The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces the Spring Town-wide Garage Sale is, May 5th and 6th as well as the Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. To have your sale listed on the map, registrations need to be turned in by May 2nd.
Starting Thursday, May 4th, copies of the official garage sale map may be found at the Chamber office as well as local stores 5 Corners, Bids & Dibs, Casey’s, Don’s Smoke Shop, and all Pete’s locations. The map may also be found on the Chamber website fortscott.com or on Facebook on the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce page.
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held April 18, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners T. Van Hoecke (via Microsoft Teams), K. Harrington, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor M. Wells.
FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION: M. Wells, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE:Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Ben Hart/BakerTilly, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Police Chief Jason Pickert, Scott Flater/Director of Water Utilities, Jason Dickman/Earles Engineering, Rob Harrington/REDI, Jesse Hazen, Rachel Carpenter/Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT), Jody Hoener/HBCAT, Bill Michaud, Mark McCoy/REDI, Peyton Coyne/REDI, Jared Keylon/FSCC Director of Facilities and Operations
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Jones moved to approve the agenda as submitted for April 18, 2023. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED AGENDA AS SUBMITTED FOR APRIL 18, 2023.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 4, 2023
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1334-A totaling $664,633.78
Request to Pay Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $18,851.35
Invoice 16438 – System Designs Phase Addenda Phase II – $3,400.00 Phase III –
$4,187.50
Invoice 16440 – Bidding $450.00
Invoice 16441 – Cooper Street Inspection Shane Redfern – $291.00 Amanda Simpson –
$145.50 Miles – $74.75
Invoice 16442 – South Horton Street and West 6th Street Preliminary Design 82% –
$1,380.00
Invoice 16443 – City Engineer – Monthly Fee – $4,243.60
Invoice 16445 – CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project I Jason Dickman – $885.00 Shane
Redfern – $194.00
Jones moved to approve the Consent Agenda. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
OLD BUSINESS:
Consideration of Body Cam Purchase for Police Department – Police Chief J. Pickert
Pickert presented a proposal to purchase an update for body cameras for the Police Department. Three (3) quotes were presented to the Commission from Axon Enterprises, Kustom Signal and Motorola Solutions. Chief Pickert recommended the approval of an agreement with Motorola Solutions.
Discussion was had about the funding for this update. This will not be a one-time purchase. There will be an annual fee for services. M. Wells requested that the money from the seizure of the land sale be added to one of the funds to help pay for the recurring annual services. B. Hart agreed.
Jones moved to accept Chief J. Pickert’s recommendation to purchase the body cameras from Motorola Solutions for an initial purchase amount of $38,733.34 and the amount of $25,452.00 for years (2) through (5) for body worn cameras, dash cameras and evidence software needs as stated in the submitted proposal. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CHIEF J. PICKERT’S RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE THE BODY CAMERAS FROM MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS FOR AN INITIAL PURCHASE AMOUNT OF $38,733.34 AND THE AMOUNT OF $25,452.00 FOR YEARS (2) THROUGH (5) FOR BODY WORN CAMERAS, DASH CAMERAS AND EVIDENCE SOFTWARE NEEDS AS STATED IN THE SUBMITTED PROPOSAL.
Consideration of bid for Fort Scott Pavilion – J. Dickman:
Dickman stated that (3) renderings of color options were submitted as requested for consideration by the Commission. He said that Sprouls Construction agreed to a proposal from the Pavilion Committee to purchase the project materials and hold them for a reasonable amount of time for the construction if the bid is approved.
Wells stated the cost of steel is due to increase 8% to 10% by the end of the week and another increase is predicted in (30) to (40) days. He also said that the Fort Scott Pavilion Committee asked him to bring the consideration to the Commission to approve the purchase of the materials while fundraising continues for the remainder of the funds needed for construction.
VanHoecke asked M. Wells if anyone had verified that the T-Mobile Grant was still viable. R. Harrington stated that he had reached out to the grant contact but had not received a response.
Discussion was had about the funding and acceptable timing of completion for the Pavilion.
Jones moved to approve the Fort Scott Pavilion bid for the 70’ x 150’ metal structure for the amount of $191,357.00 from Sprouls Construction. Sprouls agreed to purchase the materials at the current price of $119,412.00 with funds to be bridged from the General Fund. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE FORT SCOTT PAVILION BID FOR THE 70’ X 150’ METAL STRUCTURE FOR THE AMOUNT OF $191,357.00 FROM SPROULS CONSTRUCTION. SPROULS AGREED TO PURCHASE THE MATERIALS AT THE CURRENT PRICE OF $119,412.00 WITH FUNDS TO BE BRIDGED FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
Further discussion was had on the full site map and presenting the Pavilion Committee’s color choice to the Design Review Board for consideration.
Consideration of WWTP Reuse Water Booster Pump System – B. Matkin:
Flater submitted a request to replace the existing reuse water booster system at WWTP. Three (3) proposals were submitted: Haynes Equipment using Grundfos pumps for $27,800.00, Letts Van Kirk using Wilo pumps for an estimated $26,500.00, and Fluid Equipment using Xylem/Goulds pumps for $41,684.99. S. Flater recommended the Hayes Equipment/Grundfos system proposal.
Jones asked why this request did not go out for bids. He stated that the purchasing policy stated that anything over $10,000.00 must go out for bid and not just (3) quotes submitted.
Dickman stated that was considered, but this was considered an equipment replacement.
Further discussion was had on the City’s Purchasing Policy.
Harrington moved to accept the proposal from Haynes Equipment for the Grundfos pumps for the amount of $27,800.00 for the reuse water booster pump system for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM HAYNES EQUIPMENT FOR THE GRUNDFOS PUMPS FOR THE AMOUNT OF $27,800.00 FOR THE REUSE WATER BOOSTER PUMP SYSTEM FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
APPEARANCES:
1 & 2. Jesse Hazen – Request for Temporary Park Closure – Riverfront Park – Riverfront Car & Bike Show – June 3, 2023 – 9:00AM – 5:00PM and Request for Temporary Street Closure – N. National Ave. between Linker St. and Maple St. – June 3, 2023 – 8:00AM – 3:00PM: M. Wells had concerns about the road closure being the truck route used for the Sale Barn at the requested time. An alternate plan was agreed upon.
Jones moved to temporarily close Riverfront Park on June 3, 2023, from 9:00AM – 5:00PM and North Riverfront Road and South Riverfront Road for June 3, 2023, from 8:00AM-3:00PM. K. Harrington seconded.
Jesse Hazen will keep B. Matkin posted on his needs for City assistance.
All voted aye.
APPROVED TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE DOWN RIVERFRONT PARK ON JUNE 3, 2023, FROM 9:00AM – 5:00PM AND NORTH RIVERFRONT ROAD AND SOUTH RIVERFRONT ROAD FOR JUNE 3, 2023, FROM 8:00AM-3:00PM.
FSCC Project: Jared Keylon presented a (3) Phase Project for the Pond Restoration that Fort Scott Community College (FSCC) is undertaking in the near future. They are asking for the City’s cooperation for Phase I with in-kind donation with the use of heavy equipment and an operator.
Jones moved to approve the City’s in-kind donation of the use of appropriate equipment, an operator and the possibility of fuel if needed, at the discretion of the City Manager, at a time to be determined later. K. Harrington seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE CITY’S IN-KIND DONATION OF THE USE OF APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT, AN OPERATOR AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL IF NEEDED, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CITY MANAGER, AT A TIME TO BE DETERMINED LATER.
Rachel Carpenter – HBCAT’s 3rd Street Park Project: R. Carpenter, Director of the Center for Economic Growth at HBCAT addressed the Commission to present their proposal for their program Stronger Together: Building Up Our Neighborhoods and Creating Placemaking Projects. She presented this proposal to the Parks Advisory Board on April 6th, 2023, and they approved to recommend her proposal to the City Commission. She stated that they are requesting $10,000.00 for routine maintenance at 3rd Street Park which includes: replacement of the pavilion’s concrete floor, plumbing for the bathroom, security cameras and surfacing of the playground.
Woellhof moved to contribute $10,000.00 from the Park Fund to the HBCAT 3rd Street Park Project to be used for routine maintenance as outlined in their proposal to the Commission and recommended by the Parks Advisory Board. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO CONTRIBUTE $10,000.00 FROM THE PARK FUND TO THE HBCAT 3RD STREET PARK PROJECT TO BE USED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AS OUTLINED IN THEIR PROPOSAL TO THE COMMISSION AND RECOMMENDED BY THE PARKS ADVISORY BOARD.
PUBLIC HEARING: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Consideration of Resolution No. 2-2023 – Designating the Official Depositories for the Public Funds of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas: B. Hart stated that every year the City must create a resolution to designate the official depositories for the public funds. Usually, it is done at the beginning of the year, but the City had gone out for bids for banking services which delayed the adoption of this resolution. The Commission accepted the bid from Landmark Bank.
Jones moved to approve Resolution No. 2-2023 that designates the City State Bank, UMB Bank, Landmark National Bank, The Liberty Savings Association, and the Union State Bank, all of Fort Scott, Kansas, and the Kansas Municipal Investment Pool of Topeka, Kansas as the official depositories of the public funds. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 2-2023 THAT DESIGNATES THE CITY STATE BANK, UMB BANK, LANDMARK NATIONAL BANK, THE LIBERTY SAVINGS ASSOCIATION AND THE UNION STATE BANK, ALL OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, AND THE KANSAS MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT POOL OF TOPEKA, KANSAS AS THE OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES OF THE PUBLIC FUNDS.
Approval of EPEC Aquionics UV Units, Power, and Control Panels: – S. Flater addressed the Commission to present the replacement of the Aquionics UV Disinfection System from the EPEC quote number 04122301 dated April 12, 2023, for the amount of $360,698.00 for the WWTP.
Discussion was had on the current system’s condition and urgency of replacement.
VanHoecke moved to accept EPEC’s proposal for the Aquionics UV Units for the price of $360,698.00. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO ACCEPT EPEC’S PROPOSAL FOR THE AQUIONICS UV UNITS FOR THE PRICE OF $360,698.00.
Consideration of Gunn Park Bathroom and Shower House Bids: B. Matkin
One (1) bid was received from Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc. for $295,689.00. The breakdown is as follows: bathroom only $115,075.00, shower house only $157,014.00 and removal of existing structures $23,600.00. J. Dickman spoke to the difference between the engineer’s estimate and the bid price.
Discussion was had on options to bring the cost more in line with the estimate.
Jones moved to reject the bid from Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc. based on the price. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO REJECT THE BID FROM HOFER & HOFER & ASSOCIATES, INC. BASED ON THE PRICE.
Consideration of Investing $2 million of City funds into Certificates of Deposits (CDs): B. Hart stated that the approval of the banking contract last month will allow for idle fund cash interest of approximately (3%) to be invested. He stated that Devin Tally would push out a term sheet to the banks and bid out a CD in the amount of $(2) million over a (6) month period and get interest rates back for comparison and then for consideration by the Commission. B. Hart suggested that the bid be held until after the Federal Reserve meeting on May 3rd to see if the interest rate changes.
Jones motioned to begin the process to go out for bids for Certificates of Deposit in the amount of $(2) million. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TO GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT IN THE AMOUNT OF $(2) MILLION.
Core Community Discussion: Bill Michaud presented the program to the City Commission and explained its benefits to the community. Jody Hoener answered questions regarding the need in the community.
Discussion was had regarding a donation from the City to the Core Community.
Jones moved to allocate $15,000.00 to the Core Community program within (30) days in advance of its start time. T. VanHoecke seconded. E. Woellhof, K. Harrington, J. Jones, and T. VanHoecke voted aye. M. Wells voted nay.
APPROVED TO ALLOCATE $15,000.00 TO THE CORE COMMUNITY PROGRAM WITHIN (30) DAYS IN ADVANCE OF ITS START TIME.
REDI Discussion: R. Harrington/Director of REDI, Peyton Coyne/Secretary and Treasurer of REDI and M. McCoy/Chairman-President of REDI responded to a request from J. Jones to update the Commission on REDI in the past (6) months.
Discussion was had about what can be brought out publicly and what REDI has been accomplished the current staff and contract of REDI, and grants that have been written by REDI. Comments were also shared regarding the future of REDI and further discussion.
McCoy requested that REDI be put on the agenda for the second Commission meeting of the month if requested.
Discussion of Upcoming Vacancy for City Commissioner J. Jones: J. Jones would like for the Commission to consider drafting an ordinance for a special circumstance to allow a (4th) candidate on this year’s election ballot, for the upcoming vacancy, that would be filled by the process of Ordinance No. 3618.
Discussion was had about the special circumstance in timing of the vacancy and the existing ordinance.
Jones moved to have an ordinance drafted for the citizens to elect (4) Commissioners on the ballot instead of (3) and that elected person would fill the vacancy terminating in December of 2025.
Further discussion was had regarding options for filling the vacancy.
Wells seconded. J. Jones and M. Wells voted aye. T. VanHoecke, E. Woellhof and K. Harrington voted nay.
MOTION FAILED
REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
City Manager: B. Matkin
Memorial Hall steps update – sealant being applied
Cooper Street update – phase II (up to 20th St.) to open by Friday.
KDHE Grant received for picnic tables for the Aquatic Center
NICA Race this weekend in Gunn Park
Comedy show success, Civil War Encampment, Artificers event and Pizza Republic event kept the downtown busy this weekend.
Letter to all businesses regarding enforcement of (2) hour parking
Engineering:J. Dickman
Memorial Hall steps progress looking good
WWTP Phase I Aeration is operating
Horton and 6th St. project – meeting with Evergy on May 1st regarding relocations
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:
VanHoecke:
Many thanks to City crews and Mid-Continental for Cooper St. and Memorial Hall steps
Congratulations to J. Jones and the committee for the comedy show success
Beginning of street striping with striping machine
Codes Enforcement meeting – process is under review
Gov. Kelly signed a bill exempting streaming services from franchise taxes
Visit from EPA – report forthcoming from City Manager
Enterprise Rental Cars and leasing fleet vehicles – meeting on April 25th at 11:30AM
Woellhof:
Strategic Planning Work Session – Scheduled for Monday, May 8th at 6:00PM and May 15th at 6:00PM for Advisory Boards Work Session.
Final decision about running for Commissioner on May 2nd Commission meeting
Harrington:
Busy downtown past weekend great to see, but events need to be publicized more.
May 16th is the last day of school
Jones:
Staff shortage for Aquatic Center – approximately (13) positions open
Consideration of using Lake fund money to fast-track Memorial Hall repairs
Wells:
Thank you to all the amazing and talented volunteers at the Fort Scott Encampment –
very excited to see event participation returning to pre-COVID involvement.
Structure on Margrave – still in the right of way. B. Matkin stated the issue is being
addressed through the Codes Department.
Unsafe Structure on Osbun – cannot be demolished yet because it is a crime scene that
is still under investigation.
Municipal Grant Writing educational opportunity – any other Commissioner’s
interested in attending in Lawrence, KS. Registration deadline is May 5th.
Thankful for all those who are working for the best outcome for the City.
City Attorney Comments:
Commended former City Commissioner Pete Allen for his Letter to the Editor regarding Earles Engineering
.
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:
Harrington moved to adjourn at 8:46PM. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.
BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.
April Specials at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, Buy 2 Get 1 Free on any Poetry, Classics,
and Performing Arts.
4/28-30 ~ 46th Annual Karate Tournament in Pittsburg Kansas, 150-200 competitors from the Midwest and Canada competing, tournament begins at 9:30am and is open to the public, no admission fee, click here for more info.
4/28 ~ Pop Up Poppy Class at The Artificers, stop in any time between 6-9pm, $20/person
4/29 ~ FSCC Spring Kids Fair, 9am-noon, click here for more info.
4/29 ~ Fort Scott Mud Run, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 2102 S. Huntington, Two pits, a 24′ mud bog and a 12′ fun pit, plus a kids mud pool, concessions, and more. Click here for more info.
4/29 ~ Heidrick’s True Value 37th Annual Garden Party, get a hot dog & pop for $.25, cooked & served by Care to Share, celebrate Spring with big savings on vegetables, flowers, roses, soils, mulches and rock!
4/29 ~ Public Auction Benefitting Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2102 S. Horton Street, 10am, click here for more info.
4/29 ~ FSCC First Annual Twilight Open, Woodland Hills Golf Coure, 4 person scramble, $400 per team of 4 OR $100 per person, Entry includes 18 holes of golf, cart, meal, gift, and glow-in-the-dark ball, click here for more info.
5/3~ FSCC Kids College, grades k-5th, 2:30pm-4:30pm, click here for more info and to sign up.
5/4 ~ Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting hosted by Papa Don’s Pizza, 10. North Main, 8am.
5/4 ~ Riggs Chiropractic Chamber After-Hours Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting, 5:15-6:30pm, remarks and ribbon cutting at 5:30pm,
see flyer below.
5/5 ~ BINGO by the American Legion, Memorial Hall, doors open 6pm, BINGO starts 7pm
5/5 ~ Spring Town-Wide Garage Sale, register your sale with the Chamber for only $12 to be included on the official listing and map, ad sales also available on the map for businesses & organizations, click here for more info.
5/5 ~ Backroom Art Gallery First Friday at
Hare & Crow, 118 S. Main, 1-9pm, click here for more info.
5/5 ~ ADM Blood Drive, Front Office Admin Building-Conference Room, 17700 South Highway T Deerfield, Mo 64741, 11am-4pm, click here for more info.
5/5 ~ First Friday at The Artificers, 5-9pm
5/5 ~ Taco Tico Cinco de Mayo, Elks Lodge, dine or carry out, DJ for dancing, 5pm,
5/6 ~ 1 Day Intro to Pistol & Fundamentals Course, Fort Scott Munitions, 523 E. Wall St., 9:30am-4:30pm, click here for more info.
5/5-6 ~ Pioneer Harvest Swap Meet, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, gates open at 8am, camping available w/electric $20, $10 fee for a Swap Meet booth, click here for more info.
5/6 ~ First Saturday Story Time at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, 2:30-3:30pm, click here for more info.
5/6 ~ FSHS Prom, walk-in starts at 6:30 with prom starting at 8pm.
5/7 ~ May Floral Class at Sunshine Boutique, everything you need plus wine and refreshments, 12-2pm, contact sunshine boutique for more info!
SAVE THE DATE!
5/20 ~ Shead Homestead Festival, 10am-5pm, click here for flyer.
5/20 ~ Patio Concert at Liberty by Bourbon County Arts Council “Wednesdays at the Hermans”
5/23 ~ Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair hosted by Southeast Kansas Mental Health at Fort Scott Middle School, 5-8pm, SEKMHC is NOW requesting Vendors for this event, register here for a FREE booth.
Jones T. VanHoecke E. Woellhof K. Harrington M. Wells
Flag Salute:
III. Invocation: T. VanHoecke
Proclamations/Recognitions:
P.E.O. Chapter CA 100 Year Centennial Celebration
May is Mental Health Month
Approval of Agenda:
Consent Agenda:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 18, 2023
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1335-A totaling $716,237.41
Request to Pay Billiard Hammer Hartman Insurance (EMC Insurance) –
City Liability Insurance Renewal $333,818.00
Request to Pay the Kansas State Treasurer – Bond Payment – General
Obligation Temporary Notes, Series 2022-1 – $58,318.75
Nuss & Farmer – outside of contract work – $1,452.50
VII. Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission discretion.
VIII. Old Business:
Consideration of Schneider Electric Contract – B. Matkin
Consideration of Lagoon Aeration Proposal – Phase II – J. Dickman
Consideration of CD bank bids – B. Hart
Appearances:
Cory Bryars – Temporary Street Closure Request – Care To Share Street Dance – Friday, September 29, 2023 – 6:30PM to 11:00PM – National Ave. between Wall and Oak (Wall and Oak to remain open).
Public Hearing: NONE
New Business:
Youth Activities Team (Y.A.T.) 1311 S. National going to auction – J. Jones
Consideration to go out for bids for 2023 Hay Rights
XII. Reports and Comments:
City Manager Comments:
Wastewater plant update
Downtown parking update
Aquatic Center update
Engineering Comments:
Commissioners Comments:
VanHoecke –
Woellhof –
Harrington –
Jones –
Wells –
City Attorney Comments:
XIII. Executive Session – If requested, (please follow script in all motions for Executive Sessions)
Fort Scottian Jennifer Michaud attended a seminar several years ago where Deborah Factor spoke about the Core Community program, her husband Bill said.
Factor started with a youth mentorship program and then added the Core Communities program, to help families as well,
Bill Michaud, said in an interview with fortscott.biz.
Bill Michaud. Submitted photo.
“I have been in contact with and getting to know Deb for…several years,” Bill said. “I recognized that poverty is an issue that is well documented and often discussed in southeast Kansas but I’m not aware of any programs that work so directly to hit the issue head-on. I believe that this is a program that has great potential to help change peoples lives so I brought it up a few times during different community-focused conversations in which I was involved over a several year period.”
Submitted graphics.
A small group of people came to see the potential that Bill Michaud saw, so there were a couple of follow-up informational meetings.
“In February Jennifer and I, Rachel Carpenter, Lindsay McNeil, Lisa Robertson and Destry Brown traveled to Greensburg, Kansas to attend one of Deb’s regular Monday class sessions and were able to see the program in action and hear more stories of lives impacted first-hand,” Michaud said.
“In March we asked Deb to come to Fort Scott to present to a larger group of church representatives, social service organizations and anyone else we thought might have an initial interest in learning about the program,” Bill Michaud said. “(Bourbon County Commissioner) Clifton Beth was in attendance at that presentation and at the conclusion, asked Deb to set a time to do an abbreviated presentation to the county commission.”
Submitted graphics.
In April, Bill Michaud and Deb Factor(on a Zoom call) presented to the commission on the Core Community Ministry.
Factor stated she started in 1998 in Greensburg, doing ministry for youth, according to the commission minutes. During the process she had kids she worked with for years walk into adulthood and follow in the cycle of poverty.
Factor said that her goal was to help the kids grow into healthy, thriving adults who can give back in their community and not be under the constant burden and struggle of poverty, according to the commission minutes.
Submitted graphics.
In 2015, after modeling a program that had been successful elsewhere, she launched the poverty program, Core Community.
They have 13 programs in Kansas and one in Illinois currently.
The program consists of weekly meetings, 48-50 weeks per year, and will continue to meet with the individuals for two to five years. The program tries to educate the community on what poverty really is, according to the county commission minutes.
Factor told the commission the program identifies barriers and helps people push through them, with 70 % increasing their income.
Core Community is tracking those that are out of poverty for ten years to gather data to see if they are maintaining the upward trajectory.
The first step in bringing the program to the community is fundraising. Then a community coordinator would be hired and reside in the county with CORE Community being their employer, and an advisory board formed.
Michaud said this is a fundraising-based organization and would not ask the county for money to sustain the program.
Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth said he worked in home health and hospice in southeast Kansas and saw first-hand the poverty that residents are facing and would like to see the school district, college and city government come together to make this program happen, according to the commission minutes.
Michaud stated about five churches in Fort Scott have been asked to become involved.
The Bourbon County Commission in a vote of 2-1 voted to give Core Community program $50,000 to get it started in this community.
Nelson Blythe voted against it, stating that “he doesn’t believe charity is the role of government, and there is nothing stopping others in the community from writing a check.” Nelson stated “This is taxpayer’s money that should go toward making the courthouse run and roads better”, according to the commission minutes.
The county’s Chief Financial Officer Susan Bancroft, stated the money would come from PILOT funds received from the windmill money to the county for economic development, according to the commission minutes.
There is a requirement to have approximately the first years budget raised before launching the program, Michaud said in an interview. This could take up to 18 months.
“Before we launch our program in Bourbon County we are going to work to identify what sustainable funding sources we think we will be able to count on to fund the program in future years,” Michaud said in an interview.
The City of Fort Scott and the Bourbon County Commission have approved money to help with start up costs.
The city has approved $15,000 and will be meeting with the Core Community representatives on May 18, FS City Manager Brad Matkin said.
“The City and County funding that has been approved are remarkable gifts that will allow us to get this program launched and accelerate the time frame for this program to begin helping people, but this program is not one that we anticipate will require future city / county funding,” Michaud said. “We have developed an advisory board that consists of representatives of several church and social service organizations so that we have input from a very broad base of representatives. This…board will also guide the organization once we launch the program.”
The Fort Scott Planning Commission will meet on Monday, May 22nd, 2023, at 4:00PM at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to consider the following:
A change of zoning from unknown to C-4 (Central Business). Evergy is proposing to construct and electrical substation on a tract of land located southeast of N. National Ave. and Maple Ridge Park Street in Fort Scott, Bourbon County, Kansas. It will be known as Case No. 1140.
This meeting is open to the public and will be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.
There will be a Work Session prior to the Tuesday, May 2, 2023, City Commission meeting. The Work Session will begin at 5:00PM with Gilmore and Bell to speak to the Commission about STAR Bonds and TIFs. The regular City Commission meeting will follow at 6:00PM. Both meetings will be held in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main St. and will be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube channel.
The Fort Scott Presbyterian Village Fundraising Public Auction will be held this year at the Bourbon County 4-H building, located on 2109 S. Horton street, about 3 blocks north of the Presbyterian Village.
The auction will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29th.
Submitted photos of auction items.
“Bring a truck and a friend we have lots of great items too numerous to list and picture,” PV Executive Director Ginger Nance,said . “Lots of surprises on auction day, as we have been gathering items for about 2 years and much is still in storage!”
Submitted photos of auction items.
“All proceeds are kept local in Fort Scott to benefit the Presbyterian Village Good Samaritan program, designed to assist seniors who outlive their resources through no fault of their own, as well as other Life Enriching Programs that directly benefits our local seniors,” Nance said.
Submitted photos of auction items.
” We have been doing the auction annually for many years,” she said. “COVID got us off course for a couple of years, but we hope to build this back to return this to an annual event and this year promises to offer great items for people to bid on.”
Submitted photos for auction items.
“There is truly something here for everyone!” she said.
“We have everything from great, clean, household items, furniture (antique, vintage and new—some like new or never used), we have décor (some specialty artwork from local, K.C. and other artists), we have really nice washing machines, costume and other jewelry (some gold), handicap equipment (some new), we even have collectible coins this year that were donated from an estate!”
Submitted photos of auction items.
Feel free to contact Ginger Nance at (620) 224-6173 or Joe Redden (620) 644-8417 with questions or to make an appt. to preview.
Submitted photos of auction items.
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village is a faith-based, not-for-profit senior living community dedicated to serving residents with a culture inspired by our Christian values and heritage, according to its website: https://www.fortscottpresbyterianvillage.org/
The Fort Scott Hurricanes team, 2022. Submitted photo.
Fort Scott Hurricanes is a competitive summer swim team for youth who range in age from 5-18 years.
The group started around 1980, said Tara Holt, who is the Parent Board President of the swim team.
This year the team is part of the Tri-State Swim Conference.
The local club petitioned Tri-State at the fall conference meeting in 2022 to become a permanent member.
“Full, official membership gives our team the right to vote at conference meetings and to be on the rotation to pick invitational swim meet dates,” she said. “The conference approved our permanent membership… at the first of the month. Being a part of the Tri-State Swim Conference has given our swimmers more consistent competition.”
The head coach of the Hurricanes, in her fourth season, is Samantha Short.
Hurricane’s Assistant Coach Claire Holt, Eli Holt and Coach Samantha Short at the 2022 Tri-State A Championships. Submitted photo.
“We are fortunate to have her back coaching for us this season! The kids and parents love her!” Holt said “Our new assistant coach will be Claire Holt. Claire is joining us as a coach after having been a swimmer for the Hurricanes for 13 seasons. She graduated last year.”
One way to support the youth swim team is to order Papa Don’s Pizza on Wednesday, May 17 from 10:30 A.M. to 8 P.M.
“Papa Don’s will be giving the Hurricanes 10% of the proceeds that day!” Holt said. “The Hurricanes thank Papa Don’s for their generosity!”
“The Hurricanes will have a meeting for the parents of new swimmers on Wednesday, May 3 at 5:30 P.M. in the small gym at Buck Run Community Center,” Holt said.
PEO Chapter CA will celebrate its 100th Anniversary May 3 at Liberty Theater.
The group is a philanthropic education organization whose legacy is empowering woman’s educational dreams. The PEO Sisterhood owns and supports Cottey College in Nevada, a four year bacculauerate-granting program open to women.
Chapter CA was organized on May 1, 1923, by the following Fort Scott women: Rose B. Miller, Henrietta Price, Fay A. Sample, Pearl C. Bamberger, Ethelyn W. Pritchard, Nina M. Trask, Lulu McGowan Mead, Rena Hunter, Ferne M. Duboc and Jessie G. Russell.
Today’s membership is comprised of business and professional women, educators, artists and those wishing to see women have the tools necessary to achieve their educational goals.
Throughout the years the Sisterhood has provided scholarships for women, young and old, who desire to pursue their education as well as providing other charitable work in our community.
For more detailed information, please contact President Pat Harry, 620-215-3913.
