Bourbon County Democrats will hold their general meeting on Sunday, September 17th in the Ellis Center of Fort Scott Community College. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. Guest speaker is Eli Woody, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives. For information, call or text Carol MacArthur at 620 215 1505.
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Agenda for Bourbon County Commission on Sept. 11
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
September 11, 2023 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute Followed by Prayer
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 8-28-2023 and 9-7-2023
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $237,409.87
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $408,015.91
- Public Comments
- Department Updates
- Public Works
- Brad Matkin-Fort Scott City Manager-Request to Waive Fees at the Bourbon County Landfill for Disposal of Building owned by Department of Child and Family Services at 2 S. National
- Appointment of Marmaton Township Clerk
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(2)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
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 the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
The U235 Board of Education Agenda for Sept. 11 and the Prior Meeting Minutes
Uniontown City Council Agenda for Sept. 12
CITY OF UNIONTOWN
COUNCIL AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, 6:45PM REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE HEARING,
FOLLOWED BY BUDGET HEARING, FOLLOWED BY REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING
Page 1 of 2
CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________
ROLL CALL:
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
2024 Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing
2024 Budget Hearing
Dangerous and Unfit Structure Hearing – 404 Washington St
Motion by __________, Second by ___________, Approved _____, to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating
to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to discuss economic
development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual
proprietorships
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
B. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
Citywide yard sales – Sept 23???
KMU Regional Meetings – already registered
KDHE Kansas Drinking Water Application Portal
KMGA Fall Conference, October 19-20, Wichita – already registered
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Hartman –
Councilwoman Kelly –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
OLD BUSINESS
Electrical in Park –
CITY OF UNIONTOWN
COUNCIL AGENDA
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023, 6:45PM REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE HEARING,
FOLLOWED BY BUDGET HEARING, FOLLOWED BY REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING
Page 2 of 2
Street project –
Mural Grant –
Placemaking Project –
NEW BUSINESS
ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2 nd ___________________,
Attachments:
Resolution 2023-0912-1 RNR Exceed
Budget Attachments for Tuesday, September 12, 2023 Hearings
Unapproved Minutes of The City of Uniontown Meeting on August 8
CITY OF UNIONTOWN
UNIONTOWN, KS 66779
AUGUST 8, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The Regular Council Meeting on August 8, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:02PM by Mayor
Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman (8:08), Amber Kelly, and Bradley
Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Amanda Lancaster (Diehl, Banwart, Bolton), Mary
Pemberton, Joe George, Betsie Binford (Old Settlers Committee), Mary Pillion (Old Settlers Committee), Codes
Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk
Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Amanda Lancaster, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton – Amanda Lancaster gave a presentation of the 2022 financial audit.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to accept the 2022 financial audit as presented
CITIZENS REQUEST
Mary Pemberton passed on comments she has heard about the City not having 30AMP or 50AMP receptacles in the park
for food trucks/vendors. Clerk will reach out to other cities. She will get a quote for installation of 2 receptacles and put
on the agenda to discuss further at the next meeting.
Joe George complained about “dirty”, sandy water, but tastes OK. His filter has been very dark. Superintendent Rich will
flush the lines as soon as all of C2’s broken lines have been repaired and flushed.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the July 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was
$399,740.95, Receipts $35,731.67, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $25,392.09, Checking Account Closing
Balance $407,054.53. Bank Statement Balance $407,937.32, including Checking Account Interest of $85.04, Outstanding
Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $882.79, Reconciled Balance $407,054.53. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit
$33,283.27, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,889.95, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,559.71, Total All
Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $493,787.46. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $545.35, and Utility CDs
$331.95 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $877.30. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the
month of July 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. July Transfers from Sewer
Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00; for
Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Income for the month of July $7,313.58, Year-to-Date Net Income $63,502.56. Budget
vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $69,373.71 (56.8%), Expenditures $66,903.65 (41.8%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue
$21,771.23 (59.1%), Expenditures $17,537.62 (42.6%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $94,208.55 (60.1%), Expenditures
$68,835.85 (30.6%); General Fund YTD Revenue $129,221.13 (86.3%), Expenditures $94,088.90 (50.9%); and Special
Highway YTD Revenue $6,040.03 (81.0%), Expenditures $0 (0%). The August 2023 estimated payables in the amount
of $40,651.43 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:
Minutes of July 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting and July 18, 2023 Budget Worksession
Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to
financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to discuss economic
development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and
individual proprietorships, with the open meeting to resume at 7:53, include Sally Johnson.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to extend executive session pursuant to data relating to financial
affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to continue to discuss
economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, with the open meeting to resume at 8:10, include Mary Pemberton and Sally Johnson.
Mary Pemberton out at 8:09.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to data relating to financial
affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(4), in order to continue to discuss
economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships,
trusts and individual proprietorships, with the open meeting to resume at 8:23, include Sally Johnson.
Open meeting resumed at 8:23, no action from executive session.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich reported that the boards holding the electrical receptacles need replaced. Mayor Jurgensen
asked that he continue mosquito fogging – this week, skip a week, then next two weeks in a row.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that most property owners had cleaned up after the two storms in July.
Locations that need his attention this month are 201 Second St-fence; 301 Second St #1-pile of debris on west side; 405
Hill-debris in backyard and shingles; 102 Franklin-dead tree/grass/weeds; 505 Washington has been mowed; 303 Second-
grass; and 505 Wall-vehicle is not properly registered/flat tires. Unfit structure hearing for 404 Washington is September
12. Council asked if there were anymore stray dogs in town; seems to be an influx of stray cats and armadillos.
Clerk Johnson reported on the KMGA Regional Meeting.
She asked to attend CCMFOA Region 7 Kansas Alcohol Beverage Control Training in Olathe on October 6, registration
cost is $25.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to allow Sally Johnson to attend CCMFOA Region 7 Kansas
Alcohol Beverage Control Training in Olathe on October 6, registration fee $25
Mayor Jurgensen asked her to contact Bettis Construction for a timeline on starting our street project.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Mural Grant – an update was given. We have received 75% of grant funds and 100% of donations pledged. Mural is finished.
Placemaking Project – One of the suggestions from the community engagement was to add a baby changing station to
restroom facilities.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-1 (Stewart) to purchase a baby changing station from AmeraProducts, Inc for the women’s restroom
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan will acquire a quote for the concrete slab for the pickleball court. Other amenities for
the area were discussed. Clerk Johnson will send an update to Rachel Carpenter, Health Bourbon County Action Team.
NEW BUSINESS
Old Settlers event insurance –
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to donate $300 in lieu of portapotties to the Old Settlers Committee
Review and update Capital Improvement Plan – after discussion, remove replace/purchase City maintenance vehicle,
as it has been purchased, and purchase/install a chlorination system for the water distribution system, as it is not a priority
now, and add refurbish the warehouse into Public Works space. Leave the rest as is.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 to transfer the $10,000 in the fund for the chlorinator to
refurbish the warehouse
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to adopt the Capital Improvement Plan as amended
Moved by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to adjourn
New Bo Co Undersheriff: Kevin Davidson
Kevin Davidson, 50, will step into new duties officially as the Bourbon County Undersheriff on September 18.
As the next in line, under Bourbon County Sheriff Bill Martin, Davidson’s duties are monitoring the day-to-day activities of the sheriff’s office, along with scheduling of personnel.
“Generally, keeping the train on the track,” he said.
There are currently 19 employees in the sheriff’s office.
Davidson enjoys “getting to make a difference in the community, bringing a positive attitude in law enforcement. Trying to make the community a safe place for our kids.”
He became a narcotics detective in October 2021.
He says he works with some good colleagues, and they “have been able to eliminate a lot of narcotics in the community. Recently they helped take out 10,000 fentanyl pills in Crawford County that had connections to coming back to Bourbon County.”
Davidson’s office is at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center, 293 E. 20th, Fort Scott. The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office phone number is 620 223-1440.
He graduated from Pleasanton High School, attended Highland Junior College where he played football, and attended Pittsburg State University for a period.
Davidson has been in law enforcement since June 2014 at the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, then the Fort Scott Police Department, then returned to the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office.
He has five children.
Davidson is replacing Ben Cole as the undersheriff.
Making a Difference in Childcare- Bourbon County grant is available to any daycare provider
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2023 Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund and Making a Difference in Childcare – Bourbon County Grant Apps Now Available!The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is pleased to announce the following grant applications are now available! The Women’s Health Fund grant applications are open until September 30th, while the Making a Difference grant application is available until September 22nd.
The Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund is made up of two giving circles. Both giving circles follow the guiding principal that Rita stood for, “to improve the health and wellbeing of women by supporting education, increasing awareness and sharing quality of life opportunities to benefit all women.”
The Making a Difference in Childcare- Bourbon County grant is available to any daycare provider within Bourbon County looking to expand or maintain their current facility to continue to provide quality childcare to their area.
Contact Sherri Stephens at SoutheastKansas.org/contact/
We look forward to receiving your grant applications. |
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Support for Grieving Mothers Offered Through First Methodist Church
Cindy Valdez will be starting a group called Support for Grieving Mothers in and around the Bourbon County Area. The group will be meeting every Thursday from 6-7:30 in the Church Parlor at the Fort Scott First United Methodist Church at 301 South National.
The meetings will run from 9/21/23-11/16/23. This is a group for mothers who’ve lost children no matter how they were when they passed. I
If you’d like to join you’ll need to contact Cindy Valdez at 620-224-8515 or email her at freckles4624@zimbracloud.com
KDOT: Bourbon County To Receive New Light Towers
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Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Minutes of Sept. 6
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2023
- Welcome: Sixteen members representing fifteen agencies attended. Billie Jo informed the membership that as of August 31, the Coalition Board had assisted twenty families, including fifty children, with rent and utility assistance in the amount of $4,618.67. The Board budgets $650.00 per month for this assistance. She also mentioned that the Board had issued thirty-one family passes to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. After the contribution by the City of Fort Scott, the passes cost the Board $2,415.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Abigail Striler, SEK Mental Health: They will soon be in their new location at the former Mercy Hospital building in Suites B and C; client will enter through the front sliding doors and watch for directional signs.
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: The next blood drive will be on October 16 and 17 which is a Monday and Tuesday; contact Sandy to volunteer.
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research and Extension: “Create Better Health” classes will begin on Wednesday, October 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fort Scott Housing Authority Commons area, 315 Scott Avenue; classes will meet for six weeks. Beginning October 17, the “Fresh Conversations” classes will begin meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. for eleven consecutive months; these classes will be in the same location. For more information on these free classes, contact Lea Kay at [email protected] or 620-224-0182.
- Cynthia Tucker, Loving Grace: The house in Joplin will be at full capacity by the end of the week; they serve women aged 18-24.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: They are presently continuing the fan distribution but will be transitioning to space heaters, blankets, etc. very soon; the goal of these projects is to make people comfortable. Allen has also started Homeless transient packs which include basic needs items. Since many organizations provide for elementary children when school begins, his organization concentrated on school supplies to sixth grade through high school students. These and the many other things done by the organizations are funded through grants and donations.
- David Gillen, Beacon: Beacon continues to provide food distribution twice each month. They served 744 people in August who made up 313 families of which 17 were new families. 2023 is averaging 17 new families each month. Beacon is always looking for volunteers.
- Michelle Stevenson, USD 234: She has instituted a private facebook page for the families involved in the USD 234 Early Childhood program. She does have some openings in her program at the present time.
- COPE: The new Bourbon County transportation through SEK CAP is running and going well. At present, transportation is available from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Dee Dee Fever, Community Liaison through Greenbush: They now have online training for parents and paras. All the programs and services can be found on the Greenbush website. The early Childhood Forum is active once each month until April. Scan cards are available for easy access to all services available in your district.
- Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice: Gentiva Hospice, Angels Care Home Health, and Cornerstone Caregiving are bringing Lisa Hemby, Midwest Medicare Solutions, and Beth Dye, Eligibility Specialist for Kancare to Homer Cole, 3003 N. Joplin, Pittsburg, on October 6, 11 a.m to 2:00 p.m. For more information on this free program, call 620-232-0602.
- Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health: They provide in-home care and many other programs to help keep people in their own homes. They also cautioned members to be sure to look at Medicare billings for their clients due to recent fraud charges.
- Patty Simpson, FS Housing Authority: All 194 apartments are rented based on income, but there is a waiting list for every size apartment; however, they will continue to take applications. Wait time for an apartment could be six months.
- Maggie Young, CHC: She offers tobacco treatment services and tobacco cessation classes through CHC.
- Program: Cherri Walrod, Core Communities. Cherri explained how she and her family came back to Fort Scott after twenty-two years and connected with Core Communities. Fifteen percent, approximately 2,100 people, in Bourbon County live in poverty. Addressing the poverty issue will help address many of the other aspects of life. Poverty is a community issue and must be addressed by the community. Core Communities is a chapter affiliate of Youth Core Ministries based out of Greensburg, KS. Poverty is defined as “anywhere a person lacks resource.” Core Communities is about bringing families experiencing poverty to a safe place where their voices are heard and they are treated with honor and dignity. Launch date for the program is November 13 with space for thirty participants. For more information on the program and how one can help or enroll, contact Cherri at [email protected] or 795-917-0361.
- Open Forum: The October 4 program will be presented by Alisha Turner, Kansas Children’s Service League; November 1 we will hear from Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health; and in December we will hear more about Maggie Young’s work with tobacco cessation.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be October 4.
City Works to Replenish Water to Marmaton River From Lake Fort Scott
The City of Fort Scott staff opened the Lake Fort Scott valve four turns today to help replenish some of the water lost in Rock Creek, according to Brad Matkin, the city manager.
The city gets its water supply from the Marmaton River, as do many outlying areas. The 50-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve systems.
“The Marmaton River is down to 8.3′ and we need it to be 9.5′-10′,” he said. “We will monitor this for the next several days. Still in Water Warning stage #1. There is a video on the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.”
Bourbon County was declared by Governor Kelly that it is in a drought emergency in mid-August.
HBCAT Grant: Hulbert’s Jewelry LLC
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hulbert’s Jewelry, LLC,(doing business as Bartelsmeyer Jewelry) owners, Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert became owners of the local jewelry story in historic downtown Fort Scott on July 5, 2023.
Krysta noted however, that the jewelry store has been a part of Fort Scott’s history since 1904.
“Wyatt and I are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the tradition of this long-standing business in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas,” she said. “We are dedicated to upholding the same commitment to quality customer service, and craftsmanship, to ensure that the store will endure through another generation. We hope to have the support of the whole community as we step into a new and exciting future!”
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, I have been the familiar face that greets you at the door for the last 13 years working for John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer,” Krysta said. “I truly enjoy my job and have had the amazing opportunity to develop many wonderful relationships with the people in my community because of working at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. As John and Cindy started to consider retirement, I began discussing the possibility of buying the jewelry store with my husband Wyatt.”
It took about a year to finalize the sale to the Hulberts.
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, you will find a curated collection of new gold and silver jewelry, from delicate necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to bold statement pieces and permanent jewelry,” she said. “We carry a wide array of estate jewelry, and our designs encompass a range of styles to suit every taste. We also have a sparkling selection of engagement rings and diamond jewelry, as well as a Custom Design Program that can make your unique vision into a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.”
They also provide maintenance of jewelry.
“The store’s jewelry repair service encompasses everything from minor fixes to intricate restorations.” she said. “We offer ring repair, sizing, and soldering; stone setting and tightening; prong re-tipping; watch repair and battery replacement, jewelry appraisal services, and customized engraving.”
They also buy and sell gold and silver jewelry, coins, and bullion.
“We were so excited to be selected as one of the grant recipients!” she said. “We will be using the grant money for some much-needed tool and equipment updates, including a specialized diamond tester that will help us distinguish lab-grown diamonds from naturally mined diamonds. This will allow us to offer peace of mind to our customers as we dive into a new era in the diamond market.”
The jewelry store address is 22 North Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Contact info: Store Phone: 620-223-2070, Store Website: www.bartelsmeyerjewelry.com, Store E-mail: [email protected]
