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Category Archives: Bourbon County
Pat Bishop Appointed Fort Scott Land Bank Manager
There is a need in communities to get abandoned and vacant properties to land purchasers that can improve the property.
To this end, the Fort Scott Land Bank was initiated in 2018 and last month a manager for the program was hired.
“Vacant and abandoned properties have negative spillover effects that impact neighboring properties and, when concentrated, entire communities and even cities. Research links foreclosed, vacant, and abandoned properties with reduced property values, increased crime, increased risk to public health and welfare, and increased costs for municipal governments,” according to https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/
Pat Bishop has been appointed manager of the Fort Scott Land Bank. The appointment was effective as of January 1, 2023.
Bishop now is responsible for acquiring unused properties and maintaining them, pending transfer to a new owner.
His most important responsibility will be the sale or transfer of properties to buyers through setting up the framework for the clearing of title, negotiation of the purchase price and negotiation of the development agreement, he said.
All of the responsibilities are subject to the approval of the Land Bank Board of Trustees.
The City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County government entities share the salary for the position which is $20,000 per year.
“My hours are 1 -5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though I am available at all times,” Bishop said.
Bishop and his wife, Cathy, have lived in Fort Scott for 44 years and he was a practicing attorney in Bourbon County for 29 years.
Bishop has been integral in the preparation of the legal documentation necessary for the last two Bourbon County tax foreclosure sales, working with the Bourbon County Counselor, and therefore is familiar with the acquisition process, he said.
Bishop may be contacted at 620-224-6962. His email address is [email protected].
Bourbon County has provided Mr. Bishop an office in the courthouse located at 210 S. National.
The job requires that he be out of the office quite often, and contact is recommended via phone or email, he said.
What the Fort Scott Land Bank Does
“In 2018 the City of Fort Scott established the Fort Scott Land Bank,” Bishop said. “The purpose of the Land Bank is to acquire title to dilapidated, vacant or unused properties and convert them to productive use.”
These properties do not contribute to the tax base, and in addition create fire and safety hazards and reduce the value of surrounding properties, he said.
Most of the properties are acquired through Bourbon County tax foreclosure sale, though properties have been and may be donated to the Fort Scott Land Bank.
“At this point in time the Land Bank has 49 Fort Scott properties in its inventory,” Bishop said. ” All these properties are either vacant lots or structures in need of repair.”
The Land Bank determines the best usage for a property, he said.
Points considered for the usage for the property are the neighborhood, the size of the lot, and the condition of any structures, he said. And there is an attempt to sell the property for value in accordance with a development agreement between the Land Bank and the purchaser.
The agreement will require the developer to improve the property, such as building a house or remodeling an existing structure, within a given period of time, according to Bishop. If the developer fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, the property reverts to the Land Bank.
When the property is purchased, the Land Bank is required to maintain the premises, such as mowing, and may have to cause an unsafe structure to be removed, he said.
“The decision to sell land bank property will not be determined solely on the basis of purchase price,” he said. “The Board of Trustees will consider the proposed usage,” he said.
The construction of housing on a property is the most important consideration as there is a scarcity of affordable housing in Fort Scott, Bishop said.
“Other priorities in the following order are: protection of properties for historic preservation, government or public use, ownership by non-profits, such as a church, ownership by adjacent property owners for side-lot acquisitions and green or garden spaces for public benefit,” he said.
Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees
The Fort Scott Land Bank Board of Trustees are appointed by the Fort Scott City Commission and presently consists of Craig Campbell, Chairperson; Robert Coon, Vice Chairperson; Bailey Lyons, Treasurer; Josh Jones, (City Commissioner) Jim Harris, (Bourbon County Commissioner), Rob Harrington (Bourbon County Regional Economic Director) and Patrick Wood.
Uniontown: Improving Community Spaces Grant Available
“The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is gearing up for a placemaking project in Uniontown,” President and CEO Jody Hoener said.
They are seeking Uniontown resident’s input for a grant to improve the small town of almost 300 people in Bourbon County.
“We have a survey for community members to fill out,” Hoener said. “It’s available online at HBCAT.org or residents can pick up a paper copy from us at our Fort Scott Office (104 N. National) or from Sally Johnson at City Hall in Uniontown.”
Fort Scott has received several placemaking grants.
“We have already been working on Creative Placemaking projects in Fort Scott: the 3rd Street Park Improvements and the Downtown Arch projects,” Rachel Carpenter, Director of the The Center for Economic Growth at HBCAT, said.
“Creative Placemaking is letting the community choose a project and public space that enhances the quality-of-life people in that area,” Carpenter said. “Placemaking is about creating community spaces that improve vitality, and promote health, joy, and well-being. The community has the opportunity to take ownership of a place in their neighborhood.”
“This Creative Placemaking project is specifically for Uniontown, we are encouraging all residents of Uniontown to complete the survey,” Carpenter said. “The survey is live now and will remain open until March 13th. We can budget up to $10,000 towards this project funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to be completed by June 2024.”
“Some examples would be: park improvements, murals in an alley way, public space for studying or a public art sculpture about the place’s history,” Carpenter said.
Uniontown residents are asked to fill out a brief survey to help with ideas for the grant.
Here is the link:
http://ow.ly/iJ8s50MJfSL
FS City Agenda for Feb. 14
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
February 14, 2023
6:00 P.M.
- ROLL CALL:
- Jones T. Van Hoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
- CONSIDERATION:
- Patrick Wood – Consideration of Pocket Community
RESOLUTION NO. 7-2023
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CERTAIN HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS TO ACCOMPANY THE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE KANSAS HOUSING RESOURCES CORPORATION.
RESOLUTION NO. 8-2023
A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF A RURAL HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICT (RHID) AND AN INDUSTRIAL BOND (IRB) ISSUE IN SUPPORT OF THE BROKEN OAK POCKET COMMNITY PROJECT TO BE LOCATED AT 1907 HUNTINGTON BLVD IN FORT SCOTT, KANSAS
- Approval of Equipment Trade – E42 R2-Series Bobcat Compact Excavator
- Consideration to publish for Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for 2023 Cape Seal Program – tabled from February 7, 2023, City Commission meeting
III. Adjournment:
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Jan. 31
The Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Feb. 14
Bourbon County Dems Meet Feb. 19
Bourbon County Democrats will hold their first general meeting of 2023 on Sunday, February 19th, at 2:00 p.m.
They will be meeting in a new location on Fort Scott Community Campus: Room H121 in the Ellis Center.
Kansas Representative Christina Haswood will be their speaker.
Please call or text 620 215 1505 (Carol MacArthur) for a ride to the meeting or for more information.
Submitted by
Carol MacArthur\
Chair, Bourbon Co. Democrats
620 215 1505
Please like us on Facebook
Uniontown City Council Agenda for Feb. 14
Uniontown City Council agenda for Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at Uniontown City Hall.
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Matt Quick –
Uniontown Ruritan Bathroom Project, Skeet George –
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
- Minutes of January 10, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
KCC Inspection
KRWA Conference
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024 Projected Gas Supply Requirements –
KRWA Voting Delegate –
Benefit-Cost Analysis Workshop, April 19-20, Manhattan –
Rabies Clinic this year?
CCMFOA Conference, March 22-24, Manhattan –
Court Clerks Conference, March 3, Wichita –
KSGFOA Membership, Spring Symposium, March 30, Wichita –
Utility Hearings this month – last Wed 22nd, change date to 28th?
LSLI survey –
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Hartman –
Councilwoman Kelly –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
Citywide Trash Service –
School Pond Project –
Placemaking Project –
American Rescue Plan Act update–
KMGA/MMGA Prepay project –
NEW BUSINESS
City Attorney –
Attachments:
Uniontown City Council Minutes of Jan. 10
The Regular Council Meeting on January 10, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Dixie Riedel and Kay Forsen (Kansas Municipal Gas Agency), City Superintendent Bobby Rich, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, and City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
KMGA Prepay Project, Dixie Riedel – gave a presentation of the proposed project and fielded questions. We would have a contract with KMGA to participate in a project with Minnesota Municipal Gas Agency. MMGA would be the entity to actually prepay. If we would choose to participate, we would choose the amount (10%-60%) of our proposed daily usage to pledge to this project. The discount seen in the last six months has been $0.25-$0.40/unit.
Ruritan Bathroom Project, Raymond “Skeet” George – Mr George was unable to attend. He sent a thank you to the Council for their support of the project with a list of donors and costs for the project.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the December 2022 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $354,638.51, Receipts $56,191.05, Transfers Out $19,026.68, Expenditures $48,250.91, Checking Account Closing Balance $343,551.97. Bank Statement Balance $355,533.60, including Checking Account Interest of $76.87, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $11,981.63, Reconciled Balance $343,551.97. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,165.36, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,793.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,442.36, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $429,952.95. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $438.27, and Utility CDs $374.30 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $812.57. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of December 2022, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. December Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 to General Fund $2,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $1,000.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Security Meter Deposits $0.23, to General Fund $3,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $1,000.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Security Meter Deposits $0.45, to General Fund $3,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $3,000.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement $3,000.00 for Total Transfers of $19,026.68. Net Loss for the month of December $11,086.54, Year-to-Date Net Income $19,808.47. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $123,315.52 (116.9%), Expenditures $116,473.53 (89.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $36,274.50 (101.6%), Expenditures $39,133.62 (95.4%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $133,607.21 (95.7%), Expenditures $172,946.27 (70.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $155,336.20 (109.6%), Expenditures $146,843.96 (88.8%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $7,661.33 (120.9%), Expenditures $10,620.81 (99.9%). The January 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $39,253.89 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of December 13, 2022, Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
- Resolution 2023-0110-1 – 2023 GAAP Waiver
- Destruction of records for 2012 and prior
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich reported KCC Inspection of gas system will by January 17-18.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported little change on Smith Estate demolition over holidays. The park looked really good over holidays!
Mayor Jurgensen addressed the ongoing neighbor feud. Discussion ensued.
Clerk Johnson was absent due to family emergency.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – Received an invitation to attend Governor’s inauguration.
OLD BUSINESS
School Pond Project – Mayor Jurgensen visited with Bourbon County Public Works Director on the rock and he said the county can’t give us the size rock we’re wanting. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 accept the size of rock presented unless they can make bigger
Placemaking Project – Mayor Jurgensen has reviewed the catalogs and called companies for pricing. He’s going to try to get the committee together soon.
American Rescue Plan Act update – Doug Coyan indicated materials would probably be delivered around February 1. Discussion ensued regarding timeline of project. He also stated that concrete cost is skyrocketing. Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to nonelected personnel matters exception KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss nonelected employees performances and pay rates with the open meeting to resume at 8:20PM
Open meeting resumed at 8:20PM.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to increase the City Superintendent and City Clerk wage rate $1.00/hour and the Maintenance Helper wage rate $1.50/hour, effective January 1, 2023
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:25PM
Moderate Income Housing Grant to Bring 20 New Housing Units to Fort Scott
Bourbon County REDI is proud to announce its collaboration with two housing developers on the Moderate-Income Housing Grant from the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation. If awarded, this project will bring over 20 new housing units to Fort Scott, a much-needed addition to the community.
The Moderate-Income Housing Grant provides funding for the development of affordable housing for moderate income families. This grant will allow for the creation of new housing units that will provide families with the stability and comfort of a safe and affordable home.
Bourbon County REDI, working with the two housing developers, has been advocating for this grant for many months. The grant, if awarded, will have a significant impact on the local economy, creating jobs and providing much-needed housing for Fort Scott families.
“Bourbon County REDI is committed to creating a better future for the families of Fort Scott,” said Robert Harrington, Executive Director of Bourbon County REDI. “This grant will help us achieve that goal and make a positive impact on the community. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation and our housing development partners on this project.”
For more information on Bourbon County REDI, please visit our website at www.bourboncountyredi.com.
About Bourbon County REDI
Bourbon County REDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic development in Fort Scott, Kansas, and the surrounding areas. We work with businesses, individuals, and community organizations to create a thriving and sustainable economy for future generations.
Contact: Robert Harrington Executive Director of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. [email protected]
Starlite FCE Minutes
Starlite FCE Minutes
January,2023
The January meeting of the Starlite FCE was held at Presbyterian Village’s meeting room. President Glenda Miller called the meeting to order, and Joyce Allen led the club in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Club collect. Eight members were in attendance and reported that they had volunteered for eight hours and had recycled fifty pounds.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Doris Ericson presented the treasurer’s report. Glenda Miller read a Thank you card from the VA Hospital thanking us for the 210 Christmas cards we had sent. Glenda also passed out new address sheets to the members. January birthday were recognized by Glenda.
Old business consisted of follow up plans for the March program on Men’s Health. Glenda will present the lesson to the club with Deb Lust help. It was discussed to invite residents of Presbyterian Village and providing cobbles and ice cream for refreshments. Plans were made to present the program to other groups as well and ask someone in the health field to present it. It was also suggested to give a gift card to the outside presenter.
Before the meeting the member signed Valentine cards to take to Veterans in the assisted living facilities and senior housing and to Tri-Valley. Deb Lust, Joyce Allen and Taylor Bailey volunteered to deliver the valentines
Letha Johnson moved the meeting be adjourned, Joyce Allen seconded the motion, meeting adjourned.
Glenda Miller presented the lesson on Character Counts “Caring”, while the members enjoyed refreshments provided by Doris Ericson and Glenda Miller. Refreshments consisted of Chocolate cookies, ice cream, and water.
Prepared by
Terri Williams