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Category Archives: Government
Celebrate Kansas Birthday Jan. 29
Kansas Tourism Invites Everyone to Help Celebrate Kansas’ Birthday
~Kansas Day is Saturday, January 29, 2022~
TOPEKA– Kansas Day is this Saturday, January 29, and Kansas Tourism is inviting everyone to help celebrate our state’s 161st birthday. This annual commemoration of Kansas’ statehood is designed to help us reflect on our state’s history while highlighting the things that make Kansas special. Kansas Tourism is proud to elevate the holiday with new appreciation and pride for our state.
“Kansans are famously humble people—it’s not in our nature to boast,” said Bridgette Jobe, Kansas Director of Tourism. “But this Kansas Day, we are shouting from the rooftops our love for our beautiful, unique, exciting and welcoming state. We invite all Kansans and those who love Kansas to join in our celebration.”
There are several ways to get in on the statewide social tribute. Details can be found in the Kansas Day toolkit at TravelKS.com/KansasDay.
To participate:
First, on January 29, make your own special salute to the Sunflower State on your social media channels. Make sure to use the ‘To the Stars’ format and #ToTheStarsKS as outlined in the toolkit.
Second, Kansas Tourism is premiering a new video tribute for Kansas Day 2022. Make sure you are following Kansas Tourism on social media to watch and share the new video. Surprises are in store for those that engage with and share the video! A lucky few participants may win a ‘To the Stars’ Gear Giveaway. Stay tuned to the Kansas Tourism social channels for more information.
Third, print out a Kansas Day poster to hang in your business window, classroom, office, or community announcement board to share the Kansas Day excitement. The free poster download is available in the toolkit.
Finally, get your official Kansas Tourism ‘To the Stars’ gear at TravelKS.com to show your Kansas pride year-round. A new limited-edition series featuring a custom Kansas inspired design by Hutchinson artist Brady Scott is now available.
Additional information and educational resources can also be found on the Kansas Day toolkit.
Follow Kansas Tourism on social media.
https://www.facebook.com/TravelKS
https://www.instagram.com/kansastourism/
The mission of the Kansas Tourism Division is to inspire travel to and throughout Kansas to maximize the positive impacts that tourism has on our state and local communities. Kansas Tourism is a division of the Kansas Department of Commerce and works hand in hand with other Commerce community programs to elevate and promote Kansas as a tourist destination. Kansas Tourism oversees all tourism marketing and PR for the state, produces travel publications and advertising, manages the states travel website TravelKS.com, manages state Travel Information Centers, manages both the Kansas By-ways program and the Kansas Agritourism program, approves tourist signage applications, produces the KANSAS! Magazine, and provides financial and educational support to the tourism industry in Kansas through grants, education, and support. The ‘To the Stars’ marketing campaign developed by Kansas Tourism honors the states motto of Ad Astra Per Aspera.
KDHE Announces Dr. Joan Duwve as Acting State Health Officer
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Acting Secretary Janet Stanek today announced Joan Duwve, M.D., MPH, as the new Acting State Health Officer. Duwve previously served as the Deputy State Health Officer.
“Joan has served Kansans since 2020, providing valuable input on the COVID-19 response,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “Her time at KDHE coupled with her extensive history as a physician and public health official makes her the best choice for this role.
Duwve joined KDHE in Nov. 2020 to lead the COVID-19 Unified Testing Strategy before moving into the Deputy State Health Officer position in July 2021. Prior to her roles at KDHE, Duwve spent 12 years in various public health leadership roles in South Carolina and Indiana. While at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control, Duwve worked to elevate the health equity program and hire a director of diversity, equity and inclusion. She also spent 11 years practicing as a family medicine physician.
“I’m grateful to Secretary Stanek for selecting me for this role within KDHE,” Joan Duwve, M.D., said. “The importance of public health has become increasingly evident over the past couple of years as we have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m looking forward to working alongside state and local public health officials and stakeholders as we continue to work together to protect and improve the health of all Kansans.”
Duwve completed her medical degree at Johns Hopkins University. She also holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the Ohio State University. She has served on the CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Board of Scientific Counselors, a National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine Evaluation Committee and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Board of Directors and Infectious Diseases Policy Committee.
Agenda for Bourbon County Commission, Jan. 25
Agenda for Bourbon County Commission,1stFloor, County Courthouse210 S. National AvenueFort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00 Date: January 25, 2022
1stDistrict-Lynne Oharah _______________
2ndDistrict-JimHarris: _______________________
3rdDistrict-Clifton Beth
County Clerk-Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
•Flag Salute
•Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
•Eric Bailey –Road and Bridge Report
•Approval of Township & Cemetery Board’s Annual Report
•Discussion of Meeting @ Medical Building on 1/31/22
•Discussion of Kansas Association of Counties Meeting in the Fall
•County Counselor Comment
•Susan Bancroft, Finance DirectorComment
Executive Session –KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
•Public Comment
•Elected Officials Comment
•CommissionComment
FSCC Board Agenda For Jan. 24
January 24, 2022
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
January 24, 2022. The meeting will be held in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community College.
5:00 p.m. Dinner in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall at 5:00 followed by regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m.
THE AGENDA
5:00 DINNER
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Audit Report, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on December 13,
2021, 6
C. Approval of Treasurer’s Report, Bills, and Claims, 9
D. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS, 52
A. Approval of Interlocal Agreement Between City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County, USD 234, and FSCC, 52
B. Consideration of Public Records Request Policy, 56
REPORTS, 58
A. Administrative Updates, 58
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 76
ADJOURNMENT, 77
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• January 24, 2022: Board Meeting
• February 21, 2022: Board Meeting
• March 14 – 18, 2022: Spring Break, Campus Closed
• March 21, 2022: Board Meeting
• March 25, 2022: Aggie Day
• April 12, 2022: Foundation Scholarship Dinner
• April 15, 2022: Good Friday, Campus Closed
• April 18, 2022: Board Meeting
• May 6, 2022: Athletic Award Show
• May 7, 2022: Hall of Fame Golf Tournament and Banquet
• May 10 – 13, 2022: Finals
• May 14, 2022: Graduation
• May 16, 2022: Board Meeting
• May 30, 2022: Memorial Day, Campus Closed
• June 20, 2022: Board Meeting
• July 16, 2022: Foundation Gala
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. AUDIT REPORT
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
1) Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on December
13, 2021.
C. APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT, BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Treasurer’s Report and the Bills and Claims Report.
D. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Separations
a) Sean Davidson, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
b) Kelly Davis, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
c) Jeff George, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
d) Carson Hunter, Head Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
e) Brant Newman, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
f) Jeremiah Taylor, Assistant Football Coach, effective January 31, 2022
To view the full multi-page agenda:
1.24.22 Consent Agenda
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting December 13, 2021
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
December 13, 2021
PRESENT: John Bartelsmeyer, Dave Elliott, Jim Fewins, Kirk Hart, Bill Meyer, and Robert Nelson
ALSO PRESENT: Alysia Johnston, President, Juley McDaniel, Board Clerk, faculty, staff, and community members
Chairman Bartelsmeyer called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm in Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Hall. The meeting was opened
with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Bartelsmeyer presented Bill Meyer with a plaque of recognition in honor of his
service to FSCC.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Matt Glades and Jack Milligan expressed concerns over the termination of the football program. Jim Chapman was also
signed up to speak about the football program but yielded his time.
KACCT Quarterly Update: Alysia provided update of quarterly meeting. Board training was discussed.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote to approve
the consent agenda.
ACTION/DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. President Johnston requested input from board members regarding potential board training. The board agreed to
have her identify a date to have a training prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting.
B. A motion was made by Elliott seconded by Hart and carried by unanimous vote to appoint Juley McDaniel as the
Information Officer.
C. Juley McDaniel provided a summary of community college and community KORA request policies and fees for a
pending update to FSCC’s open records policy. Board will provide feedback and suggestions to Juley before the
next meeting.
D. A motion was made by Fewins seconded by Nelson and carried by unanimous vote to approve Janet Fancher as
the Title IX Coordinator.
E. A motion was made by Elliott seconded by Hart and carried by unanimous vote to approve the bid from MSI
Constructors for the Bailey Hall renovation.
F. Beth Warren and John Haas with Ranson Financial Group reviewed financing options for the softball and baseball
turf projects. A motion was made by Meyer seconded by Fewins and carried by unanimous vote to approve
financing COP by Countryside bank as presented.
ITEMS FOR REVIEW: The Board reviewed letters of correspondence.
REPORTS:
A. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: The Board reviewed and heard reports from Student Services, Student
Affairs, Athletics, Instruction, Finance and Operations, and the President.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at 6:45
p.m. by Fewins, seconded by Nelson, and carried by unanimous vote.
Chairman Clerk
Kansas Travel Quarantine List Update
KDHE Amends Travel Related Quarantine List
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the states of New York and Washington D.C. and the countries of Andorra, Isle of Man and San Marino. The country of Aruba has been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual who has not had COVID-19 within the last 90 days or those that have not received all the recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots, should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:
- Traveled between Dec. 16 and Jan. 21 to Andorra.
- Traveled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 to New York and Washington D.C.
- Traveled between Jan. 10 and Jan. 21 to Isle of Man and San Marino.
- Traveled on or after Jan. 21 to Aruba.
- Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
- Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.
The length of a travel-related at home quarantine is 5 days after your last exposure with an additional requirement to wear a well-fitting mask indoors and outdoors when around others for an additional 5 days. If you cannot mask, at-home quarantine is recommended for 10 days. Quarantine would start the day after you return to Kansas or from the mass gathering. If you do not develop symptoms of COVID-19 during your quarantine period, then you are released from quarantine. Regularly check this list to stay up to date on travel-related guidance. Please refer to the KDHE Isolation and Quarantine FAQ for additional information.
For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.
For those who meet the following criteria do NOT need to quarantine:
- You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines. This means that you are ages 5 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people when eligible.
- You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning you tested positive using a viral test).
Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.
The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.
For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
Kansas National Guard to Assist with COVID-19 Response
Governor Kelly Deploys Kansas National Guard to Assist with COVID-19 Response
~Federal VA facilities to provide limited, temporary care to ease strain on hospitals~
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced additional efforts the State is taking to combat COVID-19. Governor Kelly deployed 80 nonmedical Soldiers and Airmen from the Kansas National Guard to support the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) testing sites across the state and assist with the shipment and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Additionally, Governor Kelly engaged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide limited acute care and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds for temporary medical treatment of non-eligible VA individuals to help reduce the strain on Kansas hospitals.
“We are at an inflection point with the Omicron variant, and the strain on our hospitals is taking a toll on our health care workers and patients – all while the virus continues to spread rapidly through our communities,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The majority of hospital patients are unvaccinated. Please do your part by getting vaccinated and boosted today.”
Military medical professionals in the Kansas Guard, already filling positions at medical facilities in their communities, will stay in their respective communities. The nonmedical Soldiers and Airmen will be on federal orders for 31 days to assist the additional efforts.
The Veterans Health Administration facilities are limited and available based on bed availability at time of need and on a case-by-case basis until February 17, 2022.
“The National Guard is a unique military component with both a state and federal mission,” Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said. “Our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen live and work in the communities we serve.”
“We are seeing a record number of COVID-19 cases across the state, causing staffing shortages and hospitals to reach capacity. This partnership with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, to accept transfers from Kansas facilities, will help alleviate the stress on our hospitals,” Acting KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. “It will allow for more timely discharges, increase bed capacity, and allow staff to accept and treat the next acute patient. Also, with the increased demand for COVID-19 tests, the support from the Kansas National Guard will help provide the manpower to ensure that free and timely testing is available to Kansans.”
Since Wednesday, January 19, 2022, Kansas reported 20,806 new cases of COVID-19, 29 new deaths, and 92 new hospitalizations.
The Kansas National Guard is one of many resources available to support counties as needed. The National Guard supports state emergency missions through the established process used by the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
Governor Laura Kelly signed a state disaster declaration on January 6 to alleviate hospital staffing shortages along with two executive orders to temporarily suspend certain restrictions and regulations for adult care home and hospital staff.
Internet Service Available for Low Income Residents
New broadband program available to help with internet costs
TOPEKA – The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a federal program that helped almost 9 million low income Americans afford internet service in 2021, ended on December 31. The Kansas Corporation Commission wants Kansans to know that a new $14.2 billion federal program, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is available to fill the gap.
With higher income maximums, the ACP could help even more families afford internet access for work, school, and health care. Current Emergency Broadband Benefit participants have until March 1 to contact their internet provider and switch over to the new plan with no interruption of service.
The ACP program provides:
- A monthly service discount of up to $30 per month for broadband.
- Up to $75 per month discount for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
- A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price.
Eligibility is determined based on income or participation in certain assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA), Medicaid, SSI, Lifeline, free or reduced school lunches or receipt of a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
To qualify based on income, participants must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. That is a higher ceiling than the 135% maximum allowed on the Emergency Broadband Program making the program accessible to more families. For example, the maximum income for a family of four on the ACP program is $53,000 per year, compared to a maximum of $35,775 on the Emergency Broadband Program.
More information on the ACP program, including provider listings and applications are available on the KCC’s website at https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/kansas-lifeline-program.
Access to COVID Testing
KDHE Takes Steps to Improve Access to and Speed of COVID-19 Testing
~ Actions are being taken to address the rapid increase in demand for COVID-19 testing due to Omicron variant ~
TOPEKA – Over the past month, the highly infectious and transmittable Omicron variant of COVID-19 has significantly increased case rates and demand for testing in the United States and Kansas. KDHE continues monitoring the spread and impact of Omicron since the first case was confirmed in Kansas in mid-December 2021.
As of January 16, 2022, the daily case rate has been more than 7,800 daily COVID-19 cases, that is a significant increase from about 1,200 cases per day in early December 2021.
Over the same period of time, KDHE saw testing rates increase. This increase in demand for COVID-19 tests has led to longer wait times, delays in turnaround of test results, and decrease in availability of rapid over-the-counter antigen tests.
KDHE is actively working to increase testing availability for all Kansans. Outlined below are a few of the steps KDHE has and continues to take to reduce wait times, improve turnaround times, and increase the number of mass testing sites in Kansas:
- Coordinating with health departments to increase staff at existing sites across the state. The following locations are now open from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday:
- Johnson County – Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS
- Johnson County – Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS
- Adding new testing sites to reduce wait times. KDHE is currently working to add 13 new testing sites, beginning with the following locations:
- Johnson County – Shawnee Mission Park, 7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee, KS, opening January 19.
- Johnson County – Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood Dr., Roeland Park, KS, opening January 21.
- Ellis County – Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St., Hays, KS, opening January 21.
- Crawford County – Countryside Christian Church, 1901 E 4th, Pittsburg, KS, opening January 21.
- Identifying new partner labs to increase testing capacity and reduce test result turnaround times.
- Sourcing indoor locations for mass testing sites to reduce closures due to weather.
Up to date information on testing locations and hours can be found at knowbeforeyougoKS.com.
KDHE is taking additional actions to expand testing access:
- Community Testing Partners (CTPs): expanding the number and geographic footprint of partners (such as pharmacies, local health departments, and hospitals) to ensure broader availability of testing across the state.
- Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs): extending funding for PCR testing through March 2022 for Long Term Care Facilities to ensure they have screening and surveillance testing to protect the most vulnerable.
- K-12 testing: prioritizing antigen testing kits for school districts, sourcing over 520,000 additional antigen test kits, and updating testing protocols to continue to keep Kansas schoolchildren safe.
Additionally, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are now available for free at covidtests.gov. All households are eligible to order 4 free at-home tests, which will typically ship within 7-12 days. The first shipments of tests will begin in late January.
For Kansans with a health insurance plan, over-the-counter tests can be purchased at no cost or reimbursed through your health plan as of January 15. Check with your health plan for details and keep your receipt to submit a claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. For Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries, please check with your plan or state agency for information.
KDHE will continue to develop and pursue additional initiatives to increase testing capacity and shorten turnaround times to keep Kansans safe. In the meantime, KDHE continues to urge Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant:
- Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.
- Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people in Kansas wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status.
- Social distance. People should avoid large gatherings and stay at least 6 feet from others when in public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.
- Stay home. If you have tested positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, such as a sore throat, cough, or fever, avoid spreading the virus by staying isolated. Consult a healthcare provider on your recommended course of treatment.
To find a free testing location in your community, or guidance about who should get tested, visit knowbeforeyougoKS.com.
To learn more about the vaccines, visit kansasvaccine.gov.
Find and schedule a vaccination appointment at vaccines.gov.
Senator Marshall to Hold Bourbon County Town Hall
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., will hold a public town hall at 5:30pm CT on Monday, January 24th, at Fort Scott Community College. The public is invited to attend the town hall to learn about federal legislative issues and ask questions of the Senator. The event is open to the press.
“I look forward to the opportunity to speak with Kansans and learn more about the issues and concerns impacting their lives,” said Senator Marshall. “I value the opportunity to hear directly from folks in Bourbon County so that I can take their stories and concerns with me when I return to Washington D.C.”
Event Details:
Time: 5:30pm CT
Date: Monday, January 24th
Location: Fort Scott Community College, Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S Horton St., Fort Scott, KS
FS City Meet and Greet Canceled for Tomorrow
The Meet and Greet with Kelley Zellner, City Manager, and the five (5) City Commissioners to be held on Thursday, January 20th, 2022, has been canceled.