Per City Manager, Brad Matkin, Management Action #5 of the Water Warning Plan:

The City of Fort Scott Splash Pad will be closed Wednesday 8/30, Thursday 8/31, and Friday 9/1 reopening on Saturday 9/2, Sunday 9/3, and Monday 9/4 from 8am to 7pm. After Monday at 8pm the Splash Pad will be closed for the season.

Here is the plan in its entirety as it has been posted:

Water Warning Plan

DROUGHT RESPONSE

Effective 8/30/2023

The City of Fort Scott addresses its short-term water shortage problems through a series of stages based on conditions of supply and demand with accompanying triggers, goals, and actions. Each stage is more stringent in water use than the previous stage since water supply conditions are more deteriorated. The City Manager is authorized by ordinance to implement the appropriate conservation measures.

Water Warning

Goals:

The goals of this stage are to reduce peak demands by 20% and to reduce overall weekly consumption by 10%.

Triggers:

This stage is triggered by any one of the following conditions:

1. The City’s storage has fallen below 70 percent capacity and will not recover within a normal amount of time.

Education Actions

1. The City will make news releases to the local media describing present conditions and indicating the water supply outlook for the upcoming week.
2. Water conservation articles will be provided to the local newspaper.

Management Actions: What measures the city will do

1. The City water supplies will be monitored closely.
2. Leaks will be repaired within 24 hours of detection.
3. The City will monitor its use of water and will curtail activities such as hydrant flushing and street cleaning.
4. The City will curtail its water usage, including operation of fountains, watering of City grounds and washing of vehicles.
5. The City of Fort Scott Splash Pad will be closed Wednesday 8/30, Thursday 8/31, and Friday 9/1 reopening on Saturday 9/2, Sunday 9/3, and Monday 9/4 from 8am to 7pm. After Monday at 8pm the Splash Pad will be closed for the season.
6. Water will be drawn from the City’s reservoirs as needed.

Regulation Actions:

1. The public will be asked to voluntarily make efficient use of indoor water, i.e., wash full loads, take short showers, do not let faucets run, etc.
2. Outdoor water use, including lawn watering and car washing will be restricted to before 10:00 am and after 9:00 pm.
3. All consumers will be asked to limit or eliminate nonessential water uses including, but not limited to the following uses:
4. Watering lawns, shrubs, trees.
5. Washing automobiles.
6. Filling swimming pools or using water in fountains and evaporative air conditioning systems.
7. Refilling of swimming pools will be allowed one day a week after sunset.
8. Outdoor watering will be restricted to use of a hand-held hose or bucket only.
9. Excess water use charges for usage of water over the amount used in the winter will be considered.
10. Waste of water will be prohibited.

As of right now, the City water supply is not affected by the “Water Emergency” set by the Governor of Kansas. That emergency was to allow the counties noted to request water to be taken out of “state” water sources. The City of Fort Scott owns Lake Fort Scott and Cedar Creek is not a state-owned lake, so permission is not required.

Lake Fort Scott, Cedar Creek, and Rock Creek are the three sources we use to get water for the City of Fort Scott river intake system.

As of right now, Cedar Creek has a good supply of water, but we are taking water from this source daily, and we have not taken water from Lake Fort Scott. If we are forced to take water out of Lake Fort Scott, we will issue a Water Warning Stage #2 which will require additional water restrictions.

We are in a drought situation that must be taken seriously, and the City of Fort Scott will do whatever possible to maintain good levels of water for the citizens. Please help us by following the restrictions that have been imposed.

If you have any questions, please contact me at the email address below.

Thank you,

Brad Matkin

City Manager

City of Fort Scott

[email protected]

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

September 5, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

1.   Roll Call:
2.     VanHoecke       K. Harrington      E. Woellhof        M. Guns         M. Wells
3.   Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:  Led by E. Woellhof

III.    Approval of Agenda:

1. Consent Agenda:
2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 15, 2023
3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1343-A — $815,071.98
4. Request to Pay – Kansas State Treasurer – General Obligation Bond payment – Invoice R1231001122677- Series 2016 – $213,646.88
5. Request to Pay – Kansas State Treasurer – General Obligation Bond payment – Invoice R1231001122676 – Series 2021-A – $631,000.00
6. Request to Pay – Kansas State Treasurer – General Obligation Temporary Notes payment – Invoice R1230907122468 – $5,456,103.33
7. Request to Pay – Bennett, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for Payment No. 4 – Engineer’s Project No. 23-409 (22-306) – Work completed Jully 22, 2023 – August 25, 2023 – $383,678.87

1. Public Comment:   Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda

and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

1. Old Business:

2023. Consideration of MOU with Bourbon County Health In All Policies Task Force – Tabled from July 25, 2023, August 1, 2023, and defeated motion on August 15, 2023.

1. Consideration of changes to City’s Purchasing Policy – tabled from August 15, 2023, for more information.

 VII.   Appearances:

1. Rachel French – Update of 1^st Colored Infantry Mural
2. 1)  Frank Halsey – Temporary Park Closure of back of Gunn Park – Marmaton Massacre Festival – September 16, 2023 (8:00AM) – September 17, 2023 (5:00PM).

     2)  Frank Halsey – Temporary Park Closure – Gunn Park including Shelter Houses – NICA Race – April 26, 2024 (3:00PM) – April 28^th, 2024 (4:00PM).

1. Rob Harrington – Bourbon County REDI Update
2. Justin Meeks – Golf Course property discussion

VIII.   Public Hearing:  2024 Revenue Neutral Rate and Budget Hearing – B. Hart

1.  New Business: 
2. Consideration of Resolution No. 15-2023 – Resolution to Exceed Revenue Neutral Rate – Approving a Levy Rate Exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate but (1) Mill Lower than 2023 – B. Hart
3. Consideration of Resolution No. 14-2023 – Resolution Adopting 2024 Operating Budget and Final Budget Book – B. Hart
4. Consideration of September 19, 2023, as date for 2023 budget amendment public hearing – B. Hart
5. Consideration of Resolution No. 13-2023 – Resolution and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure – 1001 W. 2^nd St. – Hearing on October 17, 2023 – T. Russell
6. Consideration of Resolution No. 12-2023 – Resolution and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structures – 1801 W. Wall – Hearing on October 17, 2023 – T. Russell
7. Consideration of Resolution No. 11-2023 – Resolution and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure – 922 W. Wall – Hearing on October 17, 2023 – T. Russell
8. Consideration of MOU – School Resources Officer Program – City of Fort Scott and Unified School District 234 – 2023-24 – J. Pickert
9. Consideration of Relocation and Reimbursement Agreement – Evergy’s Fort Scott Infantry Substation Project – J. Dickman
10. Consideration of Old Fort Boulevard/Skubitz Plaza Maintenance and Beautification Project – M. Wells
11. Tourism Grant Guidelines – A program established to enhance and strengthen the positive economic impact of the tourism industry in our community – M. Wells

1. Reports and Comments:
2. City Manager Comments:
3. Engineering Comments:
4. Commissioners Comments:

1. VanHoecke –

1. Harrington –

1. Woellhof –

1. Guns –

1. Wells –

1. City Attorney Comments:

1.  Executive Session:

XII.     Adjournment:

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 Unapproved minutes

Minutes of August 15, 2023                                        Regular Meeting

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held August 15, 2023 at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners T. Van Hoecke, K. Harrington, M. Guns (via telephone) were present with Mayor M. Wells. E. Woellhof was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND INVOCATION:  M. Wells, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE:  Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Pete Earles/Earles Engineering, B. Hart (via telephone). Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director, Tracy Dancer, Josh Jones, Garth Herrmann/Gillmore and Bell, Brett Shogren/Stifel,

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA:

1. VanHoecke moved to approve the agenda as submitted. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE AGENDA AS SUBMITTED.

CONSENT AGENDA:

1. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2023
2. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1341-A — $1,627,351.54
3. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $41,723.74 Invoice #16731 – 2022 Sanitary Sewer Inspection – $12,538.74

Peter W. Earles – 10.00hrs/$200.00 – $2,000.00, Shane Redfern – 48.50hrs/$48.50 – $6,741.50, Jason Dickman – 18.00hrs/$147.50 – $2,655.00, Amanda Simpson – 6.00hrs/$48.50 – $291.00, Mileage – 1,309.6 miles/0.65 – $851.24.

Invoice #16727 – South Horton St. & West 6^th St.  –  $22,485.00

Preliminary Design (100%) – $6,210.00, Final Design (35%) – $16,275.00

Invoice #16726 – 21-303A – WWTP – System Designs – $6,700.00

Phase III – $3,500.00, Phase II – $3,200.00.

654. Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration $206,654.50 – Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00), 25% of Total due – $206,654.50.
655. Request to Pay – Bourbon County – I.T. Services 2023 – $25,500.00

Shane Walker – $12,000.00, Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00

1. July Financials

1. Matkin agreed to reach out to other wireless carriers after M. Wells asked about the franchise fees in the Consent Agenda.

1. Guns moved to approve the Consent Agenda. T. VanHoecke seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  None

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds –
2. VanHoecke moved to approve the proposed CD investments of (1) million dollars for a (3) month CD yielding 4.77% and a (2) million dollar investment for (6) months at 4.88%.

1. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED THE PROPOSED CD INVESTMENTS OF (1) MILLION DOLLARS FOR A (3) MONTH CD YIELDING 4.77% AND A (2) MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT FOR (6) MONTHS AT 4.88%.

18. Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for the Water Production Plant for additional amount of an additional $18.380.55.

380. Harrington moved to approve the purchase of the impellor pump rebuild for $18,380.55. T. VanHoecke seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED the purchase of the impellor pump rebuild for $18,380.55.

1. Consideration to approve Memo of Understanding (MOU) to join the Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – Tabled 7/25/23 and 8/1/23 –

1. Guns moved to approve the original MOU as it was written for the Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force. Motion died for lack of second.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.

1. Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines.

1. VanHoecke moved to adopt a new policy for the City Commission Agenda deadlines that require all items to be on the upcoming agenda to be submitted to the City Clerk by the end of business Monday, one week prior to the upcoming meeting. The completed agenda is then to be distributed and posted no later than Wednesday. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO ADOPT A NEW POLICY FOR THE CITY COMMISSION AGENDA DEADLINES THAT REQUIRE ALL ITEMS TO BE ON THE UPCOMING AGENDA BE SUBMITTED TO THE CITY CLERK BY THE END OF BUSINESS MONDAY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE UPCOMING MEETING. THE COMPLETED AGENDA IS THEN TO BE DISTRIBUTED AND POSTED NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY.

150. Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved on 7/25/2023) for the Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 was sent and indicates an additional $4,975.00 for the Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.

125. VanHoecke moved to approve to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton for the amount of $23,125.00. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO PAY DIEHL, BANWART, BOLTON FOR THE AMOUNT OF $23,125.00.

1. Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 at 20^th Street Repair Project (Project File No. 22-32).

1. Guns moved to approve to go out for bid for the KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 at 20^th Street Repair Project. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BID FOR THE KDOT SUB-AREA ROAD EXTENSION & US-69 AT 20^TH STREET REPAIR PROJECT.

1. Wells moved to go out for bids on the South Industrial Park Waterline Extension Project. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BIDS ON THE SOUTH INDUSTRIAL PARK WATERLINE EXTENSION PROJECT.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Consideration of campsite improvements at Lake Fort Scott – B. Matkin was directed by the Commission to get cost estimates for items that would be needed for improvements of the primitive camping sites at this meeting.

NO ACTION TAKEN

1. Consideration of 14-day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding Municipal Codes –  Directed B. Matkin

NO ACTION TAKEN

1. Consideration of Gunn Park Shelter House price increases –
2. VanHoecke moved to approve the proposed price increases on the Shelter Houses at Gunn Park and amend Ordinance No. 3607 to reflect the changes.
3. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED THE PROPOSED PRICE INCREASES ON THE SHELTER HOUSES AT GUNN PARK AND AMEND ORDINANCE No. 3607 TO REFLECT THE CHANGES.

1. Consideration of changes to the City’s Purchasing Policy – B. Matkin was directed to redefine the day-to-day operation supplies, two signatures required and consideration for buying local is the priority. He will return with the corrected version at the next meeting.

NO ACTION TAKEN

1. Consideration to approve the sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2023 to the USDA.

3752. VanHoecke moved to adopt bond Ordinance No. 3752. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO ADOPT BOND ORDINANCE NO. 3752.

2023. VanHoecke moved to adopt bond Resolution No. 10-2023. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO ADOPT BOND RESOLUTION NO. 10-2023.

REPORTS AND COMMENTS:

City Manager:  B. Matkin

1. Cape Seal Update – meeting next month with Harbour Construction.
2. Vandalism at Gunn Park playgrounds. Gordon Parks sign stolen, checking security cameras in park.
3. Citizen building a lake on their land behind the Woodland Hills Golf Course. He would like to purchase 2-acres from the City or accept a donation from the City of the land in exchange for the use of water in the future for watering the course. The homeowner would like to come to a Commission Meeting to address the Commission and answer questions.
4. Community Development Director position is posted. Eleven (11) applications have been received. Interviews are in progress.

City Engineer:  Pete Earles/Earles Engineering & Inspection

1. Davis Lift Station is in the process of design, needs survey for the force main and easement issues to work out.
2. J. Dickman will be back at the next meeting. B. Matkin stated that Evergy would like a preconstruction meeting when he returns.

City Attorney:  B. Farmer

No comment.

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:

1. Guns:
2. Would like to suggest a Work Session in the near future to review contracts the City has with other entities such as Dispatch, REDI, etc. to ensure equitable exchange.
3. The new school year starts Friday. She wishes all students and teachers a successful year ahead.

1. Harrington:
2. Good luck with Back to School this week.
3. Football Jamboree Saturday
4. Be sure to check out USD234 Events

1. VanHoecke:
2. Back to School Safety Awareness
3. Possibility of hour adjustments with back to school. B. Matkin will meet with the Committee.
4. Cooper Street is open, City crews saved over $400,000.00 by doing it themselves. The City Manager creates quality operators and gets things done in the City and people appreciate it all.
5. Asks that citizens use the MyFortScott App to report issues or contact the City Manager for safety issues they see. For safety’s sake, stay out of City job sites. Report them instead.  The City Attorney stated that any citizen that is on a City job/work site is trespassing and can be removed from the site. It is for safety and liability reasons that this request is being made.

1. Wells:
2. Requested a preconstruction meeting for Cape Seal project.
3. One, three-, five-, seven- and ten-year capital improvements for streets are being discussed, including the Streets Advisory board for input.
4. Looking for master plans for sewer and water lines. A map was previously requested and received from PEC. If we cannot find, can we work with Earles to create new documents? Would like to have a clear infrastructure plan other than fixing leaks and start working on proactive projects. Would like to work with Earles to update if they are found.
5. Echo amazing job the streets crew has done over the year and goes back to the leadership, very proud of current individuals on the crew.
6. Bus safety is not a suggestion; it is the law. Please be careful and obey the laws.

1. Matkin stated that 10^th Street will be open by Friday. He is very proud of all the crews (streets, water, golf course, etc.) and all that they do because he pushes them hard. They appreciate that people notice their work.

NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – 6:00PM at City Hall.

WORK SESSION: Review of Contracts held by the City:  Tuesday, September 19, 2023 – 5:00PM at City Hall preceding the Regular Commission Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT:

1. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:45PM. K. Harrington seconded. All present voted aye.

APPROVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:45PM.

Respectfully submitted for approval,

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk