Category Archives: Government

Business, Fort Scott, Government, Kansas

Watts and Perrys Are Recognized by Ks. Dept. of Commerce

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Image result for ks dept of commerce logo

Minority and women-owned businesses are important to the Kansas economy, said David Toland, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Because of this, the department is recognizing businesses across the state, with two from Bourbon County being honored.

“We greatly value the contributions these businesses and advocates provide to our state, from the jobs they create to the way they enrich communities and lives,” Toland said. “On behalf of Governor Kelly, the Department of Commerce and citizens across the state, thank you for keeping our economy strong and vibrant.”

Lindsey Watts, submitted photo.

Lindsey Watts will be honored as Young Enrepreneur by the department.

Watts and her husband own Smallville Crossfit Center in Fort Scott.

To qualify for the Young Entrepreneur, nominees must:

  • Must be under the age of 30
  • Must be a minority- or woman-owned business
  • Must be a small business located in Kansas
  • Must be in business for at least six months
Thaddeus and Kelly Perry, submitted photos.

Thaddeus and Kelly Perry, owners of Perry’s Pork Rinds, Bronson are honored in the Supplier/Distributor Firm category.

Criteria for this award is they must be a small business located in Kansas, must be a minority or woman women owned business and must be in business for at least one year.

 

“In the judging process we have a committee that rates the nominations we receive,” said Rhonda Harris, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, at the Ks. Dept. of Commerce. “The ratings are based on the impact the businesses have made in the community i.e. revenues brought to the community and jobs created.  We also look at their growth and development, as well obstacles they have overcome. Their community involvement is also important in the judging process.”

 

The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Business Development will host its 35th Annual Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon at  Capitol Plaza Hotel’s Emerald Ballroom in Topeka on October 10, 2019, with doors opening at 11:20 am.

The event will take place during Kansas Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week and will recognize 12 minority- and women-owned companies, three individuals and one corporation from across the state for their support and efforts to create new opportunities.

Registration for the luncheon is $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight.

This event is open to the public, but registration is required and must be submitted by October 1.

Please visit KansasCommerce.gov/MEDWeek to register or contact Rhonda Harris, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, at (785) 296-3425 or [email protected].

Companies being recognized include:

 

Women-Owned Businesses:

Construction Firm
CJ Industries, LLC
Kansas City, KS

Manufacturing Firm
Safely Delicious, LLC
Overland Park, KS

Professional Service Firm
Century Business Technologies, Inc.
Topeka, KS

Retail Firm
Monroe 816
Garnett, KS

Service Industry Firm
Rosewood Services
Great Bend, KS

Supplier Distributor Firm
Technology Group Solutions, LLC
Lenexa, KS

 

Minority-Owned Businesses:

Construction Firm
CJR Construction Group, LLC
Overland Park, KS

Manufacturing Firm
Morning Light Kombucha
Hoyt, KS

Professional Service Firm
SnapIT Solutions, LLC
Overland Park, KS

Retail Firm
E & K Retail, Inc.
Leawood, KS

Service Industry Firm
Loving Arms Childcare and Preschool
Junction City, KS

Supplier/Distributor Firm
Perry’s Pork Rinds, LLC
Bronson, KS

 

Minority Business Advocate
Joyce Christanio
Sprint Corporation
Overland Park, KS

Women Business Advocate
Angela Motsinger
Motsinger CPA Tax & Accounting LLC
Lawrence, KS

Young Entrepreneur
Lindsey Watts
Smallville CrossFit
Fort Scott, KS

Corporation of the Year
Evergy
Topeka, KS

Government, Kansas

Tax Reform Starts in Kansas

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Governor launches first Council on Tax Reform meeting

 

Governor Laura Kelly today lauded the successful start of a bipartisan, in-depth study of the state’s tax system.

 

The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform, which will make specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers, met for the first time Tuesday and Wednesday in the Capitol.

 

The meeting began with an overview of state tax policy changes since 2012 and continued with presentations on the current status of revenue, economic development, transportation and labor in Kansas; sales tax requirements; and an overview of property taxes.

 

“The information helped establish a solid foundation for Council members as they study strategies for tax reform,” Governor Kelly said. “While Kansas continues to recover from the failed Brownback-Colyer tax experiment – and with economic uncertainty in mind – we need to find balance in tax fairness and stability. I expect the Council to deliver recommendations for reform that benefits all Kansans.

 

“Even with the fiscal fallout we inherited, I presented a balanced budget this past session without increasing taxes – as promised, and we still were able to start rebuilding our foster-care system, infrastructure and other critical programs,” the governor said. “I’ve assembled a Council with wide-ranging expertise needed to address lingering budgetary challenges and make recommendations on ways to keep moving forward in providing services Kansans need and expect.”

 

The co-chairs of the bipartisan Council reiterated the importance of keeping the tax burden as low as possible.

 

“As the governor has said, it’s important to proceed with caution,” co-chair Steve Morris, a Republican and former Senate president, said. “While Kansas continues to recover, we must make sure the tax code can support important public investment in core services such as public safety and infrastructure, but without any undue burden on taxpayers.”

 

Co-chair Janis Lee, a former state senator who was ranking Democrat on the Senate’s tax committee and a chief hearing officer for the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals, agreed. “Poor policymaking by the previous administration put Kansas in the hole. We cannot repeat the mistakes that led to a self-inflicted budget crisis as we pursue commonsense tax reform beneficial to all Kansans.”

 

Among issues cited during the initial Council meeting:

 

  • Sales taxes are high and complicated, with a number of inconsistencies.
  • High property taxes, a situation worsened by shrinking state support.
  • The economic health of the state relies on business and population growth, making it imperative to pursue quality-of-life improvements that require stable revenue.

 

Future meetings of the Council in 2019 are set for Oct. 15-16, Nov. 14 and Dec. 3-4. An interim report by the Council is planned for December 2019, in advance of the 2020 legislative session. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.

 

For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council and its membership: https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-issues-executive-order-launching-governors-council-on-tax-reform/

 

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Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for Sept. 24

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: September 24th, 2019

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

Review of 5 year Solid Waste Plan Update

Review of School Zone on Indian Road

9:45-10:00-Will Wallis-Diaster Debris Removal

10:00-10:30-Jody Hoener

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

11:45-12:00-Bobby Reed-Plumbing at Jail

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meeting Minutes of Sept. 3

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September 3, 2019                                                   Tuesday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.

Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune and Nancy Van Etten were present for a portion of the meeting.

Jerad Heckman with Road & Bridge met with the Commissioners; Jeff discussed possibly making the 7 mile loop a shared road with bikes and adding signs.

Jerad said they are making chips at the Beth Quarry. He said they plan to start overlaying on 245th next week. They are mowing around the County.

Jerad said they are patching on 125th going south. Lynne asked that they do some patching west of Uniontown.

Lynne asked that it get cleaned up where the County did ditch work on 115th going north off of 54 Hwy. Lynne reported that Osage west of 125th needs gravel. Lynne reported that the blacktop is sinking at 125th & Range on 125th.

Nick reported that 260th & Limestone to Locust needs rock.

Jeff said that Mr. Rourk reported a plugged concrete culvert on Fern Road.

Lynne discussed a grader that the County purchased 4 years ago to use for ditching; this grader had to instead be used for grading. The County is behind on ditching. Lynne said that Road & Bridge and the Road & Bridge Sales Tax fund has lost over $551,000 in funding since 2013.

Jerad reported that they will be installing culverts at Poplar and 235th. Nick asked Jerad to view a culvert & ditch going north on Condensory.

There was a brief discussion over the Landfill; the Landfill does not make any money. The Landfill will be discussed again next week.

Richard & Retha Clark met with the Commissioners; they reported that the gravel on Indian is rutting in areas. They also reported potholes from 215th to the Fort Scott Lake.

Nancy Van Etten, Richard & Retha Clark and Tom Graham discussed the Fort Scott Lake; last week Nancy gave the Commissioners older documents regarding consideration of a lot split made by Mel Cummings. There is a person that has been considering trying to split their lake lot into several lots to add condos. She said some of the City ordinances for the Lake have been repealed. Nancy said it appears that it is the City of Fort Scott’s responsibility to monitor if the lots are conforming to rules and ordinances. Lynne said there are no codes in the County (only septic tank regulations) and said the County can’t spot code. Nancy said there needs to be an understanding between the County and City regarding Fort Scott Lake. Justin Meeks said that a Home Owners Association is the best way to handle Fort Scott Lake issues. The Commissioners said if the County is zoned it would affect everyone in the County, not just the Fort Scott Lake. Tom Graham questioned if the sewer lines there could handle the additional sewage from the additional homes. Justin Meeks said the Commissioners are taking this area seriously. Nancy said they want to protect the Lake.

The Commissioners held the 2020 budget hearing; present for the hearing were Terry Sercer, Bill Martin, Ben Cole, Bobby Reed and Jody Hoener. Justin Meeks questioned if carryover money could be moved from a fund without publishing; Terry said if they had the budget authority they could, but the Commissioners would have to approve the transfers. The 2020 proposed budget has an estimated mill levy of 66.602, which is the actual tax rate from the 2019 budget. At 10:30, Jeff made a motion to approve the 2020 budget, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the budget.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Matt Quick). No action was taken.

Rachel Pruitt and Robert Uhler with the City of Fort Scott met with the Commissioners, Jody Hoener and Matt Quick regarding the proposed Property Tax Relief program. Lynne said that Appraiser Clint Anderson was not available for the meeting, but should have figures that they need regarding this program. Jeff Fischer said that they needed to identify properties that could benefit the program; he said he thought there could be a lot of people that could benefit from the program. Jeff said they needed to get an estimated cost impact of the program. Rachel said the IRB program has restrictions which creates the need for the Property Tax Relief Program. The Commissioners plan to discuss the program with Clint Anderson.

Justin Meeks presented the annual contract for Computer Information Concepts, with an annual rate of $54,635. Jeff made a motion to sign the contract, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.

Jeff made a motion to give Lynne permission to sign a letter to the Fort Scott City Commissioners concerning an employee matter, Nick seconded and all approved, Lynne signed the letter and Kendell mailed it to each of the City Commissioners.

Lynne made a motion to allow Nick Ruhl to represent Bourbon County during the Fort Scott Community College centennial celebration, Jeff seconded and all approved.

At noon, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Jeff seconded and all approved.

Matt Crystal met with the Commissioners to discuss the County-wide NRP program; the Commissioners told him to meet with the Appraisers office.

Bourbon County Economic Development Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners; she discussed a possible local indoor sporting arena. The arena could possibly be economic development for Bourbon County.   If the arena was built it would be privately owned arena. Jody said the next step for the arena would be a feasibility study of the proposed arena; the study would show the market demand as well as the economic impact; Markin Consulting LLC, has agreed to do a feasibility study. Jody said this project could strengthen the local tax base. Jody said that two property owners have agreed to help fund the study, but asked if the Commissioners would vote to support up to $23,000 for the financing of the feasibility study. Jody said the arena could be a Starbond project. The groups surveyed for the study will be equestrian and livestock groups, consumer and trade show promoters, agriculture groups and organizations, rodeo, concert circus, motorsports, and other sports and spectator and entertainment promoters, local businesses and service organizations, educational schools and organizations and others identified by the client and Markin consulting. Jeff questioned if there were any grant funds available for the study. Jody said she thought the County could get a huge return for their investment. Jody said this is an investment into the future of Bourbon County. Jeff made a motion that Bourbon County Economic Development underwrites a feasibility study up to $23,000 for a Bourbon County event center, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jody Hoener discussed a tobacco free workplace policy for Bourbon County; she said the departments helped develop the policy and that it was a Workwell Kansas approved policy. She said if the Commissioners adopt and implement it then it would be part of the employee handbook. Jeff made a motion to adopt Resolution 21-19, a Tobacco Free Workplace Policy, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jeff made a motion to give Lynne permission to sign the Pathways grant application to receive $12,500 for worksite wellness, Nick seconded and all approved.

Jerad Heckman met with the Commissioners; he said that the 2nd Freightliner needs approximately $10,000-$12,000 in repairs. He said Jim Harris asked that the Commissioners re-visit the truck quotes. The Commissioners told Jerad to review the quotes they have to make sure they are still applicable, with financing for five years, with an extended warranty.

Kate Emmett-Sweetser met with the Commissioners to discuss Zebulon Pike, (Pikes Peak is named after Zebulon Pike). He was an Army officer on a military expedition who kept a journal of his trips, maintained a hand drawn map and he crossed into Bourbon County, Kansas on September 3, 1806. He spent the night in Bourbon County on September 3 and spent September 4th in Bourbon County before leaving to go to Nebraska. He was best known for this trip because of Pikes Peak. Kate felt that it was important for Bourbon County to recognize Zebulon Pike’s trip through Bourbon County. Jeff made a motion for Lynne to sign a proclamation declaring September 4th as “Zebulon Pike Day”, Nick seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the Proclamation. Kate Emmett-Sweetser also discussed the history of the Jefferson Highway. She discussed Laura Ingalls Wilder; in 1894, Laura spent the night between Mound City and Prescott and then came to Fort Scott and picked up mail here.

At 3:58, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman

(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner

(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner

ATTEST:

Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk

09/10/2019, Approved Date

Bourbon County, Government

KDOT Project In Bourbon County Sept. 24

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Milling project covers 12 locations

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to complete a milling project at 12 highway locations in southeast Kansas next Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 24-25, weather permitting.

 

The milled material will be used in future highway preservation projects.

 

KDOT maintenance crews will place asphalt patches on each milled section. Flaggers will direct one-lane traffic through each milling site, with brief delays. The road work is scheduled to take place between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. each day.

 

Sept. 24 milling locations:

  • U.S. 69, Bourbon County, 0.4 miles north of the 12th Street intersection at Fort Scott;
  • U.S. 69, Bourbon County, north of the KDOT maintenance shop at Fort Scott;
  • K-7, Mami County, 2.7 miles north of the Linn-Miami county line;
  • K-31, Anderson County, near the intersection of K-31 and Osage Street at Kincaid;
  • U.S. 400, Cherokee County, 2 miles east of Cherokee;
  • U.S. 400, Labette County, 2.2 miles west of the Labette-Cherokee county line.

Sept. 25 milling locations:

  • U.S. 75, Montgomery County, 1 mile north of Independence;
  • U.S. 166, Montgomery County, 0.5 miles east of the Montgomery-Chautauqua county line;
  • U.S. 166, Chautauqua County, 2.5 miles west of the U.S. 166/K-99 junction;
  • K-99, Elk County, 1 mile south of Howard;
  • K-99, Elk County, 3 miles south of the U.S. 400/K-99 junction;
  • K-99, Greenwood County, 1.3 miles south of the U.S. 400/K-99 junction.

Dustrol Inc. of Towanda is contractor on the $19,780 project. Driver are reminded to watch for the signs and flaggers and slow down at the work zone. Persons with questions may contact Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6344.

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For information about obtaining an alternative format, contact the KDOT Office of Public Affairs,

700 SW Harrison St., 2nd Floor West, Topeka, KS 66603-3754 or phone 785-296-3585 Voice/Hearing Impaired – 711.

Fort Scott National Historic Site, Government

Reflect on Citizenship at Naturalization Ceremony Sept. 20

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Jane Njeri Lifer smiles following the naturalization ceremony in 2017. In her hand is the certificate of naturalization. Lifer is a Fort Scott resident.

What has become an annual Fort Scott event since 2011 each September is a chance to see people from all parts of the globe become citizens of the United States.

The Naturalization Ceremony, as it’s called, will be at 10:30 a.m. on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site, just off the north end of Main Street.

Fort Scott National Historic Site

The naturalization ceremony involves a judge introducing the group of new citizens and a ceremony where they swear allegiance to their new country. The full program and words to that allegiance are at the bottom of this story.

” Last year we had 95 new citizens from 35 countries,” Carl Brenner from the Fort Scott National Historic Site said. “This year we are expecting about 120 new citizens.”

It is also a time of reflection, music, documents handed out, registering to vote for the new citizens, followed by a communal meal at the Fort for them and their families.

A bird’s eye view of voter registration following the naturalization ceremony. The League of Women Voters, Johnson County, provided the resources for the registration.

The United States District Court for the District of Kansas is the official government office holding the event.

The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the ceremony.

Fort Scott High School musicians play patriotic music.
All the citizens are introduced to the audience, one by one.

This year, the speaker is Dr. Leo Oliva.

Dr. Oliva is a Kansas Historian, author and former professor of history at Fort Hays State University, Betty Boyko, Superintendent of FSNHS, said.

The event is open to the public.

In case of rain or other inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at Fort Scott Memorial Hall.

FSNHS Superintendent Betty Boyko welcomes the crowd to the fort grounds in this 2016 photo.
The PSU ROTC presents the flags of America and Kansas during the ceremony in 2015.

 

The program:

There will be music provided by the Fort Scott High School Orchestra.

Then a welcome by Betty Boyko, Fort Scott National Historic Site and Dave Martin, City of Fort Scott.

The official court proceeding will be opened by U.S. District Court Deputy Carol Kuhl.

Followed by the presentation of the Colors by Pittsburg State University Army ROTC.

“The Star-Spangled Banner”  will be played by the FSHS Orchestra.

The new citizens will be welcomed by Judge James.

“America: Sweet Land of Liberty” arranged by Michael Story will be played by the FSHS Orchestra.

The new citizens will be introduced by John King, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, then led in the recitation of the Oath of Citizenship by Carol Kuhl, Courtroom Deputy.

“America the Beautiful” will be performed by the  FSHS Orchestra and Choir, followed by remarks by James.

The group will then hear from Leo E. Oliva, who is a Kansas historian.

The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by the FSHS Choir.

Closing remarks will be by Judge James.

The new citizens and their families will be offered a complimentary lunch in the Grand Hall provided by the Friends of Fort Scott NHS, Inc.

The following is the oath that the new citizens take:

United States of America Oath of Allegiance

I, _________________________ hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Sept. 17

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: September 17th, 2019

 

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer                                                                                   Corrected: _______________                                                                                                

3rd District-Nick Ruhl                                                                                  Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

 

          9:00 – 9:45 – Jim Harris – Road & Bridge

 

          9:15 – School Zone, Indian Road

 

9:45-11:00 – Commissioners will be gone to a fence viewing between Union Pacific & Brian Comstock (fence viewing begins at 10:00 am)

 

          11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks- 20 minute Ex. Session (Non-Elected)

 

          11:30 – Justin Meeks & Shane Walker – Elm Creek

 

          12:00 – 1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

 

          1:30 – Terry Sercer – 2018 Audit

 

          2:00 – Will Wallis – Disaster debris removal

 

          2:30 – Lora Holdridge-Holiday Dinner

 

         

 

 

 

                   

         

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

 

Airport, Government, Kansas

Drones Used in KDOT Airport Inspections

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KDOT leads airport inspections utilizing UAS

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Division of Aviation has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test flights at Wichita’s Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) beginning today.

Planned inspection missions include obstruction analysis, foreign object detection, wildlife hazard management and airfield emergency response. FAA authorization was received through partnership with the Wichita Airport Authority, Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus and George Butler Associates (GBA).

Operations will focus on UAS integration to increase Kansas airport efficiency by condensing the process time in half and improving accuracy. The authorization also includes a precedent-setting FAA waiver to conduct night operations at the airport and allows KDOT to provide the FAA much-needed data on UAS integration in complex airspace.

The operations are part of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

“We identified KDOT’s involvement with IPP as a prime opportunity to investigate the effectiveness and operations procedures necessary to implement safe UAS operations at ICT,” said Victor White, Executive Director of Airports for the Wichita Airport Authority.

“This FAA approval will significantly improve airport efficiency and safety,” said KDOT Director of Aviation Bob Brock. “We look forward to expanding Kansas airport inspection capabilities across the state and developing new capabilities to drive industry growth.”

K-State Polytechnic and GBA are part of a joint operations crew to establish procedures and operating methodology for the airport operations personnel.

“Incorporating UAS into a range of airport lines of business, such as detecting foreign object debris on runways, defective airfield markings and the integrity of the security infrastructure may be done more effectively and efficiently than current methodologies,” said Kurt Carraway, UAS Executive Director of the Applied Aviation Research Center at K-State Polytechnic. “We look forward to exploring these use cases to further enhance safe airport operations.”

“This authorization will allow us to provide data-driven operations in real-world operating environments,” said Ben Linder, GBA’s Advanced Robotics and Remote Sensing Group Leader.

IPP involves nine regional efforts to conduct advanced UAS operations to yield sufficient data for rule making that will result in access to new technologies for the nation.

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Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Minutes of Sept. 3

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The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3rd, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell and Nichols were present with Mayor Parker presiding.

INVOCATION: Pastor Ian Johnson, Community Christian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Robert Uhler, Rachel Pruitt, Traci Reed, Lindsay Watts, Deb McCoy, Clayton Miller, Travis Shelton, Deb Needleman, Dave Bruner, Janet Davis, Dana Davis, Geoff Clark, Sky Clark, Nancy Van Etten, Kate Sweetser, Jerald Mitchell, Rhonda Dunn, John Bartelsmeyer, Patrick Wood, Colleen Murrin, Jean Reeves, Ian Johnson, Carson Felt, Carla Felt, Pete Allen, Kevin Allen, Max Fanning, Chip Moore, Kevin Russell, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 20th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1245-A totaling $178,037.95.

Mitchell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – Nancy Van Etten – She passed out information to the Commission regarding Lake Fort Scott. She said she was a lake property owner. They had a lake meeting in August with about 90 people there. That’s a lot of involvement in our community with City and County people both there. Some of the issues are being addressed regarding safety on the lake and the road condition issues. I think tonight you will be voting on the formation of a Lake Advisory Committee. Those are good steps. The biggest concern is the proposed condominiums on 195th Street. Most people are not in agreement with this development. People started asking where the zoning ordinances are. Becky Howard was here recently and visited with the Commission. She has been doing research and attending County Commission meetings and she has also been keeping Robert (Uhler) updated. She handed them an ordinance that specifically deals with Lake Fort Scott. This ordinance sounds like the City is responsible for zoning at the lake. She thinks the ordinance is still in effect.

Mayor Parker thanked her for her comments.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Bartelsmeyer moved to open the Budget Public Hearing at 6:07 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:07 P.M.

6:00 p.m. – 2020 Budget Hearing – Adoption of 2020 Budget – Rhonda Dunn, Finance Director, informed the Commission that the budget for 2020 is before them for final approval.

There were no comments from the audience.

Nichols moved to approve the 2020 budget. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED 2020 BUDGET.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Budget Public Hearing at 6:08 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:08 P.M.

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:17 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:17 P.M.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 16-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 505 S. Ransom Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the home owner is actually demolishing this structure by himself. It is taking him quite a while to do this. He asked for permission to give him 30 days to either finish demolishing the house or for the City to demolish it.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to give the home owner 30 days to either finish demolishing the structure or the City will take bids to demolish it. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 16-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 505 S. RANSOM STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 17-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1012 S. Crawford Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that the City has been working on this structure to have improvements made on it since 2008. There is no one living there. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove the structure.

Tommy More said that he is the owner of the house. He is working with a group out of Kansas City to repair or remove this structure. He has had some family issues with his inlaws passing away so that has slowed the repairs down.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either finish repairing the structure or demolish it. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 17-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 1012 S. CRAWFORD STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 18-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 517 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Nichols moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 18-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 517 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 19-2019 Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 706 S. Clark Street – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure is in bad need of repair. He has had no contact from the property owner regarding this structure. He asked for 30 days for the property owner to either repair or remove this structure.

Mitchell moved to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure and accessory structure. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 19-2019 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 706 S. CLARK STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 11TH, 2019 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:26 P.M.

Update on 15 S. Crawford – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this house has been before them before and the owners were present and asked for time to repair the structure. The structure has not had much progress done on it. His recommendation is to proceed with the demolition of this structure.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:57 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

City Manager said that we will visit with our attorney also about this before the demolition is awarded.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Selection of Voting and Alternate Delegates for League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Voting Meeting – 3 voting – 3 alternate – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commissioners of the staff that would be attending the League Annual Meeting. She said that voting and alternate delegates for the Annual League of Kansas Municipalities meeting need to be selected:

Voting Alternate

Dave Martin Rachel Pruitt

Diane Clay Robert Uhler

Deb Needleman Travis Shelton

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the voting and alternate delegates. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED VOTING AND ALTERNATE DELEGATES FOR THE ANNUAL LEAGUE OF KANSAS MUNICIPALITIES MEETING TO BE HELD OCTOBER 13-14, 2019.

  1. Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee – Creation of Ordinance No. 3550 – City Manager informed the Commission that this ordinance is for the formation of a Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board Committee. One suggestion made by Robert Uhler is that one of the five members who are residents of Lake Fort Scott be that each type of lake owner be represented – full time resident and a part time resident and one resident on each side of the lake. He and Robert have a conference call set up with another city that has a lake with some of the same issues. This will hopefully get everyone to the same table and discuss issues. Letters of interest will be taken for this committee and be brought back before the Commission.

Nichols moved to approve Ordinance No. 3550. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO 3550 ESTABLISHING A LAKE FORT SCOTT ADVISORY BOARD, PROVIDING FOR THE APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF, AND DEFINING THEIR DUTIES.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Rachel informed the Board that she is presenting a draft of a program she has presented to the County. This is a Lease to Purchase Property Tax Relief Program. The mission of the project is to help business owners transition into paying the full amount of property taxes. This will be presented to USD 234, Fort Scott Community College, and again to Bourbon County. This program was developed with instead of zero abatement of property taxes, it would start at year one with 10% of the property owner paying the property taxes and then year two it would be 20% and so forth. The City of Parsons has a similar program in effect. This program would be only for commercial or industrial property and not residential. It would be to assist businesses wanting to expand. More information will be forthcoming. This is just for City businesses.

  1. City Commission:

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Mitchell – Thanked Nancy for her research and comments tonight and said she is glad to serve on the Lake Advisory Committee as the City’s representative.

Nichols – Remarked that despite all of various opinions in the community, we should look beyond that and look at the various communities with the mass shootings and the hurricane in the Bahamas, and that puts our community in a good place. It is a very good place to live. We should assist them and keep them in our prayers.

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Parker – Remarked that even though there are issues going on in our town, we do not have any major catastrophes going on. We are truly blessed.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Parks in Historic District – City Manager said that there has been some problems with our City parks in the historic district with loitering and littering. He had an ordinance drafted which will prohibit the Heritage Park at 1st and Main and Riverfront Park to both be alcohol free and smoke free. When an event occurs there and alcohol is requested, it can be waived for that event. Riverfront Park has also requested this be in place. This will come before them for consideration at the next meeting.

  1. Resignation of Finance Director – City Manager said that Rhonda Dunn has given her resignation as Finance Director. She will be going to work for E3 and be their accountant. The City wishes her the best. She will continue to work through the month of September for the City.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:42 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 17th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Agenda for Sept. 17

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AGENDA

FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

FORT SCOTT CITY HALL

COMMISSION ROOM

123 SOUTH MAIN

SEPTEMBER 17, 2019

6:00 P.M.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Virgil Peck, First Church of the Nazarene

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Laura Ingalls Wilder Proclamation

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 3rd, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1246-A totaling $260,336.14.

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Sign at 120 E. Wall – Stutesman Action Realty

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Tom Havron, Fort Scott Community College – Request to close 1000 block of Main Street – September 21st, 2019 in conjunction with 100th Anniversary of FSCC

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of 4 way stop at 6th & Margrave

IX. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of 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 or representatives 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

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Bourbon County, Government

No Water Line Break, No Boil Order For Uniontown.

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Uniontown is located 17 miles west of Fort Scott.

This morning workers were doing maintenance of a water pump in Redfield and air got into it, Uniontown Clerk Sally Johnson said.

“They flushed the line and everything is OK, I just got off the phone with Bobby (Rich, the city superintendent),” she said at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 13.

“If air is in the line, just let it run until water comes,” she said. “The air in the line may make it cloudy.”

“There is no water line break and no boil order for Uniontown,” Johnson said.

This, despite rumors starting on Facebook.

Government, Kansas

Governor’s Water Conference Registration is Now Open

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Registration for the Governor’s Water Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is now open.

 

The Governor’s Water Conference is Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2019 at a new location, the Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas.

 

Conference topics include:

  • Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
  • Flooding Impacts
  • Groundwater Quality
  • Reservoir Sediment Management

 

Conference speakers will include Jill Wheeler, head of Sustainable Productivity for Syngenta in North America along with several other influential policy and decision makers.

 

Day two will build on the water policy and vision implementation discussions from the previous day with technical presentation posters and talks. Graduate and undergraduate students will present their research. Abstracts proposals for these presentations can be sent to KWO. Professional presentation proposals are due September 18 and student proposals are due October 14.

 

“We encourage anyone to attend who has an interest in our state’s water resources. Legislators, water managers, state, federal, city and county administrators as well as scientists, organizations and producers are all welcome,” said Earl Lewis, Kansas Water Office Acting Director. “Now being five years into the Kansas Water Vision and considering the state’s current resource conditions as well as dealing with such extreme drought one year and devastating flooding the next, there is no better time to focus attention to Kansas’ water needs and the role water plays in growing our state’s economy.”

 

The Water Legacy Award and Be the Vision recipients will be presented at the conference and the KWO Photo Contest will be a feature again this year.

 

Registration is available online at www.kwo.ks.gov. The deadline is October 24. Conference details, tentative agenda, brochure, speakers, sponsors and hotel information can be found online as well.

 

The Governor’s Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas is hosted by the KWO and K-State /Kansas Water Resource Institute. Major sponsors for the event include Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, 96 Agri Sales, Inc.

 

 

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As the state’s water office, KWO conducts water planning, policy coordination and water marketing as well as facilitates public input throughout the state.

The agency prepares the KANSAS WATER PLAN, a plan for water resources development, management and conservation.