There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9th, 2020. This meeting will be held to discuss the Interim City Manager position, and the City Manager search. It is anticipated the City Commission will adjourn into Executive Session.
This meeting will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room. This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
Previously, $9,975 was received for personal protection equipment (PPE) and cleaning expenses the city incurred since the pandemic began in March 2020, Susan Bancroft, the city’s finance director said.
In addition, the city received $142,000 on October 9, 2020 to cover the following categories, according to Bancroft.
PPE-$31,500 and Public Health Expenses-$15,000.
“Public Safety will receive funding to protect essential workers during the pandemic, as well as address disinfecting several community facilities,” Bancroft said. “The City of Fort Scott will be purchasing MSA self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for our firefighters, rechargeable Gen Eon Misters to disinfect public areas, air purifiers for several locations, PPE and additional janitorial services.”
Economic Support $6,500:
“The Coronavirus Pandemic has created a completely different landscape for tourism,” Bancroft said. ” No longer are people interested in going to big cities with crowded venues. Instead, they are looking to visit towns like Fort Scott where they can get away from those crowded areas. Specifically, they are interested in getting outdoors. Fort Scott and Bourbon County are uniquely positioned for this type of activity. We have a plethora of agritourism businesses that people have greatly enjoyed visiting over the years, such as the Lavender Patch, Black Dogs Farm, Gunn Park Trails, T&C Wildlife, Anderson Elk Ranch and more. The funds received for economic support will be used for direct mailings, professional photos, drone video, agritourism postcards and brochures and pay per click advertising.”
Technology costs $89,000:
“Travel has become very limited due to COVID-19,” Bancroft said. “Furthermore, public safety workers need to continue educational training for certification. These technology funds will enable a training area to be created for this purpose. Computers for telework, a projector, tables and chairs and a whiteboard will be purchased to create this learning environment. In addition, in order to reduce the contact when officers are out patrolling, mobile dispatch units, additional computers for telework, and an Ecitation program with printers for records management will be purchased.”
Friday, November 6th National Ave will be closed for a few hours for street maintenance.
Please watch for traffic control, and follow the detour to Judson or Main St.
*You will be able to get to your home. If you must drive on the street we ask that you please drive slowly and watch out for workers and equipment.
Join us in honoring our American heroes at the Third Annual Veterans Day Celebration next week.
The celebration begins Tuesday night, November 10th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm with a welcome reception at the Boiler Room Brewhaus at 2 S. National Ave., Fort Scott, KS. At the come and go reception, veterans and their spouses can enjoy a free hamburger meal that will be generously provided by the E3 Foundation.
Wednesday morning VFW Post 1165 will host the Veterans Day Ceremony at Bourbon County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena at 2102 Huntington Blvd. beginning at 11:00am. In the event of inclement weather, the alternate location for the ceremony is Memorial Hall, 1 E. 3rd St. The ceremony will be followed by a free will donation lunch at VFW Post 1165 at 1745 S National Ave.
Visit Fort Scott and the Chamber of Commerce will offer free trolley rides to veterans and their spouses on Friday with tours at 10am, 11am, 1pm, & 2pm. Free trolley tours will depart from the Visitors Center at 231 E. Wall St., and will be on a first come, first served basis.
The Veterans Day Parade begins at 3:00 pm Saturday afternoon, following the normal parade route through downtown Fort Scott. Line-up will be along Main Street from 6th Street south to Fort Scott High School. Stewart Realty & The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce are the hosts of this year’s parade.
The Fort Scott National Historic Site is open daily with winter hours from 8:30am to 4:30 pm. Guided tours of the site are available at 10am & 1pm each day.
For more information contact Visit Fort Scott at 620.223.0550 or go online to visitfortscott.com.
Submitted by
Ally Turvey
Tourism/Community Development Manager
The City of Fort Scott offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 in observance of Veterans Day. The regular offices will reopen on Thursday, November 12th, 2020.
Fort Scott High School Thespian Troupe #7365 presents the full-length comedy The Monologue Show (from Hell) by Don Zolidis.
Performances are Nov. 18, 19, and 21 at 7 p.m. at the FSHS Auditorium.
Playscripts describes the play this way, “It took this drama class three long months to prepare for their monologue show . . . but barely a minute to throw all their plans out the window. From the couple staging their real-life break-up to the garden-gnome thief confessing his crimes, everything that can go wrong will in this collection of hilarious tall tales.”
Fifteen students from freshman to seniors play a variety of zany characters. Another ten FSHS students are involved in all technical aspects of the play ranging from lighting design to stage management.
Show Director Angie Bin chose this year’s play for a number of reasons, “We decided to switch the traditional fall musical to the spring and move the play to the fall with all of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. This play has allowed me to rehearse one on one with students for less group interaction and has given us the opportunity to rehearse virtually as needed. We also have the ability to record and project students who may have to be quarantined, although we have had to push the original show dates back a week due to quarantine restrictions.”
This year’s performance allows the FSHS Drama Department to utilize online ticketing for the first time ever with built-in social distancing as reserved seats are assigned. Adult tickets are $7 and students and children are $5. Tickets can be purchased at fortscotthighschooltheatre.ludus.com or at the door. Any audience member who purchased tickets for the original show dates will be contacted via e-mail for exchanges or refunds.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for performances. Masks and social distancing are required in USD 234 schools.
There is also an online streamed performance of the show available for $7.
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Kiwanis Pioneers Host Drive Through Chili Feed Fundraiser
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers will hold their 32nd annual Chili Feed on Thursday, November 12 at the United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. “There will be a few changes to this year’s fundraiser,” said President Millie Karleskint. “In addition to a new location, the Chili Feed will be a drive-through only event. Also, we will be having cinnamon rolls for our dessert this year “.
A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. for a free-will donation (suggested minimum $5.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Changing the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 projects including Scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, the Beacon, United Way, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs. “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Karleskint.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
Community Christian Church’s usual Fall-O-Ween festivities will look a little different this year due to COVID-19.
Presenting: Fall-O-Works!
This will be a 15-20 minute firework show on Oct. 31 for the whole community to enjoy.
Community Christian will not have trunk-or-treat or serve any food, but anyone in the community is welcome to find a spot, your normal July 3rd spot will be perfect, and enjoy this show as one of your Halloween thrills.
The fireworks will begin around 7:45 p.m. and will be shot off from Ty Cullor Field on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held October 29th, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Kevin Allen, Pete Allen, Randy Nichols, and Lindsey Watts were present with Mayor JoLynne Mitchell presiding.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Jason Pickert, Deb McCoy, Bobbi Kemna, Janice Allen, Lynette Westhoff, and Michael Hoyt. Ty Parks with KOAM-TV, Channel 7. Jeff Deane appeared via Zoom.
I. CONSIDERATION:
Discussion of City’s insurance – Jeff Deane, City Attorney said that this resolution is written notice of withdrawal from KCAMP Insurance. There was verbal notice given at our October 20, 2020 meeting, but according to the bylaws, since the Commission decided to move to EMC, written notice needs to be given.
Discussion was held why this resolution was needed and why James Charlesworth wasn’t ready with this resolution.
Jeff said that Mr. Charlesworth recommendation was to remain with KCAMP and not move to EMC.
K. Allen asked if we would still be covered by KCAMP in 2021 for situations which may have been incurred in 2020?
Jeff said that as far as he knows. Anything that is open and pending is certainly covered.
Discussion was held regarding purchasing tail coverage through KCAMP so there will not be a gap in coverage.
Jeff said that he would have to check to see the cost of this tail coverage with KCAMP.
P. Allen asked if the City can expect assessments from KCAMP after the policy is terminated?
Jeff said that he does not know this answer. He will get the plan documents from Deb Needleman and have an answer for them by the next meeting. This resolution does have to be approved and signed today to withdraw from KCAMP Insurance.
L. Watts made a motion to accept Resolution No. 16-2020 to withdraw from KCAMP Insurance effective January 1st, 2021. K. Allen seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, and L. Watts voted aye. R. Nichols and J. Mitchell voted no. Motion carried 3-2.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 16-2020 TO WITHDRAW FROM KCAMP INSURANCE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST, 2021.
Discussion of Interim City Manager position – Mayor Mitchell said that they were going to adjourn into Executive Session for this item.
Executive Session:
L. Watts moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 11:05 a.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission and City Attorney.
L. Watts moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 11:05 a.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
L. Watts moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the Commission meeting room at City Hall at 11:37 a.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye. This included the City Commission and City Attorney.
L. Watts moved that the City Commission come out of Executive Session at 11:38 a.m. R. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
L. Watts said that per their discussion they will be looking at different avenues to fill the Interim City Manager position at the November 3rd, 2020 meeting. She asked the Clerk to place this on the agenda.
Discussion of search for new City Manager – Mayor said that there has been some different research done whether it is to accept applications from here in the community, to hiring a firm to accept applications, or hiring the League of Kansas Municipalities to search for candidates for us.
L. Watts said that she has talked to the League and feels like this is a great service that they offer.
R. Nichols said if we use this program that everyone is welcome to apply.
R. Nichols moved to use the League of Kansas Municipalities to search for a new City Manager. L. Watts seconded.
L. Watts said that one of the things she likes about this program is that the League has discussion with each Commissioner. Each Commissioner tells them what they are looking for in a candidate and then they advertise, and they bring forth candidates.
R. Nichols said that they can offer guidance to us.
P. Allen said once again they are brought a proposal that for the first time before 2/5’s of the Commission has even seen it. They have no idea what it’s about and you want us to vote on it. What is it going to cost us? He sees a quote for services for $7,765 for base price services, advertising price $1,400 to $2,000, process options up to $2,000, and participating in interview process is $1,800, and this is the first time he’s seen this paperwork. He’s not in a position to vote on this. We have a meeting coming up on Tuesday and why not let us look at this first and table this.
L. Watts said that she gathered information beforehand since she knew this meeting was going to happen. She reached out to the League first and then also talked to our H.R. department to look at our options. She feels like if we do it ourselves, it could be perceived as a bias approach in the public. We do need to start as soon as possible.
K. Allen said that he agreed with Pete and this is hard to digest. He also asked for more time to look at it. He just received this and hasn’t had time to look at it. He wants to make sure we are making a wise decision.
L. Watts said that there are outside firms that would conduct a search that are far more expensive and could amount up to $20,000 to $30,000. There are costs using the League, but not as expensive as a private firm.
P. Allen said that he doesn’t want this to be our only source. We should have other options we could look at.
K. Allen asked again what the costs were.
R. Nichols said that it is $$7,765 plus the advertisement fee of $1,400 to $2,000, an onsite facilitation including a meet and greet for $2,000 and the interview process is $1,800. We could do the meet and greet on our own.
K. Allen said that he would like to look this over more.
L. Watts said she would rescind her second to Randy Nichols motion.
R. Nichols motion died for lack of a second then.
K. Allen moved to table this discussion on the search for a new City Manager until the November 3rd, 2020 meeting. P. Allen seconded. K. Allen, P. Allen, L. Watts, and J. Mitchell voted aye. R. Nichols voted no. Motion carried 4-1.
APPROVED TO TABLE THIS DISCUSSION ON THE SEARCH FOR A NEW CITY MANAGER UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 3RD, 2020 CITY COMMISSION MEETING.
II. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:
J. Mitchell moved to adjourn the special meeting at 11:53 a.m. L. Watts seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL MEETING AT 11:53 A.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on November 3rd, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
DIANE K. CLAY
CITY CLERK
