CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of June 18, 2019 Regular Meeting #11
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held June 18th, 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 Steve Cole, First United Methodist Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Rhonda Dunn, Robert Uhler, Rachel Pruitt, Darrell Parker, Bob Duncan, Travis Shelton, Lyle Brittain, Adam Harrison, Randy Ballweber, Janet Braun, Veneita Ballweber, Steve Cole, Pete Allen, Clint Roberts, Larry Gazaway, Tracy Dancer, Jacob May, Clint Lawrence, Pat Wood, Stuart Gulager, Clayton Miller, Kevin Allen, Jason Gorman, Brian Allen, Dave Bruner, and representing the press, Jason Silvers of the Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Dave Bruner, Certified Fire Protection Specialist – Mayor Parker recognized Dave Bruner as having recently received the certification of Certified Fire Protection Specialist. This credential was created in 1971 for the purpose of documenting competency and offering professional recognition for individuals involved in curtailing fire loss, both physical and financial.
Introduction of Adam Harrison, Codes Enforcement Supervisor – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director/Codes Director, introduced Adam Harrison to the Commission. He is the new Codes Enforcement Supervisor.
Introduction of Lyle Brittain, Codes Enforcement Officer – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director/Codes Director, introduced Lyle Brittain to the Commission. He is the temporary Codes Technician.
Recognition of Randy Ballweber, Codes Enforcement Officer – Robert Uhler, Community Development Director/Codes Director, recognized Randy Ballweber with an outstanding achievement certificate for going above and beyond in running the Codes Department by himself for a period of time.
Recognition of Fort Scott Fire Department Firefighters – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, recognized Clint Roberts, Jacob May, and Clint Lawrence who put together the 5th Annual Fire Department Benefit Ride with proceeds going towards the Stephanie Lockwood family. They raised over $6,400 through the ride, raffle ticket selling, and the sale of t-shirts. Stephanie Lockwood just returned home yesterday after being hospitalized many months with cancer.
The Commission thanked them for their fundraising efforts for this family.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of June 4th, 2019.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1240-A totaling $538,657.58.
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Certificate of Appropriateness – 118 E. Wall Street
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Certificate of Appropriateness – 120-122 E. Wall Street
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Fireworks Waiver – July 4th, 2019
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Parade Permit – Burke Street Parade – July 4th, 2019
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) –
Bob Duncan – Mr. Duncan said that this is not about a code footprint. This is about honesty. Many individuals and businesses like Woods, Mercy, Price Chopper and other stores and ventures have left Fort Scott in recent times out of frustration. These entrepreneurial spirits aren’t bought but they have success with their freedom to exist, nonetheless than by governments. I present irrefutable proof that City staff mislead this Commission in order to gain support against Denise and I. Look up the term gas-lighting some time. Look around town. I see we love our troops and banners showing names and faces. At Beaux Arts Center, in the spring of 2017, I met two combat veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom. I asked, “How did you feel when you got back home?” One replied, “They say thank you for your service but they don’t mean it.” In the spring of 1969, I was rewarded with R & R and went to Hawaii. While walking along a crowded sidewalk, I noticed a young woman approaching from the opposite direction. I moved over to avoid her, but she moved to maintain an intersect course with mine. When face to face, she said, “Good afternoon, God. Baby killer.” Now that’s gas lighting too. I silently stepped around her, not guilty, I just wanted to go back to Danang. I could hardly remember my life in the U.S.A. at that time. Now at the Tigress River in 2005, American men working under my direction became casualties during an attack that was meant for me. Later Samere, a local boy that helped me, was decapitated for having a job with me. Now in Afghanistan in 2010, I received commendation and a medal for significant combat service. Some in Fort Scott have said, “Thank you for your service.” This City Commission and some City staff certainly don’t mean it. Some say there’s no use in voting. They’ll just do what they want anyway. But remember, many have paid with more than service alone for your freedom to vote for change. Thank you.
Pete Allen – Mr. Allen said that he comes tonight as a concerned citizen. He has some questions to ask of the Commission. His first question is: Do you as a Commission think that the City streets in Fort Scott are in good shape? The second question is: We had at the last meeting, or one before, a consideration for the 2019 Asphalt Program that was not advertised. There was never an agenda posted that said that the Asphalt Program was going to be voted on or even presented. He wondered why. He wonders why we waited until June to get the 2019 Street Program going. He wonders why also that we have a total amount of the 2019 street program is $263,553.80 when in the budget that was presented to the citizens, including me, the budget for Street Program was $777,000. My question is what are we doing with the other $500,000 plus dollars? Can we not use that for street improvements in 2019? If not, why not? He has talked to Chad and wanted to tell Chad that he likes him. He has put forth a lot of effort but he’s not an engineer. He is a supervisor. I think a lot of him. I question the intention of the Commission to put the burden of the entire city of Fort Scott and all the citizens of Fort Scott, the burden of making a decision on what we’re going to do on the Street Program into one man’s hands. He presented that, and then you as a Commission, with no questions, no discussions, nothing, just signed off on it at one meeting. Thank you.
City Manager said that he and Chad have a meeting scheduled with Mr. Allen regarding his concerns.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
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Consideration of Bids – Electric Vault Building – Airport – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that bids were taken for the construction of an electric vault building at the Airport. There was only one bid received from Strukel Electric of Girard, Kansas. It was in the amount of $304,398.50. The engineer’s estimate was $332,085.00. This bid was approved by the F.A.A. also. Approval to accept the bid from Strukel Electric of Girard, Kansas was recommended. This project is funded with K.I.P. funds.
Parker moved to approve the bid from Strukel Electric of Girard, Kansas in the amount of $304,398.50. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED BID FROM STRUKEL ELECTRIC OF GIRARD, KANSAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $304,398.50 FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ELECTRIC VAULT BUILDING AT THE FORT SCOTT AIRPORT.
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Consideration of amendment to Tobacco Ordinance – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commission that the Minor in Possession of Tobacco ordinance needed updated due to the electronic cigarettes that teenagers are now using. This ordinance repeals Chapter 9.40 to include any form of electronic cigarettes in addition to regular cigarettes.
Adamson moved to approve Ordinance No. 3548. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3548 REPEALING CHAPTER 9.40 – TOBACCO PRODUCTS – IN THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCLUDE ANY FORM OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.
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Discussion of Golden Arrow Property – Greg Schick – Rhonda Dunn, Finance Director, informed the Commission that this is a three year floor fill permit which expires on July 1st, 2019. He is making progress on this property. She recommended a 60 day extension on this flood fill permit from the City. This will allow the State to give him a 60 day extension also. He did ask for a year for this property at 510 and 520 E. Wall, but she does not recommend that.
Nichols moved to recommend a 60 day extension flood fill permit for the property at 510 and 520 E. Wall Street for Golden Arrow property. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO RECOMMEND A 60 DAY EXTENSION FOR THE FLOOD FILL PERMIT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 510 AND 520 E. WALL STREET FOR GOLDEN ARROW PROPERTY.
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Consideration of street closure for Flicks on the Bricks – Skubitz on Main Street and all traffic south of Main to Wall – Larry Gazaway, Tourism Director, informed the Commission that the CVB is hosting a movie night this Friday night, June 21st, 2019. He asked for approval to shut down Skubitz Plaza at 6:45 p.m. and then it will reopen after the event. A police car and the fire truck will be there for the children to look at. He estimates between 150 to 175 people will be present.
Mitchell moved to approve the street closure on Skubitz Plaza on Main Street on Friday, June 21st, 2019 at 6:45 p.m. and then reopening after the event. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE STREET CLOSURE AT SKUBITZ PLAZA ON MAIN STREET ON FRIDAY, JUNE 21ST, 2019 AT 6:45 P.M. FOR THE FLICKS ON THE BRICKS MOVIE NIGHT EVENT.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
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Director Updates: Dave Bruner – EMS Update – Dave gave the Commission an update on EMS activity. Robert Leisure, Director, gave him a breakdown of the calls for the previous months.
In March there were 218 calls for service with 90 transfers and 51% going to Via Christi in Pittsburg.
In April there were 184 calls for service with 82 transfers and 56% going to Via Christi. 147 total transports and 37 dry runs which include medical alarms, non-injury accidents and fire standbys.
In May there were 229 calls for service with 93 transfers and 63% going to Via Christi. 181 total transports and 48 dry runs.
As of June 10th, 2019, 64 calls for service with 48 transfers and 15 dry runs.
Total calls of service since March 1st is 695 calls with 292 being transfers.
Estimated projections based on current trends would be 2,500 calls for service with an estimated 1800-2000 transports.
Comparison numbers from Mercy in 2017 were 1,968 requests for service with 1,295 transports. Total transfers 308.
Their number one project they are working on is vehicle maintenance. EMS 5 is now in service.
City Manager said that Via Christi is looking at observation beds in the future.
Rachel Pruitt – Rachel informed the Commission that Ally Turvey, Larry Gazaway, and herself had attended the Rural and Independent Innovators Conference today at Pittsburg State University, sponsored by Block 22. This lets people know about funding sources. We were there to promote Fort Scott. She learned about federal level funding programs and made a contact with Wichita State University.
Rachel said that she is working with Price Chopper to fill this building and getting a lot of national chain interest due to the location on Highway 69.
Downtown development is moving right along.
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City Commission:
Adamson – She thanked the firefighters for their fundraising efforts.
Nichols – He also thanked the firefighters for their efforts. He said he appreciated the comments that were made tonight.
Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
Parker – Informed the board that she met the Lowell Milken Center Fellows today at City Hall as they were welcomed to the City and given a certificate and a key to the City. She thanked the Center for having them here. She also thanked the firefighters and the Codes personnel.
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City Manager:
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Administrative Changes: City Manager said that effective this week Robert Uhler will be overseeing Codes. Rhonda will be strictly over the Finance Department.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:34 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on July 2nd, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
DIANE K. CLAY
CITY CLERK
