The City’s tree and brush dump site will be open from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 23rd through Friday, July 27th, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday hours will return to normal hours which are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and normal hours will resume the following week. Residents are encouraged to take their tree damage from the recent storm to the brush dump.
Category Archives: Government
City Design Review Board To Discuss 9 N. Main
The Design Review Board will meet on Thursday, July 26th, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. This meeting will be held to discuss a Certificate of Appropriateness for improvements to the building at 9 N. Main and any other matters that may come before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
The Process of Cleaning Water
The Marmaton River is the source of drinking water for almost all of Bourbon County, except for the most extreme western portion, which has a private reservoir.
Scott Flater is the superintendent of the City of Fort Scott Water Production Department, who is tasked with providing clean, safe water from the Marmaton River to all of Fort Scott and Consolidated Rural Water District # 2 residents.
“We make water for the city,” Flater said. “But our number one customer is Rural Water #2.”
Over two million gallons of water a day is processed and sent out to the city and the county, he said.
“Everything comes through this building,” Flater said. “We have a river intake on 5th and Short Streets.”
The rural water district then sells and distributes the water from Fort Scott to the small towns in Bourbon County.
The city’s water production employees are in the middle of a cleanout process. It’s called burn out/flushing, and it’s an annual event.
“The water is safe during the rest of the year or during this burnout (cleaning out), it’s safe,” Flater said. “We are sending it out to our family and our community. It’s the highest quality.”
The cleaning out of the system is a maintenance practice for the distribution system, Flater said.
They started July 16, and if all goes as planned the water cleaning process should be completed by the end of next week, Flater said.
“The burnout won’t reach outside of Fort Scott until today (July 20),” Flater said.
Flater commended a small town in Bourbon County for being far-thinking in their water supply.
Flater said Uniontown, in the western part of the county, has been “pro-active to rebuild their water infrastructure” in the last few years. “They’ve done a great job.”
City’s Organizational Meeting of Land Bank July 25
There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street.
This meeting will be held to organize the Land Bank Board and any other items deemed necessary for the formation of this board.
There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.
City’s Tree Dump Site Open Following Recent Storm
The City’s tree and brush dump site will be open from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 20th through Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to take their tree damage from the recent storm to the brush dump.
If you have questions, call City Hall at 223-0550.
Sen. Hilderbrand Applauds Gov. Colyer’s Expansion Plans for Hwy. 69
KANSAS SENATOR RICHARD HILDERBRAND ISSUES
STATEMENT ON HIGHWAY 69 EXPANSION
GALENA- Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) today issued the following statement on Governor Jeff Colyer’s announcement to expand Highway 69:
“I applaud Governor Colyer’s announcement today on the critically needed four-lane expansion of Highway 69.
For too long the citizens of Southeast Kansas have been forgotten, and that is why this expansion has been a priority of mine.
Not only will this project increase safety, it will have a long-term economic impact on our region. I am extremely grateful for the hard work put in by the Highway 69 Association and everyone involved to make this happen.
While this is a good step in the right direction, our work is not finished. I will work hard in Topeka to continue infrastructure investments in Southeast Kansas to encourage growth and allow us to remain competitive throughout the state and entire nation.”
Bourbon County Commission Meeting July 18 At New Jail
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission
Fort Scott, KS 66701
9:00 a.m.
Date: July 18th, 2018
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
10:00-Commissioners attend meeting at the new jail.
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
Who Is On The Ballot? Who Can Vote?
Tuesday, July 17 is the last day to register to vote in the clerk’s office for the Kansas primary election August 7, 2018.
This registration is for first-time voters or to update if there is an address or name change, according to an election official.
“Primaries in Kansas are partisan elections,” Whitney Ball, Bourbon County Election Deputy said. “People have to be registered either as a Republican or Democrat.”
“If a person is an unaffiliated voter, you can’t vote in the primary election, ” she said. “But if you want to, you can affiliate.”
In the general election, Nov. 6, 2018, anyone can vote.
The Bourbon County Clerk’ office is on the second floor of the courthouse and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There will be a candidate forum July 31 at Fort Scott High School Auditorium, 1005 S. Main, for the public, from 6 to 8 p.m. Questions to the candidates are requested prior to the event by contacting the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, 223-3566.
The following is the State of Kansas Official Primary Election roster for national, state, county and precinct offices to be voted on in the primary election.
There are several positions with multiple candidates.
All the Democrat Party candidates are listed first, followed by the Republican Party candidates in the second list.
These are the Democratic Party candidates:
NATIONAL OFFICES
For United States House of Representatives, 2nd District
Paul Davis, Lawrence,
STATE OFFICES
For Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Arden Andersen/Dale Cowsert ,Olathe/Overland Park;
Jack Bergeson/Alexander Cline, Wichita/Wichita,
Carl Brewer/Chris Morrow, Wichita/Gardner,
Laura Kelly/Lynn Rogers, Topeka/Wichita,;
Joshua Svaty/Katrina Gier Lewison,Topeka/Manhattan
For Secretary of State
Brian “BAM” McClendon, Lawrence
For Attorney General
Sarah G. Swain. Lawrence
For State Treasurer
Marci Francisco, Lawrence
For Commissioner of Insurance
Nathaniel McLaughlin, Kansas City
For Kansas House of Representatives, 4th District
Lawrence Forbach, Mound City
For Member, State Board of Education, District 9
Write-in
COUNTY OFFICES
For County Commissioner District 1
Clinton L. Walker, Mapleton
For County Treasurer
(Unexpired Term)
Write-in
For County Attorney
(Unexpired Term)
Write-in
PRECINCT
For Precinct Committeeman
1st Ward
Write-in
Republican
NATIONAL OFFICES
For United States House of Representatives, 2nd District
Steve Fitzgerald,Leavenworth
Kevin Jones, Wellsville
Doug Mays,Topeka
Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha
Caryn Tyson, Parker
Steve Watkins, Topeka
Vernon J. Fields, Basehor
STATE OFFICES
For Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Jim Barnett/Rosie Hansen, Topeka/Topeka
Jeff Colyer/Tracey Mann, Overland Park/Salina
Kris Kobach/Wink Hartman, Lecompton/Rose Hill
Patrick “PK”Kucera/Patricia Reitz, Overland Park/Shawnee
Tyler Ruzich/Dominic Scavuzzo Prairie Village/Leawood
Ken Selzer/Jen Sanderson, Leawood/Goodland
Joseph Tutera Jr./Phillip Clemente, Mission Hills/Mission Woods
For Secretary of State
Randy Duncan, Salina
Keith Esau, Olathe
Craig McCullah, Topeka
Scott Schwab, Olathe
Dennis Taylor, Topeka
For Attorney General
Derek Schmidt, Independence
For State Treasurer
Jake LaTurner, Topeka
For Commissioner of Insurance
Vicki Schmidt, Topeka
Clark Shultz, Lindsborg
For State Senator, 13th District
(Unexpired Term)
Richard Hilderbrand, Galena
For Kansas House of Representatives, 4th District
Trevor Jacobs, Fort Scott
Jim Porter, Fredonia
COUNTY OFFICES
For County Commissioner
District 1
Lynne D. Oharah, Uniontown
Robert Query, Fort Scott
Matthew J. Crystal, Fort Scott
For County Treasurer
(Unexpired Term)
Patricia S. Love, Fort Scott
For County Attorney
(Unexpired Term)
Jacqie Spradling, Spring Hill
PRECINCT
For Precinct Committeeman
1st Ward
FS City Commission Minutes of July 3
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of July 3, 2018 Regular Meeting #13
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held July 3rd, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.
INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Denton Wescoat, Deb Needleman, Billy Keith, Darrell Parker, Travis Shelton, Rebecca Todd, Jackie Neale, Bob Duncan, Silas Todd, Diana Morriss, Deb McCoy, Larry Gazaway, Michael Mix, Dave Bruner, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, and Clayton Miller.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
-
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.
-
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1218-A totaling $776,247.88.
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) –
Bob Duncan – Mr. Duncan read a portion of Rhonda Dunn’s letter that was sent to him regarding the code footprint for the Beaux Arts Center. The letter stated that they would have 30 days to have a plan submitted to accomplish what was needed to be in compliance. He said that they had no choice but to close their business. He stated that the code footprint is incorrect and the City needs to fix it.
Rebecca Todd – Ms. Todd said that she is the daughter of the owner of the Beaux Arts Center. She has been a resident of Fort Scott since 2009. She believes a City should be business friendly to help build a better economy, but she says that this City has done the opposite. The City has made it impossible for a small business to recover and will not work with them. She believes this whole situation could have been avoided. She ended with shame on the Board, business development, and the City Council.
Billy Keith – Mr. Keith asked about the demolition of the old Driller’s Bar that is occurring where the demolition company is digging a hole and burying the debris.
Rhonda Dunn stated that they have a permit from the State of Kansas and it is legal.
Mr. Keith also asked about the Stout building and if the City could hire the Amish to come in and gut the whole building and save the building.
City Manager said that a deal is being worked out with the property owner on this building and that it will more than likely come down. It will be used for a parking lot.
-
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
-
Approval of Code of Conduct Policy for Buck Run Community Center – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that there is currently not a code of conduct policy at Buck Run Community Center. This policy will provide the staff with rules to back them up when dealing with inappropriate behavior. This code of conduct will be posted throughout the center and will also be included with the forms that the fitness center members are required to sign. Approval was recommended.
Parker moved to approve the Code of Conduct for Buck Run Community Center. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR BUCK RUN COMMUNITY CENTER.
-
Approval of Motor Vehicle Report Policy for City employees – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that many of the City positions require the employee to drive a City vehicle and the job descriptions state the employee must have a valid driver’s license and meet the City’s driving history requirements. We have never had a policy on what those driving history requirements entail. She worked with the City’s insurance carrier, KCAMP, to develop the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. All City employees driving records will also be reviewed annually which has not be done in the past. Approval was recommended.
Nichols moved to approve the Motor Vehicle Report Policy. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED MOTOR VEHICLE REPORT POLICY.
-
Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are a few haulers that haul grease in Bourbon County. The City’s plant is not set up to process grease.
City Manager suggested drafting up the letter and sharing it with the Commission and it could be voted on at the next meeting.
-
Approval of contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services for repairs at the water and wastewater treatment plants – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that there are several miscellaneous masonry repairs that need completed at the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities. He asked for approval for the engineering contract with Zingre’ & Associates for architectural services in the amount not to exceed $15,470.00.
City Attorney said that since these are repairs that it would not need to go out for bid. It is not new construction. The City can take bids on the different items that need fixed at the plants and award accordingly without having the repairs engineered.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
-
Director Updates: None
B. City Commission:
Adamson – Nothing to report.
Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.
Nichols – Nothing to report.
Parker – Nothing to report.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.
-
Director of Finance: Remarked that he gave each Commissioner a budget notebook and asked them to review it. There will be a budget work session at 4:30 p.m. on July 17th, 2018 before the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.
-
City Manager:
-
Fireworks – City Manager said that there have been many calls about fireworks being shot off other than on the 4th of July. The 4th of July is the only day waived in the City limits of Fort Scott. He thanked the Police and Fire Departments for getting everything set up for tonight’s fireworks display. The City is the only one authorized to shoot off fireworks on July 3rd inside the City limits.
ADJOURNMENT:
Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 p.m. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:24 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on July 17th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
____________________
DIANE K. CLAY
Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission Meeting July 17
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
JULY 17, 2018
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Introduction of Drug Dog, Mozzie
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
-
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 19th, 2018.
-
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1219-A totaling $375,841.80.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE:
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit
per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:15 p.m. Resolution 31-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe
and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 608 S.
Broadway Street
6:15 p.m. Resolution 32-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe
and dangerous structure located at 1914 E. Wall Street
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
- Wastewater Facility Inspection Review
- Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County
- Consideration of appointment to Fort Scott Public Library Board
- Adoption of 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3536
- Approval to solicit bids for a mower at Airport/Parks
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates: Deb Needleman
Larry Gazaway
Dave Bruner
- Commission:
- City Attorney:
- Director of Finance:
- 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
DCF:Community Relations and Outreach Staff Placement
DCF Enacts Changes to Improve Community Relations, Foster Care Recruitment
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce the relocation of five staff to improve community relations and outreach. The staff, previously located in the DCF Administration Office in Topeka, Kan., are now being strategically placed across the state to create meaningful community relationships, and to focus on targeted foster care recruitment.
Effective July 1, 2018, staff were placed in specific counties that have a high number of young people in foster care. In the next two months, two more staff will start with the agency to assist with foster care recruitment as well. Additionally, the team will be working with community partners, schools, faith-based organizations and others to discuss effective prevention programs to serve the families in each community.
“We are working diligently to strengthen numerous things at our agency—our community outreach being one of them,” said Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “Having more staff in the communities will allow us to foster positive, beneficial relationships to best serve the children and families of Kansas.”
Additionally, the Foster Kansas Kids website, an initiative funded by DCF, now features an interactive map that helps connect interested families with Child Placing Agencies (CPA’s) and other foster care organizations in their county. From there, individuals can click on specific agency names to learn more about each organization in their area.
The website also features a live-chat function, a comprehensive calendar of foster care events across the state, foster parent and former youth-in-care blogs and an extensive resources page that features frequently asked questions and a video library.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Secretary Meier-Hummel’s decision to improve community outreach and make foster care recruitment a community effort,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “Together, we can rally in each of our communities to support and care for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, please visit www.fosterkskids.org or call 1-844-380-2009. To stay up to date on foster care in Kansas, follow Foster Kansas Kids on Facebook and Twitter.
FS City Budget Work Session July 17
There will be a work session of the Fort Scott City Commission held on Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street. This work session will be held to discuss the 2019 budget. The regular scheduled City Commission meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.