff immediately took the initiative to begin preparing for the nightmare of a mass shooting.  Local staff checked vital supplies like blood, IV fluids and medical equipment.  They also coordinated with the Ascension Via Christi Pittsburg emergency response team.

This resulted in additional staff being notified, the referring ER being prepared and even notification of emergency air transport that sent a helicopter to Ft. Scott for emergency standby.

Fortunately, there was no shooting.  My point however, is two-fold.

First, to say thank you to our local staff and to the team at AVC-P for being here and prepared.

Second though is to remind us, as a community, of the critical importance of having an Emergency Room in Ft. Scott.

While there was no mass shooting, our community is not immune to acts of violence, natural disasters, accidents from sports, to farm, to industrial, to motor vehicle, medical emergencies like stroke and heart attack and all the other emergencies that require a fully operational ER and cannot be handled at an urgent care facility.

Having an emergency room is a critically important foundational piece of our community’s health care.

 

Please take this letter for what it is meant to be.  A reminder to ourselves and our elected officials of how important an ER is to safeguard our medical security.

Realize also it is critical to our future economic well-being.  Not having Emergency Room services would impact the ability to both maintain and attract people, business and industry.

We as a community have helped finance other health care.  At some point we may need to do the same to secure our ER.  Let’s appreciate having this service and not forget it’s importance.  We’ve lost a hospital, let’s not lose an ER.  We must be ready to step up to the plate.

 

Randy Nichols MD