The Design Review Board will meet on Monday, April 16, 2018, at 4:30 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 alterations to the building at 124 E. Wall Street and any other matters that may come before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
This is the former Spoiled Brat Salon building.
TOPEKA – Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. has signed the following bills into law:
The Governor has now signed 50 bills into law this session. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign bills into law, veto bills or allow bills to become law without his signature.
Governor Jeff Colyer Signs “Anti-Swatting Bill” into Law Thursday
Topeka- Governor Jeff Colyer signed in to law today HB2581 that increases penalties for “swatting” or other false alarms if a third party is injured as a result of the hoax. Swatting is the action of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about an armed police response to a particular address. This harassment tactic resulted in the loss of the life of Andrew Finch of Wichita in December 2017 after police were called to his home following a prank call allegedly placed by an individual in California.
“We need to send a clear message that this behavior is unacceptable in our society,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, “It isn’t a prank, it isn’t a joke, it is a deadly serious crime and this law makes it clear that we will treat it as such. What happened to Mr. Finch was unspeakably tragic, and we hope that this law will prevent any other innocent people from losing their lives as a result of this horrific behavior.”
“I am very pleased to think this legislation could possibly save lives,” said Lisa Finch, mother of Andrew.
Fort Scott National Historic Site is looking for area high school students to apply for the United States Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Crew Member positions for the summer.
Applications must be turned in by April 30 to the FSNHS.
Students must be at least 15 years old at the start of enrollment and not reach age 19 before completion.
“The Fort is looking to hire four high school students full-time, a 40-hour week from Tuesday through Saturday,” Tiffiny Durham, an employee of the fort, told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday at the weekly coffee.
Two males and two females will be hired through the Youth Corps, she said.
“Applications will be thrown into a lottery system,” she said.
The positions will help with different events at the fort.
The start date for the positions is June 18 and will end August 11, according to information provided by Durham. YCC members will be paid minimum wage.
Students will work together as a team to create projects, which will help develop leadership skills, according to the information provided.
In addition to the age restrictions, the following are required:
For more information contact Durham at 620-223-0310.
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer is pleased to announce a new initiative to increase child support collections for Kansas families and children.
On Thursday, Gov. Colyer, along with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel and others unveiled the Child Support Evaders webpage. The webpage features nearly a dozen individuals who owe back child support in excess of $5,000 each.
“Child support is a key component to a families’ economic stability,” said Governor Colyer. “Far too many families in our state are left to rely on public assistance when the other parent should be supporting their children financially and emotionally. I am hopeful that this program encourages those who are behind on child support payments to work with us and take advantage of the services we offer to help them meet their commitments, including fatherhood grants, arrears programs, electronic payments and access to GED and career training.”
The evader webpage is housed on the DCF website, where the public can view the photos of some evaders, along with the number of children for whom support is court ordered, and the total amount of back child support owed per evader. Evaders listed will be updated on a quarterly basis. Kansas joins other states such as Texas and Arizona in implementing child support evader initiatives.
“We are here to help Kansas families obtain the child support that is owed them,” said DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel. “We are also here to encourage non-custodial parents to get involved, because we know that parents who support their children financially are also more involved in their children’s lives in other ways, leading to better outcomes.”
DCF’s Child Support Services (CSS) is charged with establishing and enforcing child support obligations for 140,000 cases. Over the last decade, the caseload has increased by 7 percent. Last federal fiscal year, CSS collected $205.7 million. However, in that same time period, $840 million remained owed to Kansas families. For every $1 spent on the child support program, $5.90 is collected for child support.
To report the whereabouts of a child support evader, log onto www.CSSEvaders.dcf.ks.gov. You can also call 1-888-7-KS-CHILD (1-888-757-2445). Tips can be submitted unanimously.
Currently, there is an opening to serve on the Fort Scott Housing Authority Board.
The function of the Housing Authority is to provide leadership, oversight and participate in board meetings.
The Housing Authority Board is the legal and financially responsible governing body of the public housing authority and the first line of accountability for their performance.
This board meets on a monthly basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this Board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Diane Clay, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. She will then submit your letter of interest for consideration by the City Commission.
All of the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated.
If you would like more information on this board, please contact Diane Clay, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected]. Please submit your letter of interest by April 27, 2018.
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
2nd Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: April 10th, 2018
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
10:30-11:00-Microbrewery discussion
11:00-11:05-Opioid Litigation Contract
11:15-11:20-Executive Session-Attorney-Client Privilege
11:30-11:40-Town meeting time/who wants to go
12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch
1:30-1:35-Insurance bid for workers compensation insurance
2:00-2:07-Executive Session-personal matter of non-elected identifiable individual
2:30-3:00-Clint Anderson and Justin Meeks-Executive Session-personal matter of non-elected identifiable individual
3:00-3:10-Executive Session-Attorney-Client Privilege
3:30-Employee Handbook
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,
The Design Review Board will meet on Thursday, April 12th, 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 alterations to the building at 202 State Street and any other matters that may come before the Board. This meeting is open to the public.
Governor Colyer Signs HB 2524 to Protect Victims Access to Cellular Service in Situations of Domestic Abuse
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer today signed HB 2524 allowing petitioners to request a transfer of the rights to a wireless telephone number while seeking a Protection from Abuse Act or a Protection from Stalking or Sexual Assault Act. The bill requires cellular service providers in Kansas ensure those seeking protection orders can continue to have access to their cellular service and bars any company from charging a fee for this service.
“In light of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Awareness Month, I am pleased to be able to sign this bill today,” the Governor said. HB 2524 removes the ability for abusers to isolate their victims from loved ones and use access to cellular service as leverage against them. This is great news for those trying to escape a dangerous or abusive situation. As Governor, I will continue to fight bring a voice to the voiceless and work to make our state a safer place for all Kansans.”
The legislation was supported by major wireless carriers like AT&T and passed through the legislature on a bi-partisan basis.
The City of Fort Scott will be updating some water distribution piping at the College Booster Pump Station on April 7th, 2018 – Saturday morning from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Customers that live south of 21st Street may experience low water pressure during this time. For questions or concerns, please contact Michael Mix, Public Utility Director at 620-215-6319.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator to develop a comprehensive response to the issue
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce the creation of a new position within the agency to specifically address the human trafficking of children in Kansas. The position was announced today, during a news conference in Topeka, at which City of Topeka and Shawnee County leaders unveiled a joint resolution to combat human trafficking in northeast Kansas.
“We know there is a great need for collaboration on this important issue,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This modern-day form of slavery is a reality in every corner of our state, and as we work to address the safety needs of child victims, we need a united effort to prevent human trafficking and develop a comprehensive response to the problem.”
The Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator position will be within DCF’s Prevention and Protection Services division, in Topeka. The individual hired will be responsible for leading the agency’s initiative to strengthen the comprehensive response and service system for youth in DCF care who are victims of human trafficking or are at risk. The position involves direct coordination with the Kansas Attorney General’s Office and law enforcement. Data will be collected and analyzed to ensure an effective response.
“Human trafficking is a problem that goes unseen for most of us, yet it affects so many,” Governor Jeff Colyer said. “I appreciate Secretary Meier-Hummel’s commitment to tackling this problem, and I look forward to the positive impact it will have on our state.”
From March 2014 to December 2018, DCF helped 285 suspected child victims of human trafficking.
Secretary Meier-Hummel is focused on working with government entities, communities and others to combat human trafficking. As part of today’s news conference, details about a grassroots-level initiative were announced. Freedom Now is an anti-human trafficking effort led by Topeka Rescue Mission Executive Director Barry Feaker.
“We appreciate the participation from DCF on this monumental initiative,” Feaker said. “At the Topeka Rescue Mission, we have seen first-hand the tremendous impact this evil has on the lives of innocent children, and we will no longer stand for it. We expect our local effort to expand statewide and beyond as residents begin to realize that this is an issue that affects all of us, and we all have a role to play in stopping it.”
In addition to the new position, DCF also has staff members who sit on the State’s Human Trafficking Advisory Board. DCF also has staff on the Freedom Now board. Learn more about the Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator position at the Kansas Department of Administration website, State Employment Center. Those who suspect human trafficking involving a minor should call 1-800-922-5330.
Kansas Department of Revenue extends telephone hours for tax assistance
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Revenue on Wednesday announced extended tax season telephone hours to offer assistance for Kansans before the April 17th filing deadline, including extended hours this Saturday.
Sales, Withholding, Income Tax and Homestead telephone lines will have the following extended hours:
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 7th
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14th
Additionally, Income tax telephone lines will be extended until 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17th, the income tax filing deadline.
“The Department is committed to offering excellent customer service to Kansas taxpayers,” said Secretary of Revenue Sam Williams. “Extending our telephone hours allows us to accommodate Kansans with the resources needed to help them meet the filing deadline.”
The telephone number for these extended hours are (785) 368-8222 with the following options. Option 4 is Individual Income Tax/Homestead; Option 5 – 2 is Sales Tax; Option 5 – 5 is Withholding.
For assistance with electronic filings or electronic payment of any taxes, call (785) 296-6993.
The Department will resume regular telephone hours after the income tax filing deadline on April 17th. These normal operating hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.
