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Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission For Sept. 4

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of September 4, 2018 Regular Meeting #17

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 4th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Dave Bruner, Michael Mix, Mike Billings, Kenny Howard, Darrell Parker, Kenneth Rood, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 21st, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1222-A totaling $1,650,284.63.

  1. Resolution 34-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 15 S. Crawford Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Review of Water Plant KDHE Inspection – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the Water Treatment Plant recently had an inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He is happy to report that no deficiencies of any kind were found. He is very proud of his Water Treatment Plant crew and recognized them for their hard work.

  1. Letter of Conditions – USDA – River Intake Structure Grant – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, introduced to the Commission Michael Billings, Area Specialist, with Rural Development of Iola, Kansas.

Mike Billings informed the Commission that he was present to go over the Letter of Conditions for the Water Treatment Plant and Dam Improvements project. The loan application has been received by R.D.A. and is in the amount of $4,925,000. This loan will be administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and area staff of USDA Rural Development. All conditions set forth under Section III must be met within 280 days of the date of this letter. He did state that this time frame can be extended if needed. He briefly went over all eight sections of the Letter of Conditions and 46 items on it. He did highlight on a few of the items.

Project Description: Funds will be used to make improvements to the Intake Facility, SCADA, and the water treatment plant clearwell and will provide an opportunity to further investigate the dam design and construction. Development items include: improvements to access road, emergency pump connection, water transmission main condition assessment, replacement of intake gates and actuators, replacing mechanical and intake screen, repairing intake pumps, replace pump motors and install VFD’s, replacing check valves and insulation valves, installing a new mixing system in the wetwell, install grout in the corners of the wetwell wall, installing a sump pump, providing davit cranes, replacing the roof, tuck pointing and sealing the brick structure, provide internal roof access, replacing old heating and ventilating equipment, modifying the existing power feed, providing a stationary standby generator, surge protection, RTU and radio system, security monitoring, SCADA improvements, temporary dam access, and abutment analysis.

The project is budgeted as follows:

Construction $3,132,000

Contingency $ 469,800

Engineering Fees $ 848,300

Includes:

PreDevelopment $ 114,000

Design $ 344,300

Construction Administration $ 390,000

Interest – Interim $ 199,900

Legal & Administrative Fees $ 275,000

Total Project Costs $4,925,000

Loan Terms: The interest rate will be the lower of the rate in effect at the time of loan approval or at the time of loan closing, unless otherwise requested. The loan is for a period of 40 years. Payments will be equal annual amortized installments, beginning one year after closing. A 3.125% interest rate and an amortization factor of 44.15, which provides for an annual payment of $217,439 is used. This amount could be slightly different based on the interest rate at which the loan is closed.

Mr. Billings asked for approval of four items:

  1. Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions

  2. Request for Obligation of Funds

  3. Certification Approval

  4. RD Staff NPA Certification Checklist

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Mayor sign all these documents after they have met the approval of the City Attorney. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: 1) LETTER OF INTENT TO MEET CONDITIONS; 2) REQUEST FOR OBLIGATION OF FUNDS; 3) CERTIFICATION APPROVAL; 4) RD STAFF NPA CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST. CITY ATTORNEY AUTHORIZIED ALL FORMS ARE APPROVED FOR SIGNATURE. – USDA WATER TREATMENT PLANT RDA LOAN – $4,925,000.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

Director Updates: Paul Ballou and Dave Bruner – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, gave the Commission an update on the calls they have taken so far in 2018. As of today, they are at 1,116 calls. In 2017, the calls totaled 1,594 so they are very consistent with last year. In addition to all the calls they attend to, they also conduct inspections in accordance with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office. The Fire Department inspects all schools, restaurants, motels/hotels, nursing homes, health care facilities, and any public facility.  The State Fire Marshal’s office inspects Fort Scott Community College and the health care facility.  The Fire Department does over seventy inspections a year. With their volume call, starting an inspection, and then getting called away on a call, it is becoming increasingly hard to finish inspections as they should be. He asked the Commission to approve for the State Fire Marshal’s office to take over inspecting all of the hotel/motel facilities in the City which will alleviate that from their inspection list. The Fire Department will continue to go in there once a year for a pre-planning inspection at the hotels/motels to prepare in case of a fire.

Mitchell moved to approve to allow the State Fire Marshal’s office to begin inspecting all hotels/motels in the City of Fort Scott. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE TO BEGIN INSPECTING ALL HOTELS/MOTELS IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.

B. City Commission:

Adamson Echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.

Bartelsmeyer Nothing to report.

Nichols Also echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.

Parker – Recognized the Water Plant personnel for their excellent inspection results. She also recognized the Fire/EMS for their excellent service. She stated that the average citizens do not understand what all goes into running a City.

Mitchell Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Changes at City Hall – City Manager announced that Jon Garrison, Director of Finance, has retired. There will be a reception held for him on Friday, September 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the great job he did while he was here.

With the retirement of Jon Garrison, became an opportunity to make changes. The following changes have been made:

Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director. Rhonda will keep the Codes position as well for now. Resources may need to be added in that department if needed.

Marlene Braker had the title of Assistant to the Finance Director. This position is not needed so her title will change to Financial Analyst.

Paul Ballou has been promoted to Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable.

Community Development Director – This position will be posted on the City’s website today.

Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31st. This position is open on the City’s website and will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director.

Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the IT position and taking over the City’s insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen.

Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director.

ADJOURNMENT:

Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:45 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda For Sept. 28

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMS BARTELSMEYER MASON NICHOLS MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: First Church of the Nazarene Pastor

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

Valetta Cannon – Southeast Kansas Library System Excellence Award presentation

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 4th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1223-A totaling $406,758.85.

  1. Resolution 35-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 302 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 36-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 421 W. 5th Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 37-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1110 Scott Avenue – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 39-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Accessory Structure located in vacant lot south of 711 S. Barbee Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Robertson – October 26th, 2018 – Zombie Run – 5K Race – Gunn Park

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. – Public Hearing – Vacation of Street – Barbee Street – between 10th & 11th Street between Barbee and Little – Fort Scott Christian Heights c/o Terry Chance and Cecil J & Cynthia K Feagins, Jr. – (Jerry Witt) – Approval of Ordinance #3539

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 38-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 111 S. Little Street

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Riverfront Grant submittal update

  1. Comprehensive Plan update
  1. Consideration of Bids – Waterway Mowing

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn
  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager: Introduction of Community Development Director

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Subscription Will Place Flag at Residences

 

Pictured L to R – Friends President Reed Hartford, Martha Scott, Katie Wells, Kaitlyn Doherty, Flag Project Chairman Kelley Collins and Matthew Wells. Photo taken by Jim Scott

Members of The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Flag Project Committee, measure placement of a flag in front of the Scott home as 1208 S. National.

The Flag Project, which for a subscription of $35, will place a flag at the front of your house or business for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day.

If you subscribe before October 1, 2018, you’ll also get Veteran’s Day 2018 included in your subscription.

The project supports programs of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site which benefits programs at your local National Park.     For further information contact Kelley Collins 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott 620-224-9924

Obituary Of Mary Alice Foulk

Mary Alice Foulk, age 90, a resident of Winfield, MO, passed away Monday afternoon, September 10, 2018, at home.

 

She was born June 21, 1928, in Conway, MO, the daughter of Sylvester and Dorothy Lynch. She married Walter Foulk in September 1955 and together they had four children (Connie, Lydia, Andrew, and Lora).

Mary was a life-long homemaker whose selfless nature meant she always put everyone’s needs above her own and never complained. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering and spending time with loved ones. Mary lived most of her life in Springfield, MO, until she moved to St Charles County, MO, in 2008 to live with her daughter Lora.

Survivors include her husband, Walter Foulk of Arcadia, KS; three children, Lydia Baker of Crane, MO, Andrew Foulk of Springfield, MO and Lora Pratt of Winfield, MO; seven grandchildren (and respective spouses); eleven great-grandchildren; a sister in law, Sharon Lynch of Elkland, MO; and many loved nieces, nephews and greats.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Dorothy Lynch of Elkland, MO; an infant son (Connie); a sister, Margaret Barber of Elkland, MO; and a brother, James Lynch, also of Elkland, MO.

Although she is gone, she is not forgotten.

We love you and will see you again one day.

Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 1:00 PM Friday, September 14th, in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, KS.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Kemmerer Selected For A National History Day Partnership Program

FORT SCOTT TEACHER SELECTED FOR WORLD WAR I PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mrs. Angie Kemmerer, a teacher at Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott, Kansas is one of 114 teachers selected for a National History Day® program titled Legacies of World War I.

The program is a partnership between the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and National History Day.

Kemmerer will participate in webinars and discussions while learning about World War I with teachers from around the world.

As one of the selected teachers, Kemmerer receives free tuition, graduate credits, and materials for the online program.

Each of the 57 National History Day affiliates could choose two teachers for this honor and the National History Day program in Kansas selected Mrs. Kemmerer.

“As part of the commemoration of the centennial of The Great War, National History Day is proud to partner with the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to help teachers delve into the history of this global event,” said National History Day Executive Director
Dr. Cathy Gorn. “Kemmerer will learn about specific aspects of the war she can take back to the classroom to ensure this piece of global history is not forgotten.”

This program is part of an educational partnership with the WWI Commission, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, National History Day, and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. This new educational partnership will educate both teachers and school students about World War I through a series of more than 100 teaching events nationwide. More Information about the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission can be found here: www.ww1cc.org.

About National History Day (NHD): NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. The National History Day
Contest was established in 1974 and currently engages more than half a million students in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by HISTORY®, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service, and Southwest Airlines. For more information, visit nhd.org.

Teaching Career Offered to Military Service Members

KANSAS RECEIVES TROOPS TO TEACHERS GRANT

Kansas is one of six new states to be awarded a grant by Troops to Teachers, a military transition program within the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support that assists U.S. service veterans looking to start a teaching career.

“This grant is another great resource to assist service members interested in becoming a teacher in Kansas,” said Steve Harmon, Education Services Office, Kansas National Guard. “We encourage qualified service members to explore this career opportunity.”

Alabama, Michigan and Ohio Were also awarded grants along with two consortia comprised of New Jersey and Delaware, and Missouri and Iowa. The 2018 grants received will provide services for a five-year term ending in May 2023.

With TTT state grants, local state education departments and agencies are able to assist military members, veterans and TTT participants with local counseling and guidance. These local offices become the frontline for certification and hiring information, resources, and technical assistance on meeting teacher requirements related to each individual state.

Registration for the program is free and requires no commitment. Members can register via the program website, www.proudtoserveagain.com. The website also offers a list of teaching opportunities available to participants and a calendar of events listing recruiting and other types of program events. Headquarters TTT program reps also can be reached by calling 1-800-231-6242 or by emailing [email protected].

Electric Company Imposters

Westar Energy warns customers of electric company imposters

Callers use threat of disconnection to get immediate payment.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Sept. 12, 2018 – Westar Energy is alerting customers that imposters claiming to work for the company are threatening to disconnect service and asking for prepaid cards as payment. Several customers have contacted Westar Energy’s Customer Relations Center after receiving suspicious phone calls.

Some imposters are very convincing. They may use websites that allow them to manipulate caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar. They speak with authority. When the targeted customer calls the phone numbers provided, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar. In some cases, callers may even provide information like amount due that makes them sound credible.

“Scammers create a sense of urgency to get customers to act quickly rather than allowing them time to check their account,” Gina Penzig, manager, media communications, Westar Energy, said. “We will never require a pre-paid card for payment. Also, we notify customers multiple times in advance if service may be interrupted for non-payment.”

Before acting on one of these calls, check your records to see if a recent payment has been made. If you are still unsure, call our Customer Relations Center, 1-800-383-1183, and check your account status. More about identifying scams: https://www.westarenergy.com/scams If a customer receives a suspicious visit from an individual, he or she should also report it to their local law enforcement agency.

About KCP&L and Westar Energy: Serving approximately 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L), KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company and Westar Energy are the electric utilities of Evergy, Inc. (NYSE: EVRG). Together we generate nearly half the power we provide to homes and businesses with emission-free sources. We support our local communities where we live and work, and strive to meet the needs of customers through energy savings and innovative solutions.