There will be a Special City Commission meeting tonight, Monday, March 27th at 5:00PM at City Hall to discuss the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Category Archives: Fort Scott
U234 Board of Education Special Meeting Agenda March 27
BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
MARCH 27, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 Call Meeting to Order
Danny Brown, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Funding Options & FSHS HVAC and Energy Project
3.1 Resolution No. 22-12 & Bond Documents (Action Item)
Be it resolved a Resolution of the governing body of Unified School District No. 234, Bourbon County, Kansas (Fort Scott) determining the advisability of financing the acquisition, and installation of certain energy conservation measures by the execution and delivery of a lease purchase agreement certificates of participation, Series 2023, in such lease purchase agreement.
3.2 Contract with TRANE (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of Bids for Vehicles (Action Item)
5.0 Change of Last Day of School (Action Item)
6.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
6.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
6.2 Exit Executive Session
6.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
7.0 Adjourn Meeting
President Brown
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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Fort Scott Livestock Market: Online Sales As An Option
Fort Scott Livestock Market has been a Martin family business since 1994, and marketed over 104,000 animals a year for Kansas and Missouri producers. They are the third largest agricultural auction in Kansas.
Located at 2131 Maple Road, the auction service sells agricultural livestock each weekend.
The auction features clear, fast-talking auctioneers, and includes multiple televisions throughout the facility for participants to keep an eye on the action in the ring.
Jim Martin, 89, one of the owners, still is an auctioneer.
The auction is often a family event for the buyers and sellers as well.
“Cattle buyers and sellers are often joined by a spouse, child or grandchild who enjoy a clear view of each animal coming through the ring,” according to the press release.
For those people who want home raised beef for their family freezer, the auction will have five butcher steers that start selling today, March 24, according to their Facebook page.
The business also sell paddles and flag whips for working with cattle on farms and also have apparel for sale: tee shirts, hoodies and vests.
Sale Times and Options
They start receiving cattle on Thursdays, according to their website,http://www.fslivestock.com/
The Friday sale is for cows, pairs, baby calves and big bulls, the Saturday sale, which starts at 10 a.m., starts with feeder and stocker calves and ends with cows and big bulls that came to the sale later.
Their cattle buyers are in person, or send a representative to help get “top-dollar” for the sellers livestock, according to a press release from FSLM.
In February 2023 they have added online purchasing of cattle on Fridays to the list of services. Fridays at 10 a.m.the sale features cows and bulls and Saturdays at 10 a.m. feature mostly calves, but also some cows and bulls. In 2012, the Saturday sale was put online.
Saturdays are the biggest sales.
“We are now broadcasting our sales real-time, the cattle auction is live on the internet …at WWW.DVAUCTION.COM,” according to the press release. “You must be registered through DV Auction and be approved through our office to bid. If you have not been approved through our office, please have your DV Auction # ready when you call us. 620-223-4600.”
For the latest information go to Facebook, at Fort Scott Livestock Market.
Family Owned
The market is owned and operated by four generations of the Martin family.
“Whether you’re selling one cow or a trailer load, they strive to give you the same quality enjoyable experience,” according to a press release. “Jim, Larry, Kyle and Tyler Martin are happy to discuss your cattle with you. Their phones light up all day, every day and each call gets a response.”
The fourth generation of Martins works as yard help.
Jim, Larry’s dad, Larry Martin, along with Tyler and Kyle, Larry’s sons, are the owners and managers of the business.
They regularly give back to various community clubs and organizations through various county fairs, FFA organizations, the Hepler Rodeo, the Vernon County Cattleman’s Association and various schools, churches and clubs.
The business employs over one hundred “hard-working individuals, from check-in to load-out, it’s a hands on, one-on-one experience,” according to the press release. “Behind the scenes there is a quality crew, in the front and back that are experts at sorting the cattle, joined by cowboys on horses penning the animals.”
The cafe at the livestock market is also a multi-generational family business. Bobbi Miller and her daughter Thabena Bower run the cafe.
“With fresh mouthwatering Friday and Saturday specials and homemade blue-ribbon quality pies,” it is a great place to eat, according to the press release.
They regularly give back to various community clubs and organizations through county fairs, FFA organizations, the Hepler Rodeo, the Vernon County Cattleman’s Association, schools, churches and clubs.
Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet Scheduled for April 4th
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Meet & Greet will be held Tuesday, April 4th at City State Bank, 202 Scott Ave from 8am-9am.
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives, and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Contact the Chamber at 620-223-3566 with any questions.
Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery: Hometown Baked Goodies
Teri, 49, and Michael Hamilton, 47, own The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery.
Their bakery focuses on slow fermented sourdough products using only high quality ingredients, Teri said.
“This process takes up to 72 hours and increases the body’s absorption of nutrients and is a healthier food option for our community,” she said.
They offer a variety of sourdough breads, including original, roasted garlic and rosemary, jalapeno cheese, and even a triple chocolate sourdough loaf. They plan to add new items such as cinnamon rolls, scones, seeded wheat loaves, focaccia, bagels and pretzels, all made from sourdough.
The Hamiltons started their bakery in April 2022 with just a few loaves at a time and have grown their business in the last year, selling up to 100 items each week, she said.
May through October, one can find the business at the Fort Scott Farmer’s Market, located in front of Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza, Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon and Tuesdays 4 – 6 p.m, from May through October.
November through April, they have a pre-order and porch pick up system for Fort Scott. Order via messenger and pay by 9 p.m. Wednesday for Saturday porch pick up.
Shop items marked not available are simply not available in the current season, but will be available as they come back into season.
The business accepts cash and credit card.
One can place orders via Messenger or the website.
The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery is a cottage bakery without a storefront located in Fort Scott.
Future Plans
Within the next year, they plan to expand to surrounding counties’ farmers markets and craft fair events. Eventually, they would like to open a storefront in Fort Scott, she said.
Recent Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Recipient
The Hamiltons feel honored to receive the $5,000 business start up grant from HBCAT, Teri said.
“They have been an invaluable resource from the very beginning, helping set up an LLC, bringing focus to our goals for the future and helping articulate a sustainable business plan,” she said. “HBCAT is a phenomenal support to small businesses in South East Kansas.”
The Hamiltons plan to use the grant money to purchase a specialty oven, designed for use in a cottage bakery setting. Their production will increase 300% by utilizing this new oven, Teri said.
They also plan to invest in printed banners to increase their advertising at local farmers markets.
These two main investments will enable The Hamilton”s Artisan Bakery to serve the Fort Scott area more efficiently and increase their ability to provide healthy, handmade breads to surrounding communities, she said
About The Hamiltons
Michael ran a few businesses in Arizona and Teri grew up in a bakery in Northern California, she said.
After moving to Fort Scott in 2020, they were inspired to put those experiences to use and started selling bread at the Fort Scott Farmers Market.
The Hamiltons quickly saw a need for healthy, handmade breads that are an alternative to those available at mainstream groceries. Because of that need, they decided “to dedicate their creativity, energy, and resources” to slowly building a bakery that could sustain itself without any debt.
They love to create “unique, delicious products that are a special addition to family tables” in their community, she said.
“We are especially excited to develop relationships with community members that they get to see weekly at the farmers markets, she said..
They can be found online at:
https://thehamiltonsbakery.
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
Spring Open House March 24-25
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Fort Scott Receives Waste Tire Product Grant from KDHE
KDHE Announces Recipients of Waste Tire Product Grants
45 grants distributed to recipients across Kansas
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has announced the recipients of waste tire product grants.
“These grants will help handle the costs of proper disposal of many materials scrap tires and assist many important local efforts to promote litter and waste reduction. KDHE applauds the creativity and innovation that our communities have in reusing materials that help support the mission of protecting the health and environment of all Kansans” said Janet Stanek, Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The grants are funded by revenue collected through the tire excise tax, a $0.25/vehicle tire fee.
The grants totaled $522,312.25, an almost 20 percent (19.8%) increase from 2022 were awarded to 45 organizations to fund projects that include the use of recycled tire products, including playground surfacing and picnic tables.
- Central Heights Elementary, Franklin – $886.50
- City of Andale, Sedgwick – $2,453.50
- City of Augusta, Butler – $1,167.00
- City of Bel Aire, Sedgwick – $1,617.00
- City of Chetopa, Labette – $4,468.00
- City of Eudora Parks and Recreation, Douglas – $1,556.00
- City of Fort Scott Aquatic Center, Bourbon – $2.835.00
- City of Frankfort, Marshall – $3,266.00
- City of Girard, Crawford – $2,695.00
- City of Gypsum, Saline – $4,376.00
- City of Hudson, Stafford – $13,485.00
- City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation, Douglas – $19,713.86
- City of Lebanon, Smith – $1,094.00
- City of Louisburg, Miami – $4,396.00
- City of Manhattan, Riley – $11,158.00
- City of Minneola, Clark – $4,250.84
- City of Mission Hills, Johnson – $12,582.50
- City of Mound Valley, Labette – $5,239.00
- City of Netawka, Jackson – $14,092.95
- City of North Newton, Harvey – $1,134.00
- City of Osage City, Osage – $14,106.40
- City of Ottawa, Franklin – $5,892.00
- City of Overbrook, Osage – $1,088.00
- City of Palco, Rooks – $11,232.00
- City of Parsons, Labette – $4,522.00
- City of Randall, Jewell – $886.50
- City of Salina, Saline – $31,800.00
- City of Sedgwick, Harvey – $2,072.00
- City of Sterling, Rice – $2,571.50
- City of Valley Falls, Jefferson – $2,599.00
- Larned Recreation Commission, Pawnee – $4,744.00
- Ozark Colony Cemetery District, Anderson – $1,917.00
- Resurrection Catholic School, Wyandotte – $14,222.45
- Saints Peter and Paul Playground Committee, Nemaha – $48,731.00
- USD 109 Republic County School, Republic – $9,165.00
- USD 202 Turner Sixth Grade Academy, Wyandotte – $37,099.55
- USD 258 Humboldt Schools, Allen – $3,166.50
- USD 267 Colwich Elementary, Sedgwick – $40,464.00
- USD 270 Plainville, Rooks – $11,855.00
- USD 299 Sylvan Unified Schools, Lincoln – $539.00
- USD 338 Valley Falls, Jefferson – $1,691.50
- USD 393 Soloman, Dickinson – $36,785.00
- USD 407 Russell School District, Russell – $31,176.00
- USD 484 Lincoln Elementary, Wilson – $49,770.70
- USD 493 Columbus Unified School District, Cherokee – $41,750.00
Visit, kdhe.ks.gov/700/ for information about their projects.
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Retail and Now Cafe at the Former Scottish Rite Temple
Kathy Dancer, 49, and Tracy Dancer, 50, opened 110 South Main as a retail shop in the former Scottish Rite Temple in December and will be opening a cafe in the building this spring.
Retail
110 South Main Mercantile and Market features decor, gifts, and food from Kansas and the Midwest, Kathy said.
“We have great products from Kansas City Canning Company, Kansas City Caramels, Prairie Fire Candles, Bombshell Beauty, Finding Home Farms, Thompson’s Homemade Decor, and about 30 other small business partners,” she said. ” Our market vendors include many local artisans and craft people who produce glass art, textiles, furniture, cutting boards, keepsake boxes, home decor, pens, notebooks, and decorative signs. We recently added a line of chocolates from Andre’s Chocolates and popcorn and fudge from Simply Delightful.”
“The retail store will be expanding this spring and summer to offer additional space for market vendors and artists who have high-quality handcrafted items,” she said. Additional vendors and artists will be added as they expand the space.
Cafe
“We are also opening Cohn’s Cafe,” Kathy said. The restaurant is named after Sidney Cohn and his wife, who had a cafe and coffee shop in this space from 1926-1948, she said. The restaurant space was used by the Freemasons council as a kitchen and dining space for several decades after that.
“The cafe will feature locally sourced ingredients and will have breakfast and lunch for dine-in or carry-out,” she said. “We will source ingredients from local producers and will have a seasonally adjusted menu based on the availability of fresh, local vegetables, meats, and other ingredients. Our menu will include quiches, crepes, soups, salads, sandwiches, and pies and desserts. We plan to have grab-and-go items available as well.”
“The cafe will be the cornerstone for additional planned improvements to the building,” Kathy said. “We felt the cafe was a great way to share the building with the community while also supporting local artists, craftspeople, and food producers. We are excited to showcase some of the great products available in our community in both the retail space and cafe.”
Electrical Issues
The Dancer’s hope to open this spring, but are having a problem with electric service to the building.
“We will have all of our spaces ready and equipment in place by the end of March but we are still waiting for additional electric service so we can proceed with our inspections and licensing,” she said. “Unfortunately, there was extensive damage done to the electric service to the building while it was unoccupied prior to our purchase.”
“We have been working with our electrician to have adequate service reinstalled in the building but we are having to work around other utilities that were added in the alley,” Kathy said. “As soon as we have enough electricity to operate the commercial kitchen equipment and modern HVAC, we will finish licensing and begin training staff. We will announce opening dates on our social media pages, 110SouthMain and Cohn’sCafeonMain.
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT)Grant
The Dancer’s received a restaurant /retail grant in the amount of $7,000 from HBCAT.
“We are very excited to be named as a recipient of the HBCAT grant in the restaurant category,” Kathy said. “The grant will be used to help install the commercial kitchen for the cafe. We have several pieces of used equipment including a sink, ovens, and a commercial refrigerator that need minor repairs and installation. The balance of the funds will be used to acquire additional kitchen equipment including a commercial cook top, a commercial freezer, and a refrigerated table for salads and sandwiches.”
Contact info
FS City Commission Agenda for March 21
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
March 21, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Roll Call:
- J. Jones T. Van Hoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
- Flag Salute:
- Invocation:
- Approval of Agenda:
- Consent Agenda:
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 7, 2023, and special meeting of March 13, 2023.
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1331-A totaling $321,703.00
- Request to Pay – J. Richardson Construction – 17th & Eddy Stormwater
Improvements – $12,274.30
- February Financials
- Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.
VII. Old Business:
- Sludge Removal Update – AMS and ADM Update – Scott Flater
- Presentation of RenoDry Report for Memorial Hall – Michael Clancy
- Consideration of proposal for Memorial Hall steps – Mid-Continental
Restoration, Co., Inc. – John Carrier
- Consideration of bid for Fort Scott Pavilion tabled from 3/7/2023
- Barnes lake lot easement – T. Russell
VIII. Appearances:
- Request to Close Riverfront Park for Care to Share Event – Cory Bryars
- Request for Donation to Good Ol’ Days – Shawn O’Brien
- Consideration of Temporary Street Closure – Tacos & Tailgates – 9/23/23
- Public Hearing:
- New Business:
- Consideration of Purchase of two (2) fire hydrants – B. Lemke
- Consideration of Banking Service Bids – B. Hart
- Consideration of 2023 Contract Mowing Bids
- Consideration of Schneider Electric – HVAC – Presentation of Cost Savings
- Consideration asphalt Williams St. – Bourbon Co. Public Works -$18,653.08
- Consideration of CDBG Sewer Project Inspection Proposal – J. Dickman
- Consideration of 15-Day Notice with Jeff Hancock
- Reports and Comments:
- City Manager Comments:
- Engineering Comments:
- Commissioners Comments:
- VanHoecke –
- Woellhof –
- Harrington –
- Jones –
- Wells –
- City Attorney Comments:
XII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
XIII. Adjournment:
Elevate Fort Scott: Bringing Entertainment Events To Town
Elevate Fort Scott is one of several community “movers and shakers” groups that have have organized recently to improve the quality of life in the community.
“Besides our Elevate Fort Scott group there are several other groups that are making things happen and bringing great events to Fort Scott,” said Brad Matkin, one of the organizers of Elevate Fort Scott. “Advance Bourbon County, Fort Scott Forward, and others have been working very hard to bring in events and activities for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.”
“We are not only looking for a strong 2023 but are already planning some events for 2024 we feel everyone will enjoy and be excited about,” he said.
“While talking to one of the current members, I told them I felt I wanted to get a group together that wanted to make Fort Scott a place to be and to put on events that would make us a destination place plus add more things for our citizens to do,” Brad Matkin, group member said. “Even though I am the one that thought of getting this group together it is the six other members that make Elevate Fort Scott successful, they do the leg work and put in the time to make these events a reality.”
The group is comprised of Cory Bryars, Kirk Sharp, Jackson Tough, Josh Jones, Diane Striler, Lindsay Madison, and Matkin.
They first met last year around November, he said.
“The purpose of this group is to come up with positive ways and events to help Fort Scott grow, to show visitors what Fort Scott has to offer, and to get citizens involved in the many great things Fort Scott has to offer,” he said. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel with the events we are working on, just trying to build off the already great events Fort Scott has to offer”
“Our goal is to think of an idea, work to get it started, then hand it off to a charity organization to put it on and raise money for their cause,” Matkin said. “Our group is not generating any funding for the events and are not involved in that part of the event; we just want to help get more things going in our great town and help the charities raise money.”
Events in The Works
“This group has been working on a lot of different ideas that are still in the early stages, but I can tell you we have added a BBQ cook-off that will share Riverfront Park with the second annual Care to Share/Sharing Bucket Fall Festival and Blues Festival,” he said.
“We are also working on a newly named Christmas on the Bricks that will take place of Christmas in the Park that has been a yearly tradition for Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “Christmas on the Bricks will offer the opportunity for the uptown shops to bring out their holiday flare and stay open late for holiday shopping. We are looking at this event to flow along right with the Christmas Parade, Artificers Christmas Shoppe, and the Annual National Historic Site Candlelight Tour. Some of the things we have already planned is a movie night, a Christmas concert, carolers, chili, and much more.”
“Some of the newest things this group has brought to life is a ‘Rock-N-Roll Karaoke’ which will allow people to sing with a real band,” he said. “This will be held at Memorial Hall on June 9th. ‘Almost Kiss’ will be at Memorial Hall on November 18th. They are a cover band for the Legendary Rock band Kiss and is one of only six Kiss tribute bands that former Kiss star Gene Simmons endorses.”
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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