Category Archives: Fort Scott

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Meeting Minutes of Oct. 5

Leave a comment

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of October 5, 2021 Regular Meeting #19

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held October 5th, 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, R. Nichols, and L. Watts were present with Mayor J. Jones presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Paul Rooks, Grace Baptist Tabernacle, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Tim Van Hoecke, Brad Matkin, Jesse Pohlmann, Rachel Thompson, Jackson Tough, Jason Dickman, Michael Hoyt, Rob Harrington, Sarah Pulliam, Donna Pulliam, Paul Rooks, Jim Kemmerer, Allen Schellack, Mike Hixon, Lori Hixon, James Birket, Janice Allen, and Max Fanning.

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA: Mayor Jones asked that the waiver of assessment be added for 11 N. Holbrook to the first spot under New Business.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 21st, 2021.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1297-A totaling $273,975.30.

C. Request to Pay #3 – Mayco Ace CDBG Project – $32,830.00.

Discussion was held from Kevin Allen and Pete Allen on several expenses on the Expense Report. City Manager will get answers to them.

 

L. Watts moved to approve the Consent Agenda. R. Nichols seconded. R. Nichols, L. Watts, and J. Jones voted aye. K. Allen and P. Allen voted no. Motion carried 3-2.

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)

Michael Hoyt – Re-read Kansas Statute 12-825 and applicable portion for the City of Fort Scott in regards to waterworks, fuel, power and lighting. He said that the revenue derived from the sale and the consumption of water should not be paid out or disbursed except for the purpose of operating, renewing, or extending the plant or distribution system for which the revenue was derived. The payment of interest on outstanding bond issues issued for construction or payment of salaries of employees. It has nothing to do with the transfer of monies. He said our budget has been submitted to the State.

He said that he has received a $1,500 grant to start a G.E.D. program at the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center. They have to be a resident in the jail at least 60 days and be released into Bourbon County. He informed the County of this grant this morning also.

Lori Hixon – Ms. Hixon said that she lives at 612 S. Wilson and has operated a daycare at that location for over 23 years. She has an issue with teenagers speeding down the alley. She talked to the parents of the teenagers who informed her she needed to watch her children she oversees better.

Travis said that there are no speed limits in alleys other than what is reasonable and prudent.

City Attorney said that we don’t need an ordinance, but the Commission can designate an area for whatever speed limit they desire.

K. Allen made a motion to designate all alleyways in the City of Fort Scott to have a speed limit of 10 mph. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO DESIGNATE ALL ALLEYWAYs IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT TO HAVE A SPEED LIMIT OF 10 MPH.

Engineering Firm Update: Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, Inc. had no update at this time.

Public Hearings: None

Old Business:

    1. Consideration to repeal Ordinance 2563 – Section 12.12.070 – Pavement – Approval of Ordinance No. 3587

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

Pete said that he had an issue with the repeal of these ordinances as we have nothing else in place currently to take its place.

Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, Inc., said that they are updating the specifications for fill for the City, but they are not completed yet.

Discussion was held to hold off on the repeal of these ordinances until the new plans are approved and in place.

K. Allen moved to table this issue until the October 19th, 2021 meeting. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO TABLE THE THREE ORDINANCES TO BE REPEALED UNTIL THE OCTOBER 19TH, 2021 MEETING.

APPEARANCES: Sarah Pulliam, 316 S Main – Dangerous and Unsafe Structure – Ms. Pulliam appeared before the Commission and asked for an extension to renovate her house. She doesn’t want it torn down. She has received a proposal to have work completed on it. It is for about $25,000.

Josh mentioned that this structure is on the upcoming tax sale.

Lyle Brittain, Codes Technician, said that the City has $7,500 in mowing assessments since 2017.

Ms. Pulliam said that she has been working lots of hours and saved money to pay the taxes and she asked for the mowing assessments to be waived. She said she had a contractor hired to mow but found out he hasn’t been mowing.

Jim Kemmerer, neighbor, informed the Commission that she has not done a great job of taking care of her property. He urged the Commission to move ahead with the demolition of the property.

City Attorney stated that is why the public hearings on these structures are so important.

Mr. Brittain said that since 2017, there have been several letters issued for property maintenance at this structure. There was a total of 14 letters since 2017, cited in Municipal Court 5 times, and a total of mowing assessments of $7,500.

Mayor Jones told her to bring in proof of funding from her bank to the October 19th, 2021 meeting. By then, the City will have received the bids for demolition.

Finance Director Update: Not present.

New Business:

  1. Discussion of 11 N. Holbrook and waiving of Mowing Assessments – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that he was contacted by Diane Striler, realtor, who has a buyer for this property. He spoke to Justin Meeks, County Counselor, and the County has agreed to waive the back taxes on this property. The City has about $300.00 in mowing assessments that need waived.

L. Watts moved to approve to waive the mowing assessments for the property at 11 N. Holbrook Street. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO WAIVE THE MOWING ASSESSMENTS FOR THE PROPERTY AT 11 N. HOLBROOK STREET.

  1. Consideration of Airport Engineering – Taxiway Rehabilitation – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that this item needs tabled so the City Attorney can review this contract.

K. Allen moved to table the Airport Engineering agreement until the October 19th, 2021 meeting so the City Attorney can review the agreement. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO TABLE THE AIRPORT ENGINEERING AGREEMENT UNTIL THE OCTOBER 19TH, 2021 MEETING SO THE CITY ATTORNEY CAN REVIEW THE AGREEMENT.

  1. Consideration of Engineering Quote – Cooper Avenue Reconstruction Addendum No. 1 – 20th to 23rd Street – Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, Inc. informed the Commission that this was the engineering proposal for Cooper Street.

Discussion was held regarding design and inspection engineering.

K. Allen moved to table this issue until a later date. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

TABLED THE ENGINEERING QUOTE FOR THE COOPER AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION ADDENDUM #1 FROM 20TH TO 23RD STREET.

Jason Dickman also informed the Commission that the Cooper Street bids need rejected. The 60 days bid period is almost up.

L. Watts moved to reject the Cooper Avenue Reconstruction bids. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO REJECT THE COOPER AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION BIDS.

  1. Consideration of Bids – Union Lofts Alley Project – Jason Dickman, Earles Engineering, Inc. informed the Commission that there were two bids received for this project. The low bid is from Rogers & Sons Concrete of Fort Scott, Kansas in the amount of $128,770.00. The other bid was from Heck & Wicker, Inc. of Parsons, Kansas in the amount of $177,478.50. He recommended approval for the low bid from Rogers & Sons Concrete in the amount of $128,770.00 and for the City Manager to sign the Notice to Proceed.

R. Nichols moved to approve the low bid from Rogers & Sons Concrete in the amount of $128,770.00 for the Union Lofts Alley project. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

approved the low bid from Rogers & Sons Concrete in the amount of $128,770.00 for the Union Lofts Alley project.

Kevin Allen left the room at 7:19 p.m.

  1. Consideration to Pay – Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation – August – $2,970.00

L. Watts moved to approve the invoice for Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation in the amount of $2,970.00. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

approveD the invoice for skitch’s hauling & exvacation in the amount of $2,970.00 for port-a-potty services for august.

Kevin Allen returned to the room at 7:21 p.m.

  1. 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.


R. Nichols moved to approve to appoint Bradford Demo and Mark Lewis to the Golf Course Advisory Board. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO APPOINT BRADFORD DEMO AND MARK LEWIS TO THE GOLF COURSE ADVISORY BOARD.

  1. Approval of Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3590 – Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, informed the Commission that the Standard Traffic Ordinance book is updated annually. This enables the Police Officers to write citations.

L. Watts moved to approve Ordinance Number 3590, the Standard Traffic Ordinance. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NUMBER 3590 AMENDING CHAPTER 10.04 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCORPORATE STANDARD TRAFFIC ORDINANCES.

  1. Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding – Human Resource Director Shared Service – City Attorney asked that this agreement be tabled at this time as he talked with Justin Meeks, County Attorney, and changes are needed. The County will not adopt this agreement until December.

K. Allen moved to table the Memorandum of Understanding for the Human Resource Director Shared Service at this time. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO TABLE THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICE AT THIS TIME.

  1. Consideration of Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Contract – Rob Harrington, Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Director, informed the Commission that that agreement is through December of 2021 and in the amount of $20,000 to be paid in equal monthly installments on the 15th day of each month beginning in September 15th, 2021 through December 31st, 2021. A new agreement will be presented later for 2022. This agreement will provide grant applications, grant administration, and other economic development activities as needed by the City.

K. Allen moved to approve the Bourbon County R.E.D.I. Contract with the City of Fort Scott through December 31, 2021. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE BOURBON COUNTY R.E.D.I. CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2021 IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 TO BE PAID IN EQUAL MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS ON THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH.

  1. Discussion of Land Bank changes – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that changes need to be made to the Land Bank ordinance. The current ordinance names the City Commission as the Board members as well as Jim Harris, Bourbon County Commissioner, and Greg Motley. He knows other cities that have realtors, bankers, and contractors on their board.

He asked for approval to schedule a meeting with the Land Bank board and discuss this change with them. The Commission approved to hold a meeting with the Board.

  1. Discussion of creation of loitering ordinance – Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that he is looking at a loitering or vagrancy ordinance for the City. There are people now sleeping on the park benches and in the downtown park and we have no ordinance to prevent this. He would like the City Commission to adopt this.

Chief Shelton said that there is no State Statute for loitering. He mentioned that it will be difficult to enforce.

Discussion was held to have an ordinance to present at the next meeting for them to review.

  1. Discussion of purchase of potential rock crusher and other miscellaneous equipment – Kevin Allen said that he asked that this be placed on the agenda for discussion. The County is looking to purchase a bigger rock crusher. He would like to see a meeting scheduled with the County Commission and discuss this item in the near future.

Interim City Manager will get a meeting scheduled.

  1. Discussion of Ty Cullor field agreement -Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, asked the Commission to table this topic at this time.

K. Allen moved to table the Ty Cullor field agreement at this time. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO TABLE THE TY CULLOR FIELD AGREEMENT AT THIS TIME.

Reports and Comments:

Interim City Manager Report and Comments: Mark McCoy, Interim City Manager, informed the Commission that he will be implementing a new daily reporting process to the Directors at the staff meeting tomorrow. If they work out in the field, they will fill in their activities for the day and he can see where resources were used. He mentioned that Commissioner Pete Allen asked him for asphalt numbers for the National project. There have been 614 tons of asphalt used for this project, Mark said that he, Jesse, and Jason Dickman will walk the project on Thursday. Mark said that the Gordon Parks Celebration is this coming weekend and the City has a table. He also mentioned the lake lots for sale. They did have a redraw for lots. The south lots are not staked yet.

Discussion was held to see if AG Engineering has been paid yet. That could not be determined as the Finance Director was not there.

Commissioner Reports and Comments:

L. Watts – Nothing to report.

K. Allen – Kevin said he had several items to bring up:

  • Asked about the traffic counters on 3rd & National Avenue

Mark gave him figures from the traffic counters. The westbound lane had 5,795 which is an average of 725 per day. The eastbound lane had 1,943 which is an average of 243 per day. The northbound lane had 16,218, which is an average of 2,027 per day. The southbound lane had 18,431 which is an average of 2,304 per day.

Randy Nichols reminded the Commission of the pedestrian traffic at that location. There is Feeding Families in His Name every Wednesday night, and with the City Hall move to the Courthouse, there could be more pedestrian traffic. He said it would be a mistake to remove the stop signs going east and west.

Lindsey Watts agreed and said that with the attendance of church and the location of the Courthouse, she would not approve to remove the stop signs.

  • Kevin asked about the Lake Fort Scott valve and if it was being exercised. He asked if the 2nd valve has been installed?

Mark said that the valve has not been exercised. We are waiting on the City’s engineering firm on the design of the 2nd valve.

  • Kevin asked if water testing was being done at the lake.

Mark said no.

Josh recommended getting with Don George to conduct this testing.

Kevin would like to see it tested from May through September.

  • Street Patching Trailer – He said that he would like to see a trailer set up with all of their tools with a port-a-pot on the front of the trailer so they can do their jobs all day and then put the trailer in at night.

  • Parks – He said that Parks and the Golf Course also need a small trailer to assist them.

  • Inmate Program – Kevin said that he would like to have a report at the next meeting on this program.

  • Vaping Issue – He would like to see what resources are available to the schools for this issue.

  • Possible sale of airport land – He said there is a new concept of pilots building hangars with living quarters in them and then they go to fly-ins all over. He said that he has heard that pilots love to fly over the lake.

  • Dump fees – He said that he discovered the City owns 13.8 acres at the County landfill. The City could create a C & D landfill and wondered if they would trade out land for services.

Mark said that this would be a good work session topic with the County.

  • Rural Water District – He would like to see Mark meet with the Rural Water District Board and water leaks. He thinks if there is a leak in the County that the City should give them credit.

Mark said that he and Susan will look over the contract with Rural Water.

  • First Source Building – He asked if the building was being marketed and on a website somewhere.

Mark said that it has been assigned to a realtor.

  • He thanked whoever sprayed weeds on the east side of Lake Fort Scott.

  • Asked about the road by El Charro – 25th Street.

City Clerk said she believes we are waiting on easements to be signed.

  • Street lights – He said that there are a lot of street lights out. He wanted to bring it to the public’s attention that the poles have a number on them and they can be called into Evergy and reported.

P. Allen – Pete read sections of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and stressed how important this plan was. We need to be proactive with this plan and not reactive.

R. Nichols – Randy said that he agrees with Pete about the Comprehensive Plan and moving forward.

Randy thanked T-Mobile for coming to town today and presenting the City with a $50,000 grant for improvements to Skubitz Plaza. He thanked Rachel Pruitt, Ally Turvey, and Larry Gazaway who wrote the grant for this project.

J. Jones – Josh asked about the School Resource Officer position and if it had been announced yet.

Travis said we should know any day.

Neighborhood Revitalization Program – Josh said that this will be coming before the City for approval as the current program has expired.

City Attorney Report and Comments: None

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 8:55 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 8:55 p.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

Adjournment:

J. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:56 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane K. Clay, M.M.C.

City Clerk

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Agenda For Oct. 19

Leave a comment

NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR
MEETING OF
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION MEETING ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN STREET
OCTOBER 19th, 2021
6:00 P.M.

Call to Order

  1. Roll Call:

K. Allen P. Allen R. Nichols L. Watts J. Jones

II. Flag Salute:

  1. Invocation: Led by: Pastor from Community Christian Church

  1. Approval of Agenda:

  2. Proclamations/Recognitions: Molly Berry Foster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution 110th Anniversary

  1. Consent Agenda:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of October 5th, 2021.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1298-A totaling $1,736,577.53.

  1. Request to Pay #1 – Davis Structure & Development Corporation – $12,379.50 – Water Clarifier Repainting #1 Project

  1. Request to Pay – HDR Engineering – $8,970.75 – River Intake Project

  1. Street Closing Request – Community Christian Church – October 31st, 2021 – Annual Falloween Event

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – City Engineer – $4,000.00

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – Building Inspection – 3,582.00

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – WWTP Engineering – $7,296.80

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – 17th & Eddy Street Drainage Engineering – $11,520.00

  1. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering – Public Works Director -$595.00

  1. September financials

  1. Public Comment:

(Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion)

  1. Old Business:

    1. Consideration to repeal Ordinance 2563 – Section 12.12.070 – Pavement – Approval of Ordinance No. 3587

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

  1. Appearances:

Sarah Pulliam, 316 S Main – Dangerous and Unsafe Structure

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County R.E.D.I.

Frank Adamson, Grant Requests

  1. New Business:

  1. Consideration of Airport Engineering – Taxiway Rehabilitation

  2. Consideration to apply for K.D.O.T. grant application – Electric Gate

  3. Consideration of 3rd, 6th, 12th and 25th Street Intersections with K.D.O.T. – K.D.O.T. Project 69-6 KA 5563-01 – Approval of Resolution Relating to Benefits Obtainable under the Federal and State Aid Program – Approval of Agreement for Traffic Signal Project between the City of Fort Scott and K.D.O.T

  4. Consideration of Fort Scott Dam Improvements Bid -River Intake Project

  5. Consideration of C.I.P.P. Sanitary Lining Bid

  6. Consideration of Above Grade Bid – Hammon’s Building

  7. Consideration of Above Grade Bid – Sharky’s Building.

  8. Discussion of creation of Loitering Ordinance

  9. Discussion of Ty Cullor field agreement

  10. Consideration to accept T-Mobile grant – $50,000

  11. Consideration to accept Timkin grant for Fire Department – $10,500

  12. Consideration of payment of Skitch’s Hauling & Excavation, Inc. Invoices

  • Port-a-Potties – September $2,640.00

  • Port-a-Potties – September – Airport Fly-In – $250.00

  • Port-a-Potties – September – Marmaton Massacre – $325.00

  1. Consideration of Bids – Demolition of Structures

  • 611 S. Ransom – Structure and Accessory Structure

  • 323 S Hill – Structure

  • 1517 S Main – Structure and Accessory Structure

  • 316 S. Main – Structure and Accessory Structure

  • 114 S. Barbee – Structure

  • 14 S Margrave – Structure

  • 510 S Heylman – Structure

  1. Health in All Policies Pledge

XI. Reports and Comments:

  1. Interim City Manager Reports and Comments

* City/County Luncheon – October 26th, 2021 – 12:00 p.m.

* Discussion of 512 S. Judson – Historical Register

* Consideration of Land Bank Meeting – Wednesday, October 20th – 4 pm

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)

  • Executive Session for attorney/client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2)

XIII. Adjournment:

Fort Scott, Government

New FS Parks Director: Doug Guns

1 Comment

 

Doug Guns, Fort Scott Parks Director. Submitted photo.

Douglas Guns, 44, has worked for the City of Fort Scott for over three years and was promoted to Fort Scott Parks Director in June 2021.

“The scope of my duties is to oversee the maintenance and operations of Woodland Hills Golf Course, Laroche Baseball Complex, Gunn Park, Buck Run (includes all little league ball fields in town), Lake Fort Scott, Rock Creek Lake, and The Aquatic Center,” Guns said.

Fort Scott is the third municipality that he has worked for, doing both parks and golf course oversight, he said.

He has worked in the golf industry for over 20 years, Guns said.

“I worked a small golf course as a seasonal employee for the summer in between semesters in college,’ he said. “I learned all aspects of golf operations and changed majors that fall to plant and soil science to pursue a career in the golf industry.”

Guns received his education in plant and soil sciences at West Virginia University Parkersburg, and Penn State University.

His hometown is  Elkton, Maryland and he is married with five kids.

In his spare time, he likes to play golf and spend time with his family.

The best part of the job for Guns is being outside and working with the public, he said.

“Providing the public with a great experience for their recreational endeavors that they are happy with, can be rewarding,” Guns said.

That is also the challenge of the job, he said.

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Weekly Newsletter Oct. 15

Leave a comment

What’s Happening in Fort Scott!
October 15th Weekly Newsletter
A great time of year to visit
beautiful
Gunn Park!
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
________________
TROLLEY TOURS!
Every Friday & Saturday!
50-minute narrated Trolley Tour
of Historic Fort Scott. Every hour on the hour. Departs from the Fort Scott
Chamber at 231 E. Wall St.
Friday hours: 11 am until 3 pm
Saturday hours: 10 am until 3 pm
$6 adults & $4 for 12 yrs. & under
THE FORT SCOTT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE OFFERS DAILY GUIDED TOURS AT 10 AM & 1 PM, 7 DAYS/WEEK – FREE!
10/15 ~ DRIVE-THROUGH SOUP LUNCHEON BY FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,301 S. National Ave., 11:30am to 1pm, soups available will be potato, chicken noodle, and chili with cake for dessert.
10/15 ~ SOLD OUT: SNAPPY ART ~ KID/TEEN HALLOWEEN ART PARTY,1-4pm at 702 S. National Ave., $25.
10/15 ~FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT FEATURING BOURBON COUNTY REVIVAL, HERITAGE PARK PAVILION 7-8 PM. Clickherefor info.
10/15 ~LIVE MUSIC AT THE BOILER ROOM BREWHAUS – DAVID LOVING. 7pm, clickherefor info.
10/15 & 16 ~CLARK STREET HAUNTED HOUSE:See flyer below for dates/times
10/15 thru 10/21 ~ FORT CINEMA:
The Addams Family, No Time to Die, Halloween Kills. Check out what is coming to the theater, clickhere.
10/15 ~ FRIDAY EVENING OF FUN AT THE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY – Open play session and crafts 3:30-7:30 pm, Game Night 8:30-11:30pm, only $1 admission! Visit and Like their Facebook pagefor more info.
10/15 & 10/16 ~FORT SCOTT LIVESTOCK SALE. Click herefor info.
10/16 ~ OPEN PICKLEBALL ~8-10am, Buck Run Community Center, open to anyone wanting to play! Click here for the FB group to stay updated.
10/16 ~ FARMERS’ MARKET ~8am to noon, Skubitz Plaza in front of the Fort.
10/16 ~ KANSAS ROCKS RECREATION PARK CREEPY CRAWL,visit www.ksrockspark.com for more info.
10/16 ~ FSCC FREE KID’S FAIR,9am to noon, see flyer below for more details.
10/16 ~ OPEN HOUSE AT THE FORT SCOTT FIRE DEPT.,10:30am to 2pm, see flyer below and click here for more details.
10/16 ~ HALLOWEEN HANGOUT AT THE MUSEUM OF CREATIVITY & COOKIE CRAWL,1-5pm, see flyer below for details!
10/16 & 17 ~ HOLLISTER SHOOTING RANGE OPEN.,1st & 3rd weekends of each month, Saturday 1-4pm, Sunday noon-5pm.
10/16 ~ 2ND ANNUAL BJ CATTLE RANCH BATTLE & HALLOWEEN BULL RIDING,click here for info. and see flyer below.
10/17 ~ BOURBON COUNTY DEMOCRATS MEETING,2pm, FSCC Heritage Room, click here for info.
10/20 ~ ELECTION CANDIDATE FORUM HOSTED BY THE CHAMBER,Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St., doors open 5:30pm, forum begins 6pm. Send questions for candidates to [email protected].
10/20 ~ BIKE NIGHT AT HOLMTOWN PUB.Click herefor more information.
10/21 ~ CHAMBER COFFEE HOSTED BY SLEEP INN & SUITES HOTEL.Celebrating 7 years in our community.
10/21 ~ BOURBON COUNTY REPUBLICAN MEETING,Empress Event Center, 6-8pm.
10/23 ~ FSCC ALUMNI RODEO,Arnold Arena, Fort Scott Community College, 7:30pm.
COMING SOON:
10/29 ~ BRIGGS AUTO TRUCK-OR-TREAT,see flyer below!
10/30 ~ HALLOWEEN PARADE HOSTED BY THE CHAMBER,trick-or-treat parade, Downtown Fort Scott, parade starts at 11am w/free hot dogs, chips & drink to kids in costume following!
11/4 ~ MISTLETOE MARKET AT THE RIVER ROOM,click here for info.
11/11-11/13 ~ DOWNTOWN & AROUND HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE SHOPPING EVENT,kicks off from 5-8pm Thursday evening with special refreshments throughout the stores & stores offering a portion of sales to Wreaths Across America or a token of appreciation for our Veterans! Shopping Open House continues on Friday & Saturday.
11/22 ~ FSMS VIP EXTRAVAGANZA,5-8pm, Fort Scott Middle School, click here for info.
SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!
Downtown Fort Scott is booming!
Click here for Chamber member
specialty shopping & other retail in
Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE IN FS!
Many fitness options are available…
SPIN classesnow offered bySmallville Athletics, every Mon & Wed at 5:15 pm, and Tu & Thurs at 6 pm. $5/class or $50/mo. unlimited.
Total Body Fitness ~ M & W Karen Reinbolt at BRCC@
8:15 am $20/8 week session.
Zumba~ M,W, F @ 6pm Monalynn Decker at BRCC $40 for a 12-week session.
Indoor Fitness/Gyms at
I AM Rehab + Fitness, Smallville Athletics, and Buck Run!
…

[Message clipped]  View entire message

Fort Scott, History

DAR Celebrates 110 Years in Fort Scott

Leave a comment
The DAR Group. Submitted photo.

A local organization is celebrating 110 years in Fort Scott.

“The Daughter of the American Revolution organization itself is 131 years old being founded in 1890. Our chapter was founded in 1911 and thus we are 110 years old,” Martha Scott, a group member said.

The objectives of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the local Molly Foster Berry Chapter are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of county, (and) to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty, according to information provided by Scott.

“In selecting a name for the chapter, they chose to honor the first regent, Miss Frances Hall, by selecting the wife of her Revolutionary War ancestor, Samuel Berry,” Scott said. “They chose the name of his wife, Mary Foster Berry, as the name of their chapter.”

Since its founding in 1890, the national DAR has admitted more than 950,000 members.

Currently, the Molly Foster Berry Chapter has 27 members.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is a heritage group whose members have a direct lineal descendant of either soldiers or those who aided the cause of independence during the American Revolutionary War.
Over the last 110 years, the chapter has participated in numerous activities to benefit Fort Scott, according to Scott.

Here are highlights of the group’s activities through the years provided by Scott:

  • They organized the local YMCA and Red Cross Chapter and Canteen.
  • They sponsored the Bourbon County Historical Society
  • They take credit for the vision and construction of a Memorial Hall after World War I, to honor all servicemen.  In appreciation of this effort, a meeting suite was designated in the building for DAR’s group use and is still used today for their meetings.
  • They placed 21 bronze plaques at historic sites including the government buildings at the fort.
  • They published and sold cookbooks during World War II  in order to buy War Bonds.
  • They sold National Defense albums.
  • They donated funds for the purchase of ten additional acres at the National Cemetery when it reached its capacity.
  • They were instrumental in getting the old Fort Blair Block House saved and repositioned on Carroll Plaza.

 

The volunteer efforts of members in the past 110 years continue today with members volunteering for activities in our community, she said.

 

“Molly Foster Berry Chapter members welcome new members and if you have an ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War or provided support to the War and would like to join our organization,  please contact the current Regent, Barbara Ritter, 913-636-4892  or the Registrar, Dee Ann Davis 620-215-1358,” Scott said.
COVID-19, Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Adopts New COVID-19 Operating Guidelines

Leave a comment
USD 234 Board of Education Building, 424 S. Main
Update on USD 234 Operations Guidelines taken from the school district’s Facebook page.
By Ted Hessong (Superintendent of USD234)
Wednesday, October 13, 2021

On Monday, October 11, at the USD 234 School Board meeting the USD 234 School Board adopted gaiting criteria and a Test to Stay and Learn addendum to the current Operations Guidelines for the 2021-2022 school year that will begin on October 18, 2021.

The gaiting criteria adopted would allow the district to go mask optional if the criteria adopted is met.

The gaiting criteria consists of two areas, the first being the monitoring of new COVID-19 cases in Bourbon County.  The threshold of less than 30 new cases in a week in Bourbon County will be the guideline.

A COVID-19 positivity rate of less than 2% for a specific school building will be the guideline for each building.

If these two criteria are met, this would allow the school buildings to be mask optional.

Mask optional would mean the parents/guardians can decide if their child should wear a mask at school.

If the numbers go above the 30 new cases in a week and if there is a COVID-19 positivity rate above 2% for a particular building, the district or specific building would go back to masks being required.

These gaiting criteria will take effect on Monday, October 18, 2021.  The district will monitor county cases on a weekly basis and the building COVID-19 positivity rate will be monitored daily.

The district will communicate on the Friday before whether a building or the district is able to be mask optional depending on the adopted criteria for the upcoming week.

The USD 234 School Board also adopted a new mitigation protocol called the Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine.

This modified quarantine will include rapid antigen testing for identified school high-risk (not wearing a mask or not vaccinated or has not had COVID-19 in the last 6-months) or household close contacts where parents/guardians will give consent to have their student tested for COVID-19 daily.

If they test negative, they will be allowed to attend in-person during their quarantine period but will be required to wear a mask while at school.

The rapid antigen test is a nasal swab and will only be performed with parent/guardian consent.

If the high-risk or household contact does not opt-in to the Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine, they will need to stay home during their quarantine.

USD 234 has received a grant from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and will partner with Community Health Center (CHC) to implement the testing program. The logistics of this testing program are being developed and more information will be released before testing becomes available.  It is going to take some time for CHC to hire the staff to implement the testing and to set up the logistics of the testing.

Masks will still be required on school transportation no matter the gaiting criteria.  This is a federal mandate school districts are required to follow.

USD 234 recommends that students have a mask with them at all times in case a cluster breaks out in a building and masking needs to be implemented immediately.

Low-risk close contacts, those who are wearing a mask or are vaccinated or have had COVID-19 in the past 6-months, will not be expected to quarantine from school unless they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Click on the link below to see the updated Operations Guidelines:

USD 234 Operations Guidelines

Click on the link below to see the Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine addendum:

USD 234 Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine

Click on the link below to see an infographic about the Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine:

USD 234 Test to Stay and Learn Modified Quarantine Infographic

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Coffee At Hedgehog INK Oct. 14

Leave a comment
Join us for this week’s
Chamber Coffee hosted by
Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore
Thursday, October 14th
8 am
16 S. Main St.
Downtown Fort Scott
Let’s celebrate with Dick & Jan Hedges on the 3rd anniversary of their store in the Downtown Historic District!
Click herefor Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore’s website.
Click hereto visit their Facebook page.
Contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce for more information at 620-223-3566 or [email protected].
UPCOMING CHAMBER COFFEE’S
10/21 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Sleep Inn & Suites (7 yrs)
10/28 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Trinity Lutheran Church
11/4 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by VFW
11/4 ~ Chamber After-hours Event hosted by the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation at Landmark National Bank
11/11 ~ No Coffee… Veterans Day
11/18 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by FS Compassionate Ministries
11/25 ~ No Coffee…Thanksgiving Holiday
12/2 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott National Historic Site
12/9 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Sunshine Boutique
12/16 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by City of Fort Scott
12/23 ~ No Coffee…Christmas Holiday
12/30 ~ No Coffee…New Year’s Holiday
Art, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Community College, Gordon Parks Museum, History

Education and Entertainment: the Gordon Parks Celebration

1 Comment
John Mason, left,  leads a discussion on Gordon Parks’ book A Choice of Weapons, with  Harold Hicks, one of the book club facilitators, attending on the Zoom screen. A Fort Scott Community College Book Club had been discussing the book in previous weeks.  Mason is a history professor at the University of Virginia. In the book, Parks states that his weapons of choice in the fight against bigotry and poverty were love, dignity, and hard work. The book discussion was on Oct. 8 at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp gives an introduction to the Lunch and Learn speaker on Oct. 8 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College. The speaker, Angela Bates, is on the left.

The annual Gordon Parks Celebration weekend Oct. 7-9 was packed with events to educate and entertain.

The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2401 S. Horton.

Parks was an African American documentary photojournalist, photographer, musician, writer and director, with humble beginnings in Fort Scott.

He died in 2006.

There were photo exhibits and a local photo contest, speakers, tours, film showings, entertainment, book discussions, and the opening of the Learning Tree Tourism Trail.

Two African American men were honored as the “Choice of Weapons” annual recipients, Kyle Johnson and Eli Reed.

Kyle Johnson is an actor, performer, and activist. Submitted photo.

 

Eli Reed is a photographer, author, producer, and director. Submitted photo.

Parks Choice of Weapons Award Winners Announced

During the weekend celebration, The Learning Tree Tourism Trail was introduced.

The Learning Tree Tourism Trail is a series of signs located at the different locations where the filming of The Learning Tree took place around Fort Scott. The signs include QR codes, to be used with a smartphone,  along with a virtual tour of the identified scene locations of the film, according to a Gordon Parks Museum press release.

To learn more:

The Learning Tree Tourism Trail Grand Opening is Oct. 7

Angela Bates speaks on Nicodemus, an African American town in Kansas, at a Lunch and Learn as part of the Gordon Parks Celebration on October 8.  Nicodemus, KS was a community of African Americans who came following the Civil War to start new lives as free people. Bates said the first year, 1877,  the Potowattamie and Osage Tribes of indigenous peoples helped the newcomers with food.

The annual photography contest in conjunction with the Gordon Parks Celebration had the winners on display at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus of FSCC.

Additionally on display were some of Parks’ photos and photos of The Learning Tree, the autobiographical film that Parks wrote and directed.

Winners of the Gordon Parks Celebration “Fashion & Diversity” photo contest, sponsored by Merl Humphrey Photography, are below.

Twenty-six entries were received and the winner of First Place was Johanna Walker (Franklin, KS) with the photo titled “Spotlight.”

Second Place was also Johanna Walker with the photo “Johnny.”

Third Place was Frank Clay with his photo, “Enjoying Each Other.”

First, Second, and Third place winners received cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 respectively.

There were six Honorable Mentions named: “Diversity.” by (Yasser Alaa Mobarak,( Alexandria, Egypt.); “Skating the Disaster.” by Julie Steck (Merriam, KS); “Jewels of Plenty” by Bareigh Farrell (Fort Scott); “Portrait.” by Yasser Alaa Mobarak, (Alexandria, Egypt); “Queen of Color” by Alexxus Browning, Tulsa, OK and “Baby Blue.” by Adelay Martin (Redfield, KS).

The contest was open to any non-professional photographer and was inspired by Gordon Parks, who started his career in fashion photography and chose a camera to fight against racism, discrimination, and poverty.

Judges for the photo contest were professional photographer, Veretta Cobler, and established make-up artist and hairstylist, Donna Fumoso based in New York City.

The photo exhibit is on display in the lobby of the Ellis Fine Arts Center through October 15. The building is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

First Place was Johanna Walker (Franklin, KS) with the photo titled “Spotlight.”
Johanna Walker, Franklin, KS was second-place winner in the Gordon Parks Photography Contest. The contest winners were one of many artistic displays at the Gordon Parks Celebration.
Enjoying Each Other, a photograph by Frank Clay, Overland Park, KS was the third-place winner of the Gordon Parks Photography Contest.

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Press Release of Minutes from Oct. 11

Leave a comment

NEWS RELEASE

 

Monday, October 11, 2021

 

Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at the Fort Scott Middle School Commons on Monday, October 11, 2021, for their regular monthly meeting.

President James Wood opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.

The board approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – September 17, 2021 – $1,425,060.90

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity fund accounts

F.     FCCLA Fundraiser

G.    Operations Guidelines Correction

 

Patrons spoke in the public forum.

Board members discussed and approved COVID gaiting criteria that will begin on October 18 for USD 234.  The gaiting criteria will allow for masks to be optional pending the number of cases/percentages in each school building.  In addition, the board approved to proceed with a Memorandum of Understanding with CHC to provide parent opt-in COVID testing for students.  Board members approved the gaiting criteria and testing procedure to be added to the Operations Plan.

Ted Hessong, Superintendent, and Gina Shelton, Business Manager/Board Clerk; gave reports.  Dalaina Smith, Director of Academics, and principals from each building shared written reports with board members.  Gina Shelton gave an ESSER Funds update.

Board members reviewed the September 20 Enrollment Count Report.   In addition, the board approved the following:

 

·       Emergency Operations Plan for 2021-22

·       Purchase of three buses

·       Audit contract with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021

·       Workers Compensation with Atkins Insurance

·       Live streaming school board meetings

 

The Fort Scott Middle School VIP Fall Extravaganza will be held on November 22, 2021, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the middle school commons and gymnasium.

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.   The board then went into executive session to discuss employer-employee negotiations and returned to open meeting.

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Jeff Armstrong, high school math teacher (currently on a leave of absence), effective September 29, 2021

B.    Transfer of Carrie Lord, preschool center teacher aide, to preschool paraprofessional for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

C.    Transfer of Bobbie Yoakam, preschool paraprofessional, to part-time preschool paraprofessional and part-time preschool nurse for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year

D.    Reemployment of Kourtney Harper as a high school paraprofessional for the 2021-22 school year

E.     Employment of Selena Alvarado as a high school assistant softball coach for the 2021-22 school year

F.     Leave of absence for Danielle Cavin, Eugene Ware special education teacher

G.    Resignation of Glenda Cooper, high school cook, effective October 14, 2021

H.    Resignation of Haleigh Lowry, Winfield Scott cook, effective October 11, 2021

I.      Resignation of Marie Henderson, middle school paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year

J.      Resignation of Evangeline Korinke, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective January 2, 2022

K.    Employment of Gary Floyd, II as a high school ISS teacher aide for the 2021-22 school year

L.     Addition of an occupational therapist assistant position for the 2021-22 school year

M.   Addition of a speech/language pathologist position for the 2021-22 school year

 

The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Fort Scott KNEA.

The board adjourned.

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

LEAD Bourbon County Registration

Leave a comment
DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD
LEADERSHIP CAPACITY IN YOURSELF,
YOUR BUSINESS, OR ORGANIZATION!
WE ARE SUPER EXCITED TO HAVE
KATIE CASPER & DEB MCKENNEY AS
CO-FACILITATORS OF THIS YEAR’S CLASS!
THE CHAMBER IS EXCITED TO KICK OFF OUR
LEAD BOURBON COUNTY PROGRAM
FOR 2021-2022
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OF THE
FORT SCOTT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REGISTER YOURSELF OR SPONSOR AN EMPLOYEE!
DON’T DELAY ~ REGISTER TODAY!
Co-facilitators for this class will be:
Katie Casper, Union State Bank
Deb McKenney, Fort Scott Broadcasting
8 Sessions will be held the 3rd Thursday of the month from October to May, 8am-3:30pm
The morning of each session follows the leadership curriculum, principles, and competencies of the
Kansas Leadership Center.
And, the afternoon of each session features a guest speaker and tour of a local business or organization, speaking to putting leadership into action in their workplace or through volunteerism.
CLICK HERE FOR A PROGRAM BROCHURE.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM & PROGRAM OVERVIEW.
YOU MAY ALSO REGISTER ONLINE HERE.
Classes will start October 21st.
Deadline to register October 13th.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CHAMBER BOOSTER MEMBERS BELOW!
Bourbon County, Exercise, Fort Scott

Bike Trail Coming To Bourbon County

1 Comment
The signs that will designate the bike route of the new Prairie Pathways Bike Trail coming to Bourbon County. Submitted photo.
Representatives from a neighboring county spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission recently about a proposed bicycle trail in Bourbon County.
John Leahy, Thrive Allen County Bike and Trails Coordinator and John Castellaw the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for Thrive
 covered a brief history of how the Prairie Pathways plan (approved by Bourbon County, Allen County, and Crawford County) was the first rural active transportation plan in Kansas.

The men then detailed the entirety of the route along old Highway 54 from Fort Scott to Iola, to the city commission, Leahy said.

“We needed to appear before the (FS)city council because we were seeking final approval of the signs for the Prairie Pathways within Fort Scott city limits,” he said.

“The route has been set in all three counties,” Jody Hoener, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team CEO said.

“Bourbon County will have approximately 23 miles of the total 43 miles from Fort Scott to Iola,” Leahy said.

“We are working on gaining permission through each of the cities (in Bourbon County),” Hoener said.  “We have obtained permission for signs from the City of Fort Scott. They will also be presenting to the City of Uniontown and to Bronson City Council to gain permission for sign placement.

“Eric Bailey with Bourbon County’s Public Work will be helping us with installing (sign) posts,” she said. ” Right now they are working hard on getting as many miles as asphalt down as possible.  They will help us with installation as soon as they can.”

 “Allen County, Bourbon County, and Crawford County (ABC) are actively working to improve the bicycling and walking environment to improve access to opportunities for physical activity, enhance the quality of life, and encourage economic growth”, according to information provided by Leahy . “Each community recognizes that active transportation – biking and walking for transportation, as well as outdoor recreation – impacts our lives in several important ways. Research, such as the cost-benefit analysis The Potential Trail Benefits for Bourbon County, Kansas, (Robb, 2017) has shown trails to do more than add to community’s appeal as a place to live, such as:
● Increased sales for existing businesses
● Opportunities for new business
● Increased value and speed of sale of nearby properties
● Reduced medical costs from healthy activities
● Business location and relocation decisions
● Healthcare insurance decisions
● Addresses rural transportation issues
● Low or no-cost recreational opportunity
● Attracts and retains a skilled and unskilled workforce
● It helps lower transportation costs, both for individuals and for communities as a whole;
● Provides attractions for visitors”
The ABC plan’s name was recently changed to Prairie Pathways, he said.

 

“In respect to a timeline, Thrive is working with both Allen County Public Works as well as the City of Iola Public Works Department,” he said. “We are trying to coordinate both so the signs are installed along a similar time frame after the…(Allen County Public Works)asphalt season.”

John Leahy can be reached at  620-365-8128

Hoener can be reached at [email protected]

” Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said.  “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross  Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”

John Castellaw the Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator for Thrive Allen County spoke to the Fort Scott City Commission about the bike trail. Submitted photo.
Jody Hoener with John Leahy and John Castellaw at a recent Fort Scott City Commission meeting. Submitted photos.

“Funding for the planning stage is from the Sunflower Foundation,” Hoener said.  “We have grant dollars from Blue Cross Blue Cross  Pathways to Healthy Kansas for signage and posts.”

ABC Trails has been renamed Prairie Pathways. Hoener provided the cost benefits poster.

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News