Category Archives: Fort Scott

New Employee Profile: Fort Scott Community Development Director

Robert Uhler became the City of Fort Scott Community Development Director Sept. 10.

This is an employee profile to allow the community to know him better.

Age: 49

Family: Married to Laurie Uhler, two grown children, one granddaughter.

What will be your duties in this position?

“Community Development is all about creating a positive quality of life in our community. Everything from infrastructure to parks, sidewalks, trails, to the historic downtown structures/district. I will also be participating in the zoning process and procedures. Housing is one of the very important issues that we need to deal with as a community.”

Experience:

“Over 20 years in the construction building industry, spending the last eight years as the executive vice-president of a non-profit serving independently owned building material suppliers.”

Education:

Baker University, US Chamber Foundation – Institute of Organizational Management, Certified Association Executive, Univ. Texas – Arlington, Specialist in Safety and Health.

Community involvement:

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene Treasurer, Project 17  – (17 SE KS Counties) Board Member, US Chamber Foundation Northeast Regent Member.

Hobbies: Golfing, outdoor sports, music – playing drums.

 

“I just love this community and anything that I can do to help our community grow, and prosper, I’m excited about doing.”

 

Fort Scott Arby’s Opens Sept. 24 at 10 a.m.

Arby’s Restaurant, 2101 S. Main

ARBY’S CELEBRATES NEW FORT SCOTT RESTAURANT

WITH GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH

 

United States Beef Corporation (US Beef), Arby’s largest franchisee, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is excited to announce the Grand Opening of its new Arby’s restaurant in Fort Scott, Kansas on Monday, September 24th, at 10:00 a.m. at 2101 South Main.

The restaurant site, formerly a KFC/Long John Silver concept, has been rebuilt and now occupies 3,196 square feet, with comfortable, full-service seating for 52 guests, and a convenient drive-thru for guests on the go, employing approximately 40 full and part-time workers.

To celebrate the grand opening on Monday, guests will be able to spin the Arby’s prize wheel from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm to win free fries or shakes or other Arby’s branded prizes.

And radio station KOMB FM 103.9 will also be broadcasting live from 11:00 to 1:00 pm, giving away free station swag.

US Beef Chief Executive Officer John Davis is excited to open this new Arby’s serving the Fort Scott community, saying “If you haven’t experienced Arby’s new “Inspire” design, then you’re in for a real treat when you see this one. When you walk into our dining area, you’ll see new, authentic textures, multicolor wood materials, modern lighting, and chalkboard graphics. And it’s really fun when we bring Arby’s into a town for the very first time. We’re meatcrafters™ and the commercials become real, bringing to your table all of your favorite deli-style sandwiches.”

Store hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For employment opportunities, go to www.work4arbys.com for more information.

About United States Beef Corporation

United States Beef Corporation, dba Arby’s, headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the largest franchisee of Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., now operating more than 365 restaurants serving Arby’s famous slow roasted beef sandwiches and unique menu items to hungry guests in nine states throughout the Midwest and the Western United States. It is a family-owned and operated business that opened its first Arby’s restaurant in 1969 and has now grown to over 8,000 employees. US Beef also owns six Taco Bueno restaurants in Northwest Arkansas. To learn more about United States Beef Corporation, visit www.usbeefcorp.com.

About Arby’s®

Arby’s, founded in 1964, is the second-largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world with more than 3,400 restaurants in seven countries. The brand is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit Arbys.com

Robert Uhler: Fort Scott’s New Community Development Director

Robert Uhler Community Development Director. Submitted photo.

A shifting in personnel and a new face have been added to the City of Fort Scott.

Robert Uhler has been hired as Community Development Director.

Uhler will be helping with housing development, grant writing and representing the city in Topeka and Washington D.C. with elected officials, City Manager Dave Martin said in an interview.

Dave Martin. Submitted photo.

“Robert will be bringing outside money in to help us accomplish what’s needed in the community,” Martin said.

According to the city’s minutes dated Sept. 4, 2018, Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director.

Rhonda Dunn

“Rhonda was doing two big jobs (Community Development and Codes Director),” Martin said in an interview. “With Jon Garrison retiring (this month), I was able to move some resources around.”

Community Development will be partnering with Economic Development to move the city forward, Martin said.

Other changes:

“Marlene Braker had the title of assistant to the finance director,” according to the minutes. “This position is not needed so her title will change to the financial analyst.”

Marlene Braker. Submitted photo.

“Paul Ballou has been promoted to Fort Scott’s Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable,” according to the minutes.

Paul Ballou. Submitted photo.

Airport Director Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31 and this position is posted on the city’s website. The new airport director will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, according to the minutes.

Retiring Airport Director Kenny Howard with Rachel Pruitt, Economic Director for the city.

Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the Information Technology position and taking over the city’s liability insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen, according to the minutes.

Deb Needleman. Submitted photo.

Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director, according to the city’s minutes.

Larry Gazaway

Downtown Store To Be Converted To A Residence

 

9 North Main, Fort Scott

Long-time Fort Scottians Jerry Witt and his wife, Judy are trading in suburbia for living downtown.

“Judy and I used to live in the Carriage House, at Third and Main, that Cheney Witt (Funeral) Chapel owns, while our house was being built…We loved living downtown,” Witt said.

“My great-grandfather owned the Witt’s Chili Parlor downtown. I played on the old fort grounds as a kid,” he said.

This summer he has been working with the Fort Scott Planning Commission and also the Codes Department to get plans finalized for the renovation of the downtown building. Recently he got approval from the city to proceed with the project.

“I’m currently working with contractors,” Witts said. “I’ve got to get the interior demolished. The architect is Zingre and Associates. Dave Irwin helped on the project.”

Currently, there is no projected timeline for the renovation, Witt said.

 

 

Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission For Sept. 4

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of September 4, 2018 Regular Meeting #17

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 4th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Dave Bruner, Michael Mix, Mike Billings, Kenny Howard, Darrell Parker, Kenneth Rood, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 21st, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1222-A totaling $1,650,284.63.

  1. Resolution 34-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 15 S. Crawford Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Review of Water Plant KDHE Inspection – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the Water Treatment Plant recently had an inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He is happy to report that no deficiencies of any kind were found. He is very proud of his Water Treatment Plant crew and recognized them for their hard work.

  1. Letter of Conditions – USDA – River Intake Structure Grant – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, introduced to the Commission Michael Billings, Area Specialist, with Rural Development of Iola, Kansas.

Mike Billings informed the Commission that he was present to go over the Letter of Conditions for the Water Treatment Plant and Dam Improvements project. The loan application has been received by R.D.A. and is in the amount of $4,925,000. This loan will be administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and area staff of USDA Rural Development. All conditions set forth under Section III must be met within 280 days of the date of this letter. He did state that this time frame can be extended if needed. He briefly went over all eight sections of the Letter of Conditions and 46 items on it. He did highlight on a few of the items.

Project Description: Funds will be used to make improvements to the Intake Facility, SCADA, and the water treatment plant clearwell and will provide an opportunity to further investigate the dam design and construction. Development items include: improvements to access road, emergency pump connection, water transmission main condition assessment, replacement of intake gates and actuators, replacing mechanical and intake screen, repairing intake pumps, replace pump motors and install VFD’s, replacing check valves and insulation valves, installing a new mixing system in the wetwell, install grout in the corners of the wetwell wall, installing a sump pump, providing davit cranes, replacing the roof, tuck pointing and sealing the brick structure, provide internal roof access, replacing old heating and ventilating equipment, modifying the existing power feed, providing a stationary standby generator, surge protection, RTU and radio system, security monitoring, SCADA improvements, temporary dam access, and abutment analysis.

The project is budgeted as follows:

Construction $3,132,000

Contingency $ 469,800

Engineering Fees $ 848,300

Includes:

PreDevelopment $ 114,000

Design $ 344,300

Construction Administration $ 390,000

Interest – Interim $ 199,900

Legal & Administrative Fees $ 275,000

Total Project Costs $4,925,000

Loan Terms: The interest rate will be the lower of the rate in effect at the time of loan approval or at the time of loan closing, unless otherwise requested. The loan is for a period of 40 years. Payments will be equal annual amortized installments, beginning one year after closing. A 3.125% interest rate and an amortization factor of 44.15, which provides for an annual payment of $217,439 is used. This amount could be slightly different based on the interest rate at which the loan is closed.

Mr. Billings asked for approval of four items:

  1. Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions

  2. Request for Obligation of Funds

  3. Certification Approval

  4. RD Staff NPA Certification Checklist

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Mayor sign all these documents after they have met the approval of the City Attorney. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: 1) LETTER OF INTENT TO MEET CONDITIONS; 2) REQUEST FOR OBLIGATION OF FUNDS; 3) CERTIFICATION APPROVAL; 4) RD STAFF NPA CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST. CITY ATTORNEY AUTHORIZIED ALL FORMS ARE APPROVED FOR SIGNATURE. – USDA WATER TREATMENT PLANT RDA LOAN – $4,925,000.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

Director Updates: Paul Ballou and Dave Bruner – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, gave the Commission an update on the calls they have taken so far in 2018. As of today, they are at 1,116 calls. In 2017, the calls totaled 1,594 so they are very consistent with last year. In addition to all the calls they attend to, they also conduct inspections in accordance with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office. The Fire Department inspects all schools, restaurants, motels/hotels, nursing homes, health care facilities, and any public facility.  The State Fire Marshal’s office inspects Fort Scott Community College and the health care facility.  The Fire Department does over seventy inspections a year. With their volume call, starting an inspection, and then getting called away on a call, it is becoming increasingly hard to finish inspections as they should be. He asked the Commission to approve for the State Fire Marshal’s office to take over inspecting all of the hotel/motel facilities in the City which will alleviate that from their inspection list. The Fire Department will continue to go in there once a year for a pre-planning inspection at the hotels/motels to prepare in case of a fire.

Mitchell moved to approve to allow the State Fire Marshal’s office to begin inspecting all hotels/motels in the City of Fort Scott. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE TO BEGIN INSPECTING ALL HOTELS/MOTELS IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.

B. City Commission:

Adamson Echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.

Bartelsmeyer Nothing to report.

Nichols Also echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.

Parker – Recognized the Water Plant personnel for their excellent inspection results. She also recognized the Fire/EMS for their excellent service. She stated that the average citizens do not understand what all goes into running a City.

Mitchell Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Changes at City Hall – City Manager announced that Jon Garrison, Director of Finance, has retired. There will be a reception held for him on Friday, September 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the great job he did while he was here.

With the retirement of Jon Garrison, became an opportunity to make changes. The following changes have been made:

Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director. Rhonda will keep the Codes position as well for now. Resources may need to be added in that department if needed.

Marlene Braker had the title of Assistant to the Finance Director. This position is not needed so her title will change to Financial Analyst.

Paul Ballou has been promoted to Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable.

Community Development Director – This position will be posted on the City’s website today.

Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31st. This position is open on the City’s website and will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director.

Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the IT position and taking over the City’s insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen.

Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director.

ADJOURNMENT:

Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:45 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda For Sept. 28

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMS BARTELSMEYER MASON NICHOLS MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: First Church of the Nazarene Pastor

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

Valetta Cannon – Southeast Kansas Library System Excellence Award presentation

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 4th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1223-A totaling $406,758.85.

  1. Resolution 35-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 302 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 36-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 421 W. 5th Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 37-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1110 Scott Avenue – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution 39-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Accessory Structure located in vacant lot south of 711 S. Barbee Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Robertson – October 26th, 2018 – Zombie Run – 5K Race – Gunn Park

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:00 p.m. – Public Hearing – Vacation of Street – Barbee Street – between 10th & 11th Street between Barbee and Little – Fort Scott Christian Heights c/o Terry Chance and Cecil J & Cynthia K Feagins, Jr. – (Jerry Witt) – Approval of Ordinance #3539

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 38-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 111 S. Little Street

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Riverfront Grant submittal update

  1. Comprehensive Plan update
  1. Consideration of Bids – Waterway Mowing

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn
  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager: Introduction of Community Development Director

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Howard To Retire As Airport Director

 

Retiring Fort Scott Airport Director Kenny Howard, left, and Economic Director Rachel Pruitt, at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday morning at the airport.

Kenny Howard, Fort Scott’s Airport Director for the last 18 years, is retiring.

“I can’t say enough about Kenny’s leadership,” City Manager Dave Martin said at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday at the airport. “We’re definitely going to miss him.”

Howard will retire December 31 and the city is currently interviewing for the position, Martin said.

Howard told about some of the planned events in his tenure which included clinics and fly-in breakfasts.

There have been increased fuel sales at the airport, since changing fuel vendors, he said.

Last year approximately 77,000 gallons of fuel were sold there, and as of August 2018, approximately 92,000 have been sold thus far, he said.

Fort Scott Airport has two onsite fuel tanks: a 10,000 gallon Jet A gas tank and a 9,000 gallon AV gas tank.

Agricultural flying operations, corporate flights, medical emergency flights and more recently a request from the parents of some St. Martin’s Academy students for charter flights, are a part of the job.

His additional duties are overseeing the mowing of 190 acres of grass and overseeing the insurance piece for the airport.

He said he was able to drop the premium for the insurance coverage in the last few years.

Two recent grants for improvement were received: a grant that will upgrade the Automated Weather Observation Station, and one for improved runway lights.

Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said there is currently a Federal Aviation Administration opportunity for rural airports.

“I submitted an application in August…there is no matching grant required…to expand the runway,” Pruitt said.

“The last six years, the airport has seen 60 percent growth,” she said.

The Fort Scott Airport entrance at 187th and Indian Road.

 

For more information click below:

Airport Receives Two Grants To Update

Subscription Will Place Flag at Residences

 

Pictured L to R – Friends President Reed Hartford, Martha Scott, Katie Wells, Kaitlyn Doherty, Flag Project Chairman Kelley Collins and Matthew Wells. Photo taken by Jim Scott

Members of The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Flag Project Committee, measure placement of a flag in front of the Scott home as 1208 S. National.

The Flag Project, which for a subscription of $35, will place a flag at the front of your house or business for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day.

If you subscribe before October 1, 2018, you’ll also get Veteran’s Day 2018 included in your subscription.

The project supports programs of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site which benefits programs at your local National Park.     For further information contact Kelley Collins 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott 620-224-9924

Kemmerer Selected For A National History Day Partnership Program

FORT SCOTT TEACHER SELECTED FOR WORLD WAR I PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mrs. Angie Kemmerer, a teacher at Fort Scott Middle School and Fort Scott High School in Fort Scott, Kansas is one of 114 teachers selected for a National History Day® program titled Legacies of World War I.

The program is a partnership between the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and National History Day.

Kemmerer will participate in webinars and discussions while learning about World War I with teachers from around the world.

As one of the selected teachers, Kemmerer receives free tuition, graduate credits, and materials for the online program.

Each of the 57 National History Day affiliates could choose two teachers for this honor and the National History Day program in Kansas selected Mrs. Kemmerer.

“As part of the commemoration of the centennial of The Great War, National History Day is proud to partner with the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to help teachers delve into the history of this global event,” said National History Day Executive Director
Dr. Cathy Gorn. “Kemmerer will learn about specific aspects of the war she can take back to the classroom to ensure this piece of global history is not forgotten.”

This program is part of an educational partnership with the WWI Commission, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, National History Day, and the National World War I Museum and Memorial. This new educational partnership will educate both teachers and school students about World War I through a series of more than 100 teaching events nationwide. More Information about the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission can be found here: www.ww1cc.org.

About National History Day (NHD): NHD is a non-profit organization based in College Park that seeks to improve the teaching and learning of history. The National History Day
Contest was established in 1974 and currently engages more than half a million students in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. Students present their research as a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance, or website. Projects compete first at the local and affiliate levels, where the top entries are invited to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. NHD is sponsored in part by HISTORY®, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Park Service, and Southwest Airlines. For more information, visit nhd.org.

Canon Receives Award

Fort Scott Public Library is pleased to announce that Valetta Cannon, our Children and Teen Services Librarian and Assistant Director, will receive an Excellence Award from the Southeast Kansas Library System on September 18th.

The award presentation by SEKLS staff will be at 6 p.m. at the Fort Scott City Commission meeting, and the Library will host a reception after the presentation.

The library will remain unlocked after closing for people who wish to attend the reception. All ages are welcome.

The Excellence Awards recognize exemplary library service or support of libraries in southeast Kansas.

Awards include a $1,000 cash award to the library, a trophy for the winner, and the winner’s name attached to a traveling plaque. The four recipients of this year’s award were announced June 1, 2018 at the Southeast Kansas Library System annual meeting.