All posts by Loretta George

Business, Fort Scott

Dancers Purchase Downtown Scottish Rite Temple

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The exterior photo of the Scottish Rite building from 1926 shows storefronts on the ground floor. Submitted photo.
Tracy and Kathy Dancer, Fort Scott, have purchased the
 Scottish Rite Temple at 110 South Main.
Kathy Dancer, taken from Facebook.
Tracy Dancer, taken from Linkedin.
The couple is investing in the historic downtown building to make it an asset to the community once again, she said.
“We see this as an opportunity to invest in Fort Scott and repurpose a historic building,” Kathy said.  “The building has been dormant since 2014 and there has been no maintenance or activity in the building since it was sold by the Scottish Rite.”
They purchased the building from the Bourbon County Commission property tax auction that was conducted in January.
“Currently, we plan on providing micro-retail spaces for small retail businesses,” she said.  “Micro-retail spaces are a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to have a retail space without committing to a large store or the overhead associated with a stand-alone storefront.”
“The building will also support pop-up shops and small seasonal stores,” Kathy said.  “We have had many community members also ask us to consider a cafe or pie pantry so we are considering incorporating those into the space as well.  Ideally, we will be able to use the theater for events and as a rentable venue in the future.”
Currently, they are not seeking grants to help with the project.
“If grant funding becomes available that is a good fit for the space and the community, we would consider applying but at this time we have not applied for anything and our plan does not rely on grant money.”
“Right now our initial plans are to restore utilities and water service
so we can better assess the condition of the building and mechanical systems,” she said.  “Once electricity and water are in place, we can begin to better evaluate the interior and formalize plans to repurpose the ground floor space.”
“The building is part of the historic downtown district so we will be applying to the State Historic Preservation Office for their approval of restoration and renovation plans before we can begin work,” she said.
The theater is on the second floor of the Scottish Rite Temple. Submitted photo.
History of the Building
“The building was constructed by the Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Scott and was completed in 1926,” she said.  “The building hosted meetings for the fraternal organization as well as community events.  There was a dining hall on the ground floor and a large theater on the second floor. The building still has many original features in the theater and lobby area as well as the original air chest pipe organ.”
The Scottish Rite theater lobby with original pillars. Submitted photo.
“If anyone would like to follow our progress and plans, we will be posting updates on our social media on Facebook and Instagram at @110SouthMainFortScott,” she said
Fort Scott, Schools

FSHS Talking Tigers: Three National Qualifiers

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Submitted photo.
Submitted by Angella Curran, FSHS Forensic and Debate Teacher
The Fort Scott High School Talking Tigers had five students who broke to the Final House, plus three National Qualifiers!
Competing in Senate:
Lillian Collins – 2nd place National Qualifier!
Kinsley Davis
Finals House:
Shekhar Gugnani-1st
Neil Gugnani -4th
Cadence Tuck
Joy Self
Jase Anderson
Consolation House:
Regen Wells – 4th place
Silvia Moreno
Caroline Barnes (PO House 2 in preliminary round)
2nd Place SWEEPS for the team!!!
Congratulations Talking Tigers!!!
Government, Kansas

Kansas Archeology Training Program Registration Opens

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Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site

June 3-18, 2022

TOPEKA— The Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association announced that registration is now open for the Kansas Archeology Training Program (KATP), which will be held at Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, in Topeka, June 3-18, 2022. The public can register online through kshs.org through May 31, 2022. Participation is limited per day and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

The annual field school will partner with the park and the National Park Service’s Midwest Archeological Center (MWAC). The park includes the Monroe Elementary School and commemorates the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end the nation’s legal segregation. This landmark victory for civil rights in America helped inspire the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Monroe Elementary School was built in 1927; the previous Monroe School was built in 1874. Both were intended as segregated schools for Black children, which provide a broader historical context to the location prior to the 1954 court decision.

The goal of this year’s field school is to expand knowledge of the school property from the early years when it was purchased by John Ritchie in 1855 and later when the current Monroe Elementary School was built. This will be an opportunity to explore structures buried on the property that once stood near the earlier Monroe School. Little is known regarding the preservation of these structures. Through archeology better understanding can be gained about those who lived in the school neighborhood. This project will help tell of the crucial time between the Civil War and the Civil Rights era, which profoundly impacted people’s lives throughout the nation. Research goals will be shaped by input from the National Park Service to assist in telling this story and gaining more understanding about the surrounding community.

The annual field school is an opportunity for the public to work alongside professional and avocational archeologists in finding and excavating archeological sites and processing the resulting artifacts. This year’s artifacts found at the site will be processed in the Kansas Historical Society’s archeology laboratory. No experience is necessary—just a desire to learn. Volunteers can attend a few days or the entire field school. Participants must be at least 12 years old, and children aged 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or sponsor.

The registration fee for members of the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Anthropological Association is $35 for standard participants, $25 for participants 65 or older, and $15 for all students currently enrolled at a middle school, high school, or college. For individuals that are not members of either organization, the fee is $90.

A full schedule of evening programs will be held in Topeka; a tentative schedule will be posted online. Admission to the programs is free and open to the public. Please note, the field school is closed on Mondays (June 6 and June 13), which is a great opportunity for participants to explore the area. There is potential for other scheduled programming on these days.

For more information contact Nikki Klarmann, [email protected]; 785-272-8681, ext. 266; kshs.org/katp.

# # #

Connect with us!

Our website: kshs.org

Facebook: facebook.com/kansashistorical

Twitter: twitter.com/kansashistory

Instagram: instagram.com/kansas_history

Bourbon County, Business

Lassoed Memories Opens New Studio:Grand Opening March 12

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Lassoed Memories-Erica George Photography is located at 116 S. Main. Submitted photo.
Erika George, 26, owner of Lassoed Memories – Erika George Photography has opened a new studio in downtown Fort Scott.
Erica George. Submitted photo.
She started her business in 2016 and provides portraits, family photos, headshots, children, newborns, boudoir, Western lifestyle, and weddings photo sessions.
She chose the new location for her business, at 116 S. Main because of the ambiance.
Lassoed Memories-Erica George Photography is located at 116 S. Main Submitted photo.
“It is the old Common Ground Coffee Company and the old Hound Nutrition location,” she said. “I loved all of the different walls and aspects of the building. There is lots of room for different types of sessions within the area.”
George will be hosting a  grand opening at the studio on March 12 from 2-4:30 p.m.
As a part of her grand opening, she will be offering $30 mini-sessions, local vendor shopping booths, and giveaways, she said.
“I love to connect with other people and capture memories that they can hold onto forever,” she said. “I especially love kid’s sessions and to interact with all of the different ages! I meet all different types of people and get to interact with all ages through many steps of life and love every minute of it!”

To contact George,  phone: 620-381-4783  her Facebook page: Erika George Photography  or by  email: [email protected]

Bourbon County, Church news, Food, Fort Scott

Knights of Columbus Annual Friday Fish Fry Starts Today

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The men of Knights of Columbus Council #796 serve the Lenten meal in February 2020.

The Knights of Columbus will host their annual Lenten Fish Fry each Friday starting today.

The March 4th & 11th meals will be drive-thru only.

“The first two (Friday meals) will be a practice run since we only did two last year,” Mark McCoy, spokesman for the group said. The COVID 19 Pandemic prevented more meals served.

The drive-thru starts at 5 pm and serves until 6:30 pm.

The ladies of Mary Queen of Angel parish bake wonderful desserts and many varieties of cakes, pies, and cookies will be offered.

A row of homemade desserts are offered at the Knights of Columbus Fish Fry at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2020.

The menu is:

1 – Catfish, French fries, and coleslaw
2 – Catfish, cod, French fries, and coleslaw
3 – Cod, French fries, and coleslaw
2020 Lenten Fish Fry at Kennedy Hall.
Opinion

Hope, Patience, Prayer by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche


Romans 12:12. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

A few years ago, I had flown to Mazatlán to help Dave make the 24-hour drive back to Fort Scott. This time we remembered where most of the faulty toll road signs were located, saving ourselves our typical, “Where are we and how do we get back on the highway?” frustration which had, in the past, cost us a few additional hours of travel.

It was my turn to drive. About 30 miles from the border, Dave and I began discussing which of the two entry points we should use: Columbia, smaller and less popular but fifteen minutes further, or Nuevo Laredo, closer but much larger. When a truck with Texas plates passed us, I took it as an omen to follow that driver. We would trust the Texan to know the quicker route.

He opted for Laredo. Following him gave me great comfort because the various signs were confusing, not to mention the curves and turns and multiple stop lights. The only thing we knew was that the United States was to the north, the right.

But then the lead car turned left. Not the way to the border. Probably the way to the drug cartel. We were now on our own. Hope. Patience. Prayer.

Three stop lights later, I rolled down my window and asked the driver in the next lane if he could point us to the border. “Follow me,” he said, and I did. My husband noticed the man was driving on an emergency spare tire, a dangerous way to enter America, if you ask me. Several stop lights later, our new amigo exited his car and ran back to my window. “Go right at the next corner,” he said, and with that, he pulled into an XOXO, the Mexico version of Quik Trip. “Poor guy limped along as far as he could to help us,” I told Dave. “Or that’s where he was headed the entire time,” I was told.

Someone was cranky. Still, Hope. Patience. Prayer.

I made a right turn, and there we were—completely lost. No matter what U.S.-tagged car I trailed, none were headed to Texas. Zigging and zagging, I managed to tick off several Mexicans who typically are used to drivers making illegal U-turns. By now we had spent an hour on this, our “quicker” trip, and my hope, patience and prayer had disappeared.

About the time I was ready to park our van in the middle of the street and make Dave drive, we rounded a corner, and there they were: toll booths. We were close. Handing the lady my pesos, I asked, “United States?” I’m sure she wanted to answer, “No, Dummy. It’s France,” but Mexicans don’t have the same propensity to sarcasm like we Americans– or perhaps she noticed I was close to tears–so she smiled and said, “Si.”

I would like to tell you that was the end of my lesson in hope, patience and prayer. Not even close. For over an hour we jockeyed with hundreds of other cars, vying for the quickest toll booth, only to end up with Barney Fife for our border agent. After answering his “Do you have any fruits or vegetables?” question with, “Yes, we have some apples,” we were told, “That’s not good.” We were to open all our doors so he could inspect what other contraband or people we had hidden in our vehicle.

I threatened to jump out of my car and warn the unfortunate drivers who had picked my lane to choose any booth but this one, but Dave told me that we were close to crossing the border and if I showed my true colors, we were going to get arrested, so I needed to be patient.

Let’s see. Get arrested or show patience. I’d call it a tie.

Obituary

Obituary of Dustin Johnson

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Obituary for Dustin James Johnson | Schneider Funeral Home

Dustin James Johnson, age 37, died Sunday, February 27, 2022. He was born on April 4, 1984 in Fort Scott, Kansas the son of Randy and Bobbie Francis Johnson.

He graduated from Uniontown High School. He served his country in the United States Navy.

Dustin was employed as a maintenance supervisor with Seats Incorporated, Spring Hill, Kansas. He attended the Pleasanton Church of the Nazarene.

There was not a thing Dustin couldn’t build or fix. He worked with wood, constructed solar panels, and fixed or rebuilt engines. He was “handy” in every sense of the word.

He liked shooting pool, two-stepping, collecting and shooting guns and was learning to play guitar.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Glenn Francis and Billie Wilson, and paternal grandfather, Ed Johnson.

Dustin is survived by his mother, Bobbie Brown and husband Howard; father, Randy Johnson; children, Tristin and Adrianna; brother, Glenn Johnson and wife Michell; niece, Adeline; nephew, Cooper, stepbrother Shannon Brown; stepsister, Leslie Doering, and several cousins that were more like siblings.

Graveside funeral service will be held 2 pm Saturday, March 5, 2022 at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery.

A visitation and gathering will be held after the graveside from 3:30 to 5 pm at the Pleasanton Nazarene Church.

Contributions are suggested the Uniontown High School FFA or Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.

Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott, Housing, Jobs

Labor/Housing and Retail Studies To Be Conducted By Bourbon County Eco Devo

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Robert Harrington. Submitted photo.

There is a shortage of workers and also quality housing in the county.

The Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI) organization is working to address that problem.

The Landmark  National Bank houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. It is located at 200 S. Main, Fort Scott.
“We are conducting a labor and housing study that will be used to help create programs that will allow REDI to help our current employers and the communities within Bourbon County to attract people,” Robert Harrington, director of REDI said.
“We know that there is a shortage of workers and quality housing within our county,” he said. “We are hopeful that after these reports are published we will get a lot of information that we can use to help find solutions for both issues.”
Looking for Retailers That are Needed
REDI is also facilitating a retail survey at the same time.
 “We will use (this study) to help give us an idea of what new retailers the citizens of Bourbon County would like to see and the information we would need to attract such retailers,” he said.
The retail survey can be viewed at:
REDI Consultants Conduct Interviews, Send Surveys
REDI recently hired Goldstone Consulting, Moberly, Missouri,  and O’Brian and Associates, Joplin, Missouri, who will be conducting the interviews and putting together the studies after they accumulate all of the information, he said.

“They will also be giving the REDI Board a strategic plan based on the data we receive,” he said REDI is paying for the study

“The consultants that we hired will be conducting interviews with several of our business owners in the upcoming months as well as surveys being sent out to Chamber members and citizens across the county,” Harrington said.
“We are also hopeful that we will be able to send these same surveys out to students in the two high schools and the community college so that we can get a perspective of our younger generation on their needs and wants as well as hopefully entice them to stay and live and work here at home,” he said.
“The studies are being paid for by Bourbon County REDI and the results will be given to my board of directors by August of this year,” he said.
Art, Bourbon County, Business, Fort Scott

Young Mom Turns Creative Outlet into Business

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Genna Gilbert. Submitted photo.

Genna Gilbert, 23, is a stay-at-home mom who is turning a creative outlet, arts and crafts, into a business to benefit herself and her family.

The business is called Made With Love by Genna.

She started doing artwork at 16-years-old to “get away from reality,”  Gilbert said. “Painting/crafting helped me escape and get away from all the negativity that was going on in my life at the time.”

Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.
Submitted photo.

Then people started noticing her art and asking her to do some painting for them.

That began the process of selling her work. This year she made it an official business, she said.

She paints on metal, resin, glass, clay, and wood, creating items from earrings, drinking cups to windows. “A lot of things, custom artwork,” she said.

She does most of her work at her dining room table, with her husband Dante assisting her with paperwork and “cutting wood,” she said.

In the near future, she is hoping to put items online and in addition, have painting sessions for children and adults.

To contact her see her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MadeWithLoveByGenna or email her at [email protected]

From Made with Love by Genna Facebook page.

 

Airport, Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott Airport Receives Grant For Safety and Security

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Fort Scott Airport.

Fort Scott Airport is the recipient of a Kansas Department of Transportation managed grant to help safeguard and secure the airport.

Thirty-six projects were selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program (KAIP) funding for the purpose of planning, constructing or rehabilitating public-use general aviation airports, according to a Kansas Department of Transportation press release. Fort Scott was one.

Seth Simpson, Fort Scott City Airport Manager.

“The grant will be to replace a gate and install an electric keypad,” Seth Simpson, airport manager, said. “This is the east side gate, near the fuel tanks.”

“The benefit to the public is less potential for loss, due to damage or theft or wildlife damage,” Simpson said. “The benefit to the airport is security and safety.”

Taken from airnav.com

On the horizon for the airport is runway resurfacing.

“On April 1, we will be applying for the grant to resurface,” Simpson said. “The FDA already officially, unofficially approved it.”

“Every so many years you have to resurface to maintain the runway, just like a highway,” he said.

There are currently two employees at the airport, Simpson and Bryan Matkin, a maintenance technician, he said.

Twenty-one airplanes are housed at the airport whose owners are from Fort Scott and surrounding areas.

The City of Fort Scott owns the airport, which is located four miles from the city. The phone number is 620-223-5490.

Taken from airnav.com

About KAIP

KAIP receives $5 million annually through the Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, known as IKE, and requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying between 5% and 50% of the total project. The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 145 project applications this year with a combined total project value of over $78 million.

“The aviation industry brings $20.6 billion in total economic impact to the State of Kansas,” said KDOT Director of Aviation Bob Brock. “The KAIP program helps this important industry remain a vital part of the Kansas economy. That translates into jobs and quality of life for the residents of Kansas.”

The selection board identified $4,968,161 in projects to address the most impactful airport improvements across the state.  Please direct any questions to [email protected].

Bourbon County, Business, Food

Fresh Produce Can be Delivered to Your Door: 1553 Plants and Produce Farm

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A local entrepreneurial farm couple has been planning and planting during this dormant season time planning their new products and services.

1553 Plants & Produce is a local farm started by Kenny and Kerry Wunderly in November 2020. The farm is located at 1555 205th St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.
The couple sells many farm-related services and products that they are willing to deliver.
“This past year our biggest seller for our produce was our variety harvest baskets,” she said.  “We featured these on our Facebook page weekly and they sold out very quickly. We delivered these to our customer’s doorstep that day and we will continue this again this year. These will be starting again around late May. We are currently working on a website for ordering but as of now it’s all still through text, call, or Facebook message.”
The phone number is 785-422-5770.
“This year we will have a full line of garden vegetables. Celery, Tomatoes, zucchini, squash, beans, sweet corn, lettuce, broccoli, peppers, radishes, beets, cucumbers, watermelons, and cantaloupe just to name a few,” Kerry said. “We are making these available in weekly harvest baskets in season along with our on-farm u-pick section and on our self-serve veggie trailer.  And if you’d like, we’ve entered into a wholesale agreement with a local restaurant, La Hacienda, so you can get them already cooked!”
The seasonal self-serve veggie stand sits on the 1553 Plants and Produce property. Submitted photos.
“We are expanding our herb offering and will have a large variety of fresh herbs, dried herbs, and herb salts,” she said.
They will also be growing winter squash, pumpkins, ornamental corn, sorghum, and cotton, and some ornamental cabbages to use in fall decorative vignettes they create, which they call fall bundles.
One of the fall bundles. Submitted photo.
“Our fall bundles are delivered the first week of October and consist of straw hay bales, pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, and ornamental corn ears and mums. This year we will be adding dried cotton plants, sorghum stalks, and ornamental cabbage as available. Mostly grown on our farm, but some items will be locally sourced from other small, family-owned operations.”
A winter bundle. Submitted photo.
“For Christmas this past year we wrapped hay bales in ribbon to look like large presents, made an evergreen basket complete with boughs, berries, and Christmas balls for ornaments, and finished it off with a homemade wooden snowman. Nearly all of these things are upcycled from the farm. We’re going to be doing this again for 2022 with some small changes. These were and will be again, delivered the first week of December. We also do just the wooden snowman for those interested.”
“The wooden Easter bunnies are new this year and we plan to have them ready by mid-March,” she said.
The couple added a hoop house on the property to extend providing products, she said.
They also provide landscaping services.
“We didn’t intend to be in the landscaping business but had the opportunity to work with some great clients,” she said. “We did a lot of flower bed maintenance and rescue and it was awesome to see the look on our client’s faces when they saw the finished product.”
Before the Wunderlys renovated this garden. Submitted photo.
After the garden renovation. Submitted photo.
“We built and installed lots of raised flower/vegetable beds and even built a small retaining wall,” Kerry said. “And we picked up a few lawns for mowing. None of these things were on our radar to begin with, but we were happy for the opportunity and will continue to provide those services where needed.”
Kerry Wunderly displays some of the raised bed perimeters they have produced. From their Facebook page.
Next on the Horizon
“We are exploring a couple of “on-farm” experiences for folks that might be interested,” she said. “The first is our Dinner On The Farm (event). We are working to develop a menu that’s been completely produced on our farm. You will be able to bring your family or friends out for dinner cooked by us on the farm. You can see exactly where your chicken was hatched and raised and see the exact bed where your broccoli and tomatoes were grown!”
“We will be building the seating area in the next few months and hopefully will have our first dinner served by late spring,” she said.
They are in the planning phase for a fishing pond on their property.
” Our pond will have a dock for easy access and be stocked for those wanting to (fish),” she said. But if you catch a giant you have to release him…HAHA just kidding, kind of!”
“Kenny has been a hobby photographer for years and has taken thousands of photos on our farm,” Kerry said. “We will be planting a small plot of sunflowers this year and opening our farm up at times for other local photographers to photograph these and all the other flowers we grow.”
“We are also in the planning phase of building some photo blinds in strategically placed spots on the farm,” she said. “These will be sets with a water feature, feeders, and native plants and bushes for bird photography.”
The couple is looking for another source of protein being produced on their farm, and this project is expected to be in place by fall.
They offer free garden consults and build raised beds gardens.
“We will be adding a couple more beds to our community garden section and those are available to rent for the season right now,” she said.
Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Meeting Minutes Feb.15

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Minutes are unapproved.

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 15th, 2022 Regular Meeting #4

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 15th, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners P. Allen, J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor K. Allen presiding.

INVOCATION: Matthew Wells, City Commissioner, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Bill Downey, Jackson Tough, Brad Matkin, Rachel Thompson, Mark McCoy, Jason Dickman, Rob Harrington, Doug Guns, Reed Hartford, Jerry Witt, Ryan Coon, Martha Scott, Jean Tucker, Don Tucker, Jessica Allison, Scott Dowd, Josh Newton, Ryan Collier, Bob Reed, Carl Brenner, Bridget Mann, Betty Boyko, Russell Conner, Reitha Clark, Richard Clark, Jana Walker, Charles Gentry, Karen Billiard, and Max Fanning.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Mayor Kevin Allen asked that a Proclamation for Betty Boyko Day be added to the Proclamation section.

Diane Clay, City Clerk, read the Proclamation which proclaims February 23rd, 2022, as Betty Boyko Day in the City of Fort Scott. Betty has served since 2006 as the Superintendent of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and is leaving to move to another position in Beatrice, Nebraska as the Superintendent of the Homestead National Historic Park.

The Commission thanked her for her service and dedication to the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Mayor Kevin Allen asked that the two items under the City Commissioners topics be moved to New Business and the Contract Mowing for the City be added to New Business.

CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 1st, 2022 and special meeting of February 7th, 2022.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1306-A totaling $736,158.68.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Signage – 104 N. National – Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.

  1. Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc.

Hammon’s/Sharky’s Inspections $1,462.13

City Engineer $4,120.00

Fort Scott Dam Improvements $2,500.00

17th & Eddy Drainage Project $1,440.00

  1. January Financials

Discussion was held regarding the light poles that have blue lights that Evergy has installed.

Mark McCoy said that we are to notify Evergy, and they will replace the faulty light.

K. Allen asked if possibly Police and Fire could look for these faulty lights when they are out patrolling at night.

M. Wells asked about the January financial reports and that the water and wastewater funds were in a negative balance. He also asked about the franchise fee and the amount of lost revenue due to cable television. He asked if anyone had checked into all the streaming services and if a franchise fee could be assessed.

City Manager will check into these issues.

K. Allen asked about the Evergy bill for $1,465.00 for parks and if that included all the parks in the City.

K. Allen asked how often mill levy funds are distributed to the Library.

City Manager will check into this.

Discussion was held regarding the invoice for the phone system.

Mark McCoy said that the new phone system will be a savings of over $40,000.

M. Wells moved to approve the Consent Agenda. T. Van Hoecke seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

Public Comment:

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

Karen Billiard – Mrs. Billiard said that she is concerned about the lack of streetlights at Marblecrest Terrace and Marblecrest Drive. She said that it is very dark in that area at night. She said that there have also been reports of a prowler in the area.

City Commissioners said that they will check into this.

Jana Walker – Mrs. Walker thanked the Commission for addressing the blue lights on the streetlight poles. She said that their neighborhood is very dark at night and can even be scary because it is so dark.

Commissioners will check into this.

Richard Clark – Mr. Clark said that he is concerned with the amount of trees that are being cut down at the Lake. They are part of a camping group of fiberglass campers that travels to rallies and campers like to park by trees and shady areas.

Doug Guns said that they determined seven (7) dead or diseased trees that needed to be taken down which is what they are doing.

Old Business:

  1. Approval of Amendment of Fireworks Ordinance No. 3602 – City Manager said that this was the amendment to the ordinance that was approved at the last meeting. This is the actual ordinance.

T. Van Hoecke moved to approve Ordinance No. 3602. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3602 AMENDING THE HOURS OF THE DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, AND AMENDING SECTION 15.020.025 IN THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE.

Appearances:

Jerry Witt – Riverfront – Mr. Witt appeared before the Commission to ask for approval to submit a grant for Riverfront Park. He gave the Commission history on the Riverfront Park. In 2005, a group of individuals met and decided they needed to clean up the north end of the City by the Marmaton River. In 2007, the Senate approved the formation of the Riverfront Authority. Mr. Witt gave an update on all the grants and funding that has been received through the years. He informed the Commission that he wished to apply for another grant with the Kansas Department of Transportation TA program. This is a $135,000 grant with an 80/20% match. The Riverfront Authority will pay the 20% match so there is no cost to the City. He asked for approval of the Resolution to apply for the K.D.O.T. TA Grant. The grant has to be submitted by March 1st, 2022. This grant is to rebuild the trails which involves 2,953 linear feet with 8” of asphalt on the south side of the Riverfront Park.

J. Jones moved to approve to apply for the K.D.O.T. TA Grant in the amount of
$135,000 and approve Resolution No. 6-2022. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 6-2022 DECLARING THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE FORT SCOTT/BOURBON COUNTY RIVERFRONT AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR USE OF TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FUNDS SET FORTH BY MAP-21 FOR THE RIVFERFRONT TRAIL PROJECT IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THIS APPLICATION.

Jessica Allison – American Legion – Ms. Allison informed the Commission that she is the Commander of the local American Legion. They are looking to host some fundraisers to raise money for their organization and would like to have bingo at Memorial Hall. They would have bingo two to three times a month and build from there. They would need to use the main area of Memorial Hall as well as the concession area.

City Clerk informed the Commission that the City has no food license at Memorial Hall any longer.

T. Van Hoecke also informed her that a mold study is being conducted in the building.

T. Van Hoecke moved to allow Memorial Hall to be used as a place for bingo and the concession area for the American Legion organization. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW MEMORIAL HALL FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION ORGANIZATION TO BE USED FOR BINGO TWO TO THREE TIMES A MONTH AS WELL AS ALLOW THE MAIN AREA AND CONCESSION AREA AT MEMORIAL HALL.

Jody Hoener & Rachel Carpenter – Bourbon County Health Action Team – Failed to appear.

Bob Reed – Bourbon County Fair & Rodeo – Bob Reed said that he is the Assistant Superintendent of the Bourbon County Fair Board. He asked for support from the City for the Bourbon County Fair. He mentioned that last year the City gave $5,000. He asked the City to match the County contribution of $10,000. He updated the Commission on events that are held at the fairgrounds as well as some upcoming events. He asked for two items: 1) Monetary support for the Bourbon County Fair Board; 2) Allow EMS to be on scene for their upcoming rodeo at no charge.

City Manager said that he would like to look at the budget first before a decision is made.

This will be on the March 1st, 2022 agenda.

Ryan Collier – 12th & Main fence – Mr. Collier informed the Commission that he was the contractor that built the fence at 12th and Main Street. He got a building permit on 12/8/2021. He was told by the Codes Officer that no permit was needed for the fence. He went ahead and installed the fence poles in concrete. Then he received a stop order on 12/9/2021. He had $5,400 worth of materials. He then met with Bill Downey who told him there was no issue with it. But, 30 days later the homeowner got a letter from the City stating they need to relocate the fence. He asked who was going to fix the fence?

City Manager said that we will handle it internally. There was an issue with the right-of-way versus the easement.

New Business:

  1. Consideration of Bids – Manhole 148 Project – Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, informed the Commission that bids were taken for the Old Faithful manhole. There were four (4) bids received and two of the bids were not valid. One bid had no bid bond, and the other bid did not acknowledge Addendum No. 2. The low bid was from Nowak Construction Company, Inc. of Goddard, Kansas in the amount of $340,734.00. The other bid was from Sprouls Construction, Inc. of Lamar, Missouri in the amount of $386,300.00. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $192,000.00. In reviewing the bids, the unit price for pipe has more than doubled as well as other materials.

M. Wells asked if the City could do the concrete part of this project to save money.

Jason said that he will check with the contractor and let the City Manager know.

This will come back at the March 1st, 2022 meeting.

  1. Lake Fort Scott Discussion (Doug Guns):

  1. Discussion of sale of six (6) additional Lake Fort Scott properties – Josh Jones informed the Commission that he would like to see the City sell another six properties at the Lake. They would need to be 90’ X 100’ which would be the standard lot size. He asked if we could get these lots surveyed.

T. Van Hoecke said that he would like to see the original two (2) lots finalized first as they are not yet closed.

Commissioners asked Jason Dickman if Earles Engineering could do the surveying of these additional six lots.

Jason said that he could check their schedule but thought they could get it surveyed in the next 4-6 weeks.

Commissioners verbally authorized Earles Engineering to survey the next six (6) additional lots at Lake Fort Scott.

  1. Consideration of Lake Fort Scott RFP for Boat Docks – Doug Guns, Lake Supervisor, informed the Commission that that he prepared an RFP for four (4) boat docks at Lake Fort Scott. Doug said that he has applied for a grant with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for the docks.

T. Van Hoecke moved to send out Request for Proposals for boat docks at Lake Fort Scott and for the funds to come out of the Capital Improvement Fund for the Lake. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED to send out Request for Proposals for boat docks at Lake Fort Scott and for the funds to come out of the Capital Improvement Fund for the Lake.

  1. Consideration of mower for Lake Fort Scott – Doug Guns informed the Commission that he prepared an RFP for the purchase of a zero-turn mower at Lake Fort Scott. It is not in the City’s capital improvement fund for this year but asked if it could come out of the Lake Improvement Fund.

Discussion was held on getting an inventory of all City equipment and if equipment can be borrowed from one department to the other – like from the Airport to the Lake.

Doug said that does occur between departments already.

Discussion was also held regarding the contract mowing the City does for the Codes Department and if Lake Fort Scott could be included in that.

M. Wells moved to send out the Request for Proposals for a zero-turn mower at Lake Fort Scott. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SEND OUT REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR A ZERO-TURN MOWER AT LAKE FORT SCOTT.

  1. Consideration of Part-Time Labor for Fort Scott Lake – Doug said that this was on the agenda for a part-time employee to mow at the Lake. This position would be from April to October and be less than 1,000. There would not be health insurance or KPERS offered.

Discussion was held to hold off on this until the City receives the contract mowing bid back with the Lake mowing included on it.

  1. Consideration of RFQ for Engineering firm for Lake Fort Scott Valve – Mayor Allen asked if this request is for the secondary valve or the original valve.

Doug said that there may be grants available, but they would be 50/50 grants.

K. Allen moved to send out Requests for Qualifications for Engineering Firms for the Lake Fort Scott Valve. P. Allen seconded.

APPROVED TO SEND OUT REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENGINEERING FIRMS FOR THE LAKE FORT SCOTT VALVE.

  1. Discussion of upgrades at Lake Fort Scott – Doug Guns brought them a list of prospective upgrades at the Lake.

Commission determined that a work session is needed to prioritize these items. The work session will be held on February 22nd, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

T. Van Hoecke moved to hold a work session to prioritize the upgrades at Lake Fort Scott to be held on February 22nd, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

Approved to hold a work session to prioritize the upgrades at Lake Fort Scott to be held on February 22nd, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

  1. Discussion of City permitting fees (Bill Downey/Mark McCoy) – Bill Downey, Codes Supervisor, informed the Commission that he gave them at the previous meeting a comparison of what other cities charge for fencing permits.

M. Wells recommended charging $35.00 for a fence permit with fees charged for the cost of the fence for $2.00 more per thousand.

T. Van Hoecke said he recommended a flat $25.00 rate.

T. Van Hoecke moved to charge a $25.00 fee for a fence permit. K. Allen seconded. P. Allen, J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke, and K. Allen voted aye. M. Wells voted no. Motion carried 4-1

APPROVED TO CHARGE A $25.00 FEE FOR A FENCE PERMIT.

  1. Discussion of City business licenses and other City licenses – Mark McCoy, Project Manager, informed the Commission that he and Bill Downey have surveyed many cities along with Commissioner Wells on permit fees. They shared a list of surrounding areas and their fees.

Discussion was held if not-for-profits would be charged a business license. Discussion was held they should not be charged.

Mr. McCoy asked for permission to bring back an ordinance at the next meeting for the business license and increase in City fees.

K. Allen left the room at 8:55 p.m.

  1. Consideration of Pay Request – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – $2,340.00 – January 2022 Port-a-Potty Invoice

J. Jones moved to approve the invoice for Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. in the amount of $2,340.00. M. Wels seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE INVOIE FOR SKITCH’S HAULING & EXCAVATION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,340.00 FOR PORT-A-POTTY SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2022.

K. Allen returned to the room at 8:56 p.m.

  1. Street Advisory Committee Report – Charles Gentry, Chairman, Street Advisory Board that their board met recently and recommended that all the main trafficway streets be designated in one ordinance. There are 13 streets, and some have been on the existing lists for some time. The streets are as listed:

U.S. Highways 54 and 69 entire routes

Wall Street from U.S. 54 to National Avenue

National Avenue entire route

6th Street from Broadway to Heylman

Horton Street from 6th Street to South City Limits

Broadway from Wall to 6th Street

Margrave from Wall to South City Limits

18th Street from Horton to National Avenue

Cooper Street entire route

23rd Street entire route

3rd Street from 69 Highway to Margrave

East National Avenue entire route

Franklin from Wall Street North to City Limits

M. Wells said that he will be putting this into ordinance form and bringing it back before them for approval.

  1. Discussion of Unsafe Structure List – Tim Van Hoecke stated he wants to make sure in the demolition contract that it is stated the structure must be torn down and not moved to another location. Tim stated that there is budget funds leftover from 2021 and we could possibly demolish 32 houses this year. He and Bill Downey have identified 13 structures and letters have been mailed. Their date to be in compliance with the City is March 11th, 2022. If not in compliance, at the March 15th, 2022 meeting, the demolition proceedings will begin.

  1. Discussion of Contract Mowing – Josh Jones asked that this be put on the agenda for discussion. He would like to see the City get a total bid for the season and then a total bid per yard. He would also like the bid to include mowing at Lake Fort Scott.

J. Jones moved to approve to send out the Contract Mowing Bid Advertisement and include a bid for the entire season, a bid per yard and include the Lake Fort Scott mowing. T. Van Hoecke seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SEND OUT THE CONTRACT MOWING BID ADVERTISEMENT AND INCLUDE A BID FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON, A BID PER YARD, AND INCLUDE THE LAKE FORT SCOTT MOWING.

9. Request to submit Base Grant – Rob Harrington, Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Director, informed the Commission that he wished to submit a base grant for the water project on the south side of town to the Kansas Department of Commerce. It is a 75/25 match grant. He said that the 25% can come from A.R.P.A. funds. The grant is $450,000.00.

M. Wells moved to allow Bourbon County R.E.D.I. to apply to the Kansas Department of Commerce for the $450,000.00 base grant for the water project. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW BOURBON COUNTY R.E.D.I. TO APPLY TO THE KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE FOR THE $450,000 BASE GRANT FOR THE WATER PROJECT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TOWN.

Reports and Comments:

  1. Commissioner Reports and Comments:

  1. City Manager Comments:

Schneider Energy Savings Report – Kelley informed the Commission that he provided them with the savings from Schneider Energy. It appears according to their records the City has saved $89,695.00

Discussion was held that this was Schneider’s report, and we should do our own report.

Microphone System for Commission Room quotation – Kelley said that Shane Walker brought a firm to the Commission room where they looked at our microphone system. This quote for $12,963.00 would upgrade the room and the tv and microphone system.

Discussion was held to solicit RFP’s for this service from other firms.

Demolition Contract – Kelley went over the changes to the demolition contract that he had made and shared it with the Commission.

Buoys at Lake Fort Scott – Kelley said that the Lake Patrol Officer will move the buoys at the lake when the weather permits.

Andrick Street – Kelley said that he talked to Jerry Morgan and that the project in the 500 block of Andrick Street is not complete yet. They plan to bring the pothole patcher there and finish it up next week.

Sign Painting – Lake Fort Scott – Kelley said that he talked to Chad Cliffman, and he will be getting him a quote to paint the signs at the entrance of Lake Fort Scott.

  1. Commissioners Reports and Comments:

M. Wells – Matthew reported that he attended the Street Advisory Board meeting also and the board recommended approving to the City Commission that not a single brick street should be covered with asphalt any longer in the City of Fort Scott and all brick streets should be saved. They plan to have a meeting where the public can give input also at their next meeting regarding brick streets. He shared his views on the importance of brick streets and to preserve them.

Discussion was held between Matthew and Pete on brick streets and that we cannot say we will not overlay a brick street due to the condition of it.

P. Allen – Pete said that he is excited about the Manhole 148 project. This sanitary sewer has backed up for over 30 years and they are the first Commission to deal with it.

Pete also read a statement about the 1% sales tax and how we need to make sure that funds are not removed out of funds that they are specified for.

J. Jones – Nothing to report.

T. Van Hoecke – Tim thanked the City crews who worked the water main break during the last snowstorm when the temperatures were bitter cold.

Tim asked about the Director of Finance position.

Brad stated that he has taken the position down.

Kelley said that they are looking to split this position between three people at the City.

Tim thanked the City Clerk for providing the League of Kansas Municipalities training flyer to them and he urged all the Commissioners to take part of the training.

K. Allen – Kevin asked to see the current financial policy as well as the previous policy and for the Commission to look at spending limits.

He asked for an update on Municipal Court.

Diane Clay, Court Clerk told him that the first update was done on Tuesday, February 15th between the Police software and the City’s Court software. It is getting closer.

No Parking on 12th Street from Margrave to the Fort Scott Middle School – Kevin asked about putting No Parking signs on 12th Street and asked the Chief of Police for his opinion.

Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, said that 12th Street is highly traveled as well as 10th Street. He will have his officers talk to the neighbors and see what their thoughts are on this.

Water/Sewer Rates – Kevin apologized for the water rate increase and said that he doesn’t like it either. He has had several calls from people with fixed incomes.

Bricks – Kevin said that the inmates at the jail have worked almost 12 pallets of bricks. He thanked them for their work and the City will be bringing more to them.

Executive Session:

T. Van Hoecke moved to recess into Executive Session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) until 10:16 p.m. This will include City Commissioners, City Attorney, Brad Matkin, Human Resource Director, and Kelley Zellner, City Manager. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

J. Jones moved to come out of Executive Session at 10:16 p.m. T. Van Hoecke seconded. All voted aye.

Adjournment:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 10:17 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, MMC

City Clerk