CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Unaproved
Minutes of November 3, 2025 Regular Meeting
A meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Kathryn Salsbury, Dyllon Olson, Tracy Dancer, and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Lt. Jason Eastwood/FSPD, Lisa Dillon/Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, and Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering & Inspection.
VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and OLSON said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the Citizens, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve the amended agenda. Amendments were requested prior to motion: Removal of Item A. Consideration of Change Order #1 – Gunn Park – Shelter #3 and the addition of $529,112.95 to Consent Agenda Item A. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1395-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 15, 2025 – October 31, 2025. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consent Agenda
– Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1395-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of October 15, 2025 – October 31, 2025
– Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of October 21, 2025
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the Consent Agenda. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Public Comment – No comments
Appearances
Patty Ann Sanborn/SEK Service Inc. – Did not appear
Unfinished Business – No unfinished business
New Business /Action Items:
Discussion of City Connecting Link Agreement
MATKIN explained Wall Street’s condition, especially east of the CCLIP project, is deteriorating. KDOT pays Fort Scott $12,340 annually under a 1999 agreement to maintain 2.468 miles, which the city seeks to update. A study found the road sits atop brick without a proper base, requiring ongoing resurfacing. If the city declines repairs, the state could bill up to $200,000 annually for ten years. Only essential safety work is planned until more CCLIP funding becomes available.
ACTION: MATKIN will pursue an updated KDOT resolution.
Consideration of Bids for Davis Lift Station Extraneous Flow Pump and Force Main – EEI No. 21-303
DICKMAN explained that Jeff Asbel Excavating and Trucking was the low bidder for the Davis Lift Station extraneous flow pump and force main project (Earle’s Engineering Project No. 21-303), though their bid was 33.84% above estimate due to increased costs. The specified Vaughan chopper pump may be overpriced as a sole source; switching to a Hayward pump could save $100,000. The Hayward pump meets specs, has a six-month lead time, and is used by nearby municipalities. Asbel plans to begin work around March 1. Further information regarding the pump choice was requested before a decision was made.
MOTION: WELLS moved to table the decision to November 18, 2025. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
ACTION: Bill Lemke and Scott Flater to appear at the November 18th meeting for discussion on pump choice.
ACTION: City Clerk will email to FLATER the information provided by DICKMAN regarding the Hayward Gordon pump.
Reports and Comments
City Engineer:
– E. National update
– CCLIP Phase 3 update
City Manager:
– Request to discuss dog limits in City – November 18, 2025
– Crescent Drive and Archer update
– Eddy Street update
– FEMA projects on hold due to government shutdown
City Attorney:
– Request for (10) minute Executive Session
City Clerk: No comment
Commissioner Wells:
– 6th and Little
– Overpass plan at Jayhawk Road
Commissioner Olson:
– Railroad crossing
Commissioner Dancer:
– Special meeting on Saturday
– Remember to vote
Commissioner Salsbury:
– Downtown alley
Commissioner Van Hoecke
– Remember to vote
– Sales tax
Executive Session
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). In the Executive Session will be the (5) City Commissioners, the City Attorney and the City Manager in the City Manager’s office. The open meeting will resume at 6:59PM in the Commission Room. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to come out of Executive Session with no action. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Adjourn
MOTION: DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:00PM. OLSON seconded.
NOVEMBER 3, 2025, CITY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:00PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk