The Fort Scott Elks #579 will have the annual youth fishing derby tomorrow (May 20) at the Fort Scott Community College Lake.
Children will fish from 10 a.m.– noon and the prizes will be awarded immediately following recognizing the most fish caught and the largest fish caught in each of the three age categories.
Submitted by
Millie Lipscomb, Elks Fishing Derby chairperson
The Regular Council Meeting on May 9, 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, and Amber Kelly. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Loren Korte, Personal Service Insurance planned to be here to present the City with a dividend check from EMC, but was unable to make it due to the weather.
Don George, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism planned to be here to pick up grant application but wasn’t able to come. Clerk Johnson asked council what percentage of match for this application, 56% was used for phase I.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0 to submit CFAP Grant Application with a 56% match.
Clerk Johnson will email application to Don George tomorrow.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the April 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $345,407.78, Receipts $33,990.09, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $20,937.77, Checking Account Closing Balance $355,428.10. Bank Statement Balance $357,610.00, including Checking Account Interest of $74.34, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $2,181.90, Reconciled Balance $355,428.10. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,223.90, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,841.76, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,499.83, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $441,993.59. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $302.32, and Utility CDs $164.51 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $466.83. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of April 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. April 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 April $10,026.32, Year-to-Date Net Income $11,876.13. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $38,134.93 (31.2%), Expenditures $38,690.75 (24.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $11,987.81 (32.5%), Expenditures $10,443.41 (25.4%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $74,395.57 (47.5%), Expenditures $42,133.87 (18.7%); General Fund YTD Revenue $58,008.36 (38.7%), Expenditures $60,617.60 (32.7%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,937.49 (52.8%), Expenditures $0 (0%). The May 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $37,906.04 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that nuisance/debris letters were sent. Mayor Jurgensen requested that he be notified when and to whom letters are sent. There was an apparent breakdown in communications which caused an issue with a letter recipient. Clerk Johnson will send a letter to that recipient apologizing for the communication breakdown. Coyan will next target unmowed properties.
404 Washington St was discussed. Coyan and Johnson will review the dangerous structure ordinance(s) and discuss with the council again next month.
Codes Enforcement Officer Binford has issued 14 citations for failure to register dogs/cats. As of today, five have been taken resolved. Court is scheduled for May 15, 2023 for the remainder.
Clerk Johnson informed the council a letter of financial commitment was received from Bandera Stone for the Mural Grant as part of the grant application. Grant application was submitted 4/17/2023.
She asked City’s insurance agent if Old Settlers Committee was required to have event insurance or would the City’s policy cover the event. He said the Old Settlers Committee needs to have their own event policy. This was passed on to the committee. Johnson will inquire about cost of a policy for the committee.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – wanted to know if the ball association is allowed to use the lights for practices. After discussion Johnson will send message to President and Vice-President of association the lights can be used for organization practices, only when needed and last coach of the day is responsible for making sure they are shut off.
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – wanted to make sure we have enough chemical for mosquitos. Yes, we do.
Councilman Stewart – absent
Mayor Jurgensen – hired Cindy Mumbower as the new custodian/water sampler. She started last week.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to provide rock for the culvert extension at Chaffin and the alley west of Franklin
He also found someone to haul off the big rock at the railroad right-of-way and north of the pond.
OLD BUSINESS
Placemaking Project – Committee met on May 3 and doesn’t recommend outdoor exercise equipment. Doesn’t feel it is cost effective. They said yes to the pickleball court, possibly a community garden was discussed. Healthy Bourbon County Action Team will be here for the June meeting to discuss the key findings from the community perception survey and have a “Community Conversation” for the project.
Motion by Danea, Second by Hartman , Approved 4-0, to solicit quotes for a 30’X60’X6” concrete slab with fiberglass rebar and light broom finish for the pickleball court
American Rescue Plan Act update –Annual Project and Expenditure report was submitted on 4/17/2023. Mayor Jurgensen suggested capping the scales instead of removing and building ramp over cap on south side of warehouse before skinning and installing new rollup doors.
KMGA/MMGA Prepay project – have not received anything yet from KMGA.
Street repairs/resurfacing – Three bids were received for the project and opened (bid tabulation attached).
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to award base bid plus alternate bid to Bettis Asphalt for the total amount of $175,597.19
NEW BUSINESS
None
Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 9:15PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Third Annual Shead Farm Homestead Festival is Saturday, May 20 at 2468 Cavalry Rd. near rural Garland, south of Fort Scott.
The day is geared toward sustainable living by a family that is doing just that.
“A lot of people were wanting to know about sustainable living,” Vickie Shead, the matriarch of the family, said. “God is good and we are trying to keep up with all He is leading us to do.”
Sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better and lighter, according to the United Nations Environment Programme https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/sustainable-lifestyles
The festival will feature 36 vendors or activities that use creative ways to teach garden/farm knowledge.
“There is no charge to vendors,” Vickie said. “This is to benefit entrepreneurs who are wanting to start a business.”
“Come join us for a fun filled educational event for the whole family,” said Vickie, who along with her husband Larry and their children and grand children will be hosting the event. “It’s a great family outing!”
In addition to the Shead family, they have 106 volunteers helping at the festival, for which they are grateful.
On tap will be live music, lots of children’s activities, a farm tour, and farm store, vendor booths and a food court.
The admission fee for a single ticket is $5 or for a family (4+) $20.
To view a map of the Shead Farm vendors/activities:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1iU4jmeptRhk8mCM4mRgvkluBqMGFbEmW9oPgFOULQ6Q/edit
The Shead’s have a signature product, Veggie Powder, with all the greens grown on the property.
Greens powders are a dietary supplement that aims to help people reach their daily intake of vitamins and minerals, according to https://health.unl.edu/are-greens-powders-actually-beneficial-our-dietitian-weighs
Festival activities include:
Educational garden games/activities
An animal arena
A story station
Learning how to milk cows
Learning how to make butter
Learning how to do laundry without electricity
The farm tour includes the gardens, greenhouse, animals, beekeeping and learning how to graft a fruit tree.
For sale will be animals, worm farms, plants, berries, carts, compost and trees.
Vendors will be selling soaps and salves, honey, eggs, spices, baked goods, baskets, weaving, spinning wool, plant propagations, farm decor and kitchen items.
The Sheads will be selling walking tacos for $5, and Supercharged Cookies for $2. A snack shack will be selling cotton candy, lemonade, ice cream and pastries.
Shead Farm Store items for sale will be Veggie Powder, toys, hats, aprons, books,quilted Items, bouquets, and more.
Contact them at
Sheadfarm.com
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Fulton Community Center
408 W. Osage
Fulton, KS 66738
May 15, 2023, 5:30 PM
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.
Tornado possibilities are a part of Kansas weather.
The towns in Bourbon County that have tornado shelters provided for their citizens are Bronson, Garland, Mapleton and Uniontown, according to Brian Allen, the Bourbon County Emergency Management contact.
Allen is in training to takeover from Will Wallis, the former contact. He said he is not aware of any public storm shelters in Fort Scott.
“My recommendation would be what Will always told the public, and that is to have a personal plan in advance, and to seek out neighbors who may have a shelter,” Allen said. “Also everyone should sign up for Code Red on the county’s website for alerts.”
“Right now, my main function in the emergency management role is getting the necessary courses taken to be licensed which will take quite awhile,” Allen said.
In addition to emergency management, Allen still works for the county in 911, floodplain management, as well as information technology.
“I am being trained and directed by Shane Walker who has been the deputy emergency manager for many years, going back well before Will,” he said. “The EM position is no longer a full time position.”
https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF57D14BF76B
About Bourbon County Emergency Management, from the county’s website.
Bourbon County Emergency Management
210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3800 x124
620-223-3234 fax
620-224-8165
[email protected]
Mission Statement:
To provide a 24-hour operation to reduce the loss of life and property and to protect the environment. The highest priority is to protect Bourbon County residents from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive, risk-based emergency preparedness program of mitigation, management, response and recovery.
Below are links to other informative websites regarding emergency preparedness.
Outside Links
Bourbon County D3 Rural Fire Facebook page www.facebook.com/BC3FD
PUBLIC NOTICE
ACCESSIBILITY OF SARA TITLE III HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE INFORMATION
Section 324 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, also known as SARA Title III (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, PL99-499) requires public notice at least once annually informing the public of the means to access information about extremely hazardous substances that are manufactured, stored, and used within their community. Follow-up emergency notices may subsequently be issued.
Accordingly, information concerning LEPC meetings, SARA Title III hazardous materials planning which is included in our Bourbon Emergency Operations Response Plan, materials safety data sheets (MSDS), hazardous chemical inventory forms, listing extremely hazardous substances manufactured, stored, or used within Bourbon County can be obtained during normal business hours by contacting Bourbon County Emergency Management at 620-223-3800.
Please join Bourbon County Democrats s on Sunday May 21st at 2:00 p.m. for their month meeting.
Raised on gospel music with a southern flair, the Tucker Family will present their “Gospel Songs of Graceland” concert on Friday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. at Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
The band is comprised of Carolyn Tucker (vocals and keys), daughter Mariam Tucker Self (vocals and saxophone), son Aaron Tucker (drums and vocals), lead guitarist Stephan Kastli, and Jessica Bergen on the electric bass. Everyone in the five-member band has many years of experience playing or singing in church worship and other numerous venues.
The concert will feature a wide variety of beloved gospel favorites such as Bosom of Abraham, I Believe, Crying in the Chapel, Milky White Way, Somebody Bigger than You and I, Walk a Mile in My Shoes, plus more.
“These individuals have been making music for about as long as they’ve been breathing. So when all that experience and talent comes together as a band, it’s really something special,” concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “We’re pleased to begin the 2023 concert series with the Tucker Family. I encourage friends and family to come together as a community and help us kickoff the free concerts sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.”
Dave Oas and Jim Butler provide the sound. Weather permitting, the Common Ground outdoor patio will be available in addition to the Loading Dock stage area.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Fulton Community Center
408 W. Osage
Fulton, KS 66738
May 15, 2023, 5:30 PM
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.
Thursday, May 18, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to start work on a project to replace the Paint Creek bridge on K-3. The bridge is 1½ miles north of the Crawford-Bourbon county line. K-3 will be closed to traffic between K-146 and K-39, with a signed detour on K-47, K-7 and K-39 (see map).
KDOT awarded the construction contract of $1.8 million to Bridges Inc., of Newton. Weather permitting, the new bridge should be open by the end of November.
Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
Map: www.kandrive.org
Maria Whitson, rural Garland, is the mother of five children and married to Clayton.
She is also a children’s book author.
The Process
Her journey as an author began with a college assignment to write and illustrate a children’s book.
“That is when the whole series of books called ‘Lessons for the Least’ was birthed,” she said. “But it was a couple years before I wrote down all the ideas for the series.”
She wrote the main content for all the stories while single, assisted by family in refining and editing her writings.
When she started looking for someone to illustrate her books, she looked to family. She worked on one book and sent another to her Aunt Judy Walters to illustrate. Then a second cousin, Zoe Acuna, got involved in the illustrations.
Every time Acuna sent her preview illustrations, “I was so thrilled with her style and ideas,” Whitson said. “We made a small tweaks and then they sat for a while as life got busy.”
About the same time she and her husband were working on a manual for disaster preparedness, for a class on the subject.
They edited that book, then published it, on their own. This began a business called Swift Word Publishing.
“He loves helping others take their written work and getting it into a tangible product,” she said.
With her husbands help, she published her first book Reuben the Rooster in 2020. It is available on Amazon.com and also can be purchased at the Shead Farm Festival, rural Garland, on May 20.
About the Books
The first book, Reuben the Rooster, tells of a courageous rooster who learns the value of standing up for his friends. Children will learn how courage and empathy can help overcome adversity, Maria said.
About The Author
“My husband, kids and I love being in God’s creation,” she said. “We have a passion for growing in our knowledge of the Kingdom of God and how it operates here on earth.”
“Most of my writings are birthed from that passion and I have so many more books in me, waiting on timing,” Whitson said. “There has been many times that the Holy Spirit will give me an idea that takes a while to figure out how to go about writing it and publishing it.”
Her family lives on a small farm close to her parents Larry and Vickie Shead’s farm, where she grew up. They home school their children.
They launched a family business called The Journey Home that is an umbrella for their whole family’s creations, including two of their children
Book publishing, art, jewelry, cast iron accessories, homeschooling, foraging, homesteading, disaster prep, herbal remedies, are some of the interests of the family business.
“The Journey Home name meaning captures our heart,” she said. “Our company is about everything that is centered on the home life and family, but going even deeper it centers on our eternal home (the kingdom of God) and living life in a way that lives that life out now.”
