Category Archives: Bourbon County

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Agenda for Jan. 3

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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:

DBB Letter(1)

Handbook Section 2(1)

Assured Partners Timeline(1)

Lora Holdridge – Agenda Request Form(1)

 

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Agenda for Jan. 4

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Billie Jo Drake opens the Bourbon County Inter Agency Coalition monthly meeting Dec. 4.

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

Conference Room at the Scottview Apartments

 

January 4, 2023

 

 

  1. Welcome: 

 

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1. Program: Lorina Bowman, Museum of Creativity

 

 

  1. Open Forum:

 

 

  1. Adjournment:  Next General Membership meeting will be February 1, at 1:00 p.m.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Robert Coon Invests in Another Downtown Building

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120 E. Wall was purchased this week by Robert and Kim Coon. Submitted photo.

Continuing the restoration of Fort Scott’s downtown, Robert and Kim Coon have purchased 120 E. Wall this week. They own Coon Rentals LLC.

Robert and Kim Coon own Coon Rentals LLC. Submitted photo.

“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.

A view inside 120 E. Wall on the main floor. Submitted photo.

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, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda For Dec. 29.

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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. 

Bourbon County

Wreaths Matching Funds Campaign

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Fort Scott National Cemetery

 

National “Wreaths Across America” has notified local location coordinator Diann Tucker that following the 2022 successful wreath laying and remembrance at Fort Scott National Cemetery, we have matching funds sponsorship to begin the 2023 wreath funding.  This is an opportunity to kick off a great start to 2023.  Starting immediately and running through January 13, 2023, all wreaths sponsored through the local registered group will be matched for placement next December.   This means when you sponsor a wreath through the local sponsorship group during this time frame, your sponsorship will be matched.

 

The mission of Wreaths Across America at Fort Scott National Cemetery continues to grow and has been successful because of the generosity and awareness of others.  Wreath prices remain at $15.00 each.  You can mail a contribution payable to Wreaths Across America, c/o Diann Tucker, 746 215th St. Fort Scott, KS  66701, or bring your donation to the office of Stewart Realty, 1707 S. National, Fort Scott.  We can also take your debit or credit card information by telephone (620-223-6700).  Please share your blessings as we make plans for the 2023 laying of remembrance wreaths at Fort Scott National Cemetery.  We must continue to REMEMER, HONOR AND TEACH.

 

 

Bourbon County, Business, Housing, Jobs

Data Received: Bourbon County Eco Devo Moving Forward

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Rob Harrington. Submitted photo.
 Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. hired a consulting company to do local studies on retail, housing and labor in the county. That study was completed this fall.
“Last year, REDI was able to work with both Goldstone Consulting and O’Brian and Associates on the Retail, Housing, and Labor studies,” Rob Harrington, REDI CEO said. “These studies were able to provide us with the necessary data to move forward on several initiatives in 2023.”
“One of those initiatives is a Small Business Retention and Expansion Program for our local businesses,” he said. “We will be working throughout this next year to visit and create ways to help these companies continue to grow within Bourbon County. “
“We will also begin working with a group of citizens throughout Bourbon County on housing development initiatives,’ he said. “This housing committee will be instrumental in creating ways for us to not only attract developers but also new residents and marketing our communities to outside markets”.
REDI will continue to work to bring new developments in commercial and industrial business to Bourbon County by using the data from these reports as well as building on the partnerships that have grown over the last two years, Harrington said.
“All of the reports were paid for by Bourbon County REDI and we will continue to use our funds to help grow our county and ultimately work towards lowering taxes for everyone who lives and owns businesses in Bourbon County,” he said.
Landmark Bank Fort Scott houses the office of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government, Housing

Warming Station At Buck Run Community Center Today

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Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.

Taken From Bourbon County’s Facebook page:

The city will be opening Buck Run Community Center, 735 S. Scott  as a warming shelter today. The phone number is223.0386. 

Please do not go out unless necessary and if you do, take extreme caution in driving and make sure you have warmer than usual clothing on in case of a breakdown or accident.

Power is still an issue south of town to the Garland area but crews are working as fast as possible to get it restored.

Bourbon County, Government

Winter Storm and Wind Chill Watches In Effect

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Winter Storm and Wind Chill Watches In Effect —

Confidence remains high that dangerous wind chills and winter precipitation will arrive Thursday, according the NOAA.GOV. Wind chills of -20 to -30 F and accumulating snowfall will create dangerous conditions for those outdoors.

NOAA latest information here:
www.weather.gov/sgf/dsspacket

“This is going to be a very cold deep freezing winter weather situation,” William Wallis, Bourbon County Emergency Management, said. “If you must travel please make sure you have a winter care survival kit plus extra blankets and several cell phones if you breakdown and get stranded.”

 

 

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Bourbon County, Government, Housing

Upgraded Bathrooms in the Future For Cottonwood Estates, Uniontown

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Cottonwood Estates in the 200 block of Fifth Street in Uniontown.

Uniontown’s Rural Renting Housing, Inc. has received a $40,000 grant to update bathrooms for the residents of Cottonwood Estates, located in the 200 block of Fifth Street.

The funds will be used to continue phase two of the rehabilitation process of the 12-unit housing complex.

“The first round of grant money we received was $25k,”  Jennie McKee, site manager, said. “The funds received were to make ADA accessibility improvements to the bathrooms. This would include the zero threshold showers, adding grab bars, ADA height toilets, etc.. It was originally estimated that we could get 6 bathrooms completed for that amount but with the increase in materials we hope to get 5 bathrooms completed for the $25k. With the additional $40k in grant money we will be able to complete the remaining 7 bathrooms.”

 

“These walk-in showers will be very helpful for many of the tenants,” said McKee.

This is a zero threshold shower that is being completed in Cottonwood Estates.

Tenants must be 62 years old or receiving disability, SSI, from the government. Currently there is a waiting list for the units.

“We began the process one and a half years ago with a $25,000 grant through USDA,” she said. “We were hoping that would do the cost of the walk-in showers, but it didn’t. SEKRPC applied for a second round of grants.”

“The first round was tiled with zero threshold, the rest will be pre-made,” she said.

SEKRPC helps individuals, companies, and government agencies with finance packaging, advice, and procedures, according to its website. It’s resources are available for community improvement, economic development, and other urgent needs.

Three shower updates that were started with the first round of grants are nearing completion. They were empty units, waiting for new tenants

“They should be done before the end of the year,” McKee said.

“It took a long time for Rural Development to distribute the funds,” McKee said. “Contractor issues led to the project starting in September 2022.”

SG2, Uniontown, was the contractor following the bidding process.

When work begins in the second round of the shower project, the tenant will be displaced for about five days per apartment while the bathroom is remodeled.

A hospitality room in a nearby church will be utilized for that tenant while the remodel is underway.

Funds won’t be available until late winter or early spring 2023, she said.

“Rehabs of older properties are not usually given grants,” McKee said. “It’s usually new builds.”

This grant required no match from the grantee.

The Uniontown Rural Rental Inc. board is comprised of Ron Eldridge-president, Larry Jurgensen-vice president, Lucille Ward-secretary and treasurer and other members: Matt Noll, Dan Ramsey, Susan Karleskint and Brenda Gleason.

In normal years, the board meets twice yearly and more if needed.

McKee can be contacted at 620.756.1000.