Category Archives: Government

New Chairman of KCC: Dwight Keen

Commissioner Dwight D. Keen elected Chairman of Kansas Corporation Commission

Topeka, KS – At today’s annual Kansas Corporation Commission Organizational Meeting, Commissioner Dwight D. Keen was elected to serve as Chairman of the Commission. Keen was appointed to the KCC by Governor Coyler on April 7, 2018 to a four year term, which expires March 15, 2022.

“We will remain dedicated to enhancing the public safety and well-being of Kansans through our commitment to delivering results that advance the public interest,” said Keen in accepting the Chairmanship.

Commissioner Keen has experience in business, law and government. His prior legal, finance and business experience includes serving as a securities attorney with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (presently FINRA) in Washington, D.C.; serving as the Senior Financial Analyst and Counsel to the Director of Corporation Finance for a large money center bank in New York City;  practicing corporate and securities law with two prominent Wichita law firms; and serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association. From 1998 to 2010, Keen was an Adjunct Professor of Business for the Graduate School at Friends University in Wichita where he taught five graduate level business courses.

Commissioner Keen’s prior state government service includes: serving for six years as Kansas Securities Commissioner; serving two terms as a Commissioner on the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs; and serving one four year term as a member of the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. Keen presently serves as the Kansas representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and is a member of NARUC, serving on the Gas Committee.

Commissioners are appointed by the Governor and serve staggered four-year terms. State law provides that no more than two of the three commissioners may belong to the same political party. The Commission acts as an independent regulatory agency with authority to render judgments and decisions on regulated utilities.

The KCC regulates the state’s electric, natural gas, telecommunications, oil and gas, and transportation industries with the responsibility of ensuring safe, adequate, and reliable services at reasonable rates for the citizens of Kansas.

National Career Development Poetry and Art Contest

 

The Kansas Department of Commerce is extending the deadline to participate in the 53rd NCDA Annual Poetry and Art Contest, an initiative of the National Career Development Association, to February 1, 2019.

 

The contest theme is “Using Careers to Break Barriers, Empower Lives & Achieve Equity.”

The National Career Development Association promotes career development through its annual celebration of National Career Development Month. Every November, career development professionals are encouraged to celebrate with career-related activities including the annual Poetry and Art Contest.

Entries will be judged on how they celebrate and inspire career development with a positive tone while emphasizing the national theme.

 

Please submit any entries to [email protected] by February 1, 2019

Submissions may also be sent by mail to:

Kansas Department of Commerce, Poetry and Art Contest

1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 100, Topeka, Kansas 66612

 

Please include name and eligibility category from the options below.

ELIGIBILITY

Every adult and student enrolled in school is eligible, as well as adult practitioners who are not in school. Contest divisions areas include:

o   Primary – grades K-2

o   Intermediate – grades 3-5

o   Middle – grades 6-8

o   Senior – grades 9-12

o   Adult Student – ages 18 and older, enrolled in school

o   Open Adult – ages 18 and older (student teachers, parents, professionals, etc.)

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR POEMS

Poetic Form: Acceptable poetic forms, e.g. cinquain, free verse, diamante, haiku, limerick, metered, rhyming, blank verse

Size: Submit each poem on a single sheet of paper 8.5″ x 11″ in 12-point font.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ART

Lettering: Simple bold lettering is preferred. Captions are to be used to convey the theme, attract attention, and to achieve goals of clarity, vigor and originality. All lettering will be considered part of the design.

 

 

Governor appoints Lorenz to lead KDOT

Gov. Laura Kelly has appointed Julie Lorenz to lead the Kansas Department of Transportation as Interim Secretary. She succeeds Richard Carlson, who retired on Jan. 11.

While new to this position, this is her second tour of duty for KDOT, serving as the Director of Public Affairs and Special Assistant from 2003 to 2011. During that time, Lorenz led the development of several efforts at the agency, including the development and eventual legislative passage of the $8.2 billion, 10-year T-WORKS funding program in spring 2010.

“I am honored to be back at KDOT,” Lorenz said. “I’m excited to help develop new opportunities to expand our transportation investments across the state while also working to maintain the existing system. Transportation is a part of everyone’s lives and the work KDOT does is critical to our state.”

Lorenz comes from Burns & McDonnell where she was a Principal specializing in strategic business consulting and planning and policy development for the transportation industry at the national, regional and local levels.

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Jan. 15

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: January 15th, 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 – Kansas Works

 

          10:30 – Justin Meeks (20 min. Exec. Session, Re: Attorney/Client)

 

          11:00 – Jody Hoener – ABC Trails Plan

 

          12:00 – 1:30 – Commissioners gone to lunch

 

          1:30 – Osage Township Trustee Appointment

 

 

         

 

 

 

                   

 

 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, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

City Offices Will Close Jan. 21 For Holiday

The City of Fort Scott City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 21st, 2019 in observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. The offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019.

The City’s tree and brush dump site located on North Hill will also be closed on Saturday, January 19th, 2019 for the Martin Luther King Day holiday. It will be open again on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes from Dec. 18, 2018

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of December 18, 2018 Regular Meeting #24

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held December 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.

INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Darrell Parker, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, Michael Mix, Rachel Pruitt, Chad Brown, Robert Uhler, Jackie Sellers, Kevin Wagner, Rachel Wagner, Cole Wagner, Dave Elliott, Maggie Brenner, Carl Brenner, Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Kevin Wagner, Wreaths Across America – City Manager recognized Kevin Wagner, organizer for the Wreaths Across America annual event for the National Cemetery #1. This year there were 5,960 wreaths placed at the cemetery – one on every grave. He thanked him for his tireless efforts in fundraising for the wreaths. He also thanked all the volunteers who helped place the wreaths. What a wonderful memorial for the Veterans.

Kevin Wagner said that there are many, many people who assist with this event. He named several other local cities who assisted with fundraising this year. He also thanked C.F.I. who trucked the wreaths to Fort Scott.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 4th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1229-A totaling $337,877.49.

C. 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage/Public Dance Licenses: (originals in Clerk’s office)

Package Sales:

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #20 – 998 N. National

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #27 – 605 S. National

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #14 – 1902 S. Main

Pete’s of Erie, Inc. #28 – 1138 E. Wall

Hill’s Service, Inc. – 308 N. National

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. #39 – 2500 S. Main

Walgreen Company – 2229 S. Main

Casey’s General Store #3399 – 2216 S. Main

Queen’s Price Chopper – 2322 S. Main

Consumption on the Premises:

Debra Cagle DBA Fifthwheel Tavern – 206 Humboldt

NPC International, Inc. DBA Pizza Hut #2423 – 1810 S. Main

Woodland Hills Golf Course – 2414 S. Horton

Public Dance License:

Elks Lodge #579 – 111 W. 19th

Sharky’s Pub & Grub – 16 N. National

Liberty Theatre – 113 S. Main

Holmtown Pub – 206 N. National

Buck Run Community Center – 735 Scott

River Room Event Center – 3 West Oak

Memorial Auditorium – 1 E. Third Street

Parker moved the Consent Agenda. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

6:00 p.m. – Budget Amendment Hearing (Need to cancel) – Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this public hearing needs to be cancelled. It will be conducted in 2019. She does not believe that an amendment needs to be held on the 2018 budget.

Mitchell moved to cancel the budget amendment hearing that was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO CANCEL BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR 6:00 P.M.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Change of January 1st, 2019 meeting date – City Manager informed the Commission that the next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting would be January 1st, 2019 which is a holiday. He met with Staff who recommended canceling the first meeting in January and just having one meeting on January 15th, 2019.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to cancel the meeting on January 1st, 2019 and just have one meeting in January on January 15th, 2019. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO CANCEL THE MEETING ON JANUARY 1ST, 2019 AND JUST HAVE ONE MEETING IN JANUARY ON JANUARY 15TH, 2019.

  1. Consideration of Water Treatment Plant selection of engineering firm and proposal for evaluation of City’s drinking water – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that he came before them a couple of meetings ago to request permission to seek Request for Qualifications to evaluate the City’s drinking water from engineering firms. There were four RFQ’s submitted and an evaluation team consisting of Dr. Randy Nichols, Scott Flater, and himself who reviewed the engineering firms. A scoring system was created and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Firm received the highest score. He recommended the approval of Burns & McDonnell to evaluate the City’s drinking water and enter into a contract with them. The contract proposal is for $50,000 for 2018 and $100,000 for 2019 which is budgeted.

Nichols moved to approve the engineering firm of Burns & McDonnell and approve the contract of $150,000 to evaluate the City’s drinking water. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE ENGINEERING FIRM OF BURNS AND MCDONNELL TO EVALUATE THE CITY’S DRINKING WATER AND THE CONTRACT OF $150,000 FOR SERVICES.

  1. Consideration of updated Standards and Specifications regarding Water, Wastewater and Storm Water infrastructure – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the City was in need of updating their Standards and Specifications for our City owned utilities. When developers are building, standards are needed to ensure that these buildings are built to our standards. K.D.H.E. informed the City that the last standards they had on record were from 1985. Allgeier Martin & Associates created an updated Standards and Specifications for the City of Fort Scott. He asked the Commission to approve and adopt these new standards.

Parker moved to approve and adopt the Standards and Specifications for the City of Fort Scott. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED THE STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.

  1. Discussion of Old Fort Transportation/Pitt Taxi Transition – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, informed the Commission that she was representing the Bourbon County Senior Citizens as she is the Treasurer for this Board. They have been instrumental in providing transportation in this community for years. Pitt Taxi came here a few years ago and were a huge asset for our community. The owners of Pitt Taxi have decided to retire at the end of 2018. They have offered to transfer the three vehicles, computer and phones to Old Fort Transportation for $5,000. The owners of Fort Scott Transportation is Jackie and James Sellers. She asked the Commission for $5,000 for Old Fort Transportation to subsidize the costs of taking over this transportation service. There are currently about 300 to 350 riders which distribute people to 25 different places of employment throughout the City.

Dave Elliott, Peerless Products, was present and informed the Commission that this transportation service helps bring many of their employees to work every morning.

Mitchell moved to approve to allocate $5,000 towards Old Fort Transportation to subsidize the transportation program in our community. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOCATE $5,000 TOWARDS OLD FORT TRANSPORTATION TO SUBSIDIZE THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

  1. Consideration of Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3545Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that the water rate increase is before them. This is for a 5% increase which is less than the budgeted 8% increase. The increase was for the payments for the debt on the river intake structure. The project is not as far along so financing costs will be less than projected in the budget. Approval for the 5% increase is recommended.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 3545 increasing the water rates by 5% for 2019. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3545 SETTING NEW WATER RATES AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3525 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.04.030.

  1. Consideration of Wastewater Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3546Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this Ordinance increases the sewer rate by 3%.

Parker moved to approve Ordinance No. 3546 increasing the sewer rates by 3% for 2019. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3546 INCREASING THE BASIC MONTHLY CHARGE FOR SANITARY SEWER RATES IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13.24.110 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3526.

  1. Consideration of Storm Water Rate Increase – Ordinance No. 3547Rhonda Dunn, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that this Ordinance increases the storm water rate by 3% for 2019.

Parker moved to approve Ordinance No. 3547 increasing the storm water rate by 3% for 2019. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3547 AMENDING THE FORT SCOTT STORMWATER USER CHARGE AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 3527 FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS, PURSUANT TO THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 13.24.121.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: Rachel Pruitt – Rachel informed the Commission that in October a contest was held for “If I Was Mayor”. This was open for 7th graders throughout the State of Kansas. This is sponsored by the League of Kansas Municipalities. If selected, the student and the teacher would go to Topeka to be recognized. She would like to see the student be recognized on a local level also. She is getting packets ready for the City Commission to review and select a winner who will have “Lunch with the Mayor”.

Health Care Update – Robert Uhler – Robert reminded the Commission of the three main priorities: EMS, Primary Care, and Emergency Room. At the December 4th meeting, you heard from Dave Bruner regarding the EMS/Ambulance partnership between the City and the County. Both entities have signed contracts with one final step for the County to complete with Mercy which was completed this week with the donation of the assets to the County. He thanked Dave Martin for stepping up in this sensitive time. He also thanked Christi Keating for her direction. He also thanked the County, Mercy and the group from the City that worked together. We are one community with one goal – to have the best healthcare in our community. Our community will have convenient care and primary care provided by CHCSEK. What an impressive organization to have serve us in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. The final priority of our task force is to secure Emergency Room services. We continue to anxiously await a decision by Via Christi but remain optimistic about the future. He thanked the City Commission for their support as we continue on this journey.

B. City Commission:

Nichols Wished all a Merry Christmas!

Adamson Nothing to report.

Parker – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer Nothing to report.

Mitchell Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Bob Farmer, City Attorney, informed the Commission he was contacted by Kevin Mitchelson, attorney for Ward-Kraft, regarding some old IRB’s the City had with Ward-Kraft back in 1985, 1989 and 1992. These bond issues have all been closed but the City still had their name on the title of their property. He asked the Commission to approve the Quit Claim Deed, a Bill of Sale, and a Release of Lease with the adoption of Resolution No. 48-2018.

Mitchell moved to approve Resolution No. 48-2018 releasing the bonds on the Ward-Kraft property. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 48-2018 OF THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AUTHORIZING THE SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN PROPERTY TO WARD-KRAFT, INC. – APPROVED QUIT CLAIM DEED, BILL OF SALE, AND RELEASE OF LEASE.

  1. City Manager:

  1. 120 N. National – City Manager said that he was approached by a business owner to purchase the City lot at 120 N. National. The City has no reason to keep this property. He has met with the business owner and negotiated some terms of this property. This will be on the January 15th, 2019 City Commission agenda for approval.

  1. Chamber Coffee – City Manager informed the Commission that the Chamber Coffee will be held at City Hall this Thursday, December 20th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.

  1. City Manager gave a 2018 highlight of all the departments of the City and their accomplishments.

  1. Certified Public Manager – City Manager informed the Commission that Chad Brown and Larry Gazaway just finished their CPM class and graduated in December. Robert Uhler and Michael Mix will attend this program in 2019.

  1. Health Care 2020 – City Manager said that he is very appreciative of the task force. He will be glad when an Emergency Room is here.

  1. Thank you card – City Manager read a thank you card from Todd & Karin Rogers who had camped at Gunn Park recently. The card stated that they have traveled this country from east to west and they both agreed that the camp ground at Gunn Park was by far a wonderful experience. They thanked Norman Mackley and Diane Clay for their assistance and kindness.

Diane Clay, City Clerk, explained they had to leave their camper at Gunn Park as they had a daughter who gave birth to a baby and needed to return home. Norman took good care and watched over their camper for them until they were able to come back and get it.

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:47 p.m. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:47 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on January 15th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

$115 MILLION IN MISSED KPERS PAYMENTS

KANSAS SENATOR RICHARD HILDERBRAND COSPONSORS SB 9

TO REPAY $115 MILLION IN MISSED KPERS PAYMENTS

GALENA- Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) co-sponsors SB 9 to repay $115 million in missed KPERS payments.

When someone goes to work for the state of Kansas, they have no choice but to pay into the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System. When things are tough at home and their budgets are tight, they still have to pay into this program. When things got tough for the state and the budgets did not balance, the state skipped paying into this program.

With the state expected to have an ending budget balance of $900 million at the end of this fiscal year, due in part to a $115 million missed KPERS payment. It is time for the state of Kansas to be fiscally responsible and repay our debts, especially when it comes to our hard working employees.

That is why I am proud to co-sponsor SB 9, that was pre-filed yesterday to repay the $115 million payment that was skipped in 2018.”

http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2019_20/measures/documents/sb9_00_0000.pdf

Fort Scott City Commission Agenda Jan. 15

The Fort Scott City Commission meets every other Tuesday. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15 at City Hall.

This is the agenda of the meeting.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Norman Tillotson, First Baptist Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1230-A totaling $581,238.41.

  1. Resolution 1-2019 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2019 designating the official City depositories for public funds

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 South National Avenue and 6 East Wall

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 10-12 East Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 124 E. Wall Street

  1. Resolution 3-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1612 E. Oak – Public Hearing Date – 3/5/2019 at 6:15 p.m.

VI. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE

    1. Election of Mayor – Swearing in of new Mayor
    2. Election of Commission President
    3. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

    4. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Mark McCoy – Discussion on Visioning Committee

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VIII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Airport Electric Vault Upgrade – Rachel and Seth
  1. Consideration to Solicit Bids – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (16) – Dave Bruner

IV. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates: Deb Needleman – KCAMP

Rachel Pruitt – Price Chopper Incentives

  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. City Manager:
      1. Health Care Update

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

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

IV. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Price Chopper: No Taxpayer Dollars

The marquee at Price Chopper on South Main Street Wednesday afternoon, announcing the closure of the store.

Price Chopper announced January 7 that they would close the Fort Scott store on South Main Street.

In addition to Price Chopper closing, Dunkin’ Donuts store and Fort Scott Pharmacy, both located in the main Price Chopper building are closing.

The closure of Price Chopper effects 85 employees, said Mike Massey, store manager.

A sign on the doors of Price Chopper Jan. 9.

“Forty full-time employees, some of whom will be going to other Price Choppers,” Massey said.

“It’s a beautiful store, Fort Scott will miss it,” Massey said with a glum face.

There was a full parking lot on January 9, the first day of the closeout sale of Price Chopper.

Dunkin’ Donuts last day open is Friday, January 11, said employee Franklin Dorres. He said they had eight full-time and four part-time employees.

Fort Scott Pharmacy is closing no later than Jan. 18, said Pharmacist Julie Pellett. “Three out of the five employees will go to Iola. The Iola group offers to provide much of the services we provided to our Fort Scott customers. Call 620-365-3176 for more information.”

The sign on the door of Fort Scott Pharmacy January 9, announcing the closure of the pharmacy.

Question about how the closure effects taxpayers

Fortscott.biz received a valid question from the public on how much local taxpayers have provided for the development of the Price Chopper grocery store.

The City of Fort Scott was given the question, which mentioned Industrial Revenue Bonds, and responded.

” There is no negative effect to the taxpayers regarding the closure,” said Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott’s Economic Development Director. “Reimbursement is only on incremental tax revenue.  The incentive should motivate the developer (AWG)to recruit new business.  If there is no tax revenue the developer does not receive reimbursement on their investment.”

“The incentives were explained in several commission meetings prior to construction,” Pruitt said. “I found a few notes to further explain the city’s involvement.”

This image was provided by the City of Fort Scott Economic Development Director, Rachel Pruitt.

Pruitt added the following to clarify:

“Local Incentives for Price Chopper Development:

  • Developer-funded project costs  were $9.4MM
  • Reimbursement of up to $2.65MM
  • $1.9MM via Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
  • Incremental real property tax and city sales taxes
  • $750,000 via Community Improvement District
  • .05% sales tax

“The State incentive:  IRB state sales tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

“IRB (Industrial Revenue Bond) was a state tax exemption on construction materials and labor.

There was no federal government incentive involved in the property development by Price Chopper.

“The County incentive:  participation in TIF – incremental property tax revenue reimbursed to AWG (the developer).

“TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District pays the developer on the ‘incremental’ tax revenue.  There is no bond obligation to the taxpayers.”

“They were performance-based incentives.”

Price Chopper opened Dec. 13, 2017

At the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Coffee this morning, Jan. 10, Pruitt said even though Aldi’s has been mentioned as a replacement for Price Chopper, that decision is in the hand of the developer.

 

Kansas Eco Devo Up in 2018

Kansas Department of Commerce Releases Economic Development Statistics for 2018

Topeka, Kan. – Kansas has had much to celebrate in the area of economic development during 2018, according to statistics released today from the Kansas Department of Commerce. 2018 has been an exceptional year for the Kansas economy, with over 11,000 new jobs and $1.7 billion in capital investment added to the state’s economy.

The Department of Commerce reports it participated in 138 successful economic development projects across the state during 2018, yielding 11,548 new jobs and 9,116 retained jobs. The total capital investment on these projects was $1.7 billion and $1.17 billion in payroll.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with the economy during my time in office,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “Unemployment is at record lows, we have more people working than ever before, and job creation is on the rise. Kansas has a brighter future because of the hard work done by so many over the past year.”

 

Of the 138 successful projects in 2018, the following are among the largest:

o    GEICO announced a new service center in Lenexa, with a $9,800,456 capital investment and 500 new jobs.

o    Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing facility in Abilene, with a $10,841,000 capital investment and 200 new jobs.

o    Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is expanding its pharmaceutical plant in McPherson with a $156,000,000 capital investment and 325 jobs added.

o    New Directions Behavioral Health announced it will move its headquarters to the Sprint campus in Overland Park with a $15,500,000 capital investment and 566 jobs added.

o    Orizon Aerostructures, LLC announced it would relocate a manufacturing operation to Olathe, with a $127,285,001 capital investment and 400 new jobs.

o    Palmer Manufacturing & Tank, Inc. announced a $16,642,000 capital investment in its Garden City plant, adding 201 jobs.

o    Shamrock Trading Corporation will build an office tower in Overland Park with a $248,000,000 capital investment and the company will add 1,500 jobs.

o    Spirit Aerosystems announced another major expansion, with plans for adding 1,400 new jobs.

 

“This has been an extraordinary year for economic development in Kansas,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The businesses that have made the wise choice to open or expand in the state of Kansas are making substantial contributions to the health of our economy and overall quality of life.”

 

January is Kansas Radon Action Month

 

KDHE urges you to have your home and school tested

 

TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) proclaimed January 2019 “Kansas Radon Action Month” to help educate Kansans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage actions to identify and address radon problems.

 

“Radon risk comes from prolonged exposure to elevated levels,” said KDHE Environmental Specialist Mark Ungerer. “Mitigation is a small cost compared to the risk posed by living in a home with elevated radon and can be easily accomplished in most cases. KDHE recommends everyone test their homes and encourage their school boards and superintendents to test their schools to have the most complete information about their radon exposure.”

 

Radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soils across Kansas. Outdoors, radon is diluted to low concentrations, but once inside a building, radon can accumulate, exposing the occupants to elevated levels. Radon is the first leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause in smokers.

 

The only way to know if radon is elevated in a building is to test.  KDHE encourages all Kansans to test their homes for radon to make sure they are not being exposed to elevated levels. KDHE maintains a list of certified radon professionals who can perform radon measurements. Do-it-yourself radon test kits can also be purchased at local hardware and builder’s supply stores, as well as from county extension offices throughout Kansas. Elevated radon levels have been found across Kansas with about one in four measurements being high (above 4 picoCuries per liter).

 

While the majority of radon exposure comes from the home, Kansans should also be aware of potential radon exposure in other places where they, or their children, may be exposed. Children have smaller lungs and a more rapid breathing rate and are thought to be more susceptible to the risks presented by exposure to elevated radon levels. Kansas law does not require that schools be tested for radon, but Kansans are encouraged to contact their school board or district superintendent to find out if their local school has been tested.

 

Elevated radon levels can be fixed or reduced through mitigation.  Homeowners are encouraged to contact a certified radon professional if their radon test has a result of over 4 pCi/l.  Additional information about radon and a list of certified radon contractors is available at www.KansasRadonProgram.org  or by calling the Kansas Radon Hotline at 800-693-KDHE (800-693-5343).