Category Archives: Fort Scott
Fort Scott Chamber Awarded Grant For History Mural on Skubitz Plaza
A historic mural project commemorating the African-American troops that fought in the Civil War is moving forward in Fort Scott.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce’s Downtown Division applied for and received a Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity grant for $5,250 to have a mural painted on the building that faces the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.
“The 1st Kansas Colored Infantry mural will be facing the Fort Scott National Historic Site,” Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison said. ” It commemorates the infantry that was stationed at the fort.”
The grant application was made through a new Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which is a 501c3 entity, she said.
Rachel French, who is on the FS Chamber Downtown Division committee, served as the project coordinator, assisted by Taton Majors, with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. Other members of the downtown Chamber committee are Cathy Bishop, John Crain, Bailey Lyons and Angela Simon.
Deadline for proposals from artists interested in designing and painting the mural was May 31.
Selected artists proposals will be sent to Kansas University Professor of African American Studies, Randal Jelks, to ensure that all drawings are culturally sensitive, French said.
“Then he can make recommendations for possible revisions for design, after that, a local panel here will judge,” French said.
Names will not be attached to the art proposals for judging, to ensure fairness.
The local judges panel includes Trent and Kate Freeman, owners of a local art shop; Whitney Beth, a local art teacher; Katie Hueston, who has been involved in the coordinating of murals in the last two years in the historic downtown area; Kirk Sharp, executive director of the Gordon Parks Museum; Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Management at Fort Scott National Historic Site; and Jerry Witt, owner of the building on which the mural will be painted.
“After they select a winner, we will reach out to the winner personally,” French said. “We will then make the announcement on Facebook and do a press release on June 19. After that, the artist can start and has to be done by September 1.”
To keep up to date on the mural creation:
https://www.facebook.com/muralsoffortscott
The mural will be dedicated during the Gordon Parks Celebration on the first Friday in October, French said.
The $5,250 grant is a matching grant.
“We are fundraising for the match,” French said. “We need to do signage and there will be recognition of donors.”
To donate:
https://muralsoffortscott.wixsite.com/home
According to French, other community stakeholders in this mural project are Rob Harrington with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.; Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin; Fort Scott City Commissioners Matthew Wells and Josh Jones; Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp; Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski, and Brenner, also with the fort.
The following is from the press release announcing the grant awards from the Kansas Department of Commerce:
“Awardees are in communities across the state with less than 15,000 population. The murals will highlight community gathering spaces and tourist attractions – and provide a welcome message for visitors and residents alike. Each of the projects requires a 1:1 match from the community, with the smallest of communities allowed to match the grant with in-kind donations. Seventy-five percent of the grant funding will be gifted upfront as several of the city projects plan to start in the next few weeks.”
To view a prior story:
Historic Mural Soon Coming to Downtown Fort Scott: Artist Proposals Needed by May 29
NEWS RELEASE – CITY COMMISSION VACANCY
Effective June 6, 2023, Josh Jones resigned his position as City Commissioner on the Fort Scott City Commission. Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Josh Jones are asked to submit a Letter of Interest to: City Clerk, Lisa Lewis at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or by email at [email protected] . Letters of Interest must be received by the City Clerk by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023. Only individuals who reside in the City limits of Fort Scott are eligible to apply. Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the next scheduled City Commission meeting, June 20th, 2023, and the term will expire in December of 2025.
Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Lisa Lewis, City Clerk OR Brad Matkin, City Manager at 620-223-0550.
Artist Reception and Master Class at Artificers
Join Us at The Artificers ForPhillip OrtizOpening Reception and Master Class! |
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This Friday! June 9th 6PM |
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Artist Opening ReceptionMaster ArtistPhillip Ortiz, Mixed Media Artist |
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Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Newsletter May 2023
Tom Robertson To Retire From Buck Run Center after 23 Years
Tom Robertson, 55, has been the Buck Run Community Center Recreation Director since May 2000.
His last day on the job is June 30 ,2023.
Robertson said he has served the Fort Scott community to the best of his ability, developing relationships with many community leaders, and representing the Fort Scott Recreation Commission and BRCC with “high moral values and leadership.”
“Th best part of my job was to improve the quality of life for the Fort Scott families,” he said. “Dealing with all ages that want to be active, serving the community through offering of programs, events or facilities.”
The biggest challenges of his job?
“Finding quality, responsible volunteers and staff to carry out the programs that we offer,” he said. “And staying within a restricted budget.” Also working evening, weekends and holiday hours, ” when the patrons want to be active.”
Thinking back over the 23 years he feels his accomplishments are:
- Working to not increase the mill levy, a tax.
- Helping organize “Pennies in the Park” with the Youth Activity Team and also three concerts that featured Country singers Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. All money raised went to providing a sand volleyball court, outdoor basketball court, lighting at two ball fields, a walking trail at Ellis Park.
- Hosting various district and state Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth baseball tournaments.
- Helping to secure a half-cent 10 year sales tax to build an additional phase to Buck Run Community Center and the renovation of the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.
- Hosting community events: Corporate Olympics, corn hole and pickle ball tournaments, as well as others.
- Renovating unused tennis courts to four lighted outdoor pickleball courts.
- Serving on the Gunn Park Committee that hosted many Christmas in the Park events as well as Independence Day, Halloween and other holiday activities in the park.
There have been many changes in the Buck Run Community Center in his tenure:
- The new phase of the center that included a fitness center, locker rooms, racketball court, additional office and lobby space in 2012.
- The renovation of the center’s kitchen in 2020.
- The renovation of the youth dance studio upstairs in 2020.
- New services introduced in his tenure:
- Youth indoor soccer, pickleball tournaments and open play, co-sponsored camps with the Fort Scott High School, corn hole leagues and tournaments.
- An annual fundraiser for Adopt a Family, that included garage sales, corn hole tourneys and middle school dances.
- The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Competitions for the community to become more health conscience.
Robertson has big plans for his retirement.
“I’m getting married the first day of retirement, July 1,” he said. “To Becky Colding from Chanute. She will be moving to Fort Scott. She has accepted the job of administrative assistant for the Bourbon County Public Works Department.”
He plans on staying active but also spending time with his family.
“I want to find a job that is rewarding but not stressful,” he said. “(And) being the best dad, grandpa, husband, son, brother and friend I can be.”
About the Fort Scott Recreation Commission
All employees of FSRC work for U.S.D. # 234, that levies taxes. The city of Fort Scott has contracted the FSRC to manage Buck Run Community Center. The FSRC has their own budget and board.
The mission of the Fort Scott Recreation Commission is to promote the development of a healthy and productive life for the citizens who reside in the USD #234 School District through broad based recreational opportunities, according to its Facebook page.
The Fort Scott Recreation Commission has a board consisting of five members serving three or four terms. These are non compensated positions. Tammy Hill is the chairperson, board membersare Adam Lancaster, Stewart Gulager, Mike Chipman and Susan Marbery.
Chamber Coffee at Lavender Patch Farm on June 7
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Rural Workforce Summit June 22
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Friday Night Free Concert: The Hemphill Family Band
The Friday Night Concerts return this week with the Hemphill Family Band. They, along with friends, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the Heritage Park Pavilion located at 1st and Main streets.
Members of the band are Jack Hemphill on keyboard and vocals, Sandy on fiddle and keyboard, and Brad on guitar and vocals. Friends who will perform are Floyd Feezell, who will sing, and Tammy Helm, who will play saxophone.
The Hemphills have performed at the pavilion many times in the past. They play classic country, including a little Hank and Lefty, and a lot of Merle Haggard. They will also play a variety of other songs during the concert.
Come out and spend the evening at the Pavilion. Seating is limited, so bring a lawn chair. In case of bad weather, the concert will moved to Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall St.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on June 6
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
June 6, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
J. Jones T. VanHoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
II. Flag Salute:
III. Approval of Agenda:
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 16, 2023
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1337-A — $537,190.27
C. Request to Pay – Sprouls Construction, Inc. – Material deposit to order steel for Fort Scott Pavilion – $40,162.50.
D. Request to Pay – Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. – Memorial Hall Steps Repair – $78,195.00 – Invoice #14477-01
V. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.
VI. Old Business:
A. Consideration of Change on Proposal from Harbour Construction for Cape Seal Project due to change in emulsion material – $49,547.00 to $54,501.70.
VII. Appearances:
VIII. Public Hearing: CASE #1140 – Evergy Infantry Substation – Consideration of Zone Change, Unknown to C4- Central Business – (Recommended by the Planning Commission on 5-22-2023) and Final Plat Approval.
IX. New Business:
A. Consideration to Accept Resignation of Commissioner Josh Jones.
B. Consideration to Repeal Ordinance No. 3746 – An Ordinance Amending 3290 Section 2.60.010 (Vacancy In Office – How Filled) of Chapter 2.60 of the Fort Scott Municipal Code. – Passed and Approved on May 16, 2023.
C. Consideration to Reinstate Ordinance No. 3618 – An Ordinance Amending 3290 Section 3290 Section 2.60.010 (Vacancy in Office – How Filled) of Chapter 2.60 of the Fort Scott Municipal Code. – Passed and Approved on September 20, 2022.
D. Consideration to Approve Quote #230704-00 from GPM Environmental Solutions, LLC for the Online Proteus Monitoring Package for monitoring water quality. – S. Flater
E. Consideration of 2023 Hay Right Bids – (4) Bids received – $12,159.00, $8,562.00, $6,001.25, $4,465.60.
F. Consideration of Airport Bids
1. Consider and approve award of both the Base Bid and Alternate Bid to Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. in the amount of $3,541,538.05, pending FAA concurrence and successful receipt of FAA Grant.
2. Consider and approve execution of Amendment No. 2 to the Olsson Consultant Agreement, which adds services for Construction Observation, Materials Testing, and Close-Out, in the amount of $274,100.00, pending FAA concurrence and successful receipt of FAA Grant.
3. Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to sign all documentation related to an FAA Grant Application and forthcoming Grant offer to cover 90% of eligible costs associated with the project. The anticipated City Share, including both eligible and ineligible costs is $402,464,00.
X. Executive Session –
XI. Adjournment:
Weekend Activities Schedule Provided by Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce
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