NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR SPECIAL
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
September 14, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
I. Roll Call:
T. VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
II. Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: T. Van Hoecke
III. Approval of Agenda:
IV: New Business:
A. Consideration of Bids for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 @ 20 th Street Repair – J. Dickman
B. Consideration of Proposal for Inspection for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension & US-69 @ 20 th Street – J. Dickman
C. Consideration of Approval of (2) Beer Gardens for Fort Fest 2023 –
September 30, 2023 – Riverfront Park – B. Matkin or Cory Bryars
XI. Executive Session:
XII. Adjournment:
Category Archives: Fort Scott
Fort Scott’s New Community Development Director: Mary Wyatt
Mary Wyatt, 37, is the new Fort Scott Community Development Director, with an office located at City Hall.
City Manager Brad Matkin said that the city had a community development director four years ago and believes the position is important.
In her job, she will involved in projects for community venues such as the golf course, airport, Memorial Hall, Buck Run Community Center, Lake Fort Scott, LaRoche Stadium, and the Heathly Bourbon County Actions Team’s Downtown Arch Project.
Additionally, she will be working with Bourbon County Regional Economic Development and representing Fort Scott in Topeka, City Manager Matkin said.
“I sit on some event planning committee boards and volunteer for community events like the Gordon Parks Festival, and will be the facilitator for the city meetings of several advisory boards,” she said. “I research and apply for grant funding to make improvements to our community, I also assist our City Manager and Tourism Department on projects.”
“Her personality will be a great fit for not only our staff but with the citizens of Fort Scott,” Matkin said. “She is from Fort Scott and knows what the citizens want and need. She has goals set for herself and is a self-starter and that is very important in a position like this.”
She graduated from Fort Scott High School and Missouri State University with a bachelor’s in Health and Human Services
“I worked over a decade of my career at Medplans/Firstsource here in Fort Scott as a Claims Analyst, then promoted to Quality Analyst, four years of my career at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott and Olathe Health as an Insurance Specialist, then promoted to Patient Access Supervisor,” she said. “Most recently my husband and I started our own business in June of 2022, Wyatt’s HVAC & Home Solutions, LLC.”
“Going back to school to get my college degree was where I found my passion and niche in public health and safety,” she said.
“My husband David and I have two children, ” she said. “Our son Daxton just turned 15 and is a freshman at Fort Scott High School, he plays soccer for the Fort Scott Tigers. Our daughter Alayna is 12 years old and is in 7th grade at Fort Scott Middle School and plays volleyball there.”
“My birthday is on Halloween, so I’m into all things spooky… Halloween, fall candles, scary movies, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween costumes of course!” she said. “I’m also signing up to volunteer to help the Chamber of Commerce out with our Fall Festival here in town. I love to cook and bake, and I love crafting as well.”
Matkin said Wyatt stood out from the other candidates because she has dealt with the public, has been in management, and has experience working on saving time, money, and resources.
“I have a very strong and innate sense of empathy and compassion for all people of all backgrounds who are struggling, misunderstood, marginalized, and underrepresented,” she said.
She has lived in Fort Scott most of her life.
“That helps me to connect to and understand the needs of many different groups of people here,” she said. “This job entails a lot of meetings, research, number crunching, data, financial analysis, etc. that’s necessary to get the job done, but what gets me out of bed every day is my love and empathy for our community.”
“I also bring determination and perseverance to this position with the city and I’m not afraid of digging into hard work to get things accomplished. I come from a long line of blue-collar, salt of the earth, came up from nothing, earn-every-penny-we’ve-ever-had type of a family.”
“I have been on my own and working full-time since I was 17 years old, she said. “I haven’t had an easy life, I’ve had to work hard, fail, try again, fail, get up, and keep trying to accomplish my goals, but one thing about me, I never give up. I will never stop working towards making the City of Fort Scott a better place to live for our citizens. I will never throw in the towel, I will always get up every time I’m knocked down, and I will contribute everything I have in me in my time here with the city, to work towards a healthier and happier future for our community.”
Matkin decided not to fill the FS Human Resource Director position, instead spreading that out throughout the staff, “so the money from that position will fund the Community Development Director position. I will continue doing some of the delicate HR functions as well as my City Manager functions.”
The salary for the Fort Scott Community Development position is $52,500 – $70,000 range, he said.
Chamber Announces Downtown Fall Fest is September 21
Chamber Announces Downtown Fall Fest
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Downtown Fall Fest late-night shopping event featuring horse-drawn hayrack rides, live music, drawings and more will take place Thursday, September 21st from 5 pm to 8 pm in the Downtown Historic District.
Stores will have festive offerings such as pumpkin snacks, hot cider, and a pumpkin passport to submit for a chance to win a Chamber Bucks gift certificate. Participating retailers include Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market, Bids & Dibs, Brickstreet BBQ, Flint + Fray, Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Iron Star Antiques & Such, Laree + Co, Museum of Creativity, Papa Don’s Pizza, Sunshine Boutique, The Artificers, and The Beauty Lounge.
Special activities planned by participating stores and Chamber include the following:
- Horse-drawn hayrack rides will be offered complimentary by Steve and Marci Williams starting at the Depot parking lot at Wall and Scott Streets. The trailer holds 20-24 people at a time and each ride will take a 15-20 minute loop around Downtown.
- The Fort Scott High School Orchestra will play from 6-7pm at the Lowell Milken Center Unsung Heroes Park.
- Angie Dawn’s Boutique will have a “guess the number of candy corn” to win a $50 gift certificate.
- Bids & Dibs will have a fall photo backdrop and sponsor a scarecrow art contest for children.
- Brickstreet BBQ will have DJ Brown and The Bourbon County Revival performing live on their patio from 5pm-8pm.
- Museum of Creativity will have a fall-themed cookie decoration table for $1 per person plus horse-drawn hayrack rides starting at the Depot across from the Chamber.
The Artificers will have hot spiced cider along with a drawing for a certificate to attend their “Harvest Pumpkin Class”. - The Wagon Roadies will be selling pumpkins at Wall and Main Streets.
The Chamber also announces a Scarecrow Contest is underway with the deadline to turn in entries of September 20th. Key Industries is sponsoring the contest with gift certificates for the top three individual or family entries, and the top business winner will receive one dozen logoed shirts and bragging rights for the year. More details on the contest may be found on the Chamber’s Facebook page or fortscott.com.
Downtown Fall Fest offers fun for all to get out and support local while taking in the season, finding some great deals, and seeing what’s new in apparel and holiday décor.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information.
Chamber Coffee At Riverfront Park on Sept. 14
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USD234 Board Meeting Met On Sept. 11
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
NEWS RELEASE
Monday, September 11, 2023
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President David Stewart opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda, and the consent agenda as follows:
- Board Minutes
- 08/14/2023 Regular Meeting
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Revenue Neutral Hearing
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Budget Hearing
- Financials-Cash Flow Report
- Check Register
- Payroll – August 20, 2023 – $1,437,854.99
- Activity Fund accounts
- USD 234 Gifts
- SITE Council Dates & Members
- MOU with SEK Mental Health for Mental Health Intervention Program
- Resolution 23-08: Banking Account Signers
- Investment of Funds Ratification
- Resolution 23-09: KMIP User Changes
- Appoint Destry Brown, KERMP designated representative
- Appoint Shawn O’Brien to KPERS Designated Agent
- Appoint Candace Jobe to Board Clerk
The Fort Scott High School Performing Arts Department was recognized as the Certified Tiger Team members of the month. The Department was selected as a finalist in KSHSAA Performing Arts School of Excellence Award. Justin Robinson, FSHS/FSMS Band Teacher, Carson Felt, FSHS/FSMS Orchestra Teacher, Angie Bin, FSHS Drama/Thespian Teacher, and Tyler Slinkard, FSHS Debate & Forensics Teacher attended, and the board recognized them. Each gave an update on their programs.
Jon Barnes, FSHS Social Studies Teacher, was recognized for being nominated for the Kansas Horizon Award by USD 234. Mr. Barnes is in his second year of teaching.
Jessica Phillips, Fort Scott Middle School Kitchen Manager, was recognized by Superintendent Brown as the Classified Tiger Team member of the month. Mrs. Phillips has worked for the district for over 10 years. She was recognized for a well-run kitchen and creating a fun atmosphere.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on the food service program where students eat free this school year, After-School Child Care program, iReady professional development and the required annual staff training. Mrs. Smith discussed a more formalized process for 504 plans.
Tonya Barnes, Special Education Director, provided a written report to the board.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, updated the board on the financial audit, Household Surveys which allow for waiver of fees, bond payments, and credit card rebate. Mrs. Shelton provided the current balance in ESSER funds.
David Stewart recognized Gina Shelton for her service to the district.
Superintendent Destry Brown discussed the options for fulfilling the open board vacancy. There was discussion among the board with no action, but consensus to wait to fill the opening until after the board elections in November.
The board approved the following items:
- Purchase from TBS Electronics in the amount of $63,055
- Patterson Family Grant in the amount of $50,000 to pay for tuition reimbursement for staff
- KDHE Test to Stay Grant in the amount of $205,588.05 to go toward nursing salaries and supplies
- Personnel Report following
The board went into an executive session for personnel matters.
President Stewart adjourned the meeting.
PERSONNEL REPORT – APPROVED EMPLOYMENT
September 11, 2023
RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS/RETIREMENTS:
- Hardwick, Lauren – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
- Miles, Lacey – Resignation – Fort Scott High School Paraprofessional
- Shelton, Gina – Resignation – Finance Director/Board Clerk
- Wood, Lannette – Resignation – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
- Weddle, Codee – Leave of Absence – Winfield Scott Paraprofessional
EMPLOYMENT:
Classified Recommendations for the 2023-24 school year:
- Hensley, Charlie – Transportation Director
- Pryor, Kyra – Eugene Ware Elementary Paraprofessional
Goals & Evaluation Schedule for Superintendent Destry Brown
Music and Bike Races at Gunn Park on Sept. 16-17
Some of the region’s fastest mountain bikers will be in Fort Scott for the 10th Anniversary of the Marmaton Massacre Festival, on Gunn Park Trails, the weekend of September 16th & 17th.
Race promoter and trail steward Frank Halsey is proud of what his team of volunteers has accomplished over the past ten years.
“Our event attracts all types of riders from the region, professionals as well as beginners,” he said. “Lots of riders prefer our hand-built trails over the machine-built trails in popular areas such as northwest Arkansas, we just don’t have enough mileage to be a destination trail.”
The Festival begins Saturday, with some participants arriving on Friday, to prepare for the Saturday Marathon Race, which is as many miles as possible in a three-hour timeframe. Sunday events will consist of the age and ability Category Races.
Halsey encourages locals to grab their lawn chairs and join us in the park for the Saturday evening festivities which will include a performance by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra at 5:30 pm, followed by the always popular little kids race, and live music by the Pittsburg band, Left of Center. Sharky’s Pub & Grub will be providing food truck services.
“Mountain bike racing is not really a spectator sport, but my goal for this event has been to bring riders to our beautiful city and park, while providing locals an opportunity to have a relaxing evening in our beautiful Gunn Park,” Halsey said. “None of this would be possible without our awesome volunteers and local sponsors including, Cheney Witt Funeral Home, CrawKan, Southwind Cycle & Outdoor, Sonic, Typhoon Bay, Union State Bank, Ward Kraft, RPS Benefits, and Mid-Continental Restoration.”
For more info: https://www.bikereg.com/61371
Location & Contact
- Location address:
- 1010 Park Ave, Fort Scott, KS 66701
- Event Phone Number:
- (620) 223-3700
Event Websitehttps://gunnparktrails.com/
Races begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Star Party September 16 at Lowell Milken Center
Lowell Milken Center Announces Date
for the Upcoming Star Party
September 8, 2023 – The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes received a grant from the Fort Scott Community Foundation in October of 2022. The grant provided the Lowell Milken Center with a Celestron NexStar 8SE fully automated telescope that can locate and track 40,000 celestial objects!
The Lowell Milken Center is planning its first Star Party on Saturday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. The evening will begin in the Lowell Milken Unsung Heroes Park with a short program about Unsung Hero Henrietta Swan Leavitt, whose very early discoveries in the field of astronomy made it possible to map out the stars in the universe. Next on the agenda, NASA Ambassador Jamie Davis will be inside the Lowell Milken Center to give a presentation about the Webb Telescope and its findings.
Refreshments will be served at the Center before attendees move to the parade grounds at Fort Scott National Historic Site to star gaze. All are invited to help use the Center’s telescope for the first time. There will be additional telescopes set up that can be used for space viewing and star gazing. The views will be worth it!
ALL ARE WELCOME!!
Don’t forget to dress for the weather and bring a lawn chair and flashlight.
About the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation: The FSACF’s goal is to partner with and be a resource to organizations whose goals are to improve the quality of life in the Fort Scott, Kansas area. FSACF strives to create connections between donors and a variety of worthwhile causes.
About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others.
U234 Board Meeting Agenda for September 11
Unified School District 234
424 South Main
Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697
620-223-0800 Fax 620-223-2760
DESTRY BROWN
Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 – 5:30 P.M.
PUBLIC AGENDA
1.0 Call Meeting to Order David Stewart, President
2.0 Flag Salute
3.0 Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)
4.0 Approval of the Consent Agenda (Action Item)
4.1 Board Minutes
- 08/14/2023 Regular Meeting
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Revenue Neutral Hearing
- 08/28/2023 Special Meeting – Budget Hearing
4.2 Financials-Cash Flow Report
4.3 Check Register
4.4 Payroll – August 20, 2023 – $1,437,854.99
4.5 Activity Fund accounts
4.6 USD 234 Gifts
4.7 SITE Council Dates
FSHS
FSMS
Eugene Ware
Winfield Scott
4.8 MOU with SEK Mental Health for Mental Health Intervention Program
4.9 Resolution 23-08: Banking Account Signers
4.10 Investment of Funds Ratification
4.11 Resolution 23-09: KMIP User Changes
4.12 Update Officers
5.0 Recognitions (Information/Discussion Item)
5.1 Student Recognition
5.2 Employee Recognition
6.0 Leadership Reports (Information/Discussion Item)
6.1 Superintendent’s Report
6.2 Assistant Superintendent’s Report
6.3 Special Education Director’s Report
6.4 Finance Director’s Report
7.0 Old Business
8.0 New Business
8.1 Board Vacancy (Discussion Item)
8.2 TBS Electronics – Radios (Action Item)
8.3 Patterson Family Foundation Grant (Action Item)
8.4 KDHE Test-To-Stay Grant (Action Item)
9.0 Public Forum
10.0 Other Business – Personnel Matters
10.1 Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)
10.2 Exit Executive Session
10.3 Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)
11.0 Adjourn Meeting David Stewart, President
Nance Shifts Careers as of Sept. 15
Ginger Nance has been the Executive Director at the Fort Scott Presbyterian Village for 20 years.
“My last working day at the Village is scheduled for Sept 15th as I will be retiring… and shifting my focus to care for others in a new, different career way,” she said.
The executive director’s job entailed leading and directing all operations of the site: budgeting, marketing, fundraising, staffing, resident care, dining and environmental services, policy and regulations, and “extending a helping hand to anyone in need,” she said.
“The very best thing about the job, hands down, is that it gives me the ability to make lasting, meaningful, relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said. “Getting the chance to meet new people and rekindle relationships with others whom I’ve known since childhood is wonderful!”
A challenge for Nance was the pandemic.
“As with any occupation, there are always challenges,” Nance said. “One of the biggest challenges during my career was managing all the issues surrounding the COVID pandemic in senior living. Probably my best and my worst attribute, at the same time, is that I care so much about our seniors and the families that we serve.”
During these years of COVID, the state and federal governments set many extreme restrictions to protect the resident’s lives.
“For a long period during the pandemic, senior living organizations were mandated to not allow people to enter the building for any reason,” she said. “This was heartbreaking to all! We worked as a team and included the families in trying to come up with solutions so they could still be involved and active in their loved ones’ lives.”
” For the first time in senior living, we learned to use Facetime…and sent out weekly communication updates to family members.”
“We created visiting areas with glass separations that were heated using amplified microphones for the hearing impaired. We set up the spaces so they could enjoy a meal together, a cup of hot chocolate, or whatever they desired to do during their visits.”
“I have never been more challenged, yet so very proud, of the amazing team that we have at the Presbyterian Village!” Nance said. Before the pandemic, during the pandemic, and every day since it ended, I am reminded of how fortunate Fort Scott is to have the Presbyterian Village in our community, as I watch the team at the Village care for our seniors. Their care and commitment go far beyond receiving a paycheck. I’m so very thankful that I could be part of such a great team for so many years.”
New Career
Nance feels the time is now to step out in faith in a new career to help people differently.
She has had conversations with senior citizens living in their homes, isolated, feeling helpless, because their physical condition wouldn’t allow them to get outside or even move about easily in their own homes.
“Often the senior would express… that one of the biggest barriers to the idea of making a move to downsize and either move to a smaller, more manageable home, or an assisted living was the idea that they didn’t even know where to begin,” she said.
They didn’t know how to go about downsizing their belongings and/or selling their home, which would stop them, due to fear or physical inability, she said.
“I understand their fears and their concerns and I would like to be available to help people through this process in a kind, patient, understanding way, always keeping them in the driver’s seat every step of the way,” she said.
“For this reason, I am currently offering my services as a ‘Rightsizing Specialist,’ to help seniors and other adults with these types of issues they are facing,” she said.
Services she will offer the community is downsizing, upsizing, or simply “right-sizing” to find a home that meets the current needs of their life.
“We all know that one shoe doesn’t fit all and my goal is to offer my assistance on an individualized basis for each person,” she said. “The options: live auction, estate/tag sales, private sales to individuals, charity donations, assistance with packing, boxing, and the moving process, as well as assistance with buying and selling your home, if desired.”
She is licensed in both Kansas and Missouri and recently joined the Stutesman’s Action Realty team, with offices located in Fort Scott, Nevada, and Lamar, Missouri.
“I very much want to remain active in my hometown, where my family roots are, and I want to continue to build lasting relationships with people from all walks of life,” she said. “The passion I have to help others is the fuel that continues to drive me as I work to build a new business line to offer to our community. If you know someone who could benefit from my help, please give me a call, and let’s talk (620) 224-6173.”
Support for Grieving Mothers Offered Through First Methodist Church
Cindy Valdez will be starting a group called Support for Grieving Mothers in and around the Bourbon County Area. The group will be meeting every Thursday from 6-7:30 in the Church Parlor at the Fort Scott First United Methodist Church at 301 South National.
The meetings will run from 9/21/23-11/16/23. This is a group for mothers who’ve lost children no matter how they were when they passed. I
If you’d like to join you’ll need to contact Cindy Valdez at 620-224-8515 or email her at freckles4624@zimbracloud.com
City Works to Replenish Water to Marmaton River From Lake Fort Scott
The City of Fort Scott staff opened the Lake Fort Scott valve four turns today to help replenish some of the water lost in Rock Creek, according to Brad Matkin, the city manager.
The city gets its water supply from the Marmaton River, as do many outlying areas. The 50-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve systems.
“The Marmaton River is down to 8.3′ and we need it to be 9.5′-10′,” he said. “We will monitor this for the next several days. Still in Water Warning stage #1. There is a video on the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.”
Bourbon County was declared by Governor Kelly that it is in a drought emergency in mid-August.
HBCAT Grant: Hulbert’s Jewelry LLC
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hulbert’s Jewelry, LLC,(doing business as Bartelsmeyer Jewelry) owners, Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert became owners of the local jewelry story in historic downtown Fort Scott on July 5, 2023.
Krysta noted however, that the jewelry store has been a part of Fort Scott’s history since 1904.
“Wyatt and I are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the tradition of this long-standing business in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas,” she said. “We are dedicated to upholding the same commitment to quality customer service, and craftsmanship, to ensure that the store will endure through another generation. We hope to have the support of the whole community as we step into a new and exciting future!”
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, I have been the familiar face that greets you at the door for the last 13 years working for John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer,” Krysta said. “I truly enjoy my job and have had the amazing opportunity to develop many wonderful relationships with the people in my community because of working at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. As John and Cindy started to consider retirement, I began discussing the possibility of buying the jewelry store with my husband Wyatt.”
It took about a year to finalize the sale to the Hulberts.
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, you will find a curated collection of new gold and silver jewelry, from delicate necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to bold statement pieces and permanent jewelry,” she said. “We carry a wide array of estate jewelry, and our designs encompass a range of styles to suit every taste. We also have a sparkling selection of engagement rings and diamond jewelry, as well as a Custom Design Program that can make your unique vision into a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.”
They also provide maintenance of jewelry.
“The store’s jewelry repair service encompasses everything from minor fixes to intricate restorations.” she said. “We offer ring repair, sizing, and soldering; stone setting and tightening; prong re-tipping; watch repair and battery replacement, jewelry appraisal services, and customized engraving.”
They also buy and sell gold and silver jewelry, coins, and bullion.
“We were so excited to be selected as one of the grant recipients!” she said. “We will be using the grant money for some much-needed tool and equipment updates, including a specialized diamond tester that will help us distinguish lab-grown diamonds from naturally mined diamonds. This will allow us to offer peace of mind to our customers as we dive into a new era in the diamond market.”
The jewelry store address is 22 North Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Contact info: Store Phone: 620-223-2070, Store Website: www.bartelsmeyerjewelry.com, Store E-mail: [email protected]
