All posts by Loretta George
How To Learn a Foreign Language: Host An International Student
Learning a foreign language,enjoying the advancement of educational and cultural opportunities, supporing volunteerism, enriching someone’s life while enriching your own, these are all the benefits of hosting an international student, according to Janice Rake, coordinator for Greenheart Exchange Program.
Greenheart Exchange Program students seeking host families for the next school year are beginning to apply now, Rake said.
“The students are happy to live in any type of family scenario: family with or without children, empty nesters, retired couple, single person…..it does not matter,” said Rake. “They are just excited to come to America and have the opportunity. Most want to come for the entire school year but some come for only one semester.”
Host families complete an application process which includes a home visit, references and background checks.
“My goal is always to find a good family/student match so it is a positive experience for all involved,” she said.
“The host family provides a bed and place to study, three meals a day and needed transportation as the students are not allowed to drive,” Rake said.
The students bring spending money for personal spending, shopping and entertainment. Greenheart Exchange secures the VISA, arranges the arrival and departures flights, provides health insurance and monitors throughout the year. The student agrees to follow the guidelines of the program. Greenheart requires each student to fulfill some volunteer or community service work and expects high academic and personal standards.
Rake checks in and monitors the students progress throughout the school year, she said.
Included below are several of the students that have applied so far.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb. 19
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: February 19th, 2019
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00-9:45-Jim Harris
10:00-11:00-Fence viewing between property owners Cox & Gander
11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-2:15-Bill Martin-Contracts/Vehicle
2:15-3:30-Commissioner to leave and go to the Fort-Senator Moran
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Fort Scott Commission Meeting Minutes Feb. 2
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of February 5, 2019 Regular Meeting #2
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 5th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.
INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Darrell Parker, Jerry Witt, Billy Keith, Bill Lemke, Michael Mix, Garth Hermann, Paul Ballou, Deb Needleman, Rachel Pruitt, Randy Ballweber, Venieta Ballweber, Alpha Money, Lindsay Madison, Chad Brown, and Clayton Miller
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, recognized her Codes Enforcement officers, Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber for successfully completing the Kansas Code Enforcement Officer courses offered by the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
-
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 15th, 2019.
-
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1231-A totaling $589,319.33.
-
Approval of 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage License – Package Sales – GW2 DBA Cash Saver, 911 E. 6th Street
Mitchell moved the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE: Jerry Witt, Riverfront Lighting – Jerry Witt, Chairperson of the Riverfront Committee, appeared before the Commission and informed them that three years ago the Riverfront Committee received a grant from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to construct a pavilion and an overlook. Both of these have been constructed and there are still some funds available. He contacted the State to see if lighting could be included under this grant and the State said it could be. He has visited with the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHIPO) regarding the lighting. He also talked to K.D.O.T. who informed him that all materials have to be American made. It took him about two months, but he finally located a company with all American made lighting. He is working with Max Fanning who will be installing the lighting. They will have 14 lights at an estimated cost of $18,000. This lighting will be on the north side of the river. The City has stated they are willing to dig a ditch to lay the electrical. He asked for approval to install the lights at the north side of Riverfront Park.
Nichols moved to approve the lighting at Riverfront Park. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED LIGHTING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF RIVERFRONT PARK TO BE PAID WITH REMAINING KDWP GRANT FUNDS.
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) – None
-
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
-
Consideration of Resolution 4-2019 declaring it necessary to acquire Fire Fighting Equipment for use by the Fire Department of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas and to issue General Obligation Bonds of said City to pay the costs thereof; and providing for the giving of notice of intention to acquire said equipment and to issue said General Obligation Bonds – Garth Hermann, Gilmore & Bell, informed the Commission that this is the first step to secure funding for the two fire trucks the City needs to purchase. A public Notice of Intent will be published in the February 9th and February 16th newspaper notifying the public that the governing body has declared it necessary to acquire firefighting equipment at an estimated cost of $1,751,748.72. The costs of the equipment, interest on interim financing and associated financing costs will be paid from the proceeds of General Obligation Bonds of the City in an amount not to exceed $1,915,000 to be issued by the City. This notice shall be published for two consecutive weeks and if, within 60 days following the date of the last publication, a petition signed by not less than 5% of the qualified electors of the City is filed with the City Clerk, no such bonds shall be issued until the issuance shall have been approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the City voting on the question. If no petition is timely filed, the governing body of the City will proceed with the acquisition of the equipment and issuance of the bonds.
Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, updated the Commission on the age of the two fire trucks and the issues they have been causing. Parts are getting very hard to find due to their age.
Parker moved to approve Resolution 4-2019. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
Approved Resolution 4-2019 declaring it necessary to acquire Fire Fighting Equipment for use by the Fire Department of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas and to issue General Obligation Bonds of said City to pay the costs thereof; and providing for the giving of notice of intention to acquire said equipment and to issue said General Obligation Bonds.
-
Consideration of appointments to Golf Course Advisory Board – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commission that the Golf Course Advisory Board met on January 17th, 2019 at the Golf Course Clubhouse. It was discovered due to the inactivity of meeting, that their terms had all expired. All the board members were willing to be reappointed. She asked for the reappointment of John Leek, Kenneth Holt, Mitch Quick, Steve Harry, and Jeffrey Sweetser for a two year term respectively expiring on December 31, 2021.
Nichols moved to approve the reappointment of the Golf Course Advisory Board members. Adams seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED RE-APPOINTMENTS TO THE GOLF COURSE ADVISORY BOARD FOR JOHN LEEK, KENNETH HOLT, MITCH QUICK, STEVE HARRY, AND JEFFREY SWEETSER EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2021.
-
Approval of 2019 ADM Contract – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that after some minor changes, A.D.M. has finally signed the contract for purchasing reused water from our Wastewater Treatment Plant and paying for the treatment of the wastewater they haul to our lagoons. Approval is recommended.
Adamson moved to approve the 2019 ADM contract. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED 2019 A.D.M. CONTRACT.
-
Approval to purchase sewer push camera – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that he has received a proposal for a sewer push camera. This camera will enable the City to inspect sewer lines that are small or hard to reach. The main camera is limited to 8” or larger and also required good access to the manhole with our large camera van. This push camera is extremely light weight and portable. It will greatly increase our efficiency with sewer visual inspections. This camera is from Key Equipment in Kansas City and costs $10,995.00. This is a budgeted item.
Mitchell moved to approve to purchase the sewer push camera in the amount of $10,995.00 from Key Equipment. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO PURCHASE THE SEWER PUSH CAMERA IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,995.00 FROM KEY EQUIPMENT OF KANSAS CITY.
-
Approval to solicit bids for water leak correlator – Bill Lemke, Water Distribution Supervisor, informed the Commission he is requesting permission to solicit bids for the purchase of a leak correlator which is equipment that uses sensors to deter noise transmitted in the wall of the pipe and through water. Items such as meters, valves, and fire hydrants are used as access points to precisely pinpoint leaks between two points. He asked for permission to solicit bids for a leak correlator that will have the capabilities for both metallic and pvc pipe style piping. The estimated cost is $25,000. This is a budgeted item.
Mitchell moved to approve to solicit bids for the water leak correlator. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR THE WATER LEAK CORRELATOR.
City Manager commended Bill Lemke and his crew for working the water leaks during all times of the night.
-
Consideration of new life insurance benefit offering – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that there is a new life insurance option to our benefit offerings. This life insurance product would be one the employee could take with them when they leave City employment without conversion to a higher premium rate. There is also the option for a paid up at 65 policy.
Discussion was held regarding giving other life insurance vendors an opportunity to submit this same type of benefit to the City.
City Manager suggested tabling this item until the February 19th, 2019 meeting.
Bartelsmeyer moved to table this item until the February 19th, 2019 meeting. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
TABLED THIS ITEM UNTIL THE FEBRUARY 19TH, 2019 MEETING.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
-
Director Updates:
Ambulance Update: Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, informed the Commission that EMS has been very busy. In January there were 202 requests for service. Of those requests, there were 153 transports and 49 dry runs, which means an ambulance was called but did not transport a patient. As of February 5th, there were 25 requests already for service with five (5) of those being transports. Transports have been to Via Christi in Pittsburg, Girard, Allen County, and Nevada Regional Hospital. There are currently three ambulances and also the ambulance housed at the Fire Department. He thanked Tom Coffman, City Mechanic, for working on a fuel pump on an ambulance recently. It was out of rotation less than 24 hours which is great.
B. City Commission:
Nichols – He thanked the ambulance crews for the great job they are doing.
Adamson – Nothing to report.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.
Parker – She stated that she received a nice letter from a lady who visited Fort Scott recently. She said she had a great time but did mention she was concerned with a couple of areas where there was a lot of trash and debris. She asked the City Manager about how to address the trash issue.
City Manager said that the City will need to get tougher with people and the trash violations.
C. City Attorney: Not present.
-
City Manager:
Health Care Update: City Manager said that last week was a good week for health care. He said that on October 1st our world fell out from beneath us with the announcement of the closure of Mercy Hospital. A task force was formed with three goals: Secure primary care; Ambulance service; and Emergency Room. He asked the public to be patient as the new Community Health Care Walk-In clinics are transitioned.
Meet and Greet: City Manager said that he attended this morning’s Meet and Greet in downtown Fort Scott. Parking downtown seems to be a big frustration to business owners. This is a good problem with all the development going on in downtown, but a frustration to others. It is public parking and business owners don’t own the parking in front of their store fronts. He asked them to be patient as this is public parking.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Parker moved to move into Executive Session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel to include City Commission, City Manager, and Human Resource Director. There is no action anticipated. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:00 P.M.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:10 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on February 19th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
DIANE K. CLAY
Scott Teenor: The Fixer
Scott Teenor is the new general manager at Briggs Automall of Fort Scott, since February 1. Briggs is located at 1819 S. Main, on Hwy 69.
“I’m the guy who fixes things,” Teenor said.
Teenor has worked for Russ Briggs for 24 years he said.
“I’ve managed every one of his stores in Manhatten, Topeka and Lawrence,” Teenor said.
Briggs purchased Shepherd Auto about three years ago.
“Russ Briggs desire is to satisfy the customer,” Teenor said. “He is involved in so many different ways.”
Teenor has two simple rules, he said.
“Be on time and treat people the way you want to be treated.”
Teenor wants to refute a recent rumor he heard that is circulating.
“There seems to be a rumor we are closing,” he said. “We are not closing.”
“One thing that we have been doing is ‘right-sizing’ inventory and staff, for what the current market bears,” he said.
Currently, Briggs has 250 vehicles on the lot: Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick and Chevrolet.
“But we have access to inventory in all the other locations,” Teenor said. “So 2,000 additional new and used vehicles.”
Teenor can be reached at 620-223-0900 or his cell 785-344-3599.
He lives in Lawrence and commutes every day, he said.
Visage Organic Spa: Good For Your Face
Nancy Johnson moved to Fort Scott in September and saw an opportunity for a business, she said.
She graduated from the Euro Institute in 2007 and is a licensed esthetician.
Her business, Visage Organics Skincare Spa, offers facials, waxing, lash/brow tinting, and sugaring facials at her place of business, 117 E. National.
She can be reached at 620-224-6455.
Call for an appointment Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Johnson sells Niko Organic, Organic Express, and Blinc products in her business.
She also offers ear candling, a service which pulls all the sediments out of ears, she said.
Johnson hosted the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee on Feb. 14.
Also offered at Healing Hands Therapeutic Massage and Salon are haircuts, shampoo/sets, perms, colors and highlights, waxing, nails and massage services.
Stacy Racy is the massage therapist, Kimberly Skaggs, Brooke Bolin and Sherri Northcutt are cosmetologists. They can be reached at 620-223-3117.
New Salon Business In Uniontown
Hannah Ballou purchased the salon on Uniontown’s square on December 28, 2018, and opened her new business, entitled HB Salon on Jan. 3 in that building.
“I went to Fort Scott Community College Cosmetology school, after graduation in May 2015, I started working at Mercy’s Diamonds in the Market Place,” Ballou said. Mercy Hospital closed in Dec. 2018.
“I built a pretty good clientele and they have followed me to Uniontown,” she said.
“I grew up in Uniontown and went to school there and most of my clientele are from Uniontown way,” she said. “I live in LaHarpe, so it’s kind of ‘meet in the middle’.”
HB Salon is currently open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 620-756-4770.
Haircut costs are as follows: women’s dry cut, $18; women’s wash, cut and style, $25; men’s cuts are $13.
“I offer a variety of hair color and perms, which vary in price depending on the products.”
Hannah has deep roots in Bourbon County. She is married to Levi Ballou, her parents are Tim and Kerri Travis and her grandparents are Arlo and Ernie Eden.
Shots Fired at 1120 E. Oak On Feb. 9
On Saturday, February 9th at approximately noon, Fort Scott Police Officers responded to 1120 East Oak for a report of shots fired.
Officers located a person of interest at the scene. This person was transported by Bourbon County EMS.
The incident is still under investigation.
“When an arrest is made we will provide more information,” Captain Jason Pickert of the FSPD said.
New EMS Vehicles Dedicated Feb. 12 At Timken
” We currently have four ambulances staffed 24-7 during the period that the emergency room is closed,” Bruner said.
Currently, there are eight full time and 16 part-time employees in the EMS, according to Bruner.
Ice Will Melt Tomorrow According To The Weatherman
Even though treacherous driving and walking, the recent ice storm has created a beautiful day today.
Women Self Defense Class Offered Offered By Sheriff’s Office
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office is offering a class to help women learn how to use their strength when it matters most: a female self-defense class.
The idea originated with Kim Schwab, who is an administrative assistant at the BCSO.
“I have two daughters…it gave me peace of mind when they took classes,” Schwab said. Both daughters took classes in other cities.
“I came to the sheriff (Bill Martin)and asked him if there was one in Bourbon County, he said no, but he had always wanted to bring one,” she said.
So the sheriff’s office is sponsoring a female self-defense class on Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1195 E. 12th St.
“It is for women, 12 years and up,” Schwab said. “If a minor under 18, they must have a parent accompanying them.”
“I attended a class in Paola with a daughter, there were a lot of women over 60,” she said.
Registration is on the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or come by the sheriff’s office to pick up an application, she said.
The first hour is classroom instruction, followed by an hour of hands-on self-defense techniques.
“I feel a lot more confident in a situation,” Schwab said. “Some techniques I’d never heard of, and they teach some preventive techniques.”
For more information contact Schwab at the sheriff’s office, 620-223-1440.
A $12 donation is appreciated to help pay for the instructors time, but not required to participate.
Downtown Meet and Greet: Good Things Are Happening
The Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet meets several times a year to allow people interested in downtown Fort Scott to share ideas/events.
Bryan Ritter, who along with wife, Barbara, own the Boiler Room Brewhaus, hosted the Meet and Greet on Tuesday on Feb. 5.
The business sold 2,000 gallons of beer last year, he said.
“We do specialty beers, named after our animals on the farm,” Ritter told the group. “We ended the year in the black!”
Besides making and selling beer, they host events.
“We do birthday parties, music events, hosted charitable events,” he said. “Any civic organization that raises funds, we’d be happy to help.”
Their contact information: 913-636-4892 or 620-644-5032 or [email protected].
Others who spoke at the meet and greet:
Dick Horton, Southeast Kansas Community Action Program Director of Community Engagement, invited the attendees to give input to its regional assessment. To complete the community assessment: http://www.sek-cap.com/index.php/about.us/community-assessment
To complete its online survey link:http://www.sek-cap.com/
Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison said Project 17 has a user-friendly Wix platform available to businesses who have under $1 million in revenue.
Madison also said the Chamber is finalizing its Business Locator Map Pinpoints and Ads, with a focus on shop, dine, play and stay businesses.
She said there is ad space on the Skubitz Plaza Downtown Directory Sign, for $100 a year.
Madison said the KOMB 103.9 Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show is April 5-6.
Ally Turvey, from the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the bureau is continuing to sponsor the downtown family movie nights. This year the entertainment evenings will move to Skubitz Plaza and one of the four films featured is about Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
The City State Bank Ribbon Cutting begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7.
Hedgehog.INK will have a book signing featuring author Gerri Hilger. (Editors note: the book signing will be rescheduled from Feb.7, due to weather.)There will also be a story time Saturday featuring author Joyce Love, reading her rendition of “The Three Little Pigs.” In addition, local artist Jean Solomonson will lead the children in card making.
Madison informed the attendees of the Google live stream”Give Your Website a Refresh” on Wednesday, March 6 from 11 a.m to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Attendees will learn about search engine optimization and best practices for creating a search-friendly site.
Also, there will be a Bill Drury Seminar, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon, with a focus on “Effective Leadership For First Line Managers and Supervisors,” Madison said.
There are grants available for downtown businesses to refresh a facade, see Rachel Pruitt with the City of Fort Scott for more information.
Carl Brenner, Fort Scott National Historic Site, said there are student position openings at the fort this summer.
Martha Scott, Friends of the Fort, said subscriptions are continuing for installing flags at residences/businesses in celebration of national holidays. The group charges $35 a year and will install and take down the flags.
Business owner, Jared Leek, said Valentines Day has been sold out at Crooner’s Lounge, but days before and after are available for reservations. He said on Feb. 16 Elton Dan, an Elton John impersonator will perform at the Liberty Theater. Leek also said that the Bourbon County Arts Council has six events coming this year downtown, the first one is March 9.
Pat Lyons, Lyons Twin Mansions, said they and the Courtland Hotel are part of a “Most Romantic Weekend In Kansas” promotion on Valentine weekend.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin gave updates on healthcare, the Craw-Kan Cooperative broadband project, Mark McCoy’s group to unify the city/county governments, and parking issues downtown.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Fort Scott Lofts, formerly Western Senior Living, now only require 20 percent of residents to be 55 years old and older.
Pruitt also said the Warrior Convoy parade through town, in connection with Adam LaRoche’s Wounded Warrior Hunt, will be May 1 this year.
Fort Scott Codes Director Rhonda Dunn said a possible U.S. Cellular cell phone tower downtown is in the design phase and stated it is a process that the public will be allowed input on.
Lee’s Paws and Claws Animal Shelter is having an online Facebook auction that includes several large appliances: computer, refrigerator, freezer. The auction closes today, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m.