Category Archives: Fort Scott

Town-Wide Fall Garage Sale Registration

Submitted by: Lindsay Madison, Executive Director, [email protected]
Monica Walden, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]
Phone: (620) 223-3566

FORT SCOTT – Mark your calendars for the Fall Town-wide Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, September 13th and 14th.

Now is the time to get your garage sale on the map.

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce encourages residents in Fort Scott to do your fall cleaning and make room for something new.

Garage sales may be registered through the Chamber by 1 pm, Wednesday, September 11th for only $10.

The registration fee lists your sale on the official garage sale map and enables the Chamber to advertise the sale throughout the region on the radio, newspaper, social media and the Chamber website.

Businesses are encouraged to advertise on the official garage sale map, which will be distributed to shoppers the week of the Town-wide Garage Sale.

The maps will be distributed from local stores and the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. The cost to place a business ad or coupon is $25.

Garage sales may be registered in person at the Chamber office, 8am-5pm Mon-Fri, located at 231 E. Wall Street or by phone using debit or credit card by calling (620) 223-3566.
***

Bourbon County Coalition Highlights Care To Share

Lavetta Simmons presents information about Care To Share at the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition on Aug. 9 at the First Baptist Church.

The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition meets monthly, except July, to allow agencies that help families to network and share what they are all about.

The coalition’s next meeting is Sept. 4 at noon at the First Baptist Church.

The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition met Aug. 7 with Board President Billie Jo Drake leading the meeting.

The mission of the Bourbon County Coalition Board is to provide children with an environment of security, permanence, and a sense of belonging and being loved. To support the mission, grants are applied for annually. Last year the board received a $1,000 grant from the T. B. Baker Foundation and $2,000 from the Southeast Kansas Community Foundation, Billie Jo Drake, president of the board, said at the opening of the meeting.

“We have also received funds from United Way, Key Charitable Trust, Mercy auxiliary, civic organizations and individuals,” Drake said.

The two projects the board focuses on are 1) rent and utility assistance, vetted through another helping agency, The Beacon and 2) pool passes in the summer for area low-income children.

This month, the local helping organization, Care To Share, took its’ turn telling what services they provide the community.

Lavetta Simmons, who along with Joy O’Neal and Teresa Davenport, helped found the ministry in 2007.

Lavetta Simmons

“I lost my Mom and Dad to cancer,” Simmons said. “Through that experience, I want to reach out to others.”

“Some people have no family,” she said. “Some have no insurance.”

The number-one expense is gasoline for traveling to treatments, Simmons said.

Last year Care To Share helped people 788 times and gave out $68,874 to assist the cancer patients.

Not only gas for medical appointments but assistance with wigs after hair loss, bras after mastectomies and many other personal needs.

Also housecleaning, respite care, mowing of lawns, meal coordination, providing Ensure (a nutritional drink),  and “Sunshine” calls to patients.

Care To Share’s mission is to provide friendship and support through emotional and financial assistance to individuals who are cancer survivors and their caregivers of Southeast Kansas.

For more information contact Simmons at 620-224-8070, Dona  Bauer at 620-224-7075 or Teresa Davenport at 620-362-3042.

The organization has fundraisers throughout the year to support the mission.

In addition, “so many people, businesses, organizations and churches give,” she said.

The ministry is also funded by T.B. Baker Foundation, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, United Way and memorials.

The Care To Share Board is comprised of Dona Bauer, Donna Beerbower, Kathy Clark, Teresa Davenport, Denny Heidrick, Carol Hill, Nancy Hofer, Randy Holt, Richard Long, Dr. Boban Mathew, Sidney Maycumber, Simmons, and Jerry Witt.

Larry Davenport serves as financial advisor to the organization.

Program To Replace/Rehabilitate Deficient Bridges Reinstated

KDOT program will replace and rehabilitate deficient bridges on a local road system.

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has reinstated a popular program designed to help replace and rehabilitate city and county deficient bridges. KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz announced the program today at an event in Butler County joined by leaders from the Kansas Association of Counties, the Kansas County Highway Association and the Kansas Contractors Association.

 

The Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program is a $5 million state-funded program that helps cities and counties by providing up to $150,000 toward the replacement or rehabilitation of a bridge on the local roadway system. To qualify, bridges must be rated as deficient, have a daily vehicle count of less than 100 and be 20 to 50 feet in length.  Cities and counties can garner an additional $50,000 by closing a deficient bridge. Local jurisdictions that are awarded funds must provide a 10 percent match.

 

“Kansas’ local road system is critical for getting people and goods where they need to go,” said Gov. Laura Kelly regarding the program. “I’m pleased to see state and local government working together and combining resources to replace aging infrastructure – creating healthier communities and economies.”

 

Funding for the program is part of the $216 million in sales tax authorized by Gov. Kelly to remain in the state highway fund in fiscal year 2020. Those funds will be used to increase highway preservation, help complete delayed T-WORKS projects, improve safety and provide new funding opportunities for cities and counties.

 

“This was a popular program when it was offered in 2014 and I’m very happy that we’re able to bring it back,” said Secretary Lorenz. “Reinstating the Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program was one of the top recommendations coming out of last year’s Joint Legislative Vision Task Force and is a great way for us to work together with cities and counties to address needed improvements.”

 

There are approximately 19,000 bridges on Kansas’ local road systems. About 20 percent – or 3,800 — of those bridges are in poor condition – or unable to meet today’s weight and vehicle requirements.

 

Under the previous program, 110 bridges were replaced or permanently closed during the two years it operated.

 

“The counties are excited and appreciative of this new bridge replacement program,” said Justin Mader, Saline County Engineer and president of the Kansas County Highway Association. “It will be good for agriculture, good for safety, will put construction workers to work and boost the Kansas economy while building and rehabilitating bridges that will benefit Kansas for decades into the future.”

 

Applications will be accepted through mid-September and KDOT will select projects in early October. Details are posted on KDOT’s website and can be seen at the links below:

Kansas Local Bridge Improvement Program

Guidelines

Fact Sheet

Application

Reimbursement request form

Unofficial Election Results for Bourbon County Primary Election

Just in from the Bourbon County Clerk’s Office.

Total votes cast for that person is the first number.

     2019 CITY/SCHOOL PRIMARY                           UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
                                                        BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
                                                        AUGUST 6, 2019
     RUN DATE:08/06/19 07:55 PM                                                                                  REPORT-EL45A    PAGE 001
                                                  TOTAL VOTES     %    ELECTION DAY    EARLY VOTE
     
      PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 16) .  .  .  .  .         16  100.00
      REGISTERED VOTERS - TOTAL .  .  .  .  .      9,771
      BALLOTS CAST - TOTAL.  .  .  .  .  .  .      1,340                   814           526
      VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL  .  .  .  .  .  .              13.71
     
     CITY COMMISSION FORT SCOTT
     VOTE FOR  3
      Cheryl L. Adamson.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        219    7.38           122            97
      Harold (Pete) Allen .  .  .  .  .  .  .        247    8.32           157            90
      Kevin "Skitch" Allen.  .  .  .  .  .  .        301   10.14           213            88
      Cynthia Bartelsmeyer.  .  .  .  .  .  .        333   11.22           179           154
      Casey Bolden  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         58    1.95            43            15
      Tracy Dancer  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        110    3.70            73            37
      Bobby Duncan  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         99    3.33            64            35
      Bob Farmer .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        213    7.17           116            97
      Josh Jones .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        215    7.24           133            82
      Deb McCoy  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        329   11.08           195           134
      Diana Morriss .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        198    6.67           118            80
      Jeanie Parker .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        204    6.87           111            93
      Lindsey Watts .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        285    9.60           185           100
      Matthew Wells .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        158    5.32           106            52
     
     
     SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER POSITION 3 USD 234
     VOTE FOR  1
      Kellye Barrows.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        643   49.46           377           266
      Joe Foulk Sr. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         36    2.77            26            10
      Michael J. Hoyt  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        133   10.23            83            50
      Josh Jones .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        302   23.23           189           113
      Aaron Judy .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .        186   14.31           118            68
     #E

Attorney Justin Meeks Gets New Office: Ribbon Cutting Aug. 8

Attorney Justin Meeks is in his new office at 1801 S. National Avenue. The wall behind him was the former outside wall of Lockwoods Steakhouse, he said.

Attorney Justin Meeks has moved into his newly renovated office space at 1801 S. National Avenue after months of hard work.

“It would’ve been way cheaper to tear down and build new,” he said. “But we saved the building….it’s got lots of character.”

Character such as original walls with a hand-painted sign and names sketched in concrete from a different era, which were both preserved.

And a great location with Hwy. 69 and National Avenue in close proximity.

The building was renovated and now is the home to Justin Meeks Attorney at Law and Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance.

Meeks is also the Bourbon County Counselor for the county government, which is a part-time position. The new space is for his private law practice, which is also part-time.

“I moved into this space for my private law practice in late June,” Meeks said. “It’s a very limited private practice: probate, business transactions, human resource issues, contract work, landlord-tenant issues, and banking issues.”

As of October 1, Meeks has been the Bourbon County Counselor for five years. “I’ve been out of private practice for five years,” Meeks said.

“I like helping people, that’s why I’m going back into a limited part-time practice,” Meeks said.

His office hours are Monday through Thursday, appointment only; Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.

 

History Of The Property

Justin Meeks and Kale Nelson purchased the circa 1925 building last year.

The new office spaces have had many repurposings through the years: a machine shop, Lockwood’s Steakhouse, various liquor store owners including Silver Spur Bar, a pet shop, a vape shop and other business entities.

This handwritten note was discovered in the renovation of the 1925 building, during the era of the machine shop. Meeks left the note on the exposed brick as art for his new office.

 

The renovated building was first used for a machine shop, Meeks was informed by people in the community.

There is a handwritten sign on the exposed brick in his entrance space that says “Leave Tools After Used.”

Then the shop was added onto in the 1960-70s, according to Meeks.

On the concrete floor in a closet, the names Patty Chow and Sharon Manyo are sketched into the concrete.

That’s part of the character of the building that was preserved.

Ribbon Cutting

The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce will have a  ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new location of State Farm Insurance, 1805 S. National Avenue and Meeks Law Firm at 1801 S. National Avenue on Thursday, August 8 following the Chamber of Commerce Coffee, which starts at 8 a.m.

Owner of the property is JK Hold’M Properties, a partnership of Meeks and Nelson.

The public is invited to the ribbon-cutting to view the transformation of the buildings to updated and modernized offices.

Justin Meeks law office is located at 1801 S. National Avenue.
The Meeks and Nelson offices before renovation in July 2018.
Justin Meeks Attorney at Law is next door to Kale Nelson State Farm Insurance on South National Avenue with Hwy. 69 behind the complex. This is the “after photo.”

 

Vote Today for City of Fort Scott and USD 234 BOE Position 3

The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.

The Bourbon County Primary Election is today, August 6.

Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.

From the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:

“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3.  The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”

The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.

Vote at these sites (taken from the Bourbon County Kansas website)

1st Ward        Community Christian Church                    DRYWOOD        Grace Baptist Church

2nd Ward      Grace Baptist Church                                   FRANKLIN         Mapleton Community Building

3rd Ward       Grace Baptist Church                                   FREEDOM         Fulton Community Building

4th Ward       Community Christian Church                     MARMATON       Redfield City Hall

5th Ward       Community Christian Church                     MILLCREEK      Redfield City Hall

6th Ward       Community Christian Church                     OSAGE               Fulton Community Building

7th Ward       Grace Baptist Church                                   PAWNEE            Redfield City Hall

NORTH SCOTT       Community Christian Church

SOUTH SCOTT       Grace Baptist Church

TIMBERHILL        Mapleton Community Building

The Primary Election will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.

 

Friday Night Free Concert Features Local Talent

At the Friday Concert in the Park series, the program will be presented mostly by young people.

The program starts at 7 pm on August 9 at the Heritage Park Pavilion.

Included in this week’s program will be Leah Wood and her 3 year old daughter, Nevaeh.

Alsop erforming will be Ana Rupprecht, a 9 year old young lady, who has participated in the First Scott Idol several years.

In addition, there will be a high school student from Baxter Springs who will perform. Joseph Barnes is a former student of Jack and Sandy Hemphill. Joseph participates in various band, theatrical, and choir activities. He was recently a member of the All State Boys’ Choir.

Thomas Nighswonger, a young man from Fort Scott, will be singing and playing his guitar. This is promising to be an excellent program and you won’t want to miss it!

Remember that seating at the park is limited so please bring a lawn chair.

In the case of inclement weather, the concert will be in the Common Ground coffee shop.

 

Public Health Department Moves: New Possibilities In Future

From left: Rebecca Johnson, BSN, RN, the administrator of SEKMCHD; Alice Maffett, Registered Nurse in Bourbon County and Kristi George, the administrative assistant. They stand in front of the new public health department facility at 6th and Horton.

The local public health department moved from behind the Bourbon County Courthouse to a more spacious building and reopened on July 29 to offer health services to the community.

The new space for Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Horton and 6th and Lowman Streets at 524 S. Lowman.

The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department is located between 6th and Lowman Streets and 6th and Horton Streets.

 

In former years the building has been Mercy Home Health, Curves-a woman’s fitness center, then Cornerstone Bible Church.

The location on two main streets in Fort Scott will be an advantage.

“We hope this location makes people more aware of the health department,” Alice Maffett, health department nurse, said.

Now the employees can serve the community in a larger and more visible building with services such as physicals, immunizations, pregnancy tests, family planning, Kan Be Healthy Screenings, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, hearing and vision screenings, SRS referrals, Sexually Transmitted Disease testing and treatment, and lab/blood draws.

 

The Public Health Department, located at 6th and Horton Street, Fort Scott.

Rebecca Johnson, BSN, RN is the administrator of SEKMCHD and her primary office will be in Fort Scott. Maffett is the Registered Nurse in Bourbon County and Kristi George is the administrative assistant.

A physical exam and current immunizations are required for entrance into kindergarten.

New this year in immunizations, is the state-required meningitis shots for 7th and 11th-grade students, Maffett said, which the department offers.

The WIC program will be utilizing the building and also available are breastfeeding classes.

The health department board is working to build community partnerships.

“It is a great building and we are looking for other community groups or agencies to utilize our conference room.

The conference room is approximately 25 feet by 16 feet and has an adjacent kitchenette for use, she said.

Dave and Jan Elliott will be offering Love and Logic Parenting classes in the future.

The health department board is also interested in exploring the option of telemedicine in the future, Johnson, said.

Another possibility in the future is to hire a Nurse Practitioner, Maffett said.

The hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to noon and 12:30  p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information: 620.223.4464. The fax number is 620.223.1686. or www.sekmchd.com

 

 

Fort Scott Commission Minutes of July 16

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of July 16, 2019 Regular Meeting #13

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held July 16th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

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

INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Uhler, Rachel Pruitt, Darrell Parker, Jason Pickert, Clayton Miller, Deb Needleman, Paul Ballou, Dave Bruner, Shawn O’Brien, Lindsay Watts, Michael Mix, Josh Jones, Bobby Duncan, Don Lindeman, James Collins, Linda Krieger, Mike Krieger, Janet Braun, Deb McCoy, Pete Allen, Teri Hulsey, Chris Reed, Andrew McGee, Bill Osbern, Michael Hoyt, Linda Fox, Kevin Allen, Ed Cox, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Bourbon County EMS – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, recognized Mike Krieger, Paramedic, Amanda Miller, Paramedic, Chris Reed, AEMT, and Teri Hulsey, EMT of the Bourbon County EMS for their lifesaving efforts on a call on May 27th, 2019. They were called to the west side of Lake Fort Scott for a patient in cardiac arrest. They were able to revive him and get him transported to Via Christi who then air lifted him to Freeman Hospital in Joplin where he underwent heart surgery. The patient sent an email thanking the EMS crew for their efforts and said that because of them he was alive today.

Mayor Parker presented the crew with a Certificate of Recognition. The audience gave them a standing ovation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of July 2nd, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1242-A totaling $365,643.69.

  1. Approval to rescind Resolution No. 4-2019.

  1. Resolution No. 12-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 505 S. Ransom Street – Public Hearing Date – 9/3/2019 – 6:15 p.m.
  1. Resolution No. 13-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1012 S. Crawford Street – Public Hearing Date – 9/3/2019 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution No. 14-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 517 S. Clark Street – Public Hearing Date – 9/3/2019 – 6:15 p.m.

  1. Resolution No. 15-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 706 S. Clark Street – Public Hearing Date – 9/3/2019 – 6:15 p.m.

Adamson moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, introduced Bill Osbern to the Commission.

Bill Osbern, Peerless Products – Mr. Osbern, CEO, Peerless Products, informed the Commission that Peerless needed warehouse space and storage. They located a building in Nevada which was the old American Standard building. They would rather have it here but could get it at a much better price than what they could build it for here. They also need the building space right now. Those are the two reasons they bought the building in Nevada. We could grow both here and in Nevada. It will take a lot to fix the building up in Nevada. We bought 20 acres to the south of their building, the old Arnold land. We are finishing up a trade of property with Labconco to connect our property to that property. We are currently in the middle of moving our sewer and water lines to connect to this property. We have done a lot of automation in our factory and put a lot of money into new machinery and did a makeover with our current building. There is new lighting and new flooring and they are trying to make it look the best. It is important for them when they have customers come in that they look the best. Their next big project, which is being designed by architects and being bid right now, is the expansion of their front office space. It is currently too small. It is important to keep quality employees. They are taking away half of their parking lot away. They will have 15’ ceilings now. This is an important project to them right now. They have another major project as they are an aluminum extruder and are looking at a new building and a new extruder operation. There have been several of them traveling all over looking at new equipment in Australia, Italy and Spain. They believe they have the best paint line in the world and are trying to do the best with the aluminum extruder line also.

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

limit per citizen)

Bobby Duncan – Mr. Duncan thanked Peerless. He said he installed Peerless windows at a project he did at the Port Authority in Corpus Christi, Texas some time back. It was the best product that the architect that designed it decided. That’s why he used them. He has a little issue that came up this week. He’d like to know who authorized the use of public property in a photo op that was clearly designed to sway the elector in the upcoming election to favor certain candidates and political policies. The ladder truck being too far from the building, it was improperly deployed at a very low angle and out the side. The same would be true for a 100 foot truck or a 125 foot ladder. Worse still, a firefighter was at the end of that ladder, bouncing it up and down. That’s reckless. He wants to know who authorized this. Another thing that came up in the postings from the Tribune for the candidates, Mrs. Adamson has stated that you are a successful business owner in the downtown historic district because you have always adhered to code regulations. Would you care to post online or give me a copy to review of your 2012 IBC code footprint that is approved as a 2012 IBC code? He would like to see it. Now remember, his was constructed under the Uniform Building Code. It’s legal. It’s safe. It’s fireproof. Yours is not fireproof. Your implication concerning his dilemma in the paper is obvious. So, he pretty much resented that. Thank you.

Pete Allen – Mr. Allen said that he only had two questions tonight. We in Fort Scott are a little shy on population. We’ve got a lot of population in the outlying areas, particularly the three mile area. He’s wondering why we discriminate against those people in the zone outside the three mile limit. Why do we not allow them to vote in our election? I figure they are Fort Scott citizens and they should vote in our election and I think you should redo the ordinance about the three mile area for elected officials. That was around 1991 or sometime around there. I don’t understand why we alienate them those people out there. That’s one thing I’d like you to take a look at. Also, I’d like you to take a look at Chapter Ordinance Number 7, chapter ordinance number 7 in the ordinance book for the City of Fort Scott that has to do with construction and reconstruction of the sidewalks and streets. I’d like a ruling on that ordinance to see what it really says because he can’t understand it. That’s all I have.

City Manager said he would get back with him.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of award of contractor for River Intake Structure – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that he was happy to bring this item to them tonight. He shared pictures of the river intake structure. The original structure was built in 1883 to pump water to the plant. It was fired by a coal engine steam motor. This steam engine pump was in operation until 1950. This facility had some minor upgrades in 1980 but nothing major since then. Some of the electrical is still original from 1950. It does need updated. He reminded the Commission that this is our only means to get water to the treatment plant facility. Bids were taken for the update of the project. Crossland Construction of Columbus, Kansas was the low bidder in the total amount of $2,287,242.00. He read the statement from U.S.D.A.: In addition, we are now ready to incorporate our current design contract into the required USDA EJCDC E-500 Agreement, and add the construction phase services. This action is required to: 1) fund the construction phase services, and 2) be able to include the design and construction phase services in the USDA funding for the River Intake Structure. He asked for approval to award the bid to Crossland Construction and authorize the Mayor to sign the construction contract and sign the EJCDC E-500 contract for engineering services as required by U.S.D.A.

The time frame is a little less than one year according to the engineer.

City Manager said that this is a two phase project. The structure update is phase one and the dam repair abutment is phase two.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to award the bid to Crossland Construction in the amount of $2,287,242.00 and authorize the Mayor to sign the construction contract and sign the EJCDC E-500 contract for engineering services as required by U.S.D.A. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

approved to award the river intake structure bid to Crossland Construction in the amount of $2,287,242.00 and authorize the Mayor to sign the construction contract and sign the EJCDC E-500 contract for engineering services as required by U.S.D.A.

Michael Hoyt informed the Mayor he had asked to speak.

Mayor Parker informed him his name was not on the signup list to speak as he did not arrive in time. He needs to sign up with the Clerk.

  1. Update on fire trucks – Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, informed the Commission that he had originally planned to come to this meeting with some prices on some pumper trucks. Rhonda Dunn is out of town this week and he is still working with H.G.A.C. and wants to get information from them also. He hopes to do that next meeting.

He said to answer Bob Duncan’s question, it was him that authorized the ladder truck to be downtown and to some of the residential properties that are off the street. It honestly wasn’t meant for a photo op, but to inform the Commission when we decide what to do. We have to find out about the grant before we can talk ladder trucks.

City Manager said that it comes back to him. He was going to address that under his time. He wanted to do research on the Peerless building. We had a fire on a house a couple of weeks ago and the 75’ ladder was not high enough. We are just gathering information. We did not put it on social media. We will be showing what we know when you make a decision on the fire truck budget. The State Fire Marshal got a call and called the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief and when they explained what we were doing, they were fine with it.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Robert Uhler – Robert updated the Commission on Waggoner Associates. When this started last September, this group was going to present the Strategic Implementation Plan. The final report will be given on August 20th to the Commission. This is a very strategic plan that we are doing to look at the next five to ten years. This includes everything we are doing in our town.

Rachel Pruitt – Rachel introduced Breann Martin of the Bourbon County Arts Council to the Commission. The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission reached out to the City of Fort Scott and asked if we had any projects in collaboration with the arts. There was a project that we didn’t know how we were going to fund. It all came together after the grant application was submitted. We received a reward for over $8,000 for a downtown mural.

Breann Martin informed the Commission that she is an art teacher and she wanted to incorporate student artwork into a mural for the downtown area. She serves on the Bourbon County Arts Council and heard about the grant opportunity and worked with Rachel on it. This mural will incorporate student artwork. It will be a common theme that kids will be involved in.

Rachel said that $8,725.00 in grant funds were awarded. The grant was under art integration and innovative partnership. The section applied for was under community development and historic downtowns. It is about revitalizing the downtown. The mural will be an enhancement to the downtown area. The grant award will be $4,800 and in-kind donations will total the $8,725.00.

The other item she had was the closure of the 2019 Downtown Building Grant Improvement Fund. There was $30,000 set aside annually for downtown business owners to renovate and rehab their properties. They helped twelve historic properties this year. So far this year, we have spent $27,570.43 with a total investment of $3,119,347.79. A very good return on our investment. These funds are not tax payer funds, but funds from the building lease in the Industrial Park.

  1. City Commission:

Nichols Thanks to Mr. Osbern and Peerless Products. He also thanked Jason (Silvers) for his hard work. He attended the budget work sessions and knows he works late at night also.

Adamson – Thanked Rachel and Breann Martin for the funding that was found for the arts. She is excited to see this come to our downtown.

Mitchell Remarked that she thinks it’s important to recognize that while we have all the negativity on social media regarding the City and all that goes on in our community, we do have citizens that are positive about our services and that believe that we are trying to conduct ourselves in the best manner possible. I know it’s important to our firefighters and how far it can reach, it’s important to mention that our caregivers, the fire fighters and police departments, even if they never get the needed equipment, they will always do what it takes to save someone in this community.

Bartelsmeyer Remarked that she is excited about the Water Treatment Plant upgrades and thanked Michael for his work on this project.

Parker – Thanked Tom Robertson who brought in the Cal Ripken Tournament this last weekend. That event brought in around 300 to 350 children and parents. She thanked Tom and the Fire Chief and Chief of Police who cooked and Diane Clay and Courtney Rooks who helped serve all of the guests. We are trying to do the best we can for this community. She thanked the Commission for the time they put in going through budget.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Budget Review – This is ongoing and he appreciates the Commission attending the meetings. The City is trying to cut approximately $200,000 in operational costs. This is a mixture of salaries and productivity. We are working hard to put $1,000,000 into the Street budget.

  1. Tourism – Larry Gazaway has resigned and is leaving us for another opportunity. We have about six or seven resumes. This position will be a Manager position and report to Rachel Pruitt.

  1. Stout Building – He thanked Kevin Allen (Skitch) for taking down the Stout building safely.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:44 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:44 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on August 6th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott Commission Agenda Aug. 6

AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

AUGUST 6, 2019

6:00

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Hunt, Faith Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of July 16th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1243-A totaling $856,754.94.

VI. SERVICE AWARD RECOGNITIONS:

5 years: (Certificate and Gift)

Nathaniel Arnold, Maintenance II – Fort Scott Municipal Airport

Derick Burke, Evidence Custodian/Police Officer/Records Clerk – Fort Scott Police Department

15 years: (Certificate and Gift)

Jason Pickert, Captain, Fort Scott Police Department

Sarah Long, Lead Communications Technician – Fort Scott Police Department

Michael Trim, School Resource Officer, Fort Scott Police Department

20 years: (Certificate and Gift)

Tom Coffman, Mechanic Supervisor

25 years: (Certificate and Gift)

Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, Fort Scott Fire Department

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Amy Drake – Fort Scott High School Dance Team

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

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Budget discussion and approval to publish 2020 Budget
  1. Authorization of Mayor to sign HGAC documents
  1. Adoption of 2019 Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3549
  1. Consideration to reject bids for the Water Treatment Plant Clarifier painting bid

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

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