CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of April 7, 2026
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 Matthew Wells, Tracy Dancer, Tim Van Hoecke, Julie Buchta and Mayor Kathryn Salsbury were present.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Deputy Chief Mike Miles/FSFD, Chief Jason Pickert/FSPD, Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Lisa Dillon/Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, Mary Wyatt/Planning, Housing & Business Development Director, Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering & Inspections LLC, Daniel Wilson/Owner-Repair Guy, Alex Swank, Kathy Dancer, and Jess Milburn/JCM Restoration.
SALSBURY led the Pledge of Allegiance and BUCHTA said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the Citizens, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the Amended agenda as presented. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consent Agenda
– Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1405-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of
March 11, 2026 – April 12, 2026 – $763,783.28
– Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 17, 2026
– Request to Pay – Application No. 1 – Jeff Asbell Excavating & Trucking, Inc. – Davis Lift Station – Mobilization Costs for Bond Expenses and Materials – $28,596.00
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Public Comment – No comments
Appearances
Alex Swank – addressed the Commission to purchase a parcel owned by the City at approximately 101 Clark. Leasing option was discussed because the City maintains it will not sell property.
MOTION: DANCER moved to open the process to solicit bids for a (5) year lease with the stipulation to include something to legally cover any liability.
FARMER added a point of reference that even though the motion is made, nothing happens until it’s written, the Commission has seen it, (the winning bidder) sees it, and it’s signed.
BUCHTA seconded. BUCHTA, WELLS, DANCER and SALSBURY voted yes.
VAN HOECKE voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
ACTION: FARMER will write the lease document.
Kathy Dancer – addressed the Commission to inform them that the tasks placed upon the CLG board will require a budget and she is requesting they consider that in the upcoming 2027 budget planning. The FSHRPC is exploring grants but the ordinance that was approved did include the establishment of a Preservation Fund and briefly explained how that money would be used. DANCER also stated the fine frequencies outlined in the approved ordinance. Currently in the enforcement section, the wording only addresses the demolition of a building or does any kind of improvements without getting the proper permitting and proper approvals, then it’s enforceable. She does not see provisions to enforce outside of that. Also, the wording is incorrect. It was approved as per week but the ordinance states per day. She explained that violations demolition by neglect, gross neglect of a building or safety hazards are a different category and are not in the current ordinance. She asked the Commission to revisit that and the frequency of fining, with safety issues being of the greatest concern.
Discussion was had about the fining process as it relates to enforcement through the municipal court and addressing additional definitions to be included in the ordinance.
KRUGER stated that anything that is going to be enforced must be paired with a K.S.A. and the state sets the fine schedule per class of crime, the maximums and the minimums. He stated that Class B Misdemeanor does not go up to $1000.00, the maximum is $500.00 and the minimum is $50.00. Currently no fine amount is put on a citation only a Notice to Appear (in court) and the prosecutor will set the fine amount. He explained how the multiple (day to week) fines currently work in our municipal court and what is able to be fined and what is not.
Executive Session:
MOTION: DANCER moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters of non-elected personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). In the meeting will be the (5) City Commissioners, City Attorney and City Manager. The open meeting will resume in the City Commission Room at 6:43PM. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to come out of Executive Session. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Unfinished Business
Consideration of Ordinance No. 3799-Contractor License –Tabled from March 17, 2026
Discussion was had about the implementation of contractor licenses. BUCHTA read a letter she received from Tim Barasa/General Contractor and Licensed Realtor.
WILSON/Owner of Repair Guy addressed the Commission to inform them that he is in favor of a licensing program but has concerns about the contractor board that is being considered and where the money collected for licenses will go and suggested background checks for community safety.
BUCHTA read a text message she received from another contractor (who wanted to remain anonymous) regarding the licensing.
Further discussion was had on the intent of the license to protect citizens and support all local businesses and whether the Commission is in agreement with the proposed ordinance.
MOTION: BUCHTA moved to table the ordinance.
VAN HOECKE requested to amend BUCHTA’S motion to have the ordinance returned to the table at the second meeting of July with a work session prior to that meeting to include all contractors.
VAN HOECKE seconded (the original motion with amendment).
The City Clerk verified that BUCHTA’S motion was as follows:
MOTION: BUCHTA moved to table Ordinance No. 3799 until the second meeting of July. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
ACTION: FARMER will draft an ordinance for the interim to enforce that contractors must show proof of insurance when applying for a permit with the Codes office.
DANCER left the meeting at 7:20PM
New Business
Action Items:
Consideration of Ordinance No. 3798 – Disband Design Review Board
DILLON requested by ordinance that the Commission dissolve the Design Review Board since the City has received its CLG status.
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve Ordinance No. 3798 to Disband the Design Review Board. SALSBURY seconded. BUCHTA, WELLS and SALSBURY voted yes. VAN HOECKE voted no. DANCER was not present for the vote.
MOTION CARRIED 3-1.
Consideration to Approve Sale of Fire Truck
MILES requested the approval of the Commission to advertise and sell the 1997 (E-One-American Eagle Top Mount Custom Pumper) Fire Truck which is no longer in service and has been replaced with the newly purchase truck. MATKIN stated the proceeds will be placed in a fire department equipment fund.
DANCER returned to the meeting at 7:23PM
MILES stated that the new engine is at Station One and the Pierce was moved over to Station Two and explained the plan to avoid wear and tear.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to allow the fire department to advertise and sell the 1997 fire truck without equipment with the understanding that the funds will go into a fire equipment fund and report the proceeds to the City Manager who will report it to the Commission.
MILES added that the proceeds are being earmarked for extrication equipment.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration to Approve Purchase of Pumps, Control Panel and Guide Rails for Williamsburg and White Grill Lift Stations – $25,860.00
LEMKE stated that over the past (3) years they have been working on improvements for lift stations. This year, Williamsburg (on Tiffany Land) and White Grill Lift Stations (215th and Hwy 54) were selected. Williamsburg’s control panel is approximately (20) years old and the components are getting harder to find. It currently has one pump that is non-operational. The White Grill station has been underwater several times including the control panel. Currently one of the pumps is bypassing and not pumping water. He is requesting permission to replace the control panels and the pumps for both stations using Haynes Equipment for the price of $25,860.00. Grainger’s quote did not include guide rails and the third contact could only offer a complete lift station which is not needed. The work will be done in house, however Haynes has included a one-day startup time if they need assistance. MATKIN stated it will come from the Wastewater Fund.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve the purchase of pumps, control panels and guide rails for Williamsburg and White Grill Lift Stations from Haynes Equipment for a total of $25,860.00. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Bids for Repair of Retaining Walls at Gunn Park
MATKIN stated there were (2) bids received with the lowest bid coming in at $66,000.00 from JCM Restoration which he is recommending for approval.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve the bid from JCM Restoration for $66,000.00 for repairing the retaining wall at Gunn Park. BUCHTA seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration to Extend Hay Rights for (3) Years
MATKIN stated that currently the invitation for bids is for a (1) year awarded contract. He would like to extend that to a (3) year contract beginning with this year’s invitation to bid for Hay Rights at the airport.
MOTION: BUCHTA moved to approve the extension of the hay rights to (3) years at the next bid opportunity. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Reports and Comments
City Engineer:
– Davis Lift Station update – Vanessa is supervisor until lift station work, then Gary
– Wall Street – CCLIP update
VAN HOECKE left the meeting at 7:49PM and immediately returned.
– Horton asphalt update
ACTION: DICKMAN will follow up with Heck & Wicker
City Attorney: No Comment
City Manager:
– 8th & Eddy is complete and open
– Groundwork for outdoor fitness park at BRCC
– New Clubhouse Manager at Woodland Hills Golf Course and new tee time system that allows everything, including score keeping by your phone-including POS system.
– Moody Building – owner waiting on title report
– Airport hangar lease – Geoffrey Marr
– Timken building update
– Valu building is sold – cannot disclose information yet
– IT Department at next meeting for update
– Public Works update first meeting in May
– April 16 – City/County Meeting at 6:00PM
– Natalia hired to work with Rachel Carpenter on Public Information
Commissioner Van Hoecke:
– Dragoons Baseball season tickets
– Keep military and first responders in prayers
Commissioner Buchta:
– 8th & Eddy
– Salsbury with KDOT
Commissioner Dancer:
– Non-residential residents situation
ACTION: WORK SESSION – May 5 – Homeless situation
WORK SESSION – May 19 – Contractor licenses
Commissioner Wells:
– Barber Shop (118 E. Wall St.) update
ACTION: Barber Shop on next agenda (April 21)
– Skubitz Plaza meeting at 1:30PM
– Federal government cuts
Commissioner Salsbury:
– Code review sent to MATKIN for Commission action
ACTION: MATKIN will distribute to all Commissioners
– 8th & Eddy intersection open
Adjourn
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:27PM. BUCHTA seconded.
APRIL 7, 2026, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:27PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis/City Clerk