Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 23, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
9:00 Executive Session, Reevaluating Opening the Courthouse
Due to the Governor’s directive, KDHE has imposed a ban on all gatherings of 50 or more. Cheney Witt Funeral Chapel must limit all services and visitations to family only and even that to 50 or less until further notice. Please keep families with loss in your thoughts and prayers. You may still visit the funeral home to sign the guestbook or take advantage of our online guestbook at cheneywitt.com. You may drop off memorial contributions to our physical location at 201 S. Main or mail them to P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
All previously announced services will be subject to this new gathering policy. We will keep you informed as to any further policy changes. We appreciate your understanding during this time of uncertainty.
Cheney Witt Chapel
Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program
Exam and Training Update
TOPEKA – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Water and Wastewater Operator Certification Program has suspended operator examinations and Department sponsored classroom training until further notice. Water and wastewater operator renewal timeframes will be extended, and additional examination dates will be scheduled. Details will be provided soon concerning the renewal process. Additional examination dates will be posted on the KDHE Operator Certification webpage:
www.kdheks.gov/water/www.html.
In addition to addressing operator renewal and examination concerns KDHE is developing guidance regarding alternative monitoring for the Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR), Continuity Of Operations Plans (COOP), and a streamlined process for temporary operator reciprocity. These documents will be posted on KDHE’s COVID-19 Resource Center webpage: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm.
Water and wastewater operators should continue to employ standard industry practices as discussed in the March 12, 2020 Guidance for Kansas Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators Regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) Risks. This document can also be found on the COVID-19 Resource Center webpage: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm#undefined under the Drinking Water and Wastewater Operators menu link.
“KDHE is committed to helping water and wastewater systems address the uncertainty and its effect on utility operations the COVID-19 pandemic has created,” Cathy Tucker-Vogel, Section Chief for the Public Water Supply Section. “We will collectively work with utility operators to ensure public health and environmental protection.”
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: March 17, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
No Meeting – Courthouse closed
Almost Anything Can be Poisonous
Topeka – It’s National Poison Prevention Week. The Poison Center at the University of Kansas Health System and Safe Kids Kansas want to remind everyone that almost anything can be poisonous if it is used in the wrong way, in the wrong amount or by the wrong person.
“We want to remind everyone that the best way to prevent poisoning is by making sure you always read and follow labels, keep items in their original containers, and keep potential poisons locked up, out of sight and reach of children and pets,” said Cherie Sage, State Coordinator for Safe Kids Kansas.
Poison Centers are for everyone. While poison centers get more calls about children, the calls about teens, adults, and older adults tend to be more serious. Nearly 60% of calls to the Kansas Poison Control in 2019 involved medicines or pharmaceuticals. However, other common poisons include household products, plants, mushrooms, pesticides, animal bites and stings, carbon monoxide, and many other types of nonpharmaceutical substances. Here are the top potential poisons by age group to help keep yourself and your family safe.
Young Children:
Tweens and Teens (ages 6-12):
Adults:
Older Adults:
“The best piece of advice we can give is to program the Poison Help number, 800-222-1222, in your phone and post it visibly in your home. This way you are prepared in the event of a poisoning emergency or simply have questions,” said Stefanie Baines, Education Coordinator for the Kansas Poison Control Center.
If you think someone has been poisoned, call 800-222-1222 right away. Fast, free, expert help is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
For more information about preventing accidental poisoning visit www.kansashealthsystem.com/poison and www.safekidskansas.org.
###
Kansas Prisoner Review Board – Derby and Topeka Public Comment Sessions Cancelled
In an effort to protect the health and safety of all involved, and at the direction of the PRB chairperson, please be advised that the March 2020 Public Comment Sessions scheduled for Derby and Topeka have been cancelled. Those interested in providing information for consideration by the Prisoner Review Board are encouraged to submit written correspondence to the mailing address contained on the KDOC website at https://www.doc.ks.gov/prb/public-comment-sessions. Electronic correspondence may be sent to [email protected]. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
New Federal Guidelines Increase Restrictions for Visitors to Nursing Homes
KDADS working quickly to ensure Kansas facilities following enhanced CMS guidelines
Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas Department for Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced enhanced measures for state nursing facilities to protect residents from the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Over the weekend the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid announced aggressive new guidelines for nursing home safety,” Governor Kelly said. “Secretary Howard and her KDADS team are moving quickly to make sure Kansas facilities are strictly adhering to the guidelines.”
“Unfortunately, we’ve already had one fatality in a Kansas nursing home,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said. “We need to take quick action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through our nursing facilities. Other state licensed residential facilities also are encouraged to revisit their screening, visitation and activity protocols in light of this nursing facility guidance.”
The new guidance:
In end of life cases, visitors will be equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, and the visit will be limited to a specific room only.
“I understand the vital importance of keeping nursing home residents connected with their loved ones,” Howard said. “However, the rapid spread of COVID-19 through visitors and health care workers – as well as nursing home residents’ high risk – has made it necessary to restrict nonessential visitation in order to protect the health and safety of residents.”
KDADS, along with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is encouraging facilities to increase virtual communication between residents and families. Facilities should also keep residents’ loved ones informed about their care. Nursing homes also are expected to notify potential visitors to stop visitation until further notice through signage and other outreach like email and phone calls.
Anyone visiting a nursing home should be prepared to be screened for potential disease that would include questions about travel, potential exposure and taking temperatures.
Other recommendations for nursing homes include:
A full list of the guidance can be found here.
For more information on COVID-19 visit: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
You also can call 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF).
Situation Overview
KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020. Three new positive cases are announced in Johnson County today.
KDHE Response Activities
• Other labs in the state are beginning to test for COVID-19. These labs are asked to send all results to KDHE. KDHE will continue reporting/announcing results from these labs for Kansas cases.
• KDHE will update its website with the case information daily by noon.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contact numbers are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/16/20 at Noon
Positive (confirmed)
11
(1 death included)
Negative
234
Positive Case Information
County Number
Johnson County
8
Wyandotte County
1
Butler County
1
Franklin County
1
CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE
March 16, 2020
Due to COVID-19, Municipal Court, which was to be held on Thursday, March 19th, 2020, will be cancelled and rescheduled. If you are scheduled for court this Thursday, a letter will be mailed to you giving you a new court date. If you have questions, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for the Municipal Court Clerk, Diane Clay.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall if you have questions.
CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE
March 16, 2020
The City of Fort Scott is encouraging Fort Scott water utility customers to use the following services to pay utility bills:
Visit www.fscity.org and Click on “Online Bill Pay”, then click on Water Department tab and pay online;
Call 1-833-269-5988 and press “1” to make a payment over the phone on the City’s 24/7 automated system;
If you prefer to pay with a check, there is a drop box in the alley behind City Hall at 123 S. Main Street;
If you prefer to mail your payment, you can send it to P. O. Box 151, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701;
To talk to a Water Utility Clerk about your bill, please call 620-223-8133 or 620-223-0550.
Buck Run Community Center is closed to the public March 16th through March 18th, 2020 due to precautions with the Coronavirus.
For up-to-date information about COVID-19, go to the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: http://www.kdheks.gov/
KDHE issues new recommendations for quarantine and isolation of travelers,
close contacts and those being tested
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing new guidance today surrounding COVID-19, including travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested.
KDHE is now recommending 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have:
“We know there are a lot of questions and concerns from people,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “One thing we want to stress is that having contact with someone who may have been exposed to someone who may be a COVID-19 case is not a reason to worry or quarantine yourself. Public health officials will notify you if you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.”
There is no need for returning travelers to notify KDHE about their return. Information on COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and states with community transmission can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Home Quarantine Guidelines
Those who are under home quarantine should not attend school, work or any other setting where they are not able to maintain at about a 6-foot distance from other people.
If a person under quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19 during their 14-day quarantine period, including a measured fever of 100.4 (F) or higher and lower respiratory symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath, they should contact their healthcare provider and tell them about their recent travel or other COVID-19 exposure.
Testing for COVID-19
Healthcare providers should evaluate exposure history and symptoms and call KDHE if COVID-19 is suspected. KDHE only approves COVID-19 testing requests from healthcare providers and local health departments.
People who are currently being tested for COVID-19 should remain in home isolation, or hospital isolation if symptoms are severe enough to be hospitalized, until test results are available. If the test result is negative, isolation is no longer required. If test results are positive for COVID-19, the person must remain in isolation until released by public health.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid spreading the virus and to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread between people who are within about 6 feet of each other for at least 10 minutes through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
To reduce risk, everyone should:
For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. KDHE has a phone bank that is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contacts are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
###
Governor Kelly Recommends the Kansas State Department of Education Temporarily Close Schools to implement comprehensive education plan amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Governor Laura Kelly today announced her recommendation to close all public schools for the upcoming week to allow administrators and teachers to develop a strategic plan moving forward. At the direction of the Governor, the Kansas State Board of Education formed a team tasked with addressing key concerns.
“We take this pandemic and our preparedness seriously,” Kelly said. “One of these areas of particular concern is our K-12 schools, where our children, parents and staff come together in one place. Our schools form the cornerstones of our communities. It is because of this that we need to ensure that schools are prepared to face the COVID-19 challenge.
“When classes resume, parents can be assured their children will continue to receive the same high-quality, world-class education Kansas is known for,” Kelly said.
The Kansas State Board of Education has formed a team of experts, many of whom are former Teachers of the Year, to build a comprehensive plan to address the challenges that schools are facing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the specific topics this team will address are:
Governor Kelly continues to work closely with the Kansas State Department of Education and Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local and federal partners to develop sensible steps that can protect every Kansan.
“Let me remind Kansans once again: while everyone needs to be mindful of what they can do to avoid spreading the virus — namely thorough hand washing, social distancing and avoiding crowds — this is not a time to panic,” Kelly said. “It is a time to be aware of the need to be very careful. It is a time to be respectful of others who are vulnerable. And, it is a time to use common sense safety measures. This remains the best defense against COVID-19.”
For the most up-to-date information and resources regarding the status of COVID-19 in Kansas, please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website: kdheks.gov