The Fort Scott Kiwanis Club on a workday at Gunn Park in August. 2020, one of many community projects/events of the club. Submitted photo.
A local organization is helping to add more of a tree canopy to the community.
The Fort Scott Kiwanis Club is offering free trees to residents of the city.
“This is made possible through a grant from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation,” Phil Gorman, treasurer of Kiwanis, said. “Sixty trees will be purchased and planted by the club in cooperation with Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott High School, and the City of Fort Scott.”
“FSCC, and the high school, we are going to use some of their organizations for labor to help us get the trees in the ground,” Gorman said.
“The city helped us with the grant and they will help dig the holes and also help with logistics of where the trees will be planted,” he said.
Two large-growing tree varieties are being offered, Swamp White Oak and Shumard Oak.
To be considered for trees contact the City of Fort Scott at 620.223-0550, by April 4. Trees will be planted sometime in April.
For safety, the group won’t plant trees in the way of high lines or on street corners, Gorman said.
The Kiwanis tree planting program has been done for many years, Gorman said.
“Some street trees all around the city were planted by Kiwanis years ago,” he said. “I’d say in the thousands.”
The group is rejuvenating the program and hopes to make it an annual event.
The Fort Scott Kiwanis logo. Submitted.
About Kiwanis
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community, at a time.
They meet each Tuesday at noon at the Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford.
“There are currently 35 members,” Gorman said. “We are always open to new members.”
Addisyn Fowler, Fort Scott High School Key Club member, left, along with Fort Scott Kiwanis Club members Bob Eckles and Clyde Stepps serve pancakes at the annual Pancake Feed in February 2020.Angelyka and her dad, Daniel Simonds, pick up Easter eggs in the preschool section of the Kiwanis Easter Egg hunt in this 2018 photo.Some of the projects of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club were showcased on a poster of the gym at Buck Run Community Center during the annual pancake feed in 2020.
USD234 WILL BE RECEIVING $4M+ IN ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY SCHOOL EMERGENCY RELIEF III (ESSER III) FUNDING. HELP PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE BEST USE OF THESE FUNDS.
TROLLEY TOURS START FOR THE SEASON TODAY, ON THE HOUR FROM THE CHAMBER!
Friday 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
Saturday 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
$6 adults, $4 children 12 & under
50-minute narrated tour of Historic Fort Scott!
3/18 ~ Friendship Soup Lunch hosted by First United Methodist Church 11:30am – 1pm
First United Methodist Church will host a
drive-through soup lunch. A variety of soups including potato, vegetable beef, and chili will be served along with a dessert for a free-will offering. The soup lunch will be sponsored by the Mission Committee at FUMC
301 S. National Ave.
3/18 ~ Lenten Fish Fry hosted by Knights of Columbus, Dine-in or Drive-thru, 5-6:30pm, see flyer below for more info.
3/19 ~ Dale & Betty Johnson Estate Auction, 878 209th Terrace, Ft Scott,10am, see flyer below for more info.
3/19 ~ Kansas Limousin Southeast Kansas Spring Classic, click here for more info.
Concessions starting at 8am by Care to Share
@ 4H Building.
3/19 ~ Bourbon County Angels Donation Exchange, 8am-2pm, 111 W. 3rd St., click here.
3/19 ~ FSHS Tiger Baseball Alumni Scrimmage at the LaRoche Complex, 5-7pm, click here.
3/19-20 ~ 6th Annual Fort Scott Games, Fitness competition at Smallville Athletics, 4-6pm, 1905 S. Judson
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott is organizing the encouragement of the Ukrainian refugees in Poland through letters.
At the center, 1 S. Main, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, March 19 there will be letter-writing stations set up for both adults and children to write letters of support that will be taken to refugees being harbored in Poland.
“Marzanna Pogorzelska, who was an Irena Sendler Outstanding Teacher about 10 years ago, is in charge of this in Poland,” Executive Director Norm Conard said. The whole Pogorzelska family has taken time off of their jobs to help with the refugees, he said.
Ronda Hassig is in charge of the event in Fort Scott on March 19.
Ronda Hassig. Taken from the Lowell Milken Center Facebook page.
The following is from an email from Pogorzelska to Conard.
“We have been experiencing a horrible time,” Marzanna Pogorzelska, Lowell Milken Center in Europe (Poland) said.
“The war in the Ukraine reminds us of the times we thought would never come back. Polish society is now one big network of support for our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.
In this network there are thousands of organizations and people, but I think that one person with her network of supporters is missing now and here.
I can only imagine Her, Irena Sendler, these days. Finding safe places for Ukrainians mothers. Organizing cars to take them from the border to somebody’s house. Collecting food for small babies. Making sure the sick ones get necessary medicine….And many, many other things.
I also imagine Her determination and anger which she could always change in true care and support in her own, incredible way.”
To learn more about Irena Sendler, view this prior publication:
Fort Scott City Commissioner Pete Allen resigned at the March 15 city meeting.
On March 16, during a special meeting at city hall, the rest of the commissioners voted to accept his resignation, except for Mayor Kevin Allen.
In an interview with fortscott.biz, Allen said “I’m done. Mission accomplished. I am 82 years old and I have other things I want to do.”
“I feel like I’ve given it my all…I worked tirelessly seven days a week since I was elected,” he said.
Allen took office in January 2020 and because he was the leader in the amount of votes he received, he won a four-year term, he said. His term ends in January 2024.
“We’ve accomplished a lot,” he said. “I’m not taking credit for all the things we got done, it takes at least three people on the commission. I was part of a team.”
At the regular city meeting on March 15, Allen said he “wasn’t happy with the reception I got….they didn’t want to work with me on a policy on how we use our funds.”
Allen listed all of the commission’s accomplishments on his Facebook page:
“I feel during the past 2 ¼ years we have made tremendous strides toward the movement of the improvement of our infrastructure.
We have hired an engineering firm and just think, we have more than doubled the funding for our streets as well as our sewers.
We have stopped the transferring of funds from our sewer utilities, and we now have sanitary sewer projects and a storm sewer project either under contract or awaiting contracts.
We also have three water line extension/replacements in the design stage with applications for grants being applied for.
We have undertaken the puzzle of the KDOT Connecting Link Agreement and stopped the proposed mill and overlay on Highway 54 (Wall Street) that was to be done fully at the city taxpayer’s expense under the previous administration. We are in the process of applying for a grant from KDOT that will fund that program at a 90/10 split, thereby saving the taxpayer’s nearly $160,000.
We have replaced a $200,000 per year out-of-town city attorney with a $48,000 local attorney, thereby saving the taxpayer’s another $152,000.
We have placed our insurance coverage through a local agency, keeping those funds in town.
A few short years ago we had to borrow $600,000 (each year over 4 years) to fund our street department and the budget this year is nearly $2 million, including the paying back of some of those funds we borrowed ($194,000). And these funds have come with no additional taxes.
We have done this and more, and we have not cut any “quality of life” funding. In fact, we have increased our parks budget by around $62,000. Our golf course is well on the way to becoming self-funded.
We have raised nearly $500,000 through the sale of lake lots (thanks to Mayor Allen’s expertise and guidance). Those funds are dedicated to improvements at the lake. More lots are scheduled to be sold soon with fund usage to be determined.
When I became a commissioner our street department consisted of two workers. Through the efforts of our newly hired human resources director, we now have three crews of three workers each, all being funded within the budget for 2022.
For our sewers, we have funded a new cleaning/camera machine so we can clean/camera/rate our aged sewers with our crews. We have also funded the inspection/rating of all our sewer manholes and our engineers are working toward providing a sanitary sewer master plan.
Our engineers have studied and made recommendations for alterations/replacements of our main pumping station (Davis) that overflows into Buck Run regularly with each major rain event. with cost estimates of $1.5 million to $2.0 million. The commission has authorized rate increases designed to fund these programs. Maybe you have noticed your water bill has gone up.”
Community involvement in city projects has also increased in the last few years, he said.
“Look at the 200 volunteers for parks cleanup under the leadership of Seth Needam, the 200 volunteers for the downtown spring cleanup led by Bailey Lions, and the 40 volunteers to repair cracks and resurface the Woodland Hills Tennis Courts (along with donations from others for purchasing materials).
Certainly, there are more improvements/changes I would like to achieve, but I feel I am leaving the commission, and the city, in a much better condition than when I started, and that I can be proud of! Again, thank you for allowing me to represent you in this endeavor.”
Fort Scott City Hall.
Those Interested May Apply For the Vacancy
People interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Pete Allen are asked to submit a letter of interest to: City Clerk, Diane Clay at 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701 or by email at [email protected] according to a press release from the city.
These letters of interest must be received by the clerk by noon on Monday, March 28th, 2022.
The individuals must live inside Fort Scott city limits.
Once the appointment has been made, it will become effective at the April 5th, 2022 City Commission meeting and the term will expire in December of 2024.
Effective March 16th, 2022, Harold “Pete” Allen has resigned his position as City Commissioner on the Fort Scott City Commission. Persons interested in applying to fill the position vacated by Commissioner Pete Allen are asked to submit a letter of interest to: City Clerk, Diane Clay 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 Monday, March 28th, 2022. 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 April 5th, 2022 City Commission meeting and the term will expire in December of 2024.
Any additional information or questions may be obtained by contacting Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550.
There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16th, 2022. This meeting will be held to accept the resignation of Commissioner Pete Allen.
This meeting will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room and will be broadcast on the City’s you tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
Added Item P – Consent Agenda – Consideration to Pay – Olsson Associated – Engineering – Rehabilitation Runway – $16,080.00
Added Item #12 under New Business:
Consideration of Wood Hills Golf Course changes:
Tournament fee change
Ord No. 3604 amending the board members from five to seven
Letters of Interest – Golf Course Advisory Board – Received two: Jayce Simons and Cathy Bishop
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION CITY HALL
CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET MARCH 15, 2022 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
P. Allen J. Jones T. Van Hoecke M. Wells K. Allen
II. Flag Salute:
III. Invocation: Led by:
IV. Consent Agenda:
A. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 1st, 2022.
B. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1308-A totaling $1,266,495.29.
C. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering, Inc.:
Building Inspection $ 284.00
City Engineer $4,120.00
Fort Scott Dam Improvements-Design $7,500.00
Total $11,904.00
D. Resolution 6-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 208 N. Little Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
E. Resolution 8-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 601 W. 2nd Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
F. Resolution 9-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1409 S. Ransom Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
G. Resolution 10-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 220 S. Judson Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
H. Resolution 11-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 316 S. Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
I. Resolution 12-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 731 S.
Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
J. Resolution 13-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 604 W. 5th
Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
K. Resolution 14-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 722 S.
Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
L. Resolution 15-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 312 S.
Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
M. Resolution 16-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1021 W. 4th
Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
N. Resolution 17-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe
and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 623 Short
Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
O. February financials
P. Request to Pay – Olsson Associates – Airport Engineering – Rehabilitate
Runway Project – $16,080.00
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. Appearances:
Jesse Hazen – Request to use Riverfront Park – Car & Bike Show for Good Ol’
Days
Kayla Hall – Good Ol’ Days donation
VII. Old Business:
1. Demolition Agreement Changes (newest changes highlighted in blue)
2. Business License Discussion (Matthew Wells)
3. Consideration of Special Street Maintenance Program for the City of Fort
Scott for 2022 (Matthew Wells)
4. Consideration of Ordinance No. 3603 – Changing Parks Advisory Board
from five to seven members
VIII. Public Hearing: None
IX. New Business:
1. Consideration of Temporary Notes – Fort Scott River Intake Project (Bret Shogren – Stifel) – Approval of Resolution No 18-2022 which amends Resolution 46-2018 which authorized Improvements to the City’s public water supply system and provided for the payment of the costs thereof.
Approval of Resolution No. 19-2022 authorizing the sale of General Obligation Temporary Notes
2. Consideration of Letters of Interest – Parks Advisory Board
3. Consideration of Letters of Interest – Lake Advisory Board
4. Consideration of Bids – Wastewater Treatment Plant Ground Lease
5. Consideration of Bid – 17th & Eddy Drainage Project
6. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3591 – Uniform Public Offense Code – Effective 4/1/2022
7. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3592 – Establishment of a Fingerprint Fee for the Fort Scott Municipal Court
8. Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3593 – Establishment of a Warrant Fee for the Fort Scott Municipal Court
9. Discussion of Fire Department coverage territory expansion
10. Consideration of Invoice – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – $1,560.00 – February 2022 Port-a-Potties
11. Discussion of National Avenue Project (Jason Dickman)
• Report on Surveying Lake Lots
• Report on Surveying Old City Landfill property
12. Consideration of Woodland Hills Golf Course:
• Tournament fee change
• Ordinance No. 3604 amending the board members from five to seven
• Consideration of Letters of Interest (two openings)
XII. Reports and Comments:
A. City Manager Comments:
B. Commissioners Reports and Comments:
C. City Attorney Reports and Comments:
XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
IX. Adjournment:
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to the Chamber Coffee this Thursday, March 17th at 8am. This week’s coffee will be hosted by Briggs of Fort Scott as they celebrate their 6th year anniversary. Located in the Ford Showroom at 1819 S. Main St. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.
At Briggs of Fort Scott their No.1 focus is on building business relationships with their customers. Their goal isn’t to sell you a car, but to listen so they can make your experience fast, easy, and hassle-free. Whether you’re buying a car or are bringing your vehicle in for service, you can count on their team to make the entire process a breeze. Most importantly, you can expect this level of award-winning, VIP customer service consistently at each of their four Briggs of Fort Scott locations. These include Briggs Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM of Fort Scott, Briggs Ford of Fort Scott, Briggs Toyota of Fort Scott and Briggs Chevrolet of Fort Scott. See for yourself just how fast, easy, and fun it is to shop at Briggs of Fort Scott with a visit to any of their locations today!
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Joshua Kobernat, 19, is the new director of the Keyhole Ministry, 1002 S. Main Street, Fort Scott.
“The ministry provides the community a safe space for youth from 6th to 12th grade to hang out,” Kobertnat said. “The Keyhole has video games, TV, board games, puzzles, a basketball court, and concessions.”
They have special gatherings as well.
“Our next event will be a St. Patrick’s day party on March 17,” Kobernat said. “We’ll be giving out free food and playing games to win prizes. We also hope to start up a weekly Bible study in April.”
Kobernat graduated high school in 2020 and took a year of Bible college at Heartland Baptist Bible College, Oklahoma City, OK.
He is the oldest of ten children of Dan and Amy Kobernat.
“They serve the community through Bethel Community Baptist Church and Christian Learning Center,” he said.
He also is a member of Bethel Community Baptist Church, whose members provide the community with the Living Nativity and other Christmas events and also offers the Reformers Unanimous ministry for those who are struggling with addictions.
He has served with assisting his church’s Vacation Bible School and taught Sunday School classes.
Kobernat started on March 2.
“The majority of my job involves overseeing the students that come in, as well as scheduling and preparing for events,” he said.
“I have always loved working with the youth,” Kobernat said. “I think that the Keyhole is a unique establishment through which these students can be themselves and I am blessed to play a small role in their lives.”
The facility is located across from Fort Scott High School at 1002 S. Main. The phone number is 620-223-4700.
The current board members of the Keyhole are Amber Goodbody,
Ryan Goodbody, Emily Diebolt, Judy Hood and Marge Madison.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL
CITY COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
MARCH 15, 2022
6:00 P.M.
Roll Call:
P. Allen J. Jones T. Van Hoecke M. Wells K. Allen
II. Flag Salute:
Invocation: Led by:
Consent Agenda:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of March 1st, 2022.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1308-A totaling $1,266,495.29.
Request to Pay – Earles Engineering, Inc.:
Building Inspection $ 284.00
City Engineer $4,120.00
Fort Scott Dam Improvements-Design $7,500.00
Total $11,904.00
Resolution 6-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 208 N. Little Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 7-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 222 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 8-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 601 W. 2nd Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 9-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1409 S. Ransom Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 10-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 220 S. Judson Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 11-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 316 S. Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 12-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 731 S. Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 13-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 604 W. 5th Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 14-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 722 S. Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 15-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 312 S. Heylman Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 16-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1021 W. 4th Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
Resolution 17-2022 and Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 623 Short Street – Public Hearing Date – 5/3/2022 @ 6:15 p.m.
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)
Appearances:
Jesse Hazen – Request to use Riverfront Park – Car & Bike Show for Good Ol’ Days
Kayla Hall – Good Ol’ Days donation
Old Business:
Demolition Agreement Changes (newest changes highlighted in blue)
Business License Discussion (Matthew Wells)
Consideration of Special Street Maintenance Program for the City of Fort Scott for 2022 (Matthew Wells)
Consideration of Ordinance No. 3603 – Changing Parks Advisory Board from five to seven members
Public Hearing: None
New Business:
Consideration of Temporary Notes – Fort Scott River Intake Project (Bret Shogren – Stifel)
Consideration of Letters of Interest – Parks Advisory Board
Consideration of Letters of Interest – Lake Advisory Board
Consideration of Bids – Wastewater Treatment Plant Ground Lease
Consideration of Bid – 17th & Eddy Drainage Project
Consideration of Bids – Commercial Grade Zero Turn Mower – Lake Fort Scott
Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3591 – Uniform Public Offense Code – Effective 4/1/2022
Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3592 – Establishment of a Fingerprint Fee for the Fort Scott Municipal Court
Consideration of Adoption of Ordinance No. 3593 – Establishment of a Warrant Fee for the Fort Scott Municipal Court
Discussion of Fire Department coverage territory expansion
Consideration of Invoice – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. – $1,560.00 – February 2022 Port-a-Potties
Discussion of National Avenue Project (Jason Dickman)
Report on Surveying Lake Lots
Report on Surveying Old City Landfill property
XII. Reports and Comments:
City Manager Comments:
Commissioners Reports and Comments:
C. City Attorney Reports and Comments:
XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
The facility is located across from Fort Scott High School at 1002 S. Main. The phone number is 620-223-4700.