Category Archives: Fort Scott

Entertainment, Fort Scott

For Families: Art Show July 28; Scavenger Hunt August 4 at The Fort

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Fort Scott National Historic Site

“Riddle me this” Scavenger Hunt & “The Fort Art Show”

 Lyrics of a popular song declare that ‘the children are our future’. The National Park Service highly values education programs and opportunities for youth. In keeping with that spirit, Fort Scott National Historic Site will be hosting events geared toward youth in the next few weeks.

On July 28, 2018, the site will be hosting an art show commemorating the beauty of the fort and its history. Artists of all ages are invited to submit a drawing or a painting that illustrates something related to the fort. Artwork must be submitted at Fort Scott’s visitor center no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 26. Please be sure to include your name, telephone number, email address, category, and title of artwork with each submission. There is no fee to enter.

Art will be on display on July 28 throughout the day in the infantry barracks museum next to the visitor center. The art will be divided into two categories; Grades K-12 and adults (age 19 and above). Awards will be given to 1st and 2nd place for each category. Visitors will also be able to vote for their favorite piece of artwork: the popular favorite overall will also receive an award. So come join us for a day of art and fun!

On August 4, 2018, you, your family and friends are invited to participate in a Scavenger Hunt at Fort Scott NHS from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. During the scavenger hunt, your team will solve riddles that will help you find various items around the fort. You may sign up as a team (up to six people) or as a single participant. An award will be given to the group or person that finds all the hidden items in the fastest time. All you will need is a cell phone or a digital camera to take a picture of the item and your thinking caps. The scavenger hunt will start precisely at 10:30 a.m. Participants need to be on site, ready to go, no later than 10:15 a.m. All ages are welcome to come! Come and see if you can find them all! Participation is by registration only. Call 620-223-0310 or come by the site to register no later than July 29, 2018.

The Youth Engagement Team, high school age students working at the fort this summer, is leading these events. The team’s job is to find ways to engage with youth and to bring more youth to the site this summer.

For more information about these programs, call 620-223-0310, or visit our website at www.nps.gov/fosc.

www.nps.gov/fosc

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTubewww.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Minutes of July 3

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of July 3, 2018 Regular Meeting #13

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held July 3rd, 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, Denton Wescoat, Deb Needleman, Billy Keith, Darrell Parker, Travis Shelton, Rebecca Todd, Jackie Neale, Bob Duncan, Silas Todd, Diana Morriss, Deb McCoy, Larry Gazaway, Michael Mix, Dave Bruner, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, and Clayton Miller.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1218-A totaling $776,247.88.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve 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) –

Bob Duncan – Mr. Duncan read a portion of Rhonda Dunn’s letter that was sent to him regarding the code footprint for the Beaux Arts Center. The letter stated that they would have 30 days to have a plan submitted to accomplish what was needed to be in compliance. He said that they had no choice but to close their business. He stated that the code footprint is incorrect and the City needs to fix it.

Rebecca Todd – Ms. Todd said that she is the daughter of the owner of the Beaux Arts Center. She has been a resident of Fort Scott since 2009. She believes a City should be business friendly to help build a better economy, but she says that this City has done the opposite. The City has made it impossible for a small business to recover and will not work with them. She believes this whole situation could have been avoided. She ended with shame on the Board, business development, and the City Council.

Billy Keith – Mr. Keith asked about the demolition of the old Driller’s Bar that is occurring where the demolition company is digging a hole and burying the debris.

Rhonda Dunn stated that they have a permit from the State of Kansas and it is legal.

Mr. Keith also asked about the Stout building and if the City could hire the Amish to come in and gut the whole building and save the building.

City Manager said that a deal is being worked out with the property owner on this building and that it will more than likely come down. It will be used for a parking lot.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Approval of Code of Conduct Policy for Buck Run Community Center – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that there is currently not a code of conduct policy at Buck Run Community Center. This policy will provide the staff with rules to back them up when dealing with inappropriate behavior. This code of conduct will be posted throughout the center and will also be included with the forms that the fitness center members are required to sign. Approval was recommended.

Parker moved to approve the Code of Conduct for Buck Run Community Center. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER.

  1. Approval of Motor Vehicle Report Policy for City employees – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that many of the City positions require the employee to drive a City vehicle and the job descriptions state the employee must have a valid driver’s license and meet the City’s driving history requirements. We have never had a policy on what those driving history requirements entail. She worked with the City’s insurance carrier, KCAMP, to develop the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. All City employees driving records will also be reviewed annually which has not be done in the past. Approval was recommended.

Nichols moved to approve the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT POLICY.

  1. Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are a few haulers that haul grease in Bourbon County. The City’s plant is not set up to process grease.

City Manager suggested drafting up the letter and sharing it with the Commission and it could be voted on at the next meeting.

  1. Approval of contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services for repairs at the water and wastewater treatment plants – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are several miscellaneous masonry repairs that need completed at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities. He asked for approval for the engineering contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services in the amount not to exceed $15,470.00.

City Attorney said that since these are repairs that it would not need to go out for bid. It is not new construction. The City can take bids on the different items that need fixed at the plants and award accordingly without having the repairs engineered.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: None

B. City Commission:

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Nichols – Nothing to report.

Parker – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. Director of Finance: Remarked that he gave each Commissioner a budget notebook and asked them to review it. There will be a budget work session at 4:30 p.m. on July 17th, 2018 before the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Fireworks – City Manager said that there have been many calls about fireworks being shot off other than on the 4th of July. The 4th of July is the only day waived in the City limits of Fort Scott. He thanked the Police and Fire Departments for getting everything set up for tonight’s fireworks display. The City is the only one authorized to shoot off fireworks on July 3rd inside the City limits.

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:24 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on July 17th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission Meeting July 17

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

JULY 17, 2018

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Introduction of Drug Dog, Mozzie

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1219-A totaling $375,841.80.

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE:

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

per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:15 p.m. Resolution 31-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe

and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 608 S.

Broadway Street

6:15 p.m. Resolution 32-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe

and dangerous structure located at 1914 E. Wall Street

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Wastewater Facility Inspection Review
  1. Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County
  1. Consideration of appointment to Fort Scott Public Library Board
  1. Adoption of 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3536
  1. Approval to solicit bids for a mower at Airport/Parks

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman

Larry Gazaway

Dave Bruner

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. Director of Finance:
  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

Business, Fort Scott

Good Changes At Common Grounds

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Changes are coming for a local coffee shop.

Local farm produce is being purchased for menu items, some new equipment has been purchased to better serve the public and a change of location is on the horizon for Common Grounds Coffee Company, 116 S. Main.

Two ministries of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene are collaborating to bring area food that is produced locally to the public.

One part of the collaboration is Common Grounds, which is a ministry of the Nazarene church.

Stuffed green peppers, roasted zucchini, squash, and corn, along with tomato soup are on the menu of Common Grounds, using local produce.

Vicki Waldron tests the stuffed peppers to see if they are done.

These produce used for the menus are straight from a garden produced by AgPathway, which is another ministry of the local Nazarene Church. This ministry involves mentoring interested people in vegetable gardening.

David Goodyear, the coordinator of AgPathways, a ministry of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, is featured on a poster in Common Grounds Coffee Company. Healthy Bourbon County Action Team also provided a grant to AgPathways Ministry to lay the groundwork for a garden that allows people to learn how to garden.

In addition to AgPathway deliveries of local vegetables, Vicki Waldron, manager of Common Grounds, purchases food from the Fort Scott Farmers Market.

“This spring I started buying local produce from the local farmers market: potatoes for potato salad and onions,” Waldron said.

Motivating this change was the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team through a  Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant.

A poster inside Common Grounds telling of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team grant participation.

The HBCAT grant helped Common Grounds to purchase a refrigerated appliance that helps keep food cold and easily accessible.

“All we had before was a refrigerator,” Waldron said. “We kept opening it and couldn’t keep it cool enough.”

Additionally, the grant helped purchase a blender.

“A more environmentally friendly, quieter blender,” Waldron said.

Vicki Waldron makes sandwiches using the refrigerated topper appliance purchased with a grant from the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. She said a food processor was also purchased with this grant.

Another big change for Common Grounds: a move to a different location in the near future.

“We are looking at, tentatively, to be in the new place by the first of the year,” Waldron said.

The new space will be on Wall Street and National Avenue, the former Fort Scott Tribune office.

Jennifer LaRoche is the owner of the building and is also on the Common Grounds board at the Nazarene Church.

The site of the Common Grounds Coffee Company, the former Fort Scott Tribune office building on Wall Street.

 

Fort Scott

Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital

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 Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, July 16 at 6 p.m. in McAuley Room C. The session topic is “Diabetes basics: Key behaviors to living healthier with diabetes.”

Patty Ryan, Mercy R.N. and diabetes educator, will lead the discussion and share details about options that may work for you.

The support group is open to the public. No registration is required and family members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. The next meeting date is September 17.

For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Library Offers Fun!

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Mishken Milton enjoys the pool at a previous library pool party.

Submitted by Valetta Cannon Valetta Cannon, Fort Scott Public Library Youth Librarian & Assistant Director

Rock Painting Party and Hunt
Join Miss Val and local rock-painting experts, Susan Carrillo and Dani Norris, for rock painting in the library and hunting for them around the library grounds on July 23, either from 2:30 – 3:30 or from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. You may register online through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/NxYGIkCqzNyqux0r1 or on paper at any library kids’ program. Refreshments will be served and the party is free to attend.
Harry Potter Teen Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party
Middle and high school students, join Miss Val and Susan Messer at the Fort Scott Public Library on Harry Potter’s birthday, July 31, from 4 – 6 p.m. for a party to wrap up the 2018 teen summer reading program. Games, activities, and snacks will be offered based on themes inspired by the Harry Potter franchise. This party is free to attend.
Summer Reading Wrap-Up Pool Party 
Summer reading attendees, read on to see whether you qualify to attend the wrap-up party at the Fort Scott Municipal Pool on August 7, from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.
Attendees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
1) Attend at least four summer reading programs and meet reading goals for at least four weeks out of the summer (or have an immediate family member who meets this criterion).
2) Donate to (or be an immediate family member of someone who has donated to) the summer reading program.
3) Volunteer at (or be an immediate family member of someone who has volunteered at) a summer reading program.
Librarian Valetta Cannon submitted this article.
We will swim, snack, and enjoy one another’s company as we wrap up another great summer together. This party is compliments of the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Municipal Pool, with food provided by donors and paid for in part by a grant from our local Wal-Mart, along with bottled water donated by our local G & W Cash Saver. Thank you to all who have helped to make this year’s summer reading program a success!
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Government

Annual Flushing/Burnout Starts July 16 in Bourbon County

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City of Fort Scott 2018 Flushing/Burnout

Who: City of Fort Scott Water Utility

What: Is initiating our annual flushing/ free Cl2 burnout process.

When: Starting on Monday, July 16 and lasting approximately four weeks.

Where: Fort Scott – this will affect the majority of Bourbon County.

Why: In order to maintain water quality. If this maintenance is not performed in the water distribution system, the water will eventually lose all of its disinfection residual, which could cause water quality to degrade, and could cause the utility of incurring disinfectant residual violations from KDHE.

The Fort Scott Water Utility has commenced the annual flushing program along with a free chlorine burnout of the water distribution system. This burnout is a part of the necessary maintenance of the distribution system which will help maintain the disinfection residual levels required by KDHE. During this flushing and free chlorine burnout, the disinfectant used in our distribution system will be changed from chloramines to free chlorine which is a stronger and faster-acting disinfectant. Flushing and chlorine burnouts are routine distribution system maintenance conducted by utilities with chloramine disinfection.

There are two common types of chlorine used in water treatment for disinfection purposes, combined chlorine (or chloramines) and free chlorine. Chloramines are created by combining free chlorine with free ammonia. A benefit of using chloramines is that they will retain disinfection residual longer in the distribution system and they do not lend themselves in promoting taste, or a “chlorine” taste in the water. Except during a burn out in the summertime, the City of Fort Scott Water Treatment Plant uses chloramines to disinfect the finished water before entering the distribution system. However, chloramines are not as strong of a disinfectant as free chlorine and it can allow certain types of nitrifying bacteria to grow in the distribution system. These naturally occurring bacteria feed on the ammonia found in our finished water. These bacteria are nonpathogenic – they are not a health concern. Nitrifying bacteria which naturally grow in any distribution system when using chloramines can become prolific in warm summer temperatures. They will eventually cause water quality to degrade in the warmer summer months. Also, heat alone is a major factor that will cause disinfectant residuals to dissipate.

This is why surface water systems across the State do an annual or biannual free chlorine burnout. The term burnout is commonly used because free chlorine is a much more powerful disinfectant than combined chlorine. Free chlorine will oxidize nitrifying bacteria and keep it in check.

Fire hydrants will be utilized to allow flushing of the system to help remove sediment from the pipes and distribute the change in disinfectant. Customers may notice City personnel flushing fire hydrants throughout the City during this period. This free chlorine is pulled through the distribution system by flushing the entire system through fire hydrants, blow-offs, and overflowing water towers.

Occasionally during this process customers may temporarily experience low pressures, taste or odors, discolored water, or even some sediment in their water. During the flushing and burnout, you may notice that your tap water tastes different than normal. This is because most people cannot smell or taste combined chlorine in the water, however, most people can smell and taste free chlorine in the water. It could also affect the taste of fountain drinks. If you find the chlorine taste unpleasant, it can be helpful to leave an uncovered pitcher of water sit overnight. This will allow some of the chlorine to evaporate and could help improve taste during this time.

The burnout process normally takes four to five weeks after which we can return to the combined chlorine residual and the excellent tasting water to which we are accustomed. We are extremely fortunate to have such a quality water supply available to us. Quality water helps promote quality of life. Much of the rest of the world is not as fortunate as we are in water supply and water quality.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please contact Michael Mix or Scott Flater at the Water Treatment Plant at 223-5160 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.