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Category Archives: Fort Scott
Dominique Hammons Performs This Weekend
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Gordon Parks Museum Receives Humanities Kansas SHARP Recovery Grant
TOPEKA – Humanities Kansas recently awarded a SHARP Recovery Grant in the amount of $2,750 to the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, KS. Kirk Sharp serves as project director.
The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to celebrate the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally known photographer, filmmaker, writer and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness and the role of diversity in our lives.
The museum’s valuable collection includes many of Gordon’s famous photographs, awards, medals and honorary degrees, as well as replica furnishings from his apartment in New York.
The SHARP Recovery Grants support Kansas cultural organizations that provide humanities programming and are facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus.
Grants are for general operating support, staff retention, and needed digital and/or operational transitions for cultural work in the post-pandemic era. Humanities Kansas awarded 121 SHARP grants statewide.
“Humanities Kansas is honored to be able to support Kansas cultural organizations as we recover from the impact of Covid,” said Julie Mulvihill, Humanities Kansas Executive Director. “This past year has demonstrated that Kansans lean into the humanities during challenging times. Kansas cultural organizations that do work in the humanities provide important social connections and contribute to the economic well-being and strength of our communities.”
Funds have been made available through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to assist cultural institutions affected by the coronavirus as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) approved by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden.
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, HK’s pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with statewide partners and supporters, HK inspires all Kansans to draw on diverse histories, literatures, and cultures to enrich their lives and to serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
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Gordon Parks Celebration: Education, Entertainment, Art, and Fun
The annual Gordon Parks Celebration in Fort Scott did not happen last year.
“We were not able to have 17th annual celebration last year due to COVID, so we wanted to make up for that misfortune and combine them both for this year and make it the 17th and 18th annual celebration,” Kirk Sharp, director of the Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, said.
This year there are three full days to look at the past and encourage creativity and activism in the future.
The activities are listed by day:
Thursday, October 7
A photo exhibit in the Lunt Lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton will feature a photo contest, whose theme was “Fashion and Diversity.” Winners of the contest will be announced at the Fort Scott Chamber Coffee. The contest is sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, Fort Scott.
“Also part of the photo exhibit will be some of The Gordon Parks Mercy Foundation Collection with Gordon’s photos and poems, and behind the scenes photographs of the film Shaft and The Learning Tree,” Sharp said. “We will also have a promotional display of the Gordon Park: Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition that is taking place now until May 2022 at the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University.”
There will be a sign and mural display featuring Gordon Parks at the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main, and also at the Riverfront Park, 400 N. National.
From 8-9 a.m., the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be a Gunn Park, Shelter House 1, hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum. This weekly coffee will announce the grand opening and ribbon-cutting event of The Learning Tree Film Scene Sign Trail.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be in the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium.
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., The film The Learning Tree will be shown at the Gordon Parks Museum, FREE – Introduced by Kyle Johnson.
10 a.m. – 3: p.m., Registration for the celebration opens (Outside of Museum)
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie, I Come Exhibition” table displays will be available at the museum.
11:50 a.m. – 1 p.m., “Gordon Parks: Fort Scott and The Learning Tree Revisited” is a free lunch and learn at the Ellis Center. Local historian Arnold Schofield will open with a short presentation on the history of Gordon Parks and his return visit to his hometown of Fort Scott, Kansas, in 1950, as documented in the book Back to Fort Scott. Schofield will then introduce keynote speaker, John Edgar Tidwell, Professor Emeritus of English at the University of Kansas for a presentation on The Learning Tree legacy, comparing and contrasting the book and film. The presentation will also cover the importance of the cultural and historical impact of them both, along with the story and subject matter compared to today.
Box lunches with sandwich wraps, desserts, and drinks are available in the lobby for $8 – to purchase that day – or bring your lunch and grab available desserts and join the lunch and learn.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., There will be a guided trolley tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree film scene locations. Meet at the entrance of the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center to see the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. (Fee: $7)
2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Showing of the film Moments Without Proper Names (Gordon Parks Museum, FREE).
“Moments without Proper Names is a film directed by Gordon Parks in 1986,” Sharp said. “This film has a wonderful mixture of Gordon’s iconic photos that he has taken during his career and his most updated photographic work during that time along with some of his musical compositions. It is narrated by actors Avery Brooks, Roscoe Lee Browne, and Joe Seneca.”
6:45 p.m. – 7 p.m., “Gordon Parks: Homeward to the Prairie I Come” Exhibition (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE).
Aileen Wang, curator at Kansas State University’s Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art will discuss the current exhibition that features photographs that were donated by Parks to K.S.U., in 1973 and work by the photographer, Doug Barrett.
The social hour starts at 6 p.m. with wine and light refreshments available.
7 p.m., “All things Kansas” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – Doug Barrett, photographer and videographer based in Manhattan, Kansas, will share some of his work and show how Gordon Parks continues to inspire contemporary artists. Barrett covers all things in the American Midwest. Some of his recognized work includes his project started in 2018 documenting homeless veterans living on the streets across America. He is currently documenting the black community on Yuma Street in Manhattan, Kansas, and covered the civil unrest last year within black America. This performance was supported in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Friday, October 8
9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Registration open (outside of Gordon Parks Museum)
9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., “All things Kansas, Part 2” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, FREE) – Doug Barrett, photographer, and videographer will continue the presentation of his work and show how Gordon Parks continues to inspire contemporary artists.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition” (Gordon Parks Museum/FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center).
10:05 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., “A Conversation with Choice of Weapon Honorees.” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – The 2021 “Choice of Weapons Award” honorees, Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed.
11:30 a.m. – noon, “I Needed Paris”(FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE) – With Michael Cheers, Associate Professor of Photojournalism, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University.
This will be the launch event for the immersive educational experience that will take a group of diverse American and Parisian student photographers through Paris, traversing the same streets and neighborhoods as Gordon Parks. These students will reimagine Gordon’s spirit as a fashion photographer while using the same type of camera Gordon used – twin lens reflex film cameras. Student participants will style and photograph their models at some of the same locations chosen by Parks.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m., “Children of the Promised Land” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Auditorium, FREE), Lunch and Learn.
Angela Bates, executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society, will explore the lives of free-born children after the Civil War. Nicodemus, Kansas, a small unincorporated town in Graham County, is the only remaining western town established by African Americans during the Reconstruction Period following the Civil War.
“Children of the Promised Land” is part of Humanities Kansas’ Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform, and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement. The program is brought to the community by Humanities Kansas.
Sack lunches are available in the lobby for $8 – to purchase that day, or bring your lunch.
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m., “Book Club Presentation, A Choice of Weapons” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center, FREE) – With John Mason, Associate Professor, Associate Chair, University of Virginia Department of History and Eli Reed, Choice of Weapon Honoree.
Hosted by Susie Arvidson, Fort Scott Community College Librarian. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m., “Eli Reed, Photography Collection of Works” – Photographer, author, and Choice of Weapons Honoree Reed, will provide a short presentation of some of his photography.
3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., African-American Suffragists Exhibit Reveal (Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, 1 S. Main St., FREE). Come to the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes for the unveiling of a new panel exhibit featuring Kansas suffragists Mamie Dillard and Carrie Langston Hughes. Also, visit the Unsung Heroes Park, where Gordon Parks is one of the featured signs. (Refreshments available).
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Guided trolley tour of Gordon Parks’ Fort Scott & The Learning Tree film scene locations.
Meet at the entrance of the Ellis Center and see the places in Fort Scott that are part of Gordon Parks’ history. (Fee: $7)
7:30 p.m., “A Night of Hot Jazz and R&B” (The River Room, 3 W. Oak St.) – Featuring, Dominique Hammons, multi-talented contemporary jazz, and R&B violinist.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a cash bar available. All seats are reserved (fee: $30.00 each or $35 at the door). Supported in part by Peerless Products, Inc. in Fort Scott.
Saturday, October 9th
9: a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration open (outside of Gordon Parks Museum)
9 a.m. – 3 p.m., “Mayhew Cemetery” and “Homeward to the Prairie I Come Exhibition” Table Display (Gordon Parks Museum/FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center)
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., “Just Talking about Shaft” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE).
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the film Shaft. University of Kansas film professor and Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott will host a conversation with David Parks about the film. David will share his insight and experience during the filming and Kevin will talk about the impact of the iconic film along with some behind-the-scenes clips of Gordon Parks directing and producing the film. (Coffee, water, juice, and light refreshments will be available.)
11 a.m. – noon., Panel Discussion, “Racism, Discrimination and Poverty” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – Join us for a panel discussion on racism, discrimination, and poverty. Gordon Parks used his camera and writings to fight against bigotry and poverty. People are using the same weapons as Gordon used to fight this same battle. Moderated by John Mason, Associate Professor, University of Virginia Department of History with featured panelists; Michael Cheers, Associate Professor, San Jose State University, Eli Reed, Choice of Weapons Honoree, Kyle Johnson, Choice of Weapons Honoree, Doug Barrett, photographer, and Robin Hickman-Winfield, CEO and Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions and great-niece of Gordon Parks.
Noon – 1 p.m., “Picnic on the Patio” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center) – Join us for some great E3 hamburgers, along with chips, drinks, etc. Sponsored by E3 Meat Co.
1 – 1:30 p.m., “Reflections on the Commemoration and Celebration of Greenwood 2021” (FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center/Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – The presentation will cover the seven important events as seen by photographer Don Thompson as the historic Tulsa, Oklahoma, Greenwood District move forward from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre to the future.
2:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., Showing of the film Shaft (Gordon Parks Museum, FREE) – Introduced by David Parks.
7 p.m., social hour starts at 6 p.m.), “Celebration Tribute Dinner” at the Liberty Theater, 113 S. Main St. This is an evening of celebration, dinner, and tribute; a 50th anniversary retrospective of the release of the film Shaft, and presentation of the 2021 “Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award” to Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed. All seats reserved (fee: $30.00 – reserve by Wednesday, October 6th).
Sunday, October 10
10 a.m., Breakfast at Crooner’s Lounge, at one of Fort Scott’s finest, 117 S. Main Street. Check out the menu at: fscrooners.com. Everyone pays for their food.
Schedule subject to change. Please check at www.gordonparkscenter.org for any updates.
Questions? Please call (620) 223-2700 ext. 5850 or email: [email protected]
The Gordon Parks Museum Board is comprised of Janice Fewins, Elouise Young, Jane Campbell, Latisha Kelley-Cook, Marion Stepps, Angel Wilson, Debra Wood, and ShayLynn Clements.
Grant Presentation at 5 p.m. Today for Skubitz Pavilion Project
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Chamber Coffee at Gunn Park on Oct. 7
Chamber Coffee will feature a Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting celebration for the The Learning Tree Film and Sign Trail
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce invites members and guests to a Chamber Coffee event this Thursday, October 7th at 8 a.m. hosted by the Gordon Parks Museum at Gunn Park Shelter 1, 1010 Park Ave. The event will conclude with a ribbon cutting to celebrate the grand opening of The Learning Tree Film and Sign Trail with one of the trail signs in that location.
The Learning Tree motion picture was directed by Fort Scott’s native son Gordon Parks and Gunn Park was a primary scene location during the 1968 filming. The film was based on a semi-autobiographical novel that Gordon Parks wrote in 1963. Brochures and maps will be available at the Gordon Parks Museum and the Chamber of Commerce to identify all fourteen of the sign and scene locations included on the trail.
The Chamber Coffee will be the kick-off event of the combined 17th and 18th Annual Gordon Parks Celebration to be held this weekend and the full schedule of events may be found on gordonparkscenter.org.
Coffee, juice, and light refreshments will be served in addition to a door prize drawing. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
FS Fire Department Showcases New Trucks At Open House
The Fort Scott Fire Department is opening its’ building to showcase new equipment.
The open house is October 16 at the Hawkins Public Safety Facility at 1604 S. National, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The Fort Scott Fire Department is hosting the event as part of Fire prevention month,” Mike Miles, FSFD Deputy Chief said. “During the event, we will be showcasing the new trucks the fire department was able to purchase this year.”
Personnel will be answering questions and giving demonstrations.
” We will have a live demonstration of setting up the aerial (truck) and discuss with the public, the benefits the new truck provides,” Miles said. “As well as answering any questions or concerns some may have. The trucks and station will be on display for the public to tour and look at.”
Aerial demonstrations at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
“One of the stations will be a live kitchen fire safety demonstration,” Miles said. “This will showcase the dangers of a kitchen grease fire and what not to do.”
Live fire demonstrations will be at 11:00 a.m., 12:00, 1:00 and 1:45 p.m.
“We will have our newly renovated fire prevention trailer set up for kids to walk through as well as the parents to see how it operates,” he said. “We take this trailer to every school during the month of October. So the parents can get a good visual of what we do for the kids as well.”
“Sparky ( a mascot) will be present for the kids to take photos with, we are hoping to join up with the police department to have them do some car seat checks or pass any public safety information along on their part as well,” Miles said.
“We will also have fire prevention material to pass out as well,” he said. “We will have several stations set up on the premises for the public to obtain information and do a tour of the facility.”
“We will have drawings for prizes to give to the public and kids,” he said. “Some items were provided by local hardware stores.”
A hot dog lunch will be provided by The Butcher Block.
About the FSFD:
The Fort Scott Fire Department has 12 full-time firefighters and two chiefs, with four reserve firefighter positions.
They are set up with three shifts who work a 24-hour on, 48-hr off rotation. Four full-time members plus the two chiefs are on duty daily.
The fire department has three engines, one aerial truck, one rescue truck, and one ambulance.
Friday Night Free Concert: The Prairie Sunflower Strings
The Prairie Sunflower Strings will be the featured entertainment at this week’s Friday Night Concert. The musical group, consisting of six ladies, play traditional folk music on dulcimers, guitar, violin, and autoharp. A few newer songs will also be added into the mix.
“These talented musicians and vocalists have been playing together for about three years,“ concert-series organizer Ralph Carlson said. “Members of The Prairie Sunflower Strings are Cherry Nelson, Joyce Love, and Jean Strader on mountain dulcimers, Charlena Burns on bowed dulcimer, Sandy Hemphill on guitar, violin, and vocals, and Marilyn Adcock on autoharp and vocals. We are very pleased to welcome these gifted ladies back to the park pavilion. Come out and join us for a fun opportunity to see friends and enjoy some unique music.“
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main streets. The shows, sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, are free and open to the public. Dave Oas of Parsons serves as sound technician each week. Due to limited seating, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the Common Ground Coffee Co., 12 E. Wall Street.
Gordon Parks “Celebration Tribune Dinner” Tickets On Sale
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Agenda For Fort Scott Commission for Oct. 5
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
OCTOBER 5, 2021
6:00 P.M.
Call to Order
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Roll Call:
K. Allen P. Allen R. Nichols L. Watts J. Jones
II. Flag Salute:
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Invocation: Led by: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle
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Approval of Agenda:
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Proclamations/Recognitions:
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Consent Agenda:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 21st, 2021.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1297-A totaling $273,975.30.
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Public Comment:
(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)
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Old Business:
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Consideration to repeal Ordinance 2563 – Section 12.12.070 – Pavement – Approval of Ordinance No. 3587
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Excavation-Procedure, Section 12-12-080 – Unimproved Street – Procedure Exception – Approval of Ordinance No. 3588
Section 12.12.110 – Replacement of Materials – Exception – Approval of Ordinance No. 3589
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Appearances: Sarah Pulliam, 316 S Main – Dangerous and Unsafe Structure
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New Business:
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Consideration of Airport Engineering – Taxiway Rehabilitation
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Consideration of Engineering Quote – Cooper Avenue Reconstruction Addendum No. 1 – 20th to 23rd Street
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Consideration of Bids – Union Lofts Alley Project
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Consideration to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation – August – $2,970.00
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Consideration of recommendation from Golf Course Advisory Board to appoint Bradford Demo to replace Ben Cole on the Board, and Mark Lewis to replace Jeffrey Sweetser on the Board.
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Approval of Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3590
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Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding – Human Resource Director Shared Services
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Consideration of Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Contract
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Discussion of Land Bank changes
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Discussion of creation of Loitering ordinance
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Discussion of purchase of potential rock crusher and other miscellaneous equipment
XI. Reports and Comments:
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Interim City Manager Reports and Comments
B. Commissioners Reports and Comments:
C. City Attorney Reports and Comments:
XII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
XIII. Adjournment:
FS Commission Minutes of Sept. 21
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 21, 2021 Regular Meeting #18
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 21st, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners K. Allen, P. Allen, and R. Nichols were present with Mayor J. Jones presiding. Commissioner L. Watts was absent.
INVOCATION: Diane Clay, City Clerk, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Susan Bancroft, Tim Van Hoecke, Brad Matkin, Jesse Pohlmann, Jody Hoener, John Lehee, John Castalot, Jerry Morgan, Rachel Thompson, John Robb, Carole Robb, Kirk Sharp, Pete Owenby, Doug Miller, Jackson Tough, Jason Dickman, and Michael Hoyt.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: None
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 7th, 2021, and special meeting of September 13th, 2021.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1296-A totaling $344,867.81.
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Request to Pay – HDR Engineering, Inc. – $2,895.01 – River Intake Project Engineering
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Request to Pay – Allgeier Martin & Associates – $2,805.46 – Clarifier Painting engineering fees
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Request to Pay – Nuss & Farmer, P.A. – $2,978.50 – August legal fees
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Parade Permit – Pioneer Harvest Fiesta – September 30th, 2021
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Request to Pay – SE Kansas Regional Planning Commission – $3,000 – Administrative fees for Ladder Truck Grant
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August financials
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R. Nichols moved to approve the Consent Agenda. K. Allen seconded. K. Allen, R. Nichols, and J. Jones voted aye. P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-1.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
Public Comment:
(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on the agenda and limited to 5 minutes per person, at Commission discretion)
Tim Van Hoecke – Tim Van Hoecke, said that lives at 802 S. Hill Street. He asked that first the Commission remember the Lancaster family at this time. She was loved and gave of herself to the community and was a true, local icon.
He said that he would review the 3rd Street Manhole project with the Commission. He attended part of the September 7th meeting regarding an invoice for an emergency backfill expenditure that took place during the completion of that project. He stated that he agreed with Commissioner Nichols and his comments that the City’s policies and procedures were not followed. He referred to a City Commissioner stopping the project due to the incorrect backfill that was going to be used.
He said that for clarification on what constitutes an emergency, he referred to the City’s financial policy and read the definition. He stated that he did not ever hear where the City engineer told Jeremy, the previous City Manager, that he was recommending that an emergency be declared to get the proper backfill material. Mayor Jones said that Jeremy had gotten three bids for the work and that Jeremy had declared the backfill an emergency. Twice it was brought to the attention of Mayor Jones that there was free backfill clay available from the County during this meeting by Commissioners Watts and Nichols. They had also been told this by the previous Community Development Director. At the 9/7 meeting, Mayor Jones stated that Watts and Nichols were nitpicking the clay purchase and comparing it to the Radell bid and the invoice. There were two commissioners that were excluded from this process and the decision. He stated that he found it odd that Commissioner Pete Allen was quiet during this entire discussion. Commissioner Nichols was the only one to dissent and vote no on approval to pay the Skitch’s Hauling invoice. He stated that he reviewed the purchasing policy and believes this violates it as well as K.S.A. 75-4303. He filled out an Open Records Request and found that the original purchase order was dated May 10, 2021 and signed by Susan Bancroft on May 21, 2021. The invoices from J.R. Radell and Skitch’s Hauling are from work from 6/28 to 7/29 for Radell and 7/21 to 7/23 for Skitch’s Hauling. He said he had a copy of the purchase order to Skitch’s Hauling dated 7/21 and signed by Jeremy Frazier and no where on it is the word emergency. What he could not get from his KORA request is a copy of the three bids that Jeremy solicited and received. He does not believe that this project was an emergency since it was 2 ½ months later than the original invoice.
He said that there were multiple Commission meetings and special meetings held and this could have been placed on one of those agenda. He asked if a City Commissioner can stop a project due to something as non-emergency as backfill, why can’t a City Manager, Mayor, or another Commissioner question and stop a purchase order that is to the benefit of another Commissioner, especially to save the taxpayers money and get free clay from the County to properly complete the backfill? City of Fort Scott trucks and fuel were used to haul this clay. The outcome could have been different if two Commissioners were not excluded from this project.
He urged the City Manager to contact Jeremy Frazier to provide the information on the three solicited dated bids that we are told does not exist. According to his severance package, he has up to 90 days to provide the City with any needed information and we are within that time frame. He would like to know why this was declared an emergency by him also and why two City Commissioners were not contacted.
He stated that the citizens of Fort Scott want to know what happened and receive full transparent accountability of why City guidelines were not followed, why the City Manager declared an emergency for backfill, and why no one challenged the decision. There is an appearance of too many questionable decision and possible conflicts of interest that took place during this time frame. If the City Commission cannot satisfactorily provide and remedy what is in the best interest of our citizens and show they took every possible step for transparency, accountability, communication, ethics, savings and met the requirements per the City and State statutes, then those involved should do what is best for our City and seriously consider whether or not they should be representing our City and whether or not they should continue to remain as members of this Commission.
Jody Hoener – Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, said that she is asking all Bourbon County residents to take part in the community health assessment survey that is being sponsored by the Bourbon County Action Team. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and can be downloaded by scanning a Q code to your phone. The last survey was completed in 2016. They want to get 60% of residents to complete this online assessment.
She also shared that the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team has a tobacco cessation program for youth that she has shared with Michael Trim, School Resource Officer, to get this into the schools.
Michael Hoyt – Mr. Hoyt asked about the tree project on Highway 69 by 12th Street and when it would be complete.
City Manager said that K.D.O.T. is responsible for some of the trimming of the trees.
Mr. Hoyt also asked about the flashing lights on the highway.
City Manager said that we are waiting on CDL Electric to come and work on them.
Mr. Hoyt said that his final topic is the 2022 budget. He said that the budget was not transparent to him as he was not given a copy of it. He said he believes the City’s budget is faulty and read Kansas State Statute 12-825d which prohibits transfers of monies.
Susan Bancroft said that she would get a legal opinion on this issue.
Engineering Firm Update: Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, Inc., updated the Commission on the following projects:
6th to 8th on Horton – Jason is working with Susan Bancroft on the submission of this grant that is due this week. This is the K.D.O.T. Cost Share Grant.
National Avenue – Jason said they are scheduled to start on Saturday this week.
Union Block Alley is out for bid and bids are due on 9/30/2021.
The CIPP bid is now due on 10/14/2021.
The Below Grade project is complete. The Above Grade project will be due and quotes will be taken until 10/14/20921.
Discussion was held regarding the Kansas State Historical Society Association and notifying them of changes. It is important that S.H.P.O. is aware of the changes that are made and to be sure and include Susan and Rob Harrington on this project.
Public Hearings: None
Old Business:
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Consideration of allocation to Bourbon County C.A.S.A. of the 6th Judicial District – Josh asked if any of the Special Alcohol and Drug funds have been used for drug programs for school kids.
Chief Shelton said that the DARE program is no longer active in the community. He is not aware of any programs.
Josh asked about the School Resource Officer and his use of funds for the school children.
Jody Hoener brought up the issue of vaping and school children.
Josh asked about giving $5,000 to Bourbon County C.A.S.A. and holding the other $5,000 in case another entity has need of it.
J. Jones made a motion to approve the allocation to C.A.S.A. in the amount of $5,000.00. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE ALLOCATION OF $5,000 TO C.A.S.A. FROM THE SPECIAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG FUND.
APPEARANCES:
Jody Hoener – Prairie Pathways – Ms. Hoener appeared before the Commission on the Prairie Pathways grant. This was previously known as the A.B.C. (Allen, Bourbon, and Crawford counties) grant. She introduced John Robb from Crawford County who represented the health and cycling community for the City of Pittsburg. She also introduced John Lehee and John Castalot from Allen County who are with Thrive Allen County. This grant was funded by the Sunflower Grant. This is a cycling/walking grant between the three counties. There will be 24 signs placed in Bourbon County. She asked for permission to place a sign across from the River Room and two signs at Riverfront Park.
K. Allen moved to approve to place a sign across from the River Room on North National and two signs at Riverfront Park to promote the walking trails for the three counties. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
approved to place a sign across from the River Room on North National and two signs at Riverfront Park to promote the walking trails for the three counties.
Kirk Sharp – Gordon Parks Celebration – October 7th to 9th, 2021 – Kirk Sharp, Director, Gordon Parks Center, informed the Commission that the Gordon Parks Celebration event is coming right up. He went over the schedule of events with the Commission. He asked for approval to block off the parking area to the east of the River Room where their Friday night event will be held. He also asked that the parking on North National be blocked off and the area around Old Fort Boulevard. They have a lot of visitors coming in for this event and they want to offer special parking for their visitors.
R. Nichols moved to approve the parking lot closure for Old Fort Boulevard to the east of the River Room and North National in that area for the Gordon Parks Celebration event to be held at the River Room on Friday, October 8th, 2021. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.
approved the parking lot closure for Old Fort Boulevard to the east of the River Room and North National in that area for the Gordon Parks Celebration event to be held at the River Room on Friday, October 8th, 2021.
Finance Director Update: None
Interim City Manager Report and Comments: Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission he has been working with Public Works and helping fill potholes with gravel. He has also swept streets and moved debris. He has worked with the Codes Department and the Parks Department. He is going to create a daily activity sheet for the Directors to show what they are doing daily. He said that he is working hard for the City and the community.
New Business:
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Consideration of Change Order for Below-Grade Project – Owenby Construction and Pay Request #2 – $19,425.00 – Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, informed the Commission that he has Change Order for the Below Grade project in the amount of $1,500. Approval was recommended as this was additional expenses the contractor incurred.
R. Nichols moved to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $1,500 for Owenby Construction for the Below Grade Project. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.
approved Change Order #1 in the amount of $1,500 for Owenby Construction for the Below Grade Project.
Jason said that the next item is to approve the pay request in the amount of $19,425.00. There is no retainage.
K. Allen moved to approve the pay request for $19,425.00. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE PAY REQUEST FOR $19,425.00 FOR THE BELOW GRADE PROJECT ON NORTH NATIONAL.
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Discussion of definition of Emergency Purchase in the City’s purchase policy – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that this is on the agenda from the last meeting to discuss the definition of an emergency purchase.
Josh said that we need to tighten up the policy and the definition of immediate. Josh referred to a few other city’s policies that he had referred.
Discussion was held to discuss the definition of the word immediate with the City Attorney. Discussion was also held regarding bringing items to the Commission that are in excess of the City Manager’s authority limit of $10,000.
Susan said that she will clarify the word immediate and emergency with the City Attorney.
J. Jones moved to send this definition to the City Attorney to review and to change the policy to bring items to the Commission that are approved in excess of the City Manager’s authority limit. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
approved to send this definition to the City Attorney to review and to change the policy to bring items to the Commission that are approved in excess of the City Manager’s authority limit.
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Discussion of Codes in reference to having a bathroom and kitchen in a residence – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that they had requested this be placed on the agenda. This was given to them out of the Codes book.
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Discussion of Buck Run Community Center safety fire lane – Dave Bruner, Fire Chief, informed the Commission that he thought this was a fire lane, but the strip of pavement is not big enough to qualify for a fire lane. It is only 13’ strip lane and did not meet specifications of a fire lane.
The Commission asked the City Manager to get costs for gravel, asphalt, and concrete for this area since it is still a vehicle access area.
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Discussion of additional mowing contractor – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that he has been in conversations with Bill Downey, Codes Supervisor regarding the un-mowed lots throughout the City. There are still 79 lots that have not been mowed. There were 200 requested to be mowed, but nothing has been mowed since July 31st. He has phoned, left text messages, and emailed and no reply from the current contractor. He would like to see these yards mowed before winter sets in. Bill said that there are 26 lots on the east side of town and 53 lots on the west side of town. Mark asked that the next lowest bid, Doug Miller Mowing, be given one section of the city to mow.
Discussion was held that legal counsel should be consulted on this.
City Manager will check with the City Attorney.
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Discussion of Employee Benefits Program – Brad Matkin, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that he would like to propose that the City create an Employee Benefit Program to allow our employees to enjoy the City’s amenities without the cost. The employee would be responsible for paying “fringe benefit” taxes on the amenities they participate in at the end of the year. The program would include the following amenities and program savings: Free yearly Aquatic family pass (Family-$150; Single-$65); Free yearly Golf membership (Family-$625; Single $465); or free day golfing at Woodland Hills Golf Course Single Day Golf (Weekdays-$14; Weekend-$16) (employee must still pay for cart rental); Free camping at Gunn Park ($10 per day) and Lake Fort Scott ($10 per day); Free Buck Run Fitness Center family pass (Family-$130; Single $80); and Free Gunn Park shelter rental ($15 to $25 per visit).
Discussion was held regarding the shelter house and if it should be limited to one shelter rental a year.
Susan asked that if this is approved it not begin until January 1st, 2022.
J. Jones moved to approve to start the Employee Benefits Program for City employees with the limitation of one shelter house rental per year. The employee will also pay fringe benefits on the amenities used. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.
approved to start the Employee Benefits Program for City employees with the limitation of one shelter house rental per year. The employee will also pay fringe benefits on the amenities used.
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Discussion of Infrastructure Program – Susan Bancroft, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that Commissioner Nichols asked that she put together several projects that could be bonded together. She put together stormwater, streets, and water projects. Susan said that the streets have to be classified as a main trafficway and we need to get the projects defined. Susan recommended holding a work session on this and she will get some estimates from the engineering firm.
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Discussion of sale of Lake properties – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that last week he tried to go forward with the sale of the Lake properties. There were seven properties on the north end and two properties on the south end. The seven properties are staked out and the two properties have not been surveyed but staked out. A meeting was held with the realtors on the four lots. Mark said that a Commissioner called him with concerns about the lots and how they are staked and divided.
Josh said that we need to continue with the two lots on the south and the two lots on the north.
Susan recommended re-drawing of the lots with the realtors.
City Manager will set up a meeting with the realtors and the City will redraw the lots.
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Consideration of bid for French drain and sump pump on North National project – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that he personally called five local plumbers. He only had two responses. He received a quote from Stoughton Plumbing and French’s Plumbing. Stoughton Plumbing bid was in the amount of $11,814.97 and French’s bid was in the amount of $18,161.83. Stoughton’s bid include gravel from Kevin Allen in the amount of $900.00 but the City can haul this rock so that section will not be needed.
J. Jones moved to approve the bid from Stoughton Plumbing with the removal of the $900.00 gravel from Kevin Allen, since the City will provide the gravel. K. Allen seconded. K. Allen, R. Nichols, and J. Jones voted aye. P. Allen voted no.
approved the bid from Stoughton Plumbing with the removal of the $900.00 gravel from Kevin Allen, since the City will provide the gravel.
Reports and Comments:
Commissioner Reports and Comments:
L. Watts – Not present.
R. Nichols – Randy recognized Marsha Lancaster for the icon she was in our community. She will be missed. He gave his condolences to her family.
P. Allen – Pete asked for a report from Codes about the Chop house building.
City Manager said that it had been inspected by the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief and there is no imminent danger to the downtown area or the building. It is in satisfactory condition.
City Manager asked about putting a tarp over the roof and will have the Codes Supervisor contact the property owner.
K. Allen – Kevin also said that Marsha Lancaster was a friend to all who knew her. She fed multitudes of school children going to and from sports events. He hopes they can continue to keep the deli going.
Kevin said that he talked with Bob Reed and Sheriff Martin about the inmate program. The County is checking with their attorney and their liability insurance carrier about this program. He said he would also like to use retired law enforcement officers to assist in guarding of the prisoners.
J. Jones – Asked the Clerk to put on the next agenda and he can get a report at that time on the following items:
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Lake Valve – Is it fixed? Has the 2nd one been ordered?
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Memorial Hall Step Repair – He met with a contractor who has an idea for handicapped steps
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City Manager authority – He asked about the authority for the City Manager to give fuel allowances and expanded vacation leave. He asked that a policy be created.
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Asked about the point-of-sale system at Buck Run, the pool, and the golf course.
Susan said that the City is looking to replace.
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Asked about graffiti at the skatepark and the possibility of painting a mural there.
City Manager said that he would have mural paperwork given to them to fill out.
Mayor Jones asked the Chief of Police to give an update on the new Police drug dog.
Chief Shelton said that they talked to several Police departments about their drug dogs. He got a call from Olathe Police Department who had a young dog that had already been through training and they gave the dog to the Fort Scott Police Department. It is a two year old dog named Phoenix. The handler is in training this week and is excited about the new dog.
City Attorney Report and Comments:
Executive Session:
J. Jones moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(4). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 9:10 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission and City Manager.
J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 9:10 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
Executive Session:
J. Jones moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 9:17 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission and City Manager.
J. Jones moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 9:17 p.m. K. Allen seconded. All voted aye.
Adjournment:
J. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 9:17 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.
Dan the Junk Man Will Haul Off Your Junk
An entrepreneur is seen as a source of a new service. One who sees a community need and works to satisfy that need.
Dan Turney is one of those people.
He started his business, Dan the Junk Man, this week and so far word of mouth publicity have kept him busy he said.
Turney saw the old washing machines or other discarded machines sitting in yards or on porches in Bourbon County and decided to provide a service to remove the unsightly items, for free.
“I thought I would start a business to help,” Turney said.
After he picks them up, he takes them to a small acreage and sorts through the metal, wires, copper, etc., and takes them to a recycler or the dump when finished, he said.
Things like old dryers, air conditioners, washing machines, rims of old tires, he will pick up for free.
Currently, he has no employees and does all the work himself, he said.
He is retired from the State of Indiana Highway Department and is currently living with relatives on a small acreage near Fort Scott, he said.
Turney can be reached at 620.215.3543.