The Fort Scott Aquatic Center will be closed for the next seven (7) days beginning today due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. Buck Run Community Center will also be closed beginning today for the next seven (7) days. These closures will be reevaluated after the seven days.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.
There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24th, 2020. This meeting will be held to discuss the Aquatic Center, Buck Run Community Center, and the increase in COVID-19 cases. This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting will not be open to the public.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: June 24, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
SPECIAL MEETING
10:00 Special Meeting, EXECUTIVE SESSION, Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
Lynne Oharah, Jeff Fischer, Nick Ruhl, Justin Meeks and Public Health Department
TOPEKA – The Tourism Division of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism introduced its new tourism marketing tagline and campaign last week, which honors and celebrates the perseverance that defines what it means to be a Kansan.
The new tagline – To The Stars – builds upon the state’s motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, meaning “to the stars through difficulty.”
“‘To The Stars’ reminds us who we are and shows us where to go,” said Kansas Tourism director Bridgette Jobe. “It’s a salute to the free-spirited. To the rowdy. To the wide-eyed wanderers. To the dreamers. To the stars.”
The coming year will continue with stories and features on the Kansas Tourism website, TravelKS.com, that build on and further develop To The Stars.
Travelers are encouraged to learn about the perseverance that embodies To The Stars displayed by Free Staters in the war against slavery, dust bowl farmers, Santa Fe Trail pioneers, Amelia Earhart, Nicodemus settlers, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, plaintiffs in the Brown v Board of Education landmark case, Greensburg residents, and many other notable Kansans who charged ahead despite adversity. More information about these historical figures, including places to visit to learn about them, can be found on the Kansas Tourism Blog and at TravelKS.com.
“Like many of us, the travel industry in our state and nation is experiencing unprecedented challenges amidst the global pandemic,” Jobe said. “‘To The Stars’ is as relevant as ever for Kansas, and now we have a chance to learn more about, and take hold of, the fortitude that has forged our state by visiting sites that commemorate them.”
The Division of Tourism is encouraging #SafeTravels which includes physical distancing while exploring Kansas’ wide spaces and unspoiled beauty.
“Everyone is looking for what they can do with their family this summer, and fantastic experiences are waiting just down the road in Kansas,” Jobe said. “Take a road trip to find a new adventure – whether that’s a visit to the Fort Scott National Historic Site to learn more about Bleeding Kansas, a hike at our newest state park Little Jerusalem Badlands, or traveling to buy local beef from a producer and seeing Kansas along the way.”
T-shirts and other merchandise featuring new To The Stars and Kansas designs are available at the Kansas Gear Store on TravelKS.com.
Dept. of Revenue takes precautions against COVID-19 while keeping safety and health top-of-mind
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly directed the Kansas Department of Revenue to begin phasing in the availability of drive tests. To start administering these tests, steps had to be taken to ensure the health and well-being of all who interact with the Kansas Department of Revenue offices.
“A significant part of getting Kansans back to work and back to school, is getting them back on the road,” Governor Kelly said. “By phasing in our drive tests statewide, with the proper health and safety protocol in mind, we make sure Kansans can travel to work, school, or to the grocery store.”
Examiners will be outfitted with face masks and gloves. Additional protective equipment may be worn when administering these tests. All people inside a vehicle in which a driving test is being administered are required to wear a face mask. If an applicant declines to wear a mask, a test can be rescheduled for a later time once circumstances call for mask use to subside.
This is in addition to continuing the implementation of social distancing guidelines and requiring appointments and screenings upon entering offices.
“The operational processes we have implemented will help us continue our services in a healthy manner while also ensuring Kansans get back on the road safely,” said David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles.
To see if an office is offering the drive test and instructions on making an appointment, customers are asked to visit www.ksrevenue.org/reopening.html.
The following offices will make drive tests available beginning June 22, 2020.
| County | Office Address |
| Allen | 1 N. Washington, Iola |
| Barton | 1400 Main St., Room 207, Great Bend |
| Bourbon | 108 W. 2nd, Fort Scott |
| Butler | 640 N. Andover Rd., Andover |
| Cherokee | 1101 E. St., Baxter Springs |
| Cloud | 811 Washington, Suite B, Concordia |
| Cowley | 320 E. 9th St., Winfield |
| Crawford | 202 E. Centennial Dr., Suite C11A, Pittsburg |
| Douglas | 1035 N. 3rd St., Suite 119, Lawrence |
| Ellis | 1222 Canterbury Dr., Hays |
| Finney | 2506 N. John St., Garden City |
| Ford | 2601 Central Ave., Dodge City |
| Franklin | 225 S. Walnut St., Ottawa |
| Johnson | 6507 Johnson Dr., Mission |
| Johnson | 13507 S. MurLen Suite #137 Olathe |
| Johnson | 7600 W. 119th St., Suite D, Overland Park |
| McPherson | 322 N. Main St., Suite 205, McPherson |
| Montgomery | 404 N. 14th St., Independence |
| Nemaha | 203 N. 8th St., Suite 2, Seneca |
| Neosho | 301 West 14th St., Chanute |
| Phillips | 520 S. 7th St., Phillipsburg |
| Pratt | 300 S. Ninnescah St., Pratt |
| Reno | 125 W. 2nd St., Suite A, Hutchinson |
| Riley | 8200 S. Port Dr., Suite 105, Manhattan |
| Saline | 2910 Arnold, Salina |
| Scott | 303 Court St., #6, Scott City |
| Sedgwick | 620 N. Rock Rd., Suite 300, Derby |
| Sedgwick | 1873 W. 21st N, Wichita Twin Lakes |
| Seward | 615 N. Kansas Ave. B, Liberal |
| Shawnee | 300 SW 29th St., Topeka |
| Thomas | 990 S. Range St., #3, Colby |
| Wyandotte | 155 S. 18th St., Kansas City |
The Division of Vehicles continues to encourage Kansans to renew their driver’s licenses online by using iKan, the state’s official app for online driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. The app can be accessed by going to www.ikan.ks.gov, or by searching iKan and downloading from the Apple App or Google Play mobile stores.
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Bourbon County, Kansas
PRESS RELEASE:
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
June 23, 2020;
A Bourbon County, KS positive COVID-19 test was confirmed this afternoon. The testing was confirmed through a reference laboratory that was used. This case is a contact of a positive case that was confirmed yesterday. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigation at this time.
The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).
Please remember if you have the symptoms to:
Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department
Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.
STAY HOME IF SICK!
If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.
For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.
Bourbon County Economic Director Jody Hoener announces the Bourbon County CDBG-CV program is now officially open to accept applications.
To be eligible, your business must be located within Bourbon County but outside the city limits of City of Fort Scott.
You can view other eligibility criteria and program parameters online here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Bourbon-County-CDBG-CV-Plan.pdf.
Submit your online application today here: https://www.bourboncountyks.org/emergency-funding-application/ and we will follow up with an email for supporting documentation.
Also, feel free to pick up a paper application packet in the County Clerk’s office and return to me in paper form or electronically.
Gunn Park will be closed starting Wednesday, June 24th, 2020 to vehicle traffic, so street repairs can be made. If you desire to fish, you can park at the top of the park and then walk down to the first lake.
Thank you for your understanding .
COVID-19 Case at Osawatomie State Hospital; Kansas Neurological Institute Reports 12 Cases
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today that one staff member at Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first positive case at OSH in either residents or staff. Howard also announced the Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI) has 12 new positives cases in five staff members and seven residents.
To protect the identity of staff and residents at each hospital, no further information will be released.
Friday, June 19, an employee at OSH reported a positive test result to the hospital’s infection control nurse. In coordination with the Miami County Health Department, all 11 residents on the unit who were in close contact with the positive employee will be tested as a priority. A testing strategy that reaches beyond those working or living on the unit is currently being discussed and several steps have been taken to further maximize safety precautions already in place to minimize risk of further exposure:
“This is an extremely stressful time for patients, their loved ones and our staff members,” OSH Superintendent Kristin Feeback said. “We recognize that communication with patients, families and staff is critically important, especially after a confirmed COVID-19 case. I appreciate our staff being so responsive and adaptive to the instructions given by local health officials to make sure we do all we can to prevent the spread of the virus as effectively as possible.”
Thursday, June 18, KNI reported one staff member and one resident in the same home on campus tested positive for COVID-19 and at least one more staff member was symptomatic. Officials at KNI worked in collaboration with the Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Shawnee County Health Department to administer more than 80 tests to all staff working in the affected home as well as all residents in the building where that home is located. At the time of this release, those tests have resulted in positive cases in five staff members and seven residents in three living units covering two campus buildings. Three of the 12 positive cases at KNI are symptomatic, but zero currently require hospitalization.
KDHE and KNI and local health department officials are expanding testing on campus in the coming days to include all staff in potentially affected areas with a goal of an additional 200 staff tested by end of day today. Residents in all three affected living units have already been tested. KNI continues to follow similar PPE practices to those implemented at OSH.
“We are thankful to the health officials at the state and local level for their quick and effective communication and response,” KNI Superintendent Brent Widick said. “Our residents are like family and we work very hard to keep them safe, so this kind of news takes a real emotional toll on our staff.”
KNI reported its first two cases of staff members on April 17 this year. Both of those cases have been cleared.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, and to sign up for updates, go to the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Bourbon County, Kansas
PRESS RELEASE:
NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19
June 22, 2020;
“Governor Kelly and her officials recommend that we stay in phase 3 for 2 more weeks (July 6th at the earliest),” Rebecca Johnson, with the multi-county health department, said. ” I, as the SEK Health Officer, recommend Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson Counties stay in phase 3 until July 6th. See covid.ks.gov for the Ad Astra plan.”
Bourbon County, KS has had 3 more positive COVID-19 tests confirmed today. This makes total positive tests for Bourbon County 14. The testing was confirmed through a reference laboratory that was used. The individual’s symptoms range from minimal to moderate. They are isolated in their home and their family is in quarantine. The cases are travel-related, with travel out of county and out of state. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigation at this time.
The Bourbon County Public Health Department urges the public to continue to take appropriate actions. Individuals should continue to practice social distancing, clean/disinfect any high touched surfaces, wash their hands with soap and water routinely, use hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available and avoid touching your face (especially eyes, nose & mouth).
Please remember if you have the symptoms to:
Call before going to a Clinic, Hospital, ER, or Health Department
Close contact means: 6 foot or less for 10 minutes or more, with a positive case.
STAY HOME IF SICK!
If you are experiencing life threatening symptoms, PLEASE CALL 911.
For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.
Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Kansas Stay in Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan
TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly announced that her administration, as well as officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that communities do not move into Phase Out of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” which was originally planned to begin June 22, and instead stay in Phase 3 for at least two more weeks.
“Though many Kansans and communities have been social distancing, wearing masks, and working hard over the past few weeks to mitigate the spread of the virus, we have unfortunately seen an increase in disease spread,” Governor Kelly said. “After consulting with Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE, I have decided that our state is not ready to move into the final phase of the ‘Ad Astra’ plan until July 6, 2020, at the earliest.”
The emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties continuing with Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.
“My administration is dedicated to getting Kansans back to work and back to school, in the safest way possible. We can’t do that if every person and community does not follow the Phase 3 guidelines,” Governor Kelly said. “Please wear a mask, socially distance, and wash your hands often. Our state’s economic recovery depends on it.”
Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:
As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:
“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: June 23, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:45 JT Heckman
9:45 – 10:00 Jody Hoener, Adopt CDBG Application Process
10:00 – 10:15 Kendell Mason, 2021 Budget Review
10:15 – 10:25 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
10:25 – 10:45 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
10:45 – 10:55 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency
which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
10:55 – 11:15 Justin Meeks, Exec Session, Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
11:15 – 11:30 Bobby Reed, Exec Session, Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system