Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 10, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Approval of Accounts Payable
• Road Vacation Petition filed by Susan Bancroft
• Matt Quick – NRP Program
• Lora Holdridge – Part–time to Full–time Employee Request
• REDI Funding Discussion
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
o Audit Services
o November Financials
o Reconsider Main Banking Institution
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer
• Jim Harris – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of Jan. 4
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
January 4, 2023
- Welcome: Nineteen members representing fourteen agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that there was an opening for a Coalition Board member.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Sandra Haggard, RSVP: Sandra was not able to attend but sent word that she had had five RSVP volunteers at the recent blood drive at Buck Run; three new ones and several others from the Coalition. The next blood drive will be February 16; contact Sandy if you can help.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: Applications are still being taken; however, there continue to be waiting lists for all size apartments.
- Michelle Stevenson, FSECP USD 234: Her program is full but she continues to take referrals.
- Vicki Wright, SEK Mental Health: They will be hiring ten additional therapists; sizeable signing bonuses are being offered.
- Christine Abbott, SE Kansas Works: Can assist those aged 16 to 24 with GED, job training, etc. She maintains office hours at the HBCAT office two days each week.
- Lisa Robertson and Lindsey Waterman, CHC SEK COPE: They can help with free resources for families. They are especially interested in providing a warming station for the homeless.
- Audrey Ricks, CHC SEK, Program Manager for Building Health: Her specialty is service for the homeless. She has established a place in Crawford County and is working with Lisa and Lindsey to establish a place in Bourbon County.
- Rachel French, Fort Scott Forward: Announced the “Community Involvement Fair” to be held at the Ellis Center on Thursday, February 2, 5:00 – 6:30. For more information or to reserve a booth space, contact Rachel at 620-644-8523 or [email protected] .
- David Gillen, The Beacon: 319 families, including 1,045 children, were helped in December. Seventy-three (73) families benefitted from the “Adopt a Child” program and twelve new families were approved for benefits during the month.
- Nick Johnson, USD 234 FSPS: Reminded members that preschool screenings take place the first Friday of each month; appointments may be made by contacting the Pre School. He also alerted members to the “Child Aware” workshop to be held at the USD 234 Board Office on Thursday, January 26. Information can be found on the link on the Pre School webpage.
- Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant: Head Start will be resuming on January 9.
- Lea Kay Karleskint, SNAP Education: Reminded members of the upcoming classes: Walk with Ease, Eating Smart and Saving Money, and Fresh Conversations. For more information contact the Extension Office.
- Elizabeth Schafer and Linda Noll, CASA: CASA needs more volunteers!
- Craig Campbell, FSACF, Landbank, GNAT: In 2022, FSACF awarded over $53,000 to Bourbon County agencies; grants for 2023 will probably be geared to “transformative” grants, more information to be provided later. The Landbank is working to improve and make available properties gained from tax sales. GNAT continues to build ramps, clean yards, paint, etc. They are also able to help people with applications for grants to help make homes livable. Craig can be contacted at 620-224-0167.
- Program: Lorina Bowman, Museum of Creativity
The Museum of Creativity, 102 S. National, is a non-profit institute that appreciates all sponsors, volunteers and donations. Lorina noted that the Museum of Creativity was opened to provide a safe space for families. The Museum is open on Fridays from 9am until 10 pm and Saturdays from 10 am until 6 pm. Admission is $2.00 per child and $1.00 per adult. They have craft nights, Lego clubs, game nights and can host parties. For more information visit their Facebook page.
- Open Forum:
Adjournment: Next General Me
Artificers Celebrate Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on January 28
The Artificers, a local art gallery at 8 N. National Avenue, will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting gala on January 28. At 5:30 p.m. will be the ribbon cutting. The gala is from 6 to 9 p.m.
An artificer is a skilled or artistic worker or craftsman, according to Webster’s Dictionary.
Cocktail attire is recommended for the gala event.
The owners, Kate and Trent Freeman, have been renovating the storefront for several years and still have some work to do, but the first floor is ready for the classes the Freeman’s will offer.
To view a prior feature:
The classes start February 1 as part of the The Artificers Teaching Studio, and offer a wide range of classes for any age or ability.
“We will start off with clay sculpture and pottery wheel throwing classes, but soon will add a variety of classes from our extensive list of master artists, that includes painting, watercolor, airbrush, graphite drawing, mixed media collage and more,” Kate said.
“We are so excited to host a variety of artists throughout the coming year and display their superior craftsmanship that has taken them thousands of hours to develop,” she said.
The hours of operation for the art studio/gallery business are Tuesday- Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are extended hours during classes and special events.
About The Artists
Trent works to create art in mixed media: clay, glass, wood, metal; Kate works in clay and acrylic painting.
“We had our studio in Kansas City for 22 years,” Trent said. “I’ve been a professional for 28 years. We’ve done everything from gallery to commission to art festivals all over the country. Most of our work is commission now.”
Trent said when Kansas City shut down businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic, they began coming to their farm, west of Fort Scott.
Trent’s parents, Ed and Jackie Freeman built a house near Bronson and retired there, and so Trent and Kate have been coming here for 20 years, he said. “And we loved the town.”
Eventually the Freeman’s purchased the building at 8 North National Avenue, on October 2, 2020, and have been working on the renovation since.
To view the business website:
Eco Devo Visioning Groups Have Goals For 2023
In 2022, the Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. group held visioning meetings to find the perceived needs of the community.
These meetings were in August, October and November and focused on specific areas: labor, housing, retail, and an in-depth sales tax revenue study.
“These sessions brought community and business leaders together to work through important issues that we face today,” said Rob Harrington, director of REDI. “On average, we had 40 participants at each event and the dialogue was very thought provoking.”
“In the final session the hard work and dedication of all who attended these visioning sessions came to three very specific projects which the group felt were the most important,” he said.
Bailey Lyons, CEO of Lyons Realty Group, was chosen by the housing group to lead a group that will encourage more housing developments in the county.
“A separate committee decided that having a quality place to live was just as important, and would help with growing our housing possibilities as well,” Harrington said. This group is being lead by Brad Matkin, Interim Fort Scott City Manager, and will be working on the planning and construction of a tennis court complex in Fort Scott.
Training the youth in the county was another issue the visioning group thought was important.
“This group decided to work with the three different education boards (USD 234-Fort Scott, USD 235-Uniontown and Fort Scott Community College) to develop more technical training for our youth,” he said. “This group is being led by Susan Bancroft Chief Financial Officer of Bourbon County.
The groups have been asked to meet throughout 2023 to work on each of these goals.
“At the end of next year the same group of people will be asked to reconvene and discuss with the group all of their progress on each goal,” Harrington said. “At which time, if goals have been reached others can be developed.”
“This was the first time a group of leaders across the entire county had been brought together to target and address concerns and opportunities for our communities as a whole,” Harrington said. “Bourbon County REDI was honored to be the host organization, and look forward to the continued work by this and other groups.”
The Bourbon County REDI mission is to build a vibrant county through business, economic and tourism development, and ongoing community development throughout the county, according to its website.
The Bourbon County REDI is housed on the second floor of Landmark Bank, 200 S Main St Suite 200, Fort Scott, KS 66701 and can be contacted at (620) 644-7966.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Jan. 4
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 4, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Jim Harris – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected
personnel to protect their privacy
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Bourbon County Commission Minutes of Dec. 20 and Dec. 29
Read and Walk Off Holiday Pounds Starting January 9 at FS Public Library
Our first Walk Into Books, Bourbon County! walking contest featured a virtual walk down the Yellow Brick Road, with 118 local residents participating, and the Reading Rangers team winning the contest. Our next contest begins on January 9. Please help us get the word out about this free fitness & literacy program!
Submitted by:
Valetta Cannon
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fort Scott Public Library
Valetta Cannon
Youth Librarian & Assistant Director
Fort Scott Public Library
WALK INTO BOOKS, BOURBON COUNTY!
The Little House Trail Challenge
Walk off those holiday pounds and compete for prizes with the library’s walking program. Fort Scott Public Library & The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team invite you to virtually walk a trail from Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, Kansas to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home “Rock House” in Mansfield, Missouri. This walking contest is for people of all ages & fitness levels.
• Record your daily step counts through the Reader Zone app or browser version OR in Google Sheets
• Connect with teammates & compete against other teams
• Receive a pedometer & t-shirt just for signing up!
• Each member of the winning team will earn a free book & may also win coupons or gift cards from local businesses
• Reception after the contest ends for all participants
• Book club for all participants after the contest ends (depending on interest)
Register here: https://forms.gle/
For persons with special needs, library staff will do their best to make accommodations. Send a message to the above email detailing your needs.
Click here for more information on the contest: https://fortscott.
Sponsors include After Affect Salon, Buck Run Community Center, and Hedgehog.INK!. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, please email Valetta Cannon at the above address.
This program is made possible in part by a dream grant from the Southeast Kansas Library System. Funding for this Story Telling Project is also being provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as a part of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.
Gordon Parks Museum celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will be held, with several events planned in Fort Scott.
The events will start on Thursday, January 12th at the Gordon Parks Museum.
The day will begin with a hosting of the Fort Scott Area Chamber Coffee at 8:00a.m. and a film showing at 10:00a.m., “Martin”, a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Gordon Parks.
This is a ballet tribute to Dr. King, written and directed by Gordon
Parks.
To view the schedule:
MLK ’23 Celebration Schedule 11_17
On Friday, January 13th, the community is invited to the Ellis Fine Arts Center for a free Lunch and Learn event that will be held at 12:00p.m. featuring a music and speaking presentation by multicultural artist, community organizer, researcher, and educator, Alex Kimball Williams. A reception will follow with birthday
cake. Lunch and dessert will be provided by Great Western Dining.
For more info:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Lunch & Learn, 2023
The day will also include three film
showings at 9:00am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm.
The celebration will wrap up on Monday, January 16th, with a (Lunch and Learn) event and Canned Food
Drive. Canned and non–perishable (non–expired) food items for the Beacon Food Pantry in Fort Scott, Kansas,
will be collected at the museum from 9:00am – till 2:00p.m.
To learn more about the food drive:
Canned & Non Perishable Food Drive 2023
The Lunch and Learn speaker presentation event
“Good Trouble” by John Edgar Tidwell will be held at 12:00pm. Lunch will be provided by Dunk’s BBQ. Drinks
and desserts will be provided by Great Western Dinning.
To learn more about this presentation:
Good Trouble Presentation Press Release
Lunch & Learn Good Trouble January 16, 2023
Films will also be shown throughout the day on
Monday at 9:00a.m., 10:30a.m., and 1:30p.m. All events will take place at both the Gordon Parks Museum and
Ellis Fine Arts center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
A full list of film showings and events can be found at https://www.gordonparkscenter.org/events. For more
information call the Gordon Parks Museum at 620–223–2700 ext. 5850.
For more information call (620) 223–2700, ext. 5850, or email [email protected].
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to
strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships
have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and
supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the
communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
Bourbon County Agenda for Jan. 3
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: January 3, 2023
1st District–Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING AT 9:00AM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Reorganization of Board
• Approval of Minutes
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Approval of Accounts Payable
• Matt Quick – NRP Renewal
• Teri Hulsey – Grant Approval
• Ashley Shelton – Resolutions, KAC Renewal, KONE, 6th Judicial Coroner, Forensic Medical,
Presentation of Filed Documents
• Lora Holdridge – Part–time Employee to Full–time Employee Request
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer
o Bank Bids
o Handbook – Section 2
o Broker Selection
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Jim Harris – Executive Session KSA 75–4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual
nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
DBB Letter(1) Handbook Section 2(1) Assured Partners Timeline(1) Lora Holdridge – Agenda Request Form(1)
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75–4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney–client relationship
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
Attachments:
Lora Holdridge – Agenda Request Form(1)
Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Agenda for Jan. 4
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Agenda
Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments
January 4, 2023
- Welcome:
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Program: Lorina Bowman, Museum of Creativity
- Open Forum:
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be February 1, at 1:00 p.m.
Robert Coon Invests in Another Downtown Building
Continuing the restoration of Fort Scott’s downtown, Robert and Kim Coon have purchased 120 E. Wall this week. They own Coon Rentals LLC.
“After I bought the Kress Building, I fell in love with the downtown area,” Robert Coon said. “There is lots of energy, lots of events, music on Friday nights at Heritage Park. That little strip of Main Street was dead, now it’s thriving.”
The Kress Building he purchased last year was renovated into Pizza Republic Restaurant this year.
To view a prior story:
New Restaurant and Pub Coming to Downtown Fort Scott
“It’s the support of the community that put downtown Fort Scott on the map and it’s exploding,” he said. “Developers, business people have contributed-the Bartlesmeyers, the Lyons, the Freemans, the LaRoches, the Lipes, the Dancers and others.”
“Developers are taking money from their other ventures to fund this,” he said. “These people are building downtown, are working downtown and still choosing to build downtown.”
“My wife and I have always been involved in rentals,” Coon said. “The residential rental market is easy. The commercial market is fun.”
Going back in time, the shoe store, the appliance store, the Kress Tea Room were closing, now investors are revitalizing the downtown, he said.
Instrumental economic development people in this revitalization have been Jody Hoener and Rob Harrington, Coon said.
Plans For the Building
Coon Rentals LLC will be renovating the upstairs of 120 E. Wall into a 1,900 square feet “high end, classy Airbnb.”
“The view is spectacular from the second floor,” he said.
The lower 1900 square feet, which was renovated by the Gettler’s and most recently Patrick Wood, is an office space that is currently rented out to Stutesman Action Realty.
History of the Building
“In the 1800’s the original building burnt down,” Coon said. “In 1920, the current structure was built. Brian Allen and Shane Walker are a wealth of knowledge of downtown history.”
“There was a complete renovation under the previous ownership of Patrick J. Wood-the street level, 1900 square feet of a stunning, professional area, is currently occupied by Stutesman Action Reality. The 1,900 square feet, high end loft apartment space upstairs is set to be Airbnb in early April, 2023”.
Robert Coon can be reached at 620.215.9267.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Dec. 29.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Date: December 29, 2022
1st District-Nelson Blythe Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District-Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM BEGINNING at 8:00AM.
- Flag Salute
- MOU Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
KSA 75-4319(b)(2) For consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
KSA 75-4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75-4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75-4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.