City commissioners vote on signing political letters and demolition dangerous properties among other business in March 18 meeting.

Consideration of letter of interest for planning commission vacancy from Danny Brown. He had also applied for zoning appeals board, but was not selected. He then reapplied for this position and was approved unanimously by the City of Fort Scott Commission.

Public hearings for a number of properties deemed unsafe or dangerous and in need of either demolition or repair:

First property: 301 N. Jefferson

City Codes officer Leroy Kruger said the owner had communicated to him that she doesn’t want any part of the house. She wants it torn down. The commission voted to direct the removal of the building.

Second property: 501 S. Osbun.

Kruger said that when he last spoke to owner, she couldn’t meet deadline to tear it down. She wants to build a new house on the property, but wants the city to tear it down. The commission voted to go out for bids for demolition. Wells voted against the decision.

Third property: 314 S. Scott.

Kruger hasn’t made contact with owner. He said the property has been used as a flop house and had bonfires on it in the past. It is “a real mess” and behind on taxes. City commissioners voted to tear it down.

Commission approved the closing of S. Judson and W. Oak streets for prom on April 5 from 5:45-8pm.

Consideration of bids for easement machine for use in flushing sanitary sewer mains

Bill Limpky spoke to the commission about the machine. It works with the sewer vacuum truck, enabling the moving of hose for flushing through 36 inch openings, giving normal flushing abilities to areas that cannot be reached by the regular truck. Three companies sent in bids from  $71,100 to $93,874. Limpky asked for approval to purchase low bid item: Pipe Hunter from Key Equipment. It comes with it’s own trailer and a 2 year warranty on the engine and one year on all other components of the machine. The city has a long-standing good history with Key Equipment. The city had budgeted $100,000 for this item. The purchase was approved.

Consideration of ground lease bids

City Manager Brad Matkin said there were two  bids and recommended giving it to the one for $14,250 per year for 85 acres of land on the west side of field A. Commission approved the bid.

Consideration of greens mower purchase

Mary White presented the bid information to the commission, saying they had 3 bids and wanted to go with the $25,000 bid from Kansas Golf for a 2021 Eclipse 322 with 980 hours on it. Last year the city decided not to purchase a new greens mower, decided to go with 2 used mowers. One of which was purchased and is running well. Other mowers don’t start well or scalp the greens. The purchase of this mower, “would give us two operating greens mowers that are reliable with one backup,” White said.

Dancer wanted clarification on John Deere’s bid. Commissioner Dyllon Olson said the lower number of hours on the Eclipse machine: 980 vs. the 1,091 on the John Deere, make it a better buy in his opinion. He also expressed concern that the mower would be not be available.

Motion was approved to purchase Eclipse unless clarification of John Deere bid comes back at $21,000, in which case the commission will look at the bids again.

323 W. Wall status

Commissioner Matthew Wells has contacted owner. She is willing to donate house to land bank. Kruger said that the granddaughter plans to speak to mother and grandmother, saying they should let it go. Wells said he was attempting to not tear it down per two contractors who have expressed interest in saving it, but they were not at the meeting.

Mayor Timothy J. Van Hoecke is concerned about safety with recent fires and the safety of kids in the area. He said they can stop the demolition process if the contractors come forward.

The commission voted to demolish it, Wells against.

121 S. Margrave.

Commissioner Wells told the commission that the home was owned by Susan Anderson, currently living in Minnesota. She contacted one of Commissioner Well’s companies last fall. She has since transferred ownership to that company, which is working to finalize a plan to rehab it.

Dancer moved to table for one month to give Wells’ company time to finalize a loan for doing the rehab work.

Mid-America Baseball League Agreement for LaRoche Baseball Complex

City Manager Brad Matkin said that Fort Scott getting a team in the Mid-American Baseball League in 2026. The league wants a five year free lease of the LaRoche Baseball Complex, and will give the city 50 cents per ticket and help with some additional upkeep of the stadium plus payment of the groundskeeper. The league will do the concessions and clean up after games.

Matkin expects the upkeep costs to stay the same as they have been because they have been treating the complex as though it’s being played on every day because it’s a shrine to baseball.

He had an economic impact study done which showed that if an average of 50 people attend the 32 home games each season, Fort. Scott would see an economic impact of $89,000 for that 2.5 month season.

Commissioner Katheryn Salsbury asked if the league would be responsible to repair significant damage to facility. Matkin said they would and will have insurance to cover any possible injury claims at the complex.

Wells made the motion to sign lease agreement. It was unanimously approved.

Van Hoecke congratulated Matkin for bringing it to Fort Scott.

Monetary partnership agreement with Mid-American Baseball League

Matkin asked for $50,000 as the city’s portion of the monetary partnership with the league, $30,000 from Economic Development and $20,000 from Tourism. In return, the league will have year round storefront downtown as well as the 50 cents per ticket and $89,000 economic impact during baseball season.

The Joplin Outlaws are coming to play at the facility July 11, 12, and 13th. There will be fireworks on Friday, a concert Saturday, and a family-fun-day Sunday.

The commission approved the agreement.

Consideration for the city to write a letter to congress or to send a congressional representative to protect SNAP/No Kid Hungry1:02

Commissioner Wells spoke to the commission about the letter he wishes to sign. “I believe we are to the be voice of the people,” he said. “This is not an attack on any person… Now is our time to stand up for what we believe in, regardless of what others may say.”

The letter he wishes to sign is from the Mayorhood Alliance Against Childhood Hunger. Wells said that there is a current proposal which will cut all funds currently used to feed all the of the kids in Bourbon County and Fort Scott. It hasn’t happened yet, but is part of the budget resolution for later this year. Budget resolution rules to not cut SNAP or Medicaid were voted down. Now there’s nothing to bind congress to not cut funds.

Van Hoecke said current research shows no cut to SNAP funds at this time, but some states are trying to streamline the food choices available with SNAP funds.

Olson said he knows lots of kids that benefit from this, including his own. “I cannot in good conscience let commissioner Wells stand alone.”

While it hasn’t happened yet, Wells said, “Our opportunity now is to tell them what our priorities are as a community. One of my priorities is to feed the children of this community.”

Salsbury referenced the USDA cutting $1billion in funding for school lunches recently as evidence that further cuts may be coming. Van Hoecke pointed out that the cut she mentioned was resetting expenditures to pre-covid 19 levels.

“I find cutting funding for children’s food at a place where they are legal obligated to be [school] unconscionable,” said Salsbury. She went on to say that National Parks and School Lunch funding amount to only a third the size of the budget given to a private entity “doing some things in space.”

While willing to sign the letter as an individual, she is concerned that signing the letter as a government entity will paint a target on the city. “I fear for what would happen to our city if we just happened to get in the searchlight of the wrong person,” she said.

Van Hoecke pointed out that the City Commission is supposed to be a non-partisan body. He advised waiting to see what happens. “I don’t like to say the sky is falling before something happens.”

Dancer spoke up and said, “I would encourage every member of this community … to please, address it with your legislature, state and federal, reach out to the governor, sign a petition, in your own, individual capacity, because feeding hungry children should be a priority.”

Olson said that if the government can feed criminals for free, we can feed children for free. “Whether it happens or doesn’t happen, I wish to put my name and title with Commissioner Wells on this.”

The motion was made that the letter presented for commissioners to read and sign with his or her title, if they want to.

Dancer and Van Hoecke voted No, while Olson, Wells, and Salisbury votes Yes. The motion carried.

Second letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to restart the US Refugee Resettlement Program

Wells said there are currently more than 140,000 refugees who have already cleared all of the hurdles and were prepared for entrance into this country but are now held up by the executive order to suspend the US Refugee Admissions Program.

Van Hoecke said this falls outside the scope of city business and suggested getting a petition together.

Wells claimed that citizens have come to him saying otherwise. “When lives are on the line, I don’t feel like I need to wait to form a petition.”

Van Hoecke pointed out that the executive order has a 90 day window for reevaluation.

Wells said that the attorney general says he has the right to sign these, but a commissioner asked him to bring any future letters before the commission, so he is abiding by that commissioner’s wishes.

“I think it’s an extremely partisan issue,” said Van Hoecke.

Matkin weighed in with, “I’m not even sure why you’re having this debate. Because it’s his (Well’s) right if he writes it [his signature].” A year ago he did something similar and was criticized, which is why he’s bringing it before the commission now.

Salsbury said that Wells’s signing of the letter is free speech, and as a city commissioner, “you don’t forfeit your rights, but I do think there’s a special duty of care.”

“I currently serve as an army reserve lieutenant colonel. I have the same rights as you, but in that capacity, I would not, in addressing city government, state, or federal, identify myself in that capacity for the impact of whoever reads it because I would consider that inappropriate,” said Dancer. Van Hoecke agreed with him.1:29

Wells said that citizens of Fort Scott had reached out to him and asked him to advocate for them, not believing that they can speak up without endangering their lives, which is why he wants to include his title in the signing of the letter. He is doing it as a city commissioner, not just a private citizen.

Olson said petition readers look for elected officials. “This isn’t really city business, but everything happening out there affects our city.”

Wells made the motion to approved to sign onto a group letter with elected representative from other cities to immediately restart the Refugee Resettlement Program with his title.1:33

Van Hoecke, Dancer, and Salsbury voted No. Olson and Wells voted yes. Motion failed to carry.

Letter to Kansas Senators Marshall and Moran and Representative Schmidt to save national historic site of Fort Scott from budget cuts

Wells asked for the whole city commission to sign a letter he has written, “to save our national historic site from the damaging impacts of the mass firings and other changes that have been made.” He said that the site is currently operating at less than 50% of normal staffing levels which has lead to closures of many services and programs at the park and affects economy of the region.

In addition, Wells pointed out that the fort does not have enough staffing available to fire cannon or black powder weapons or bake bread.  He said the staff didn’t not provide the information, as they are not allowed to discuss it. Wells found it through his own research.

The April 12 Civil War Days events are also affected, which brought in 3000 visitors last year.

Van Hoecke said, “this is more in our lane.” He said this is part of the consequences of elections. Reductions in force are part of business. “Hopefully this is something that’s corrected,” he said. He also pointed out that this program is under a 90 day review.

“I believe our fort is very important…we want to keep the fort maintained,” said Van Hoecke.

There is currently no way to privately pay for any of it through donations, as all donations are disbursed evenly among all national parks.

Wells encouraged citizens to let elected representatives know that they are unhappy with these changes which are affecting Fort Scott and the local economy. “Unless we tell them, they are not going to know.”

The motion passed unanimously.

Consideration to approve installation of family stations in public areas submitted by SEK multi-counsel health department

Becky Johnson, health department administrator and health officer for bourbon county, spoke to the commission about the Breastfeeding Coalition within Alan, Anderson, Bourbon, and Whitson Counties, and their desire to install a Family Station at a park in Fort Scott. She was asking the commission for permission to build the station, but not the funding for it.

This would be a seating area with shade, a privacy screen for breastfeeding and other caregiving needs, a changing table for infants and toddlers, and a trash receptacle for cleanliness. It would be a concrete pad with the bench and awning made from metal or composite, and include signage to indicate it’s purpose. She said they are considering the splash pad or other park in town such as Gunn Park or Fischer Park.

The estimated cost is $11,440, subject to adjustments based on partnership and funding. The coalition is interested in collaborating with local schools and businesses to fabricate the components. It will then be assembled by volunteers and local businesses will assist with installation.

“We are actively pursuing funding and community partnership to make this happen, as well as grants,” said Johnson.

The commission gave approval  given with location yet to be finalized.

Johnson also mentioned that the coalition has funding for the four counties to purchase a lactation tent to use at community events that they attend for outreach.  It includes tent, chairs, generator, cooling fans, and a changing station.

Wastewater evaluation and design contract for Davis lift station project

Jason Dickman explained the changes: The Davis lift station is a very large underground structure on peers going down to bedrock. The peers were discovered recently. They had considered having those as part of the new wet well that is going to house the pump for the storm water overflows, but overestimated the cost and found that quotes from contractors put it into the $200,000 range. They have since decided to have a geotechnical engineer do a boring at the location of the wet well and design the peers with a report recommending what to do. Preliminary thinking is that it could cost $100,000. The intent with these findings is to save $100,000 from the original plan, which may have been over-designed.

“If we get this design and that goes in the plans, we’re very close to putting it out for bid,” said Dickman.

Commission approved the new plan.

Snider Electric Service contract

City Manager Brad Matkin explained the service provided by Snider Electric: “They control our thermostats and our heat and air units.” They have 24/7 access and on-site support and semi-annual system database backups. Renewal of the city’s agreement with Snider is $12,894 per year. If city doesn’t continue the services, they will have to control their thermostats themselves. Matkin doesn’t believe the city saves the amount of the service fee on energy costs.

Matkin plans to research the installation of wifi thermostats in city buildings.

The commission voted to discontinue the service contract.

City Manager reports and comments

They are starting to look for bids for bathroom upgrades at Memorial Hall. Parks tax can be used for community buildings.

Currently planning to take the marquee sign off of Buck Run and move it to Memorial Hall on the west side, attached to the building.

Dickman said Horton Street grinding is complete. Fog sealing requires a lowered speed limit until cured. Final completion should be April 13.

Wells asked Matkin about a light for the crossing at Horton and 6th and asked that the work session on storage containers be rescheduled.

He also mentioned that they need a final answer from the Bourbon County Commission on the Transportation Energy Efficiency Program study pertaining to making 240th and Jayhawk a possible truck route, which would open the city up to a bunch of grants on signage and the county to have funds to fix 240th and put in the roundabout on Jayhawk.

The commission decided to review the ordinance forming the land bank board, as the Bourbon County Commission has asked for a seat on it. The Bourbon County Commission contributed to the formation of the land bank and has historically had a seat on the board. Also land from the county can end up in the bank. The County Commission’s seat on the land bank board was taken off via ordinance last year. Now considering adding a commissioner back in.

Van Hoecke said he is excited about getting a baseball team and recommended others turn in a team name suggestions for a chance for free season tickets.

He invited the community to the Friday fish fry from 5-7 pm  in the gym at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic church off of Eddie Street. Cost is a donation for fish fries for everyone through Lent. The meal includes pollock and catfish and the dessert table. The fry will be every Friday through April 18.

He also mentioned the need to reinstall signage for no bikes on sidewalks downtown.