CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of March 18, 2025 Regular Meeting
A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.
In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Jason Pickert/Chief FSPD, Mary Wyatt/Planning, Housing & Business Development Director (officiating the meeting) Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Cory Bryars/Care to Share, Becky Johnson/SEK Multicounty Health Department (SEKMCHD), Michael Hoyt, and Anne Dare.
VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and WELLS said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the citizens, and our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda (3:37)
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to amend the agenda with the addition of Item D – New Business – Temporary Street Closure Application for Prom. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the agenda. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Approval of Consent Agenda (5:01)
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1380-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of February 27, 2025 – March 11, 2025 – $1,061,286.37
- Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 4, 2025
- February Financials
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the Consent Agenda minus Item C to be moved under New Business.
MATKIN stated that $600,000.00 of the $1,061,286.37 is the amount paid to Freeman Hospital.
DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0
Public Comments (6:54) – None
Appearances (6:57)
Cory Bryan – FortFest 2025 – Park Closure request – Riverfront – Sept. 24 – 29, 2025
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the Park Closure request for Riverfront Park and reserve the Pavilion for FortFest 2025 from Wednesday, September 24th through Sunday, September 29th . SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Unfinished Business (9:52)
Consideration of Letter of Interest for Planning Commission Vacancy – Danny Brown had submitted a Letter of Interest for the Board of Zoning Appeals and was not selected. The City Commission asked the City Clerk to reach out to those who were not selected and ask if they were interested in the vacant position on the Planning Commission. Danny Brown submitted a Letter of Interest to be considered.
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the appointment of Danny Brown to the Planning Commission. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
New Business
Public Hearings
Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 6-2025 – DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 301 N. Jefferson (10:49)
MOTION: OLSON moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED.
KRUGER: “Basically to reiterate, on this structure, we did make contact with the owner, the owner doesn’t want any part of the house, says it’s nothing but bad memories and wants it tore down, doesn’t care anything about it.”
DANCER: Did the owner by chance indicate that they might be willing to sign the property over to the land bank with a clear title?
KRUGER: I didn’t ask about that. My feeling was it would be that she might but she’s really hard to get a hold of and hard to keep on the phone.
DANCER: Is she current on taxes on that property?
KRUGER: I don’t know.
VAN HOECKE: Is there anyone here tonight representing 301 N. Jefferson? Any other questions for Codes on this property?
DANCER: Do you think you could reach out to her and find out if she’d be willing to sign it over, if we could get a property with a clear title?
KRUGER: I’d be willing to try for you. It took (20) or (30) calls to get as much as I got out of her, but I’ll sure give it an effort.
DANCER: I’ve seen the pictures, and it’s got fairly recent siding.
KRUGER: Actually, the siding is a complete band-aid for a mess.
DANCER: Okay, even so, if we could get a clear title on that one, even if we had to knock it to the ground, we could possibly make good on another recent promise we had.
KRUGER: I do know that several people in the neighborhood, once that property becomes clear of the house, are willing to buy it as is. I’ve been approached by (2) people from that neighborhood, that once that house is gone, they’re very interested in that property with or without title.
DANCER: I’d be interested to see if you could get a clear title on that. If we could get something into the Land Bank with a clear title, that’s usable property.
KRUGER: I will definitely make the attempt.
DANCER: Unless somebody objects?
VAN HOECKE: Any other comments or questions on this property?
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing (14:42). DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MOTION: DANCER moved to table the item until Codes had a chance to reach the owner to consider transferring to the Land Bank with clear title. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 7-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 501 S. Osbun – (15:26)
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing (15:39). SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION PASSED 5-0.
VAN HOECKE: Is there anyone here representing 501 S. Osbun?
KRUGER: I do not have anything new to add to this one.
WELLS: They’re wanting to build a new house or bring in a double-wide or something?
KRUGER: The last that I talked, she basically was in between jobs, couldn’t meet the deadline to tear it down herself; that was her intention to tear down the house and put something new there. Her intentions were to pay the City back once she gets back on her feet, but I don’t have anything new other than that.
VAN HOECKE: How long ago was that conversation?
KRUGER: Probably a month.
WELLS: What was her timeline for being able to tear it down herself.
KRUGER: I gave her a complete year. Basically, if she couldn’t tear it down by the first of this year, that would exceed her deadline. So, I gave her a year, she lost her job, so she can’t meet any kind of deadline.
VAN HOECKE: Any other questions on this property?
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing.
Inaudible questions from the audience.
WELLS: Apparently, she doesn’t want to donate the property, she wants to build a new house on the property, she wants us to tear it down.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve Resolution No. 7-2025 directing the removal of the alleged unsafe dangerous structure at 501 S. Osbun.
DANCER asked for clarification from KRUGER if the house was currently occupied. KRUGER stated that the house is not livable.
DANCER seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes. WELLS voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 8-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 314 S. Scott – (19:21)
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
VAN HOECKE: Is there anyone here representing 314 S. Scott this evening that would like to make a public appearance?
KRUGER: I don’t have anything new to add on this one. Basically we have never made contact with this gentleman. I will remind you that this is the structure that people were having campfires in the garage and flopping in, so just food for thought in your consideration.
VAN HOECKE: And you’ve presented this one to us before?
KRUGER: Yes.
DANCER: Have we used any kind of service like skip tracing, private eye, or something like that. You have your hands full doing Codes stuff, but somebody specialized in finding people?
KRUGER: I know how to do that kind of work, that’s just not part of our procedure. I know where this guy’s at, he’s in the county out by Fulton, it’s just he didn’t make contact with us.
DANCER: Again, hope for a clear title?
KRUGER: This one I don’t know. Like I said, I never made any kind of contact with guy. I do know this one is behind on taxes and it’s a real mess.
DANCER: I think County typically serves by mail. If we had personal delivery, personal service and that would constitute, right?
KRUGER: Yes. We meet our standard.
DANCER: Right, but if we had personal service, then we could get a clear title.
OLSON: When you say clear title, what are you meaning? Because all we’re doing is tearing it down and applying a special assessment and the rest is out of our control.
Inaudible comments from the audience.
WELLS: We found this stuff out from the lawyer that came to the meeting the other night.
KRUGER: That would be the same with 301, that might be the easier round.
SALSBURY: That’s different, we had been told that if we were torn down we couldn’t get clear title very easily.
WELLS: The lawyer that was here the other night, I believe we live streamed that, he had some very interesting information to provide for us.
VAN HOECKE: Are there any other questions for Officer Kruger?
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing (22:37). OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Request for Temporary Street Closure for Prom Walk Up on April 5, 2025
MOTION: DANCER moved to approve the request street closure of Judson and Oak for April 5, 2025. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Action Items:
Consideration of Bids for Easement Machine – (25:28)
MATKIN left the room at (25:30)
LEMKE explained Wastewater Collections Department has been looking to purchase an Easement Machine to be used for flushing the sanitary sewer and mains. It will work with the Vactor truck. Currently a manual line must be used to flush the lines. The hard, physical work has the potential for operator injuries. The easement machine allows the crew to get into places they would normally not be able to easily to flush the lines.
MATKIN returned to the meeting (27:18)
LEMKE went out for bids for an easement machine and (3) companies responded. The low bid was $71,100.00 and the highest bid was $93,874.52. He is requesting approval to accept the low bid from Key Equipment. MATKIN confirmed that it was budgeted for $100,000.00 in 2025.
MOTION: WELLS moved to purchase the Key machine that has been presented by Mr. Lemke for the easement machine in the amount of $71,100.00. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MATKIN asked to return to Item C to complete the motion on 314 S. Scott.
Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 8-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 314 S. Scott – (30:59)
MOTION: DANCER moved to proceed with Resolution No. 8-2025 for the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 314 S. Scott. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
MATKIN asked the Commission if they would reconsider visiting Item A at 301 N. Jefferson.
WELLS left the meeting (31:55)
MOTION: DANCER moved to reopen the consideration of Resolution no. 6-2025 – directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 301 N. Jefferson. SALSBURY seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes. WELLS was not present for the vote.
MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
WELLS returned to the meeting (32:55)
MOTION: DANCER moved to direct the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 301 N. Jefferson. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Ground Lease Bids – Field A (33:24)
MATKIN stated (2) bids were received. $14,250.00 and $12,852.00. He is recommending acceptance the high bid for the 85-acres of land on the west side of Field A.
MOTION: WELLS moved to approve the bid for $14,250.00 a year (2025 Lease) for the 85-acres. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Greens Mower Purchase – (34:14) WYATT stated there were (3) bids submitted in the packet for the purchase of the greens mower. She stated that last year they had agreed not to purchase a new greens mower but decided on (2) used mowers; only (1) was purchased last year. It is currently operating well. There is another greens mower they wish to use as a backup because it does have an issue with the starter and is not always reliable. They have one other greens mower that scalps the greens. She is recommending approval to purchase the 2021 Eclipse model 322 with 980 hours giving the department (2) operating greens mowers that are reliable with (1) backup.
Discussion was had about the bid discount.
ACTION: WYATT to get clarification on the purchase price.
MOTION: WELLS moved that we buy the Eclipse mower based upon the price presented unless the John Deere comes back at $21,000.00. If it does come back at $21,000.00 then the Commission would request an opportunity to re-evaluate. OLSON seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Status of 323 W. Wall – (40:47)
WELLS stated that the lady is willing to donate it to the Land Bank per Pat Bishop/Land Bank Manager who has made contact with her. He stated that he has made contact with her as well as KRUGER and she is willing to donate the house to the Land Bank and we are waiting to hear back from her on the donation process.
KRUGER stated the only contact he has had recently was a set up for Commissioner Wells to speak with her. KRUGER did get a phone call last week from the granddaughter who advised him that the mother and grandmother asked her to try to secure a loan for repair of the house. He stated that she asked about the condition of the house. KRUGER took photos and sent them to her via text for her to make her own decision. He stated that her response was that she wanted no part of taking a loan out on the house and that she was going to speak with the mother and grandmother to inform them that the house was not worth saving. KRUGER stated those are the only conversations he has had.
WELLS stated he spoke to her about a week and a half ago and he did not ask Mr. Bishop when his last conversation was with her. WELLS stated that BISHOP told him that the mother and grandmother told him they were looking to donate it to the Land Bank.
Discussion was had about what would happen if it was donated to the Land Bank and the contractors who have shown interest in saving the home.
KRUGER stated that we have already had the public hearing.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to go forward with bids for demolition of 323 W. Wall. SALSBURY seconded.
MATKIN suggested that if the interested contractors come forward, the Commission might want to reconsider. VAN HOECKE stated to get the process started and it can be halted if that happens.
DANCER, SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE and OLSON voted yes. WELLS voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 4-1.
Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 9-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 121 S. MARGRAVE (45:39) – KRUGER presented the property and asked for approval of the resolution to proceed with the demolition process. WELLS stated that he is the current property owner. Discussion was had about the condition of the structure and the intentions to refurbish the home.
WELLS agreed to abstain from any vote on this property.
MOTION: OLSON moved to table this item until the second meeting in April.
KRUGER asked WELLS for a timeline on securing the bank loan. WELLS stated he would reach back out to him next week.
WELLS clarified that the title was transferred to one of his companies. He stated that he did not know that this home was up for demolition when he started the process.
Further discussion was had on how WELLS acquired the property.
MOTION: DANCER moved to table Resolution No. 9-2025 regarding and alleged unsafe or dangerous structure at 121 S. Margrave until the second meeting in April of 2025. SALSBURY seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes. WELLS abstained.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Lease Agreement for LaRoche Baseball Complex, City of Fort Scott, and Mid America Baseball League – (54:34)
MATKIN stated that MidAmerica Baseball League would like to sign a (5)-year, rent-free lease with the City of Fort Scott for the use of LaRoche Baseball Complex. The City would receive $.50 per ticket sold and they would help with some additional upkeep of the stadium and payment of the groundskeeper.
Discussion was had regarding the cost of upkeep verses return as well as damage and liability.
MOTION: WELLS moved to sign the lease agreement for the LaRoche Baseball Complex between the City of Fort Scott and Mid America Baseball League. OLSON seconded.
VAN HOECKE thanked MATKIN for his hard work of bringing this to our City.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Monetary Partnership agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Mid America Baseball League – (59:24)
MATKIN requested approval of $50,000.00. He stated that $30,000.00 would come from the Economic Development fund and $20,000.00 would come from the Tourism fund.
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve the monetary partnership agreement between the City of Fort Scott and the Mid America Baseball League with $30,000.00 coming from Economic Development and $20,000.00 coming from Tourism. WELLS seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration for the City to write a letter to Congress or issue a resolution to send to Congressional Representative to Protect SNAP/No Kid Hungry – (1:01:55)
MATKIN left the meeting (1:02:02) and returned (1:04:43)
WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:01:56)
MOTION: WELLS moved that a letter be presented for Commissioners to sign using their title on the issue to send to Congress, Congressional Representatives to protect SNAP. OLSON seconded.
OLSON, WELLS and SALSBURY voted yes. DANCER and VAN HOECKE voted no.
MOTION CARRIED 3-2.
ACTION: WELLS will present a letter for review of the Commission.
Consideration for approval for Commissioner Wells to sign a letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem to immediately restart the US Refugee Resettlement Program
WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:20:00)
MATKIN clarified that the letter will not be written on City of Fort Scott letterhead.
MOTION: WELLS moved for approval to sign a letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem to immediately restart the US Refugee Resettlement Program with his Fort Scott City Commissioner title.
FARMER left the meeting (1:28:51) and returned (1:30:51).
OLSON seconded.
WELLS clarified that his motion was that he will be signing (with his title of Fort Scott City Commissioner) a letter that has already been signed by over (200) other elected nonpartisan City Commissioners and City Mayors.
OLSON, and WELLS voted yes. VAN HOECKE, DANCER and SALSBURY voted no.
MOTION FAILED 2-3.
Consideration to sign a letter to save our historic site from the damaging impacts of the mass firings
WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:35:32)
MOTION: WELLS moved that the City Commissioners join him in signing this letter to be sent to our local representatives. VAN HOECKE seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration to approve installation of Family Station(s) in public areas – (1:49:16)
JOHNSON submitted a proposal and asked for permission to install the station(s). Discussion was had regarding possible locations. The Multi-County Breastfeeding Coalition is looking for collaboration with entities in the community and grants to help fund the project. They are asking the City for in-kind donation. She also wanted to inform the public of a Lactation Tent that they will be seeing within the counties.
MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to approve installation of a Family Station in a public area determined mutually by SEK Multi-County Health Department and the City of Fort Scott. SALSBURY seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Consideration of Addendum No. 4 – Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contractor for Davis Lift Station Project – (1:58:42)
DICKMAN stated that this lift station is very large, mostly underground and in a flood plain. Underneath the station are piers that go down to bedrock which was discovered only recently. Initially they considered having those as part of the new wet well that would house the pump for the storm water overflows because it would be the same depth and would be on piers as well. He stated that they overestimated (possibly overdesigned) and received quotes from contractors in the $200,000.00 range. The intent of this addendum is to have a geotechnical engineer do a boring at the location of the wet well, design the piers, and supply a report with recommendations. The addendum includes the cost of the drilling, report and recommendation as well as updating the plans. The final cost estimate as it sets now (without the addendum) is $200,000.00 to complete the project. However, with the report and findings it could potentially cut the cost in half; the intent is to save $100,000.00 on the final build to do the wet well.
MOTION: OLSON moved to approve Addendum No. 4 for the wastewater evaluation and design contract for Davis Lift Station project. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
Request to Pay – Schneider Electric – Annual Renewal of Service Agreement – $12,894.00 (2:03:06)
Discussion was had regarding the history of the contract and the future benefits of continuing this service agreement or exploring other options.
MOTION: SALSBURY moved to not proceed with the Schneider contract again. DANCER seconded.
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
ACTION: MATKIN will look into wireless options for thermostat controls.
Reports and Comments
CITY MANAGER (2:09:35)
– Dance Party at Memorial Hall, Saturday at 7:00PM
– Designing and going out for bids for updating Memorial Hall bathrooms
– Marquee sign will be moved from Buck Run to Memorial Hall
CITY ENGINEER (2:11:39)
– Horton Street update – grinding is complete, fog seal weather permitting, cure for (14) days before striping can be done. Speed limit is temporarily lowered to 30 mph for friction factor of fog seal. Substantial completion date, based on contract days is 3/24/2025 – will do walk through. Punch list to be completed. Final closeout change order to come and final completion should be April 13, 2025.
– 17th and Eddy concrete completed – MATKIN
– CCLIP due March 28, 2025
– KDOT Wall Street field check March 26, 2025 – asking for new schedule for construction beginning next year.
CITY ATTORNEY (2:17:26) – No comments.
COMMISSIONER SALSBURY (2:17:47) – inaudible
COMMISSIONER WELLS (2:18:03)
– Crossing light on 6th St. and Horton St.
– Work Session for storage containers rescheduled
– New ordinance for Land Bank to add County Commissioner
MATKIN left the meeting (2:20:55) and returned (2:22:49)
– Permission to go to County Commission for TEAP study discussion – no objections
COMMISSIONER OLSON (2:26:09) – No comment
COMMISSIONER DANCER (2:26:13) – No comment
COMMISSIONER VAN HOECKE (2:26:15)
– New baseball team
– Bids for 118 E. Wall
– Lenten Fish Fry – Mary Queen of Angels – Fridays 5-7PM – Cost is free will donation
– Dance Party at Memorial Hall – 7PM – Friday
– Bike sidewalk signs for Main Street
Adjourn
MOTION: DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:31PM (2:31:48). SALSBURY seconded.
MARCH 18, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:31PM.
Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
