The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
Category Archives: Government
USD 234 Minutes of Dec. 9
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met on Monday, December 9, 2019, at the
Board of Education office for their regular monthly meeting.
President David Stewart opened the meeting. The board approved the official agenda.
The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:
A. Minutes
B. Bills and Claims
C. Payroll – November 20, 2019 – $1,415,992.14
D. Financial Report
E. Bond Proceeds Reconciliation
F. Activity Fund Accounts
There were comments from three patrons in the public forum section.
Stephanie George, KNEA President, presented a report to the board. In addition,
administrators from each building shared information with board members.
Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on the Early Childhood Roadshow in Pittsburg,
Martin Luther King Day Committee, the district website, legislative update, and the service of
board members who were leaving the board.
Gina Shelton, Business Manager, gave an update on roof projects, open enrollment, and
the substitute software program.
Board members reconsidered and approved the purchase of high school gym bleachers
due to bid changes. In addition, the board approved the following:
o Roof payment to JB Turner and Sons Roofing
o Benchmark payment
o High School gym equipment bids
o Workers Compensation insurance renewal o Resolution 19-07 – Bank Account Signers
r Cooperative agreement for high school girls to participate with the Parsons High School
girls’ swim team for the 2019-20 spring season
The board tabled action on reorganization of health insurance language.
Mr. Hessong recognized the following retiring board members: Janet Braun, Jordan
Witt, and Michelle Hudiburg and thanked them for their years of service to the school district.
Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss
personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting. The board then went
into executive session to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. The board
returned to open meeting and approved the following employment items:
A. Resignation of Ashley Rodriguez, high school teacher aide (ISS), effective November
26,20t9
B . Leave of absence request from Vicki Kruger, middle school paraprofessional
C. Compensation for Michelle Brittain, Nicole Pellett, Patty Giltner, and Lisa Chaplin
for planning time lost due to a redesign in the middle school schedule
D. Addition of a high school wrestling coach position for the 2019-20 school year
E. Employment of Eugene Ware team leaders for the 2019-20 school year
F. Employment of Winfield Scott team leaders for the 2019-20 school year
G. Resignation of Nicki Traul, Assistant Superintendent, effective December 31, 2019
The board adjourned.
Bourbon County Commission Agenda Dec. 10
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: December 10, 2019
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
10:00-10:15 – Vivian Moore/Enid Large – 35% increase in taxes
11:00-11:45 – Justin Meeks
Audit of City of Fort Scott: Future Savings
Last week the City of Fort Scott announced a city-wide infrastructure project to look at energy savings, growth in facilities, building, parks, and downtown redevelopment, through a multi-national company called Schneider Electric.
FortScott.Biz contacted the company to get a clearer view of the project.
“Schneider Electric’s team of engineers and construction experts audited every facility, park, and infrastructure owned or operated by the City of Fort Scott, “Brian Puffer, Regional Marketing Manager of
Energy and Sustainability Services for Schneider Electric said.
Puffer’s office is in Franklin, TN but the headquarters are located near Paris, France.
Reducing energy consumption and future operation and capital burdens
“The goal was to identify opportunities to help reduce energy, operational and future capital burdens facing the city,” he said. “Our team worked with city administration to focus the scope of the project on those items that create the biggest impact and will be funded through the reduction of energy and operational expenses.”
The following facilities will be impacted:
- Airport
- Aquatic Center
- Buck Run Community Center
- City Hall
- Davis Life Station
- Animal Shelter
- Fire Station #2
- Golf Course
- Gunn Park
- LaRoche Stadium
- Memorial Hall
- Public Safety (Fire/Police)
- Public Works
- Water Distribution
- Water Production Plant
- Wastewater Treatment
“Our team creates detailed energy models based on the current equipment and operational parameters of each facility,” Puffer said. “This allows us to determine what changes and impact a specific scope item (lights, HVAC, envelope, etc.) will have across a specific building or the entire city as a whole.”
Creating New Revenue
“The goal is to take what was generally viewed as an expense in energy and maintenance costs and redirect those dollars into capital investments,” he said. “So, when referring to a new revenue stream, we are really tapping into what is lost to a utility from an operational expense and reinvesting those dollars into a capital need.”
For the original Schneider Electric press release, click below:
City-Wide Infrastructure Project Begins
New Website to Assist Kansans Coping with Ag-Related Stress
KansasAgStress.org offers resources and support for Kansas agriculture community
| MANHATTAN, Kan. — Agriculture producers have faced significant challenges in recent years, including market uncertainties, natural disasters, ongoing trade wars and other setbacks. These stressful situations have led to heightened focus on mental health issues in the agricultural community. In response, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with several Kansas ag partners, have unveiled a new website to provide resources and support to those dealing with ag-related stress. The website can be found at KansasAgStress.org.
“The increase in suicide rates among farmers and ranchers is alarming,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We must do everything in our power to curb this trend. The website provides additional resources and support to individuals and their loved ones. We must provide our farmers and ranchers alternatives to suicide. We must be there for them.”
The new website addresses the challenges that Kansas farmers, ranchers and their families face in today’s ag industry. Recent natural disasters, depressed commodity prices and other issues weigh heavily on farm families and can take a toll that leads to mental and emotional distress, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and even suicide. Visitors to the website will be able to find local and national resources for those issues, as well as support in areas ranging from stress management to financial and legal challenges.
“This website is intended to be a collaborative effort to support the emotional and financial health challenges for Kansans, especially those involved in agriculture,” Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said. “Many people were involved in the development of the website. Our hope is that it will be a positive resource for people struggling during difficult times.”
KansasAgStress.org features resources and support for every member of the family, from teens to aging adults. Unique resources are also available to assist our farmer veterans, who face the issues that come with farming, along with the possible challenges of being a military veteran.
“The purpose of this website is to help care for and assist Kansas farmers and ranchers in their well-being,” Beam said. “As more tools are developed and come available, this website will be updated and serve as a hub of current information and resources.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the State of Kansas is committed to serving Kansas farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and the customers they serve. Together with our partners, we have made it a priority to provide support and assistance to Kansans battling ag-related stress and mental health struggles.
|
History Comes Alive at The Fort
Our history is a part of our culture.
And one of the gems of Fort Scott is the national historic site at the end of Main Street that tells of the beginning of the city as an army outpost.
This weekend the 38th Fort Scott National Historic Site’s Candlelight Tour will help participants understand the life of military life in the 1840s.
Tours start at dusk Friday and Saturday night Dec. 6 and 7 and last approximately 45 minutes. Tickets must be purchased prior to the tour.
Call the Fort at 620-223-0310 (with a major credit card) or stop by the Visitor Center on Old Fort Blvd.
Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.
“It’s a way to share and celebrate the holiday with the community,” Carl Brenner, Cheif of Interpretation and Resource Management said.
“The public (tour-goers) will be a dragoon soldier and get an enlistment card, each will be a different soldier,” Brenner told the weekly Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee attendees Thursday morning.
“The persona of each soldier will be giving tours of each scene,” he said.
There are six different scenes.
Approximately 100 volunteers help with the annual Candlelight Tour, Brenner said.
Every year the tour is different.
“We want people to learn and have new experiences telling different stories,” Brenner said.
The Fort Scott High School Drama Department will be a part of the storytelling.
“They do such a great job, we wanted to get them involved,” he said. “They will be showing a scene of what payday was like (for a dragoon.)”
Fort Scott High School Drama Teacher Angie Bin’s advanced theatre students, in their third or fourth year of taking drama class, were given guidelines and information from the FSNHS to guide them in writing a scene that takes place in the 1840s on a payday.
“I had two classes that each wrote a script and then Barak Geertsen, at the fort, consolidated the two scripts into one final draft. We have five students who are acting in that scene. We also have a student acting as a sergeant in another scene.”
Many other students will act as tour followers during the tour, she said.
Most of the tours are filled so an 8:30 p.m. tour was added.
The cost of the tour is $8 for those 6 years of age and up.
“We are asking that people show up 10 minutes early to find a parking spot and make their way to the visitors center, Brenner said.
The Friends of FSNHS will provide refreshments at the end of the tour, one of their many supportive rolls for the fort.
Governor Kelly shows support for refugee resettlement in Kansas
Governor Laura Kelly joined a bipartisan group of governors in sending a letter to President Donald Trump to express her willingness to continue allowing refugees into Kansas communities.
The correspondence came in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 13888, “On Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement.” The order directs the federal government to resettle refugees only in jurisdictions in which both the state and local governments have consented to receive them.
“Kansas has a long and proud history of welcoming the world’s refugees into our state,” Kelly said. “As Governor of Kansas, I not only consent to the initial refugee resettlement in Kansas as per the terms of the Executive Order, I also welcome them into our state.”
Kelly said that her administration is committed to working with President Trump’s administration to ensure that refugees are properly vetted and arrive in Kansas in a safe, orderly manner.
“Kansans are among the most welcoming, openhearted people in the nation,” Kelly said in the letter. “I know they’ll continue to accept these peaceful refugees into their communities, just as so many other states have done.”
Communities in Kansas already have, or are preparing to issue similar letters of support for refugees to be resettled locally.
A full copy of Governor Kelly’s letter to President Trump is attached.
City-Wide Infrastructure Project Begins
Fort Scott Begins Infrastructure Revitalization Project
Working with global energy leader, Schneider Electric, improvements will help the city sustain growth and economic development.
Fort Scott is excited to announce a city-wide infrastructure project with Schneider Electric, that will drive economic development and enhance city buildings. Through this project, Schneider Electric has helped identify energy savings measures and growth within the city’s wastewater and water treatment facilities, buildings, parks and downtown redevelopment that will exceed $52,000 a year for the next 20 years. With a goal of anticipating and mitigating future needs, this strategic initiative also plans to reduce annual operating and maintenance costs by an additional $25,000 and create new revenue streams through improved city services and infrastructure. Over the next 20 years, The city of Fort Scott can expect at least $2.1 million in savings, which will completely offset the cost of the $1.5 million project.
By adopting new technology and replacing existing equipment, Fort Scott will be providing enhanced city services and upgraded facilities through an innovative design-build construction model. The impact of reinvesting energy and operational dollars back into capital needs of the city, provides an opportunity to leverage current capital dollars in other areas of need. Additionally, the targeted improvements in this initial phase will greatly improve the overall environments for city staff and visitors to the City of Fort Scott’s municipal facilities.
For more information on Schneider Electric, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com.
About Schneider Electric
At Schneider, we believe access to energy and digital is a basic human right. We empower all to do more with less, ensuring Life Is On everywhere, for everyone, at every moment. We provide energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability. We combine world-leading energy technologies, real-time automation, software and services into integrated solutions for Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. We are committed to unleash the infinite possibilities of an open, global, innovative community that is passionate with our Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values. www.se.com
Kansas Tax Reform Recommendations
Meeting for the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform produces recommendations
The fourth meeting of the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform concluded this afternoon. The bipartisan group is performing an in-depth study of the state’s current tax system, and today submitted an initial round of recommendations for consideration by the Kansas Legislature in the upcoming session.
“I want to thank the Council for its work in preparing thoughtful recommendations, and look forward to their continued study in 2020,” Governor Laura Kelly. “The proposals they shared today reflect my vision for a fiscally responsible, fair and sustainable tax structure that will keep the tax burden as low as possible for Kansas individuals and businesses.”
The Council recommended:
- A food sales tax rebate. The Council recommended a new Food Sales Income Tax Credit that would be refundable, have income limits based on Federal Adjusted Gross Income and be limited to taxpayers who were Kansas residents for the entire tax year. If the food sales tax rebate is fully implemented, it is estimated that over 400,000 Kansans would receive a refund.
- A return to implementation of the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund (LAVTRF) as a way to help local governments keep their property taxes low. Previously funded by 3.63% of the state sales tax, the LAVTRF has not been funded since 2003. If fully funded again, local governments would once again have a strong tool to begin lowering local property taxes.
- Implementation of a tax on out-of-state marketplace facilitators and digital products. While the Department of Revenue notice earlier this year requires out-of-state retailers to register and collect and remit use tax on sales made in the state, existing statute does not allow the state to make the same requirements of marketplace facilitators. A marketplace facilitator is a person who facilitates a sale through an internet or physical retailer. The proposal related to digital products would apply the state sales tax to all sales of digital products and subscription services, such as digital books and music.
- Caution by the Governor and the Legislature: Given the devastation prior tax policy has had on Kansas, the Council recommended the Governor and the Legislature be very cautious with proposals that diminish revenue until Kansas has fully regained its fiscal health.
- Property tax lid exemption for transportation: The Council recommended that an exemption be made to the existing property tax lid for the funding of local transportation projects. A significant portion of expenditures at the local level are for road and bridge repairs and the property tax lid has far too often been a hinderance to those needs. During the Department of Transportation’s local consult meetings across the state, a number of communities expressed the need for this exemption.
- Affirming the need to bring back the 3-legged stool: Additionally, the Council recommended the state strive to bring balance back with a 3-legged stool approach to taxes — income, property and sales. During the past few months, the Council found evidence that the state’s current tax policy has an imbalanced tax structure with income taxes and property taxes being significantly out of balance.
- Future items to consider: The Council also approved a list of items they are planning on studying and reviewing during the next calendar year. Those are: broadening the tax base, tax exemptions, review of progressivity v. regressivity within the current tax system, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI), decoupling and overall property tax relief.
Over the course of its study, the Council will make additional specific statutory recommendations to state lawmakers on tax reform in Kansas. A final report is due in December 2020, in advance of the 2021 legislative session.
For more on Governor Kelly’s executive order establishing the Council, its membership and presentation materials:
Christmas Cash For Unclaimed Property
Kansas State Treasurer launches Christmas Cash website to encourage Unclaimed Property searches
Topeka—Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner today announced the beginning of their 2nd Annual Christmas Cash initiative with the launch of www.ChristmasCash.ks.gov. The website is a free search engine for Kansans to go online and find out if any of the $350-million in unclaimed property in the State treasury belongs to them. Last Christmas the website yielded over 40,000 searches and over $7-million dollars was returned to Kansans.
“We love putting this money back in people’s pockets, and what better time than Christmas for us to connect Kansans with a little extra cash,” said LaTurner. “Even if you’ve searched for yourself before and found nothing, search again. We get new property all the time, and would be thrilled to make the holidays a little brighter for you or someone you know.”
All searches on ChristmasCash.ks.gov are free and can be done for individuals and businesses. The State Treasurer’s office warns individuals to beware of anyone asking for a finder’s fee to return unclaimed property. Those types of solicitations are fraudulent and do not originate from the State Treasurer’s Office.
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Businesses, Colleges, Assisted Living Centers: Mobile Driver’s License Office Service
Division of Vehicles makes Mobile Driver’s License Office available across the state
Topeka – The Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles launched its state-wide mobile driver’s license office as another avenue of convenience and added service for large groups needing to obtain a driver’s license or identification card. When a visit is set up with the mobile unit coordinator, a link is made available to individuals to schedule their visit.
“The mobile unit is for locations like businesses, assisted living facilities, colleges, and universities,” David Harper, Director of the Division of Vehicles said. “This is another way we are cutting back on wait lines and the anticipated rush of people coming into the offices as we get closer to the Real ID implementation deadline.”
Real ID is a set of federal guidelines for traveling on commercial airlines or entering federal facilities where identification is currently necessary. If choosing to be Real ID compliant, the deadline is October 1, 2020.
The Division of Vehicles stepped up its efforts in offering mobile driver’s license office solutions this past spring with two pilot programs. One, to help Sedgewick County Correctional inmates, who were transitioning out of the correctional facility, get state identification cards. The other was for students completing driver’s education in the Blue Valley School District in Johnson County to get their learner’s permit.
“The feedback we received from those pilot programs helped us test the idea and now launch the mobile driver’s license office,” Harper said.
Employers or organizations wanting to host the mobile driver’s license office are encouraged to contact Ethan Davis, Mobile Driver’s License Office coordinator, at KDOR_MobileDL@ks.gov.
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Agenda for Fort Scott City Commission Dec. 3, Updated
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
DECEMBER 3, 2019
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Michael Mix – Public Utilities Director
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
-
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of November 19th, 2019
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1251-A totaling 216,872.18.
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Request to Pay – Crossland Construction Pay Request #1 – $51,062.50 – River Intake Structure Project
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Request to Pay – Crossland Construction Pay Request #2 – $62,206.80 – River Intake Structure Project
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Request to Pay – Crossland Construction Pay Request #3 – $308,966.02 – River Intake Structure Project
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Request to Pay – Crossland Construction Pay Request #4 – $71,059.43 – River Intake Structure Project
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
-
Consideration of Employee Christmas bonus
- Consideration of Lake Sewer District Sewer Increase
- Debt Service Structure Presentation
- Approval to publish Budget Amendment for the December 17th, 2019 meeting
-
Consideration of approval of Energy Services Contract with Schneider Electric
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Consideration of Ordinance No. 3554 authorizing the City of Fort Scott, Kansas to enter into a lease purchase transaction, the proceeds of which will be used to pay the costs of acquiring certain equipment for use in the City; and to approve the execution of certain documents in connection therewith.
Approval of Resolution 28-2019 – Authorizing the City to enter into an Energy Savings Contract for the acquisition and installation of certain energy savings improvements in the city.
-
Consideration of architectural services from Zingre’ & Associates for repairs to the Water Treatment Plant facility
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates: Dave Bruner
Susan Bancroft
- Commission:
- 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
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL