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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Bo Co Coalition Minutes of March 1
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting
March 1, 2023
- Welcome: Twenty members representing sixteen agencies attended. The Coalition Board will be meeting next week to finalize the applications for the swim pass program. Applications will be available at The Beacon and Buck Run throughout the month of April.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: Sandy sent word that the next Red Cross blood drive will be April 19 and 20; please contact her to volunteer for a two-hour shift.
- DeeDee LeFever, Greenbush: DeeDee helps match resources with needs.
- Dawn Cubbison, Aetna Better Health of Kansas: She is available to share information about Medicaid redetermination which will start next month.
- Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis and CASA: both organizations need volunteers; CASA does not have enough volunteers to support the children they have been assigned.
- Dave Gillen, The Beacon: They continue to receive produce on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; clients can shop on the back porch. They also help with rent and utility assistance and have a limited number of taxi passes. Beacon hours are 9:00 – 1:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- LeaLay Karleskint, K-State Snap Ed: She is still looking for partners to provide space for her classes which provide nutrition education.
- Lisa Robertson, COPE and CHC: COPE works with partners to help people find resources. The COPE grant runs until December, 2023; they are now working on the extension. They have been able to help 219 individuals in less than one year.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: Alan is able to do some things to help that are not the usual types of assistance. He is working with a new program: SSVF = Supplemental Services for Veterans families. This organization helps veterans find housing.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Works: Christine works with ages 16-24 with GED, training, work experience; she can also help with resumes. The office is located within the HBCAT office with hours Monday through Friday.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department: For the Baby and Me Tobacco Free program, Tammy comes to Fort Scott to meet wherever the mom feels comfortable. Her pre-natal program can now do tours of the labor and delivery units at Via Christi.
- Lindsey McNeil, KU COPE grant: The Local Health Equity Action Team has been able to provide freezers for Feeding Families and make partial payment for windows at the Senior Citizens Center. The team stresses homeless housing and transportation. Meetings are every other Thursday from 6-7; contact any COPE person to become involved or Rachel Carpenter at the HBCAT office.
- Amy Hagan, Family Support Specialist at CHC: her main function is to provide support for mothers.
- Maggie Young, Bourbon County Community Engagement Manager for CHC will be doing canned food drives in the near future.
- Nick Johnson, USD 234 PreSchool: Screening this month will be on March 24; the Spring Fling on April 6; Kindergarten Round-Up on April 19; PreSchool Round-Up on May 5. The community is working to start a Childcare Coalition; please contact Nick if you wish to be involved.
- Kelli Mengarelli, Early Childhood Block Grant: Kelli partners with childcare providers to ensure quality child care.
- Michelle Stevenson: Her program is full right now but she will always take referrals. Michelle works within the preschool building with children prenatal through age 6.
- Amy Boyd: Amy is actively working on finding additional quality childcare for children aged newborn to three.
- Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: She has a total of 190 units; right now there is a wait list for all size units, but applications, based on income, can still be made. The Housing Authority has office hours Monday throught Friday.
- Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice: Gentiva will host a resource fair on April 7, 9-11 a.m. in Homer Cole, Pittsburg. A Community Healthcare partner, Autumn Green, an attorney, will be talking about advance directives.
- Program: Bailey Lyons, Meredith Tucker, and Katie Hueston provided information about the first completely accessible park in Fort Scott: the Splash Pad. Although they still have about $40,000 to raise, they plan to have the park operational by Good ‘Ol Days. The park will be free of charge and open from dawn to dusk. Once the Splash Pad is installed and functional, they will begin on Phase 2 which will include fencing and bathrooms.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be April 5, at 1:00 p.m. Carson Felt and an ensemble from the FSHS orchestra will present our program.
FS Streets and Parks Have Vacant Position on Advisory Boards
STREETS ADVISORY BOARD
There are TWO (2) openings on the Fort Scott Street Advisory Board to fill vacated positions. The function of the Board is to provide suggestions to the City Commission regarding road improvement projects throughout the City of Fort Scott. When submitting your letter/email of interest, please provide any specific knowledge or training you have that would complement you being a member of this Board. All Boards and Commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Streets Board meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 4:00PM at City Hall. If you would like more information please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or by calling 620.223.0550. Please submit your Letter of Interest by 4:00PM on April 12th, 2023.
FORT SCOTT PARKS ADVISORY BOARD:
There is ONE (1) opening on the Fort Scott Parks Advisory Board. The function of the Fort Scott Parks Board Committee is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and Governing Body regarding all the parks within the City of Fort Scott. All boards and commissions of Fort Scott serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Currently the Parks Board meets quarterly at 4:00 PM at City Hall. If you have a desire to serve on this board, please submit a Letter of Interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or [email protected]. The names and letters will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission.
Please submit your letter of interest by 4:00 PM on April 3rd, 2023.
What’s Happening in Fort Scott
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A Commercial Kitchen/Event Space/Retail Space Coming to Downtown Fort Scott
A community kitchen is on the horizon for downtown Fort Scott.
Rachel French, Angela Simon, and Bailey Lyons are collaborating to open The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative, a not-for-profit business.
The building will have a commercial kitchen, a small event space and a retail area, with specialty kitchen supplies.
The event space will also be available for private rentals.
In addition, cooking classes for children and adults will be offered.
The Kitchen Collection + Collaborative business recently received a $5,000 Women, Minority or Start Up Business grant from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.
The Kitchen’s mission statement:
“The Kitchen is to be an innovative collaborative that enhances the local food system, increases access to regionally made and sourced goods, and supports area culinary businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing or removing risk and barriers to success.
Our concept is centered on merging the integral pieces required for a thriving food economy – producers, creators, marketers, and consumers.
We will also foster connections and serve as a community gathering place, a training hub, a meeting spot, an educational center, and a social venue.
In doing all of this, we expect The Kitchen will have a significant, multi-faceted impact on our community.
Afterall, everything happens in The Kitchen.”
Bailey and Nate Lyons own the building, located at 10 and 12 S. Main.
Looking for Your Roots?
Want to learn more about ancestors that have lived or died in our community?
For those who would like to learn more about their roots in Bourbon County, there is a place to start: the Old Fort Genealogy Society, located in the basement of Memorial Hall, Third and National Avenue.
Recently, the staff has started a Facebook page.
“We started at the end of February, the Old Fort Genealogy and History at Fort Scott, Kansas Facebook page,” Ann Rawlins, librarian at the society said.
“We wanted to post stories and and pictures and answer questions,” she said. “We wanted a site for genealogy questions. and have an internet presence.”
People are invited to post pictures, stories, or ask questions on the Facebook page.
The Old Fort Genealogical Society researches people’s ancestors who have lived in Bourbon County.
They can be reached at 620.223.3300 or the website is ksgenweb/society/ft.scott.
Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The following is a recent humorous post on the Facebook page.
Advance Bourbon County: New Non-Profit
Local businessman, Josh Jones, has started a non-profit foundation that will provide funding for projects in the community.
“This community has meant a lot to me and my family and we wanted to find a way to give back,” Jones said. “We felt like this was a good way to make a long term impact.”
“The purpose of Advance Bourbon County is to find ways to make our community better through charitable contributions and work,” Jones said.
“I have asked Bailey Lyons and Katie Hueston to come on board and help me with this adventure, as they have been just amazing and have put so much time, effort, and passion into the splash pad and sensory park project,” he said.
“We are a 100% volunteer foundation with 100% of all proceeds going back to the community,” according to the Advance Bourbon County Facebook page. “Our fundraising tactics will be through events, grants, and grass root donations from citizens with a vested interest in seeing our community thrive.”
The splash pad and sensory park will be put in place in 2023, following the fundraising efforts of Jones, Lyons and Hueston and others.
“My goal is a core of us handle the majority of day to day things and we work with other groups/people on different projects as a team, as the need arises,” he said. “We really want this to be a grass roots foundation that involves all.”
In the past few months, this group has bought a comedy show and an illusionist to town to help fund the splash pad/sensory park that will be located in the downtown area of Fort Scott.
They have many events they are collaborating with others in town to make happen for 2023.
The following are those projects:
On April 1, the group is helping to organize the Blue Collar Awards, that will be honoring the manual workers in the community.
“We are working together with Aaron Judy on this,” Jones said.
On April 15, they are organizing the Greg Morton Comedy Show for the community, comedian Andrew Rose will be opening for Morton.
On June 9, they are working together with Cory Bryars and Brad Matkin to make a Live Band Karaoke happen.
On July 1, in collaboration with Bill Michaud, they are bringing the Game Show Road Show to the community.
On August 26, another comedian, Todd Royce, will be coming to town.
On November 18 in collaboration with Cory Bryars and Brad Matkin the Almost Kiss Tribute Band will be in town.
On December 1-2 there will be Christmas on the Bricks
There are working with another group, Elevate Fort Scott, which includes Diane Striler, Kirk Sharp, Cory Bryars, Lindsey Madison, and Brad Matkin.
- Fundraising to help purchase AED units for the Fort Scott Fire Department.
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock to victims of sudden cardiac arrest, to restore the heart rhythm to normal, according to https://www.osha.gov/aed
- Fund raising that will go towards updating Memorial Hall.
- Rehabbing and refurbishing the caboose at Fisher Park and possibly moving it to a focal point at the entrance of Fort Scott.
- Continuing to bring in more events for the community to enjoy, according to the ABC Facebook page.
For those interested in donating:
“Getting a foothold as a new non profit is challenging,” according to the ABC Facebook page. “In just a few short months we have already raised over $20,000 through events and fundraisers. However raising awareness for our cause is crucial if we are truly going to make any long term impact.
We would love if you would consider making a donation to our cause of making Bourbon County an even better place for us to live and helping us with our charitable projects.”
“They can follow and message us on Facebook at Advance Bourbon County 501C3,” he said. “They can bring donations by Bourbon County Cars (where Jones is the general sales manager), send donations through Venmo, or take donations to Citizens Bank in Fort Scott and deposit into our charity account”
USD234 BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR March 6 MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, March 6, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
- Board Minutes from the 02-13-23 regular board meeting and 02-27-23 special board meeting
- Financials-Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – February 17, 2023 – $1,583,201.90
- Activity Fund accounts
- Items of Interest: Preschool Spring Fling – April 6, 2023, 5:30 – 7 pm
The board heard from FSHS Thespians in honor of March being Theatre in Our Schools Month. FSHS Troupe members Kinsley Davis, who also serves as President, and Emma Guns updated the board on the many things the performing arts programs offer and the importance of theatre in our schools. FSHS Thespians put on productions, compete at several levels, and contribute to the community through service projects.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on the upcoming KESA visit on Thursday, March 9 and noted that state assessments will begin after Spring Break.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, noted the Federal Fiscal forum that Mrs. Smith and she would be attending at the end of March specific to federal funds in Wichita.
Superintendent Brown summarized the February 27, 2023, work session in regard to long-range facility and maintenance planning. The board identified the Fort Scott High School HVAC, district-wide roof maintenance, and preschool expansion as the top three priorities. Superintendent Brown discussed the planned special education space remodel at the high school. Chad Remboldt, Nathan Compton, and Jason Dial with TRANE gave a presentation and answered questions from the board in regard to the potential high school HVAC project.
The board discussed the MOU with Community Health Center.
The board approved obtaining additional bids for the high school tennis courts resurface.
The board approved the following items:
- Activity Bus Purchase
- Football Uniform Bids to Jock’s Nitch
- Two payments to Meridian Roofing in the amounts of $392,669.67 and $343,205.28
- Kansas Infinitec Coalition contract for 2023-24
- Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) – Kansas School-to-Work Program for the 2023-24 school year
- Pre-Funding Early Retirement Payments
- Greenbush Contracts for Low-Incidence and Audiology for the 2023-24 school year
- FSHS Courses for 2023-24
- Approval of Personnel Report (following)
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Danny Brown adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
March 6, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Bowman, Carissa, Resignation, FSHS FACS Teacher, at the end of the 2022-23 school year
- Mayginnes, Krystle, Resignation, Winfield Scott Assistant Principal, at the end of the 2022-23 school year
EMPLOYMENT/REASSIGNMENTS:
- Blackburn, Brendon – transfer from FSMS Student Support Center to 6th grade Science Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Brown, Harmony – FSMS Paraprofessional for the 2022-23 school year
- Deatsch, Erin – Winfield Scott Kindergarten Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Feeback, Brennen – FSHS Special Education Teacher for the 2023-24 school year
- Short, Samantha – transfer from FSMS 6th-8th Spanish/ELA to FSMS 6th – 8th Grade ELA Interventionist for the 2023-24 school year
- Stanley, Tammy – transfer from FSMS 6th Grade Math Teacher to FSMS 6th – 8th Grade Math Interventionist for the 2023-24 school year
District Administrators:
- Dalaina Smith – Assistant Superintendent – Contract extension – 1-year renewal for the 2023-24 school year
Building Administrators:
- Scott Kimble – FSHS Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Zach Johnson – FSMS Principal- 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Yasmina Query – Eugene Ware Elementary Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Shelly Charter – Winfield Scott Elementary Principal – 1-year renewal for the 2023-24 school year
- Nick Johnson – Fort Scott Preschool Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
Assistant Building Administrators:
- Alex Specht – FSHS Assistant Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Jeff DeLaTorre – FSHS Activities Director – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Matthew Harris – FSMS Assistant Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
- Brandon Boyd – Eugene Ware Elementary Assistant Principal – 2-year renewal for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years
Ladies Golf League Sign Up Is March 8
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FS CITY COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of February 21, 2023
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of February 21, 2023 Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 21, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke, K. Harrington, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor M. Wells.
FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION: T. Shelton, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Brad Matkin/Interim City Manager, Travis Shelton/Police Chief, Dave Bruner/Fire Chief, Jason Dickman/City Engineer, Ben Hart/BakerTilly Financial Director, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Thomas Russell/Codes Enforcement, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Marquece Hayes, Kennedy Webb, and Thade Yates
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA:
- Wells stated that there will be an addition to the City Commission meeting agenda, item number IV that will be Approval of Agenda. This will be the time to make amendments to the meeting agenda to avoid last-minute motions and decisions that were not on the posted agenda.
- Lewis stated there was an amendment to the agenda for the Consideration of the Contract of Brad Matkin for the position of City Manager.
- VanHoecke moved to add the requested amendment for the Consideration of the Contract of Brad Matkin for the position of City Manager to New Business as item H with the recommendation of moving into Executive Session. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO ADD THE REQUESTED AMENDMENT FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE CONTRACT OF BRAD MATKIN FOR THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER TO NEW BUSINESS AS ITEM H WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF MOVING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
CONSENT AGENDA:
- Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 7, 2023.
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1330-A totaling $190,921.53
- Request to Pay – AVFUEL Corporation – $13,141.00
- Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – $40,236.10
- 1/31/2023 – S. Horton and W. 6th – Survey 100% – $800.00
Preliminary Design 70% – $13,800.00
$14,600.00
- 1/31/2023 – Sanitary Sewer Project – Final 100% – $2,900.00
Bidding 80% – $3,150.00
$6,050.00
- 1/31/2023 – S. Industrial Pk. Waterline – Final 80% – $590.00
- 1/31/2023 – City Engineer – Monthly Fee – $4,243.60
- 2/6/2023 – System Designs – Addenda phase II – $2,512.50
Phase III -$12,240.00
$14,752.50
- Request to Pay – Kansas State Treasurer – Bond Payment – BI# 0144062716811 – G O REF BDS SR 2016 – $63,646.88
- Request to Pay – Kansas State Treasurer – Bond Payment – BI# 0144021821160 – GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2021-A – $21,000.00
- January Financial Statements
- Wells questioned the items in the Expense Approval Report for Planet Tech and Vermont Services.
- Matkin stated that Vermont Services is for Tyler Technologies. He will check in to Planet Tech.
- Harrington requested that the State be notified that Janet Guilfoyle no longer works for the City and there is a new contact person. B. Matkin will resolve.
- Wells questioned the cell phone franchise fees from ATT and Verizon. He would like to make sure that the City is asking all the providers for the same fees.
- Wells inquired about the two (2) bonds being paid.
- VanHoecke moved to approve the Consent Agenda. K. Harrington seconded. T. VanHoecke, J. Jones, E. Woellhof and K. Harrington voted aye. M. Well voted nay.
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.
OLD BUSINESS:
- Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Program: B. Matkin stated that citizens have been.
Inquiring about this program that was previously in effect but stopped. He spoke with B. Hart who indicated the funds for the program could come from the Codes Demolition Fund with the request of $10,000.00 to start. The program is that a citizen pays half of the replacement or a maximum of $2,000.00. There is a $23,000.00 carryover from last year’s demo budget. B. Matkin stated that this year we can only do as many as the budget allows for the year.
- Jones moved to approve $10,000.00 in the Codes Demolition Budget for the Sidewalk, Curb and Gutter Program for 2023. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED $10,000.00 IN THE CODES DEMOLITION BUDGET FOR THE SIDEWALK, CURB AND GUTTER PROGRAM FOR 2023.
APPEARANCES:
- Consideration of re-bid process for airport runway – Brian Coomes/Engineer and Project Manager for Olsson Engineers and Seth Simpson/Airport Manager presented to the Commission the proposal to go out to bid again, after a previous attempt, to resurface all the pavement on the Airfield at the airport and for approval for the amendment of breaking up the bid in to two (2) portions if the bids come back higher; a base bid and an alternate bid. The total funds available will be $3.2 million. There are additional costs to Olsson to prepare to go out for rebid. B. Coomes discussed the timeline and the grant process. He stated that the City’s match is approximately $447,000.00 for the entire project. Rehabilitation of the connecting taxiway to the box hangar at the south end of the apron. Last year the FAA determined that was an ineligible expense on the grant. The projected cost of that maintenance is approximately $63,000.00. An application was submitted to KDOT Division of Aviation to cover 90% of the cost of that taxiway. The application was successful and KDOT pledged $57,000.00 to cover 90% of the cost of that maintenance and the City’s local match would be approximately $390,000.00.
Discussion was had with B. Coomes and the Commissioners regarding specifications on the documents provided.
- Woellhof motioned to move forward with the re-bid process for the Runway Resurfacing Project.
Discussion was had regarding the language in the bid.
- Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE RE-BID PROCESS FOR THE RUNWAY RESURFACING PROJECT.
- VanHoecke moved to approve Amendment One to Olsson’s agreement for consulting services for the Airport Runway Project. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED AMENDMENT ONE TO OLSSON’S AGREEMENT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE AIRPORT RUNWAY PROJECT.
PUBLIC HEARING:
- Jones moved to open the Public Hearing for the purpose of evaluating the performance of Grant No 21-IT-002 to address concerns at 8 and 16 N. National Ave. All aspects of the grant will be discussed, and oral and written comments will be recorded and become part of the City of Fort Scott CDBG Citizen Participation Plan. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF GRANT NO 21-IT-002 TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ON 8 AND 16 N. NATIONAL AVE. ALL ASPECTS OF THE GRANT WILL BE DISCUSSED, AND ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMENTS WILL BE RECORDED AND BECOME PART OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT CDBG CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN.
No one was present to speak regarding the Public Hearing. The grant is to be closed out.
- Harrington moved to close the Public Hearing. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.
Public Comments was moved to accommodate speakers who attended to address the Commission but arrived late.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Marquece Hayes came to address the Commission regarding students’ interest in bringing back the football program at Fort Scott Community College. M. Hayes was informed that the Commission does not have any authority in this matter. M. Wells referred the students to the College Board of Trustees.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Consideration of window replacements for Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. National. This item was presented to the Design Review Board on February 14, 2023 and recommended to be approved by the City Commission.
Discussion was had regarding the pictures that were supplied.
- Jones moved to approve the window replacements for Bourbon County Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. National based on the Design Review Board’s approval and recommendation. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE WINDOW REPLACEMENTS FOR BOURBON COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER, 26 N. NATIONAL BASED ON THE DESIGN REVIEW BOARD’S APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION.
- Consideration of replacing the WWTP Grit Removal System – Jason Dickman spoke for Peter Earles. He stated that he created a bid package that is a sole source situation. He is before the Commission to make sure the project is moving forward. M. Wells stated it was not a budgeted item for this year but was brought to the Commission because it is an improvement that must be made to the Water Treatment Plant.
Discussion was had about the Grit Removal System.
- Hart stated that there is enough money in the ADM account to cover the cost, but Commission approval is needed.
- Dickman was asked to explain the purpose and importance of this system.
Discussion was had on sole source items and bidding out for needed materials.
- Dickman was asked to explain why the Grit Removal System is not a three (3) bid process. He explained that equipment for the WWTP is only produced by a handful of companies because it is specialized equipment.
Commissioner concern about due diligence with the bid process for items that may not be sole source providers and prioritizing the issues was discussed.
- VanHoecke moved to go out for bids for the Booster Station and tank. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR THE BOOSTER STATION AND TANK FOR THE WWTP.
- Jones moved to approve the contract for the Grit Removal System for the WWTP as presented. K. Harrington seconded. J. Jones, K. Harrington, T. VanHoecke and M. Wells voted aye. E. Woellhof voted nay.
APPROVED THE CONTRACT FOR THE GRIT REMOVAL SYSTEM FOR THE WWTP AS PRESENTED.
- Jones asked E. Woellhof why he voted against the motion for the Grit Removal System. E. Woellhof stated that he believes that there should be more than one proposal to consider for that system.
Discussion was had about the City’s current Bid Process.
- Update on 1107 W. 6th Street: T. Russell stated that he could answer some questions, but would suggest that this item be rescheduled so that Jesse Milburn can come before the Commission.
- VanHoecke motioned to move J. Milburn’s appearance before the Commission regarding 1107 W. 6th Street to the March 7th City Commission Meeting. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO MOVE J. MILBURN’S APPEARANCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION REGARDING 1107 W. 6TH STREET TO THE MARCH 7TH CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
- Consideration of Annual Water Meter Changeout Program: B. Lemke was not able to attend the meeting due to illness. B. Matkin requested to table the item until the March 7th, 2023, City Commission meeting.
- Harrington moved to table Consideration of the Annual Water Meter Changeout Program to the March 7th, City Commission Meeting. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO TABLE CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL WATER METER CHANGEOUT PROGRAM TO THE MARCH 7TH, CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
- Consideration of Memorial Hall rentals and fees: B. Matkin brought to discussion the use and rental fees of Memorial Hall. He stated that in the past 18-19 months, the current policy has not been followed. He would like the Commission to decide whether the City will use the policy and charge for the use of Memorial Hall or not for the sake of consistency and procedure for the staff at City Hall. He also stated that he promoted Doug Gunns to manage operations at Memorial Hall in addition to his current responsibilities.
Discussion was had about the current policy.
- VanHoecke motioned to move the item of Memorial Hall to the next meeting on March 7th, 2023.
The Commission agreed to a Work Session prior to the March 7th, 2023, City Commission Meeting.
- Wells agreed to strike the motion of tabling the issue in favor of the scheduled Work Session.
- Consideration of reappointment of expired Golf Course Advisory Board members John Leek, Mitch Quick and Steve Harry: T. VanHoecke left the Commission Room. B. Matkin stated that the candidates expressed interest in remaining on the Board until the end of the year.
Discussion was had about the current process of keeping advisory board seats filled.
- VanHoecke entered the meeting.
- Jones stated that he believes that all of the advisory boards need to be reevaluated.
The Commission agreed on a Work Session for the purpose of reevaluating the City’s Advisory Boards prior to the March 21st, 2023, City Commission Meeting at 5:00 PM.
- Farmer suggested that the Commission make a decision on the expired seats of the Golf Advisory Board for legal purposes.
- Jones moved to extend the appointed positions of the Golf Advisory Board members John Leek, Mitch Quick and Steve Harry until the end of the year 2023.
- Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO EXTEND THE APPOINTED POSITIONS OF THE GOLF ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS JOHN LEEK, MITCH QUICK AND STEVE HARRY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR 2023.
- Consideration of Banking Service Bids:
- Matkin would like to extend the bid deadline until the March 7th, 2023 meeting because it was stated that a bank did not receive their personal Invitation to Bid letter in enough time to provide a bid. Letters were sent, the bid was posted on the City’s website and in the Newspaper of Record. One bid was received.
- Jones moved to re-open the bid for the City’s Banking Services until Monday, March 6th at 3:00 PM. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO RE-OPEN THE BID FOR THE CITY’S BANKING SERVICES UNTIL MONDAY, MARCH 6TH AT 3:00 PM.
- Consideration of the Contract of Brad Matkin for the position of City Manager:
- VanHoecke motioned to move in to Executive Session for the purpose of the discussion of a contract pursuant to the personnel matters of non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). In the Executive Session will be the five (5) City Commissioners and the City Attorney. The Session will be held in Jeff Hancock’s office and will reconvene at 7:50PM in the City Commission Room.
- Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO MOVE IN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DISCUSSION OF A CONTRACT PURSUANT TO THE PERSONNEL MATTERS OF NON-ELECTED PERSONNEL EXCEPTION IN K.S.A. 75-4319(B)(1). IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE THE FIVE (5) CITY COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY ATTORNEY. THE SESSION WILL BE HELD IN JEFF HANCOCK’S OFFICE AND WILL RECONVENE AT 7:50PM IN THE CITY COMMISSION ROOM.
- VanHoecke motioned to move out of Executive Session. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO MOVE OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.
- VanHoecke moved table the item and to direct Bob Farmer/City Attorney to continue contract negotiations with Brad Matkin/Interim City Manager. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO TABLE THE ITEM AND TO DIRECT BOB FARMER/CITY ATTORNEY TO CONTINUE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRAD MATKIN/INTERIM CITY MANAGER.
REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
Interim City Manager: B. Matkin
- Boat ramp is complete and open at Lake Fort Scott.
- Sound system for the Commission Room is on order and should arrive within thirty (30) days.
- Meeting with the Chamber on Thursday to discuss a parking plan.
- Gunn Park Gazebo – a couple of citizens are interested in possibly moving it or restoring it for the City. They were given two (2) weeks to decide.
- RV Park Update – estimates on parts and labor for the installation of electricity will be approximately $10,000.00. Water will be done also. Will have three (3) bids for the labor for the electric.
- School Zone Lights – meeting with Superintendent Destry Brown next week.
- Floating T-Dock for Fern Lake – spoke with Don George about getting a quote and financial help to make it happen. Would be beneficial to have a safety precaution on it and would be located at the north side of Fern Lake for fishing.
- Common Ground alley crossing issue: talking with them about a possible dome mirror. J. Jones stated he has a dome mirror and will donate it if they would like it.
- See-Click-Fix – getting a quote because it would be beneficial to citizens
- Police Chief Travis Shelton’s last City Commission Meeting – Retirement Reception to be held on Tuesday, February 28th.
- Lewis stated that the Commission needs to make a motion to close out the CDBG Grant NO 21-IT-002 that was the topic of the Public Hearing.
- Jones motioned to close out the CDBG Grant NO 21-IT-002 for 8 and 16 N. National Ave. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO CLOSE OUT THE CDBG GRANT NO 21-IT-002 FOR 8 AND 16 N. NATIONAL AVE.
- Matkin stated that Susan Galemore will replace the City’s current CDBG Representative Carey Spoon effective February 28th, 2023.
Engineering: J. Dickman
- School Zone Light – looking into a state program with the State Traffic Engineer that helps cover the cost for school zone lights.
- CCLIP Program for FY 2025 and 2026 is now open. They will put together another exhibit and package to continue the Wall Street project for funding in 2025.
- Second Addendum for the Sanitary Sewer Project sent yesterday. The wage rates remained the same therefore nothing had to be advertised for that issue.
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:
- Woellhof – No comments to add.
- Jones –
- Would like to consider putting funds in CDs
- Citizen concerns about school pick up/drop off lines at 3rd and Margrave
- Director updates – getting directors to come to Commission meetings
- Gunn Park Caretakers house – citizen suggested Airbnb
- Commissioner replacement – Election year, possibly take 4th in line this year
- Appreciates working with Travis Shelton
- Thank all who came out to Reza show on Friday. Thank you to Bailey, Katie, Meredith and Kelly for all of their work to make the event a huge success.
- Harrington – Appreciates Chief Shelton
- VanHoecke –
- Expressed honor to work with Chief Shelton. Wished him well in his retirement.
- Congratulations to the volunteers of Reza
- Wants to look at Codes and violations
- Any information regarding US Hwy 69. B. Matkin stated he was told about two (2) months until completion.
- Wells –
- Consider refurbished I-Pads with stylus instead of paper agenda packets
- Citizen concern regarding a dock at Lake Fort Scott in small cove due to disturbance from late night parties
- Consider a CDBG grant for Memorial Hall to fix the steps and other issues
- Matkin stated that he talked to a contractor this week about a price for the steps.
- Jones stated that he had been asked by a citizen if the City-owned land between the Artificers and Sharkey’s can go over to the Land Bank and put out for proposals.
- Wells stated that he would like to hear proposals for ideas citizens have before the City turns it over to the Land Bank.
- Wells stated he wanted to celebrate the guys getting the boat ramp done, the work on Judson Street, emulsion tank is up, alleys fixed our guys have been working exceptionally hard. He also thanked Chief Travis Shelton and expressed his appreciation.
City Attorney Comments: Worked with Travis Shelton since the first day (Travis) started. Has always been a true professional and wishes him the very best.
Adjournment:
- VanHoecke moved to adjourn at 8:20 PM. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Lewis
City Clerk
Chamber Coffee hosted by Riggs Chiropractic on March 9
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee on Thursday, March 9th at 8 a.m. hosted by Riggs Chiropractic. The event will be held at their new Fort Scott location at 304 E. 23rd St. Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served.
Riggs Chiropractic, with locations in Pittsburg and Riverton, recently expanded to Fort Scott providing the same great care to patients in this area.
Riggs Chiropractic has partnered with Bourbon County CASA for a Miracle Year of Wellness in which they will donate all new patient exam fees to CASA to help further their mission. In just their first month, Riggs has accrued $1,000 to donate to this worthy cause. Dr. Megan Vyhlidal, native of Pittsburg, is excited to bring her expertise to the Fort Scott community. Chiropractic Assistant, Kalyn Turner, lives in Fort Scott and is excited to help people live a more wellness-focused life.
Any member business or organization wanting to host Chamber Coffee in 2023 is encouraged to contact the Chamber to save a date by calling 620-223-3566 or emailing [email protected].
Improvements to Highway 69 Nearing Completion
Progress is being made on the section of highway that slices through Fort Scott from north to south. Improvements are also on the horizon for several other Southeast Kansas highway projects.
In March 2022, U.S. Hwy. 69 in Bourbon County was approved a bid for improvement to the intersections of 3rd, 6th, 12th and 25th Streets in Fort Scott, including traffic signals.
The two miles of highway improvement inside the city limits of Fort Scott was awarded to LaForge & Budd Construction Company Inc., Parsons, Kansas, for a price tag of $2,645,573.03.
The improvement work began on Sept. 6, 2022.
“The project on US 69 is for intersection improvements for both pedestrians and vehicle traffic,” KDOT Iola Area Office Engineer Troy Howard, said. “Several intersections are getting signal updates. Both 6th St. and 12th St. are getting turning lanes added to improve traffic flows. At this point they are working on the turning lanes.”
“According to the contractors schedule they are supposed to be completed around the first of June,” Howard said.
Hwy. 69 Near Arma Is Nearing Completion
Travelers may have noticed that there is work on Hwy. 69, around Arma, as well.
“By late May, work should be completed on the U.S. 69 expansion project at Arma, weather permiting,” KDOT’s Priscilla Petersen, said. “The highway will be four lanes between Pittsburg and Kansas City.”
Four-Lane Corridor?
At one point there was work towards a four-lane highway corridor down U.S. 69 Highway from Kansas City to past Pittsburg.
“The goal for U.S. 69 is debatable, depending on who you ask,” Wayne Gudmonson, KDOT Dist. IV Engineer, Chanute, said. “There is a group and a large number of supporters that want to construct U.S. 69 four-lane (all the way) to I-44.There is another group who do not want this… so, at this time, U.S.69 will be four-lane from Kansas City to Pittsburg, once the work around Arma is completed.”
Baxter Springs
“We are also currently constructing a four- lane piece of U.S. 166 down around Baxter Springs (south of Pittsburg),” Gudmonson said. “This work begins on U.S. 400 just north east of Baxter Springs. It angles down and … reconstructs U.S. 166 to a four-lane with an interchange just east of Baxter and a second interchange at the junction of K 26 and U.S. 166. From this interchange we diagonal down to the south east with a two lane section that ties back into U.S. 166 just west of the Kansas-Missouri line.”