BUDGET WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 5:00pm (NO AGENDA) AND CITY COMMISSION BEGINS AT 6:00pm AT CITY HALL.
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
July 11, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.
Roll Call:
VanHoecke K. Harrington E. Woellhof M. Guns M. Wells
Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation: Led by T. VanHoecke
III. Approval of Agenda:
Consent Agenda:
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 20, 2023
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1339-A — $1,207,831.66
Request to Pay – Bennett Construction, Inc. via Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – 2022 CDBG Sanitary Sewer Project – Contractor’s Application for No. 2 – Work done June 10, 2023 – June 25, 2023 – $262,723.50
Request to Pay – SEKRPC Grant Admin Services Project 22-PF-016 – Invoice #2 – $4,000.00
Public Comment:
Sign up required. Comments on any topic not on agenda and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.
Old Business:
Consideration of Phase II Aeration Upgrade to Cell 1B and the Inlet of Cell 2 for Wastewater Treatment Plant – J. Dickman
Approval of CORRECTED Ordinance No. 3746 VACATING PORTION OF BARTEAU STREET – Ordinance No. 3745 originally approved February 7, 2023. Error found during recording process at the Appraiser’s Office. Correction made and ordinance renumbered.
VII. Appearances:
Rachel French: 1st Colored Infantry Mural – seeking approval from the City Commission
Sarah Klasser: Old Fort Genealogy – regarding ADA Compliance of the West Entrance of Memorial Hall
Arnold Schofield: Discussion of the Design Review Board
Michael Hoyt: House numbering ordinance and expansion of the Municipal Court
VIII. Public Hearing: None
New Business:
Consideration to approve purchase of a green’s mower package from Professional Turf Products – $12,720.00 – D. Guns
Consideration to close Hospice account – D. Tally
Consideration to purchase 2015 Ford for the Collections Department from Evans Motors in Pittsburg, KS – S. Flater
Consideration of Ordinance No. 3747 ESTABLISHING THE REQUIRED HOOKUPS TO THE CITY WATER SYSTEM FOR THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS – Required by the USDA as part of their funding of the River Intake Project – B. Farmer
Consideration of adopting Certified Local Government Program – Design Review Advisory Board option – M. Wells
Consideration of Commissioner to represent seat for Land Bank Advisory Board
PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) is conducting a five-year review of the lists of Kansas species that are endangered, threatened or Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). Endangered is the most imperiled category of the three, and species on the SINC list are deemed to require conservation measures to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. A five-year review is required by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1975. Any individual or group can petition KDWP to propose an addition, deletion, or modification to the current lists by providing pertinent scientific information required within the petition form.
KDWP relies on the Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee to assist with the review process. The task committee consists of seven members representing various disciplines, and include staff from state and federal agencies and state universities. To determine if a full review is warranted, the task committee examines updated scientific information and research for any species petitioned for a listing change. Species experts are consulted and all available data is evaluated during the full review. These recommendations, and any amendments to them, are published in the Kansas Register for public comment for at least 90 days. After a full review is completed, the task committee makes recommendations to the KDWP Secretary and any changes to the lists must be approved by the KDWP Commission following a public hearing.
At the last five-year review completed in 2019, the Arkansas darter was removed from the threatened list and added to the SINC list. The Wabash pigtoe mussel was removed from the SINC list, and the cylindrical papershell mussel was added to the endangered list.
The state endangered list currently includes 11 invertebrates, five fish, two amphibians, two birds and two mammals. The state threatened list includes six invertebrates, 10 fish, six amphibians, three reptiles, one turtle, two birds and one mammal. The state SINC list includes 82 species.
A recent survey conducted by Responsive Management – an internationally recognized research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues – found that conservation of threatened and endangered wildlife remains important among Kansans. Some interesting findings included:
A majority of Kansas residents (94 percent) agreed that the KDWP should continue to identify and protect habitat critical to threatened and endangered species.
A majority (84 percent) of residents agree with the statement, “Wildlife that is threatened and endangered in Kansas yet abundant in other states should still be protected in Kansas.”
Kansas: National Leader in Economic and Income Growth in First Quarter of 2023
~~Bureau of Economic Analysis Report Reflects Success of Kelly Administration Efforts to Create Jobs, Support Businesses~~
TOPEKA – A report recently released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that, in the first quarter of 2023, Kansas ranked fourth in the nation for personal income growth and seventh in the nation for economic growth. The report highlights the Kelly administration’s success in recruiting and supporting businesses that grow the state’s economy and increase wages for workers.
“This report is further proof that the work my administration is doing to create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, and balance the budget is benefiting Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “The days of Kansas making headlines for failure and mismanagement are long behind us. Now, we are leading the nation in creating a strong economy.”
Kansas’ real gross domestic product (GDP), or the market value of goods and services produced in the state, grew by 6.0% from the fourth quarter of 2022 when adjusted for inflation, triple the national average of 2.0%.
Personal income in Kansas grew by 8.4% over the same period, surpassing the national rate of 5.1%.
“This report demonstrates the resiliency and strength of the Kansas economy,” Secretary of Administration and Director of Budget Adam Proffitt said. “The state has placed in the top 7 for both GDP and Personal Income in the aggregate and across multiple sectors of the economy, showing that our economy is not overly dependent on any one sector. Our state’s fiscal health is strong, and the outlook remains promising.”
The report showed that agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting were the lead contributors to growth in states including Kansas – a testament to the Kelly administration’s efforts to reinvigorate the state’s economy across multiple sectors.
“The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and residents have worked hard to build a reputation for the Sunflower State as one of the top states in the nation for outdoor recreation, and our six percent rise in real GDP this quarter certainly reflects that,” Secretary of Wildlife and Parks Brad Loveless said. “By prioritizing sustainable practices and collaboration with private landowners, I’m confident we’ll continue to develop our great tradition of hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping for many more generations, and visitors, to come.”
“Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Kansas economy, and the growth we’ve seen in agriculture and agribusiness across the state shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Kansans,” Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam said. “Innovative approaches in technology, science, and sustainability will keep Kansas agriculture at the forefront of producing the food, fiber, and fuel that are needed in the future.”
Kansas – A Friend AsKS youth suicide prevention app now available in Spanish
TOPEKA – (July 6, 2023) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today announced a significant update to the Kansas – A Friend AsKS youth suicide prevention app that makes the resource available in Spanish.
The app was released in September 2022 and was developed in partnership with The Jason Foundation, a national suicide prevention organization. The app is available for free in both the Apple and Google Play Stores.
“When we released the English language app for young people, mental health counselors, school administrators, and law enforcement, I quickly learned that a Spanish translation should be the next step. Now Spanish and English-speaking families have these resources available that, along with other things we are doing in Kansas, will help prevent suicide,” said Laura Moore, Kansas Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator.
Kansas – A Friend AsKS is designed to be a resource for youth who are personally dealing with a mental health crisis or helping their friend walk through a mental health issue. The app provides information about suicide warning signs, gives suggestions for how to communicate about and discuss suicide with a friend as well as what NOT to say when supporting a friend during a mental health crisis.
A valuable asset in the app is the direct link to 988. Users can directly connect to the national suicide and crisis lifeline through the app. With the Spanish translation update, now all of the valuable resources are available to users in both Spanish and English.
The need for such resources has never been more evident, as both youth and young adult completed suicide numbers in Kansas continue to be at an all-time high.
Suicide was the second leading cause of death for Kansas early adolescents age 10-14 and youths age 15-24 in 2016-2020. Source – Kansas Health Institute
2020- 26 suicide deaths, eight of which were age 14 or younger. 22 were male, four were female. Source -2022 State Child Death Review Board annual report
The rate of suicide deaths in the 15-17 age category more than doubled between 2016 and 2017 and has remained high the past three reported years. Source – 2022 State Child Death Review Board annual report
In addition to the number of youth that die by suicide, many more across Kansas struggle with suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. In 2019, there were 6,170 Hospital Admissions for Suicidal Ideation for Kansans aged 10-18 years. Suicide ideation, attempt and completion rates have each increased in our state. Source – Kansas Department of Health and Environment
If you or a loved one is contemplating suicide or dealing with a mental health crisis, please connect with the suicide and crisis lifeline through the Kansas – A Friend AsKS app or by dialing or texting 988.
The Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator was established in the Office of the Attorney General following the recommendation of the Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force. The position was created by statute in 2019 to identify, create, coordinate and support suicide awareness and prevention efforts throughout Kansas.
The coordinator develops and promotes multidisciplinary and interagency strategies to help communities, schools, mental health professionals, medical professionals, law enforcement, and others work together to prevent and address youth suicide. Development of the A Friend AsKS is a key part of the overall strategy.
More information about the Office of the Attorney General’s youth suicide prevention efforts and links to download the app are available at https://ag.ks.gov/asKS. To learn more about the Jason Foundation visit https://jasonfoundation.com.
Melissa Guns, 43, was recently selected to serve on the Fort Scott City Commissioner, replacing Josh Jones, who moved outside the city limits.
She was sworn in directly after being selected on June 18.
Fort Scott City Hall.
“The duties of the position include working with other council members to make fiscally and ethically sound decisions, closely reviewing and monitoring the budget and expenditures, creating the budget, passing ordinances that will benefit the greatest number of citizens possible, ensuring city policies do not harm vulnerable populations, bringing concerns and needs regarding the day-to-day operations to the attention of the City Manager, listening to citizens’ concerns and viewpoints, passing policies that will help the growth of the city’s economy, working to reduce or minimize the tax burden of citizens whenever possible, and collective oversight of the City Manager,” she said.
Citizens may contact Guns with concerns or comments by emailing [email protected] or calling City Hall and leaving a message with the City Clerk.
Background
Guns graduated from Barnesville High School in 1998, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science in 2005 and Master of Education in 2012, both through Wilmington University, New Castle, DE
She is currently employed as a Program Evaluator at Greenbush Education Service Center in the Research, Evaluation and Grants Department.
“In my current role, I have written three grants for 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) all of which were funded for $500,000 each over five years.”
She evaluates and writes grants. These grants provided funding for improving literacy by providing training for teachers, access to books, etc.
Guns is part of the Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC) evaluating for the Kansas Prevention Collaborative and other coalitions who have received prevention grants from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).
She also evaluates the Kansas Prevention Collaborative trainings, events, and workforce.
“I also build surveys and other evaluation tools, most recently supporting the State Opioid Response, Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers, Community Mental Health Centers, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and the KS Heart Program, and has also written smaller grants outside of Greenbush.
Prior to moving to Kansas in 2016, she was an administrative assistant for Bradco Services, a small construction company, putting together bids and familiarizing herself with the International Building Code Standards, learning federal payroll compliance, developing marketing and media to promote the business.
In her youth, she taught Bible classes to younger children, went on mission trips within the U.S. and Honduras, cared for the elderly at an assisted living home, and participated in AmeriCorp/VISTA as a Volunteer Coordinator for a summer reading and nutrition program in Parkersburg, WV.
Philosophy
Guns believes good citizenship is a duty.
She loves the area in Ohio where she grew up and learned first-hand that there is a need to have ” a broad enough industry to provide jobs to people from all walks of life and education levels. I believe that if a town is not moving forward to ensure jobs, housing, infrastructure, and financial stability it will slowly die.”
“I want to ensure Fort Scott retains small town values while expanding enough that no matter what path our children take when they graduate high school, Fort Scott is a thriving desirable community where they will not have to choose between making their own homes in Fort Scott or having to move away in order to have a job in their chosen profession,” she said.
“The choices we make now will determine the future,” she said. “It is imperative that Fort Scott makes sound fiscal decisions, grows economically, and repairs infrastructure in a way that supports future maintenance and expansion, while retaining the City’s rich history. That is the reason I submitted my letter of interest for the open position. I want to help Fort Scott achieve these goals and believe my experience will allow me to examine the decisions that need to be made from multiple perspectives to determine the best course of action.”
“I am working on creating a public Facebook page by which citizens may also contact me,” she said. “Please note that the ability to post on my page will be limited as this is meant to be a method of contact and not a public forum. Any questions, information, or issues that are appropriate for the City Manager to handle will be forwarded to him. I will respond to let you know the issue has been brought to his attention and any actions that are taken as a result. If citizens would like to share their viewpoint on an issue, I am happy to listen. I will not and cannot comment regarding personnel issues or instruct city personnel, as the only city employee under the direct purview of the committee is the City Manager.”
“Issues or concerns regarding employees other than the City Manager should be directed to Brad Matkin,” she said. “I will however, listen to and confer appreciation and accolades for city staff. ”
Family
Doug and Melissa have five children. Doug Jr. lives in Virginia. Their son Zander and daughter Emma attend Fort Scott High School, son John attends FSMS, and youngest son Lincoln attends Winfield Scott Elementary School.
Governor Kelly Announces June Total Tax Receipts Exceed Estimate by Over $17M, Closes Fiscal Year Nearly $26M Ahead of Projections
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that total tax collections for June 2023 were $989.0 million. That is $17.3 million, or 1.8%, more than the estimate and $70.2 million, or 7.6%, more than June 2022.
“Time and again, we have seen our monthly revenues exceed estimates because of my administration’s success in attracting businesses, expanding our workforce, and growing our state’s economy,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This past legislative session, I fought for responsible tax cuts on groceries, property, and Social Security to put this money back in the hands of working Kansans. Come January, I am committed to partnering with legislators to get Kansans relief.”
Individual income tax collections were $379.0 million. That is $4.0 million, or 1.1%, less than the estimate but $14.3 million, or 3.9%, more than June 2022. Corporate income tax collections were $226.2 million. That’s $26.2 million, or 13.1%, more than the estimate and up 52.7% from June 2022.
Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $303.5 million. That is $1.5 million, or 0.5%, more than the estimate but less than June 2022 by only 0.1%.
Kansas will end FY 2023 with total tax collections of nearly $10.2 billion, which exceeds the FY 2023 revised estimate by $25.9 million.
Announcing Federal Investment for KU Cancer Center
On Thursday, I announced a $43 million federal investment to plan and help build a new cancer research facility at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. This funding will play a critical role in supporting the center’s research and development and translating the findings into effective treatments for patients.
In addition to the $43 million in federal funding, the event also featured an announcement regarding the single largest private donation made to the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Kansas Health System. The Sunderland Foundation, a family foundation focused on improving the quality of life in Kansas City through philanthropic donations, announced a $100 million donation to the University of Kansas Health System and University of Kansas Medical Center to further the research, patient care and expansion of the institution.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center is a nationally recognized leader in the fight to treat and cure cancer, and last year I announced it was awarded the National Cancer Institute’s comprehensive cancer center designation, opening up new avenues for federal investments and research. With this new facility and the comprehensive designation, the University of Kansas Cancer Center will be able to recruit the best talent from around the world and expand its legacy and capabilities to conduct innovative research to cure and treat cancer. Continue reading U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter→
In response to the Governor announcing she will not comply with the changes commanded by SB 180, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach released the following statement:
“The Governor has stated that SB 180 changes nothing with respect to drivers licenses and birth certificates. That is nonsense. The Legislature passed SB 180 and overrode Governor Kelly’s veto specifically to ensure that those documents reflect biological sex at birth. The Governor doesn’t get to veto a bill and then ignore the Legislature’s override. She is violating her oath of office to uphold Kansas law. We will see her in court.”
Enjoy a Safe, Fun Celebration with Family and Friends
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Office of the State Fire Marshal and Safe Kids Kansas would like to share some important safety tips to ensure that all Kansans have a safe and fun Independence Day this year.
In 2022, there were a total of 102 injuries caused by fireworks in Kansas. The person igniting the firework was most likely to be injured, and the hands were the most common body part to be injured. Over half of the injuries that occurred from fireworks that happened on July Fourth were from burns. There was a 43 percent decrease in reported injuries from 2021.
Each age group saw a decrease except for a slight increase in 0-3 year-olds. The highest incidents of injuries were caused by mortars or artillery fireworks and other fireworks like parachutes, fountains and spinning items. This data was collected through voluntary reporting from Kansas hospitals and administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
“Remember that fireworks are explosives and should be handled with care,” Cherie Sage, director of Safe Kids Kansas, said. “Children should not light fireworks, including sparklers, which burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass. We encourage parents to let their little ones use glow sticks instead of sparklers and leave the rest to grownups.”
Grilling is another favorite part of many summertime gatherings. Make sure grills are used outdoors only, away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. Keep children and pets away from the grill area and never leave your grill unattended. Clean your grill regularly to prevent grease fires.
“We want everyone to have a fun and safe celebration on Independence Day,” Doug Jorgensen, state fire marshal, said. “Taking a few simple precautions if you’re lighting off fireworks or grilling can ensure that your family and friends are safe and injury free this fourth of July. If possible, go to a public fireworks display, and let the trained professionals handle the risks.”
Here are some tips to keep your celebrations safe:
Have adults supervise children and pets around grills and fireworks.
Designate a child-free safety zone around grills and areas where fireworks are being lit.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Fireworks should only be handled by adults. Consider giving children glow sticks, which also help you see little ones after dark.
Have a water supply ready, such as a bucket of water or garden hose.
Dispose of used fireworks carefully, as they may reignite.
Keep a first-aid kit available and nearby.
Ignite fireworks outdoors on a flat surface.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never stand over fireworks when lighting or holding a firework in your hand when lighting the fuse and wear eye protection.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never attempt to make your own fireworks.
Bottle rockets are illegal and M80 type of “fireworks” are considered explosives, and it is a felony in Kansas to possess, manufacture or use, as well as being extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks and explosives is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.
Always refer to the local ordinances as to whether fireworks are allowed in your area as well as what types. Some cities or counties have restricted dates/times or types of fireworks that may be sold or discharged.
In addition, out of respect for veterans when it comes to the individual discharge of fireworks, please keep in mind the noise and stress (PTSD) your activities may cause near VA facilities.
For more information on fireworks safety, visit firemarshal.ks.gov/216/ or safekidskansas.org/
