The Fort Scott Police Department daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
The department is located at 1604 S. Main and can be reached at 620-223-1700.
Click here, then click the image to enlarge:
The Fort Scott Police Department daily reports can best be viewed on a computer.
The department is located at 1604 S. Main and can be reached at 620-223-1700.
Click here, then click the image to enlarge:
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING and Agenda Packet
Click below to view the agenda packet, which includes all financials and documents, 151 pages in all, for the Commission meeting tomorrow, May 1 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 123 S. Main.
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held April 17th, 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: Marcy Reynolds, Women’s Minister, Community Christian Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the city and all government and city officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Rachel Pruitt, Bill Peterson, William Polk, Krista Banwart, Trent Banwart, Michael Mix, Patrick Flanagan, Frank Adamson, Paul Ballou, Deb Needleman, Janet Braun, Marcy Reynolds, Chad Brown, John Hill, Denton Wescoat, Allyson Turvey, Tiffany Durham, Tom Robertson, Shawn Pritchett, Kevin Davidson, Aaron Gibson, Hunter Adamson, Amy Heitman, Darrell Parker, Larry Gazaway, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Clayton Miller, and Jason Silvers, representing the Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Recognition of Hair Bow Center – Mayor Mitchell recognized the HairBow Center as they were named in the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. They began their business in 2008 and quickly expanded and built a 6,500 square foot facility in 2010. The City is proud of their many accomplishments.
Recognition of Police Officer Kevin Davidson and Shawn Pritchett and Police Corporal Aaron Gibson – Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, recognized Corporal Aaron Gibson as he recently attended the Blue Courage training in Shawnee, Kansas and represented the Fort Scott Police Department very well.
Chief Shelton recognized Police Officers Kevin Davidson and Shawn Pritchett for the excellent job they have done since starting to work for the Fort Scott Police Department. They have had many stops with narcotics cases.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 3rd, 2018.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1213-A totaling $368,247.48.
Certificate of Appropriateness – Improvements at 202 Scott Avenue
Certificate of Appropriateness – Improvements at 124 E. Wall
Certificate of Appropriateness – Removal of north planters at Skubitz Plaza
Certificate of Appropriateness – Improvements at 2 S. National
Approval of street closures for Prom – April 21, 2018
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE:
Pat Flanagan and Amy Heitman – Niece Products – Rachel Pruitt introduced Pat Flanagan and Amy Heitman of Niece Products of Fort Scott.
Mr. Flanagan said that he loves Fort Scott. He said that he hired Amy Heitman at their location in Texas as a welder. He asked her to move to Fort Scott as he knew she had a lot to offer. He knew she could assist with a welding grant at Fort Scott Community College. She and her husband moved to Fort Scott in late December.
Amy Heitman stated that she is trying to get more women and more young people interested in the welding program. She is working closely with Fort Scott Community College to further develop their program. She is excited to live in Fort Scott.
Tiffany Durham – Fort Scott National Historic Site – Tiffany appeared before the Commission to inform them of a job opportunity with the Fort this summer. They are looking to hire four (4) high school students from June 18th through August 11th. They will work Tuesday through Saturday with 40 hours per week. They will hire two girls and two boys. The way the jobs are chosen after the applications are received will be on a lottery basis. She said to contact the Fort or go online to fill out an application.
She also requested from the Commission that speed bumps be installed on Old Fort Boulevard. She said that there is a lot of traffic on that street and the vehicles are usually going at a high rate of speed.
City Manager asked the Commission to consider this and it will be brought back before them at the first meeting in May for approval. He has visited with Chad Brown and he said that the speed bumps are not expensive in cost.
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) – None
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Parker moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:20 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. Motion carried.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:20 P.M.
6:15 p.m. Resolution 21-2018 Directing the Repair or Removal of an Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 310 N. Cleveland – Rhonda Dunn, Codes Director, informed the Commission that this structure has had ongoing issues since 2009. There is someone still living in this house. The garage roof has holes in it. The house needs siding and painting and the back deck is unsafe. There are inoperable vehicles there as well as bags of cans and trash around the property. She recommended giving the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove the structure or go out for demolition.
Bill Peterson said he was the property owner and he has been planning to work on it. He has been sick and his wife is not able to help.
Rhonda said that they were put in contact with the Good Neighbor Action Team some time back.
City Manager asked if they had considered housing through the Housing Authority. He and Rhonda will meet with the property owner and Patty Simpson to discuss housing.
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to give the property owner 30 days to either repair or remove this structure at 310 N. Cleveland. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 21-2018 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 310 N. CLEVELAND. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY MAY 25TH, 2018 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.
Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:26 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:26 P.M.
CONSIDERATION:
Removal of media tower at Fisher Park – Dave Martin, City Manager, informed the Commission that the media tower is not used and is a visual concern to patrons. The Recreation Department will pay to move the electrical that is hooked up to the building and the City will remove the building.
Tom Robertson, Buck Run Community Center Director, said that he met with the Recreation Department board and they are also in favor of the removal of this tower. The tower holds a lot of moisture and they are unable to store any items there. There are issues with spectators in the stands being able to see also.
Adamson moved to approve to remove the media tower at Fisher Park. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO REMOVE MEDIA TOWER FROM FISHER PARK.
Consideration of Sanitary Sewer Collection System repairs utilizing the Joplin Tool Box contract – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that he has created a spreadsheet that allows him to prioritize all the sewer lines that have issues. He asked the Commission to approve the 2018-2019 contract with the Joplin Tool Box to utilize them on repairs. He also asked the Commission to allow him to use his entire budget of $275,000 to make repairs to sewers that are in bad need of repair from his prioritized list.
Mitchell moved to approve the contract with the Joplin Tool Box to utilize them on sewer repairs and to allow him to use his full budget of $275,000. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
approveD the contract with the Joplin Tool Box FOR 2018-2019 to utilize them on sewer repairs and to allow him to use his full budget of $275,000.
2018 Asphalt Program – Chad Brown, Public Works Director, informed the Commission that he created a spreadsheet of some of the worst streets in town. This started with Wall Street which is heavily traveled. He received a quote from Killough Construction of Ottawa, Kansas to mill and overlay from Clark Street to Margrave Street in the amount of $49,188.80 and a quote from Vance Brothers of Kansas City, Missouri to apply the glass pave that will reduce rutting in the asphalt surface in the amount of $9,821.74. If these companies can complete this work, that will amount to $108,209.54. The next street that the City would repair is 3rd Street from Clark to Margrave. That is estimated to be around $89,950.00, which the City will do. There are some water issues on that street which will be completed first. If there are any remaining funds left, the other streets on the list will be worked on. He asked approval for the asphalt program for 2018.
Parker moved to approve the 2018 Asphalt Program. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED 2018 ASPHALT PROGRAM.
Chairs at Memorial Hall – Larry Gazaway, Convention & Visitor Bureau Director, informed the Commission that he is marketing Memorial Hall. In order to do this, the chairs really need to be replaced. The current chairs are heavy to move and it takes a lot of effort from City departments. He has found some white plastic chairs and showed a chair to the Commission. He will order clips so the chairs are clipped together and a rack to be easily stacked. He asked to order 300 chairs at an estimated cost of $9,900. He asked to be able to sell the old chairs that are currently there.
Discussion was held if the new chairs could be loaned out to others. It was determined that this was not a good idea.
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the purchase of 300 chairs, sell the old chairs currently there, and not to allow the new chairs to be loaned out to anyone. Nichols seconded.
APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF 300 CHAIRS, SELL THE OLD CHAIRS CURRENTLY AT MEMORIAL HALL, AND NOT TO ALLOW THE NEW CHAIRS TO BE LOANED OUT TO ANYONE. COST OF THE NEW CHAIRS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $9,900.
Larry also informed the Commission that Adam and Jennifer LaRoche will be hosting eight (8) Combat Warrior Veterans for a turkey hunt. Three of the eight at the Airport. They will meet up and the Police and Fire Departments, and possibly the Sheriff Department, will have them escorted into town. He is asking people to line National Avenue with signs and flags to welcome these Veterans into our City at 1:30 p.m. that afternoon.
Workforce Recruitment – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that the City has worked with the Chamber to produce flyers promoting all the job openings in the City. There are over 100 open jobs. This has happened for the last two months and it seems like there are still around 100 jobs open. She and her assistant, Allyson Turvey, will be starting an online campaign through social media to promote jobs. A social strategy for facebook and linked in will be used. A Lunch and Learn luncheon session will be held for all Human Resource specialists on April 20th. Allyson has developed a welcome packet that will be distributed to the Human Resource Departments of major employers in Fort Scott along with local realtors. The packet will also be uploaded to the City’s website and facebook page. Rachel informed the Commission that the City has a new facebook page and urged them all to “like” the new page.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn – Rhonda shared with the Commission a demolition list update. She will have this spreadsheet for them at the second meeting of each month.
She said that her department is focusing on grass and weeds. They have several ideas that her department is contemplating. They are having door hangers made that will hang on doors for houses needing attention and door hangers that are positive and thank the homeowner for the great way they keep their yards and houses looking.
B. City Commission:
Adamson – Informed the public that this weekend is when the National Historic Site Reenactment will be held.
Bartelsmeyer – Echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.
Nichols – Nothing to report.
Parker – Thanked the whole team at the City and the way they try to save money and promote the City.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.
Director of Finance: Nothing to report.
City Manager:
Meet and Greet – Memorial Hall – Approval of alcohol at event – City Manager said that the Bourbon County Action Team is having a Buy and Eat/Meet and Greet event at Memorial Hall on May 3rd, 2018 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He asked the Commission to approve the use of alcohol for this event.
Nichols moved to approve the use of alcohol for the event on May 3rd, 2018 at Memorial Hall. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED THE USE OF ALCOHOL FOR THE BUY AND EAT/MEET AND GREET EVENT AT MEMORIAL HALL ON MAY 3RD, 2018 FROM 5:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.
Home Show – City Manager thanked Tim and Deb McKenney and the radio station for the great job they do in hosting the Home Show. The City officials heard many positive comments in their booth this past weekend.
Project List – City Manager informed the Commission that the Project List was emailed to them earlier this week. This list is to keep them up to date on projects in the City. There were 20 projects completed in the first quarter of 2018. There are 120 total projects. This list will be given out at the second meeting of each month.
ADJOURNMENT:
Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:20 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:20 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on May 1st, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
____________________
DIANE K. CLAY
Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission for 6 p.m. May 1 at City Hall, 123 S. Main.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
National Nursing Home Week – May 13-19, 2018
Recognition of Employees
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 17th, 2018.
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1214-A totaling $411,857.94.
Resolution 24-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 211 N. Lincoln Street – Public Hearing Date – 6/19/2018 at 6:15 p.m.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
APPEARANCE:
Matt & Cherie Witt – Autism Awareness (video presentation)
Amber Toth – Fort Scott Project
First Impressions project – Lindsay Madison & Carla Nemecek
6:00 p.m. Notification of Intent to File Application for Financial Assistance with USDA Rural Development for improvements to the City’s water system
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:15 p.m. Resolution 22-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure located at 1602 E. Oak Street
6:15 p.m. Resolution 23-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure located at 504 S. Judson Street
6:15 p.m. Resolution 25-2018 – Resolution directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 523 S. Main Street
6:15 p.m. Resolution 15-2018 – Resolution directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 1601 E. Wall Street
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
IX. COMMENTS:
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
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
There will be a work session of the Fort Scott City Commission held on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street. This work session will be held to discuss the updated Comprehensive Plan. No action will be taken at this work session. This meeting is open to the public.

Fort Scott Preschool Center will have preschool enrollment at the center located at 409 S. Judson from 10 a.m. to 2 .pm. Friday, May 4.
For more information call 620-223-8965
Children who attend early learning programs are more likely to
appropriately develop literacy, numeracy, and social skills that
will help them in their educational career.
Click here to view the event flyer, then click to enlarge the image:
Consumers, retailers, restaurants, businesses, and food service providers can have access to locally grown food, and also strengthen the communities local food system and economy, Hoener said.
The meeting is open to the public and is free.
Specifically, the following are listed by Hoener as people who might benefit from the “Buy and Eat-Meet and Greet,” Hoener said.
About the meet and greet hosts:
The 11th Annual Swap Meet sponsored by the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is Friday and Saturday, May 11-12.
The gates open at 8 a.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
The grounds will be open May 10 for setup.
Camping is available with electric for $20 a day.
The meet is in conjunction with the City-Wide Garage Sale on May 11-12.
The meet includes flea market, garage sale items, antique gas engines, related parts and antique auto parts, farm tractors and parts, farm equipment and accessories, literature, books and manuals.
Free admission for buyers.
Booth fee is $10.
For information call Allen Warren at 620-224-7761 or go online [email protected]
Kansas Water Authority Approves Water Marketing Rate at April Meeting in Lenexa
Recently the Kansas Water Authority (KWA) met in the city of Lenexa for their April meeting. Over the two days, the KWA participated in a tour and business meeting. The members toured Water One’s Wolcott Water Treatment Plant facility as well as the water intake of the Missouri River.
The KWA heard from the Public Water Supply Committee and approved the Water Marketing Program Variable rate for the 2019 calendar year at $0.405/1000 gallons.
They approved the Kansas Water Office (KWO) to enter into several United States Geological Survey agreements including the streamgaging network, Kansas River Quality Monitoring and Neosho River Sediment Monitoring.
Agreements were also authorized with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the Kansas River and Cottonwood/Neosho River Sediment studies.
The Authority was briefed on project proposals submitted to the USACE by KWO to address beneficial uses of sediment in Tuttle Creek and John Redmond reservoirs. At Tuttle Creek, historical estimates indicate that 3,800 acre-feet per year have been lost due to sedimentation. Based on bathymetry it is estimated that approximately 40 percent of the reservoir’s original storage capacity has been silted in. Conservation efforts that were implemented in 2017 in the watershed above Tuttle Creek are projected to reduce the sediment deposition by less than 100 acre-feet per year. Water Injection Dredging technology in combination with hydrosuction is being explored as a method of passing sediment through the dam and distributed into downstream river systems.
The State Water Plan Fund budget process for the coming fiscal year was approved and new members appointed to Regional Advisory Committees. As part of the Kansas Water Vision, the KWA also heard updates from three of the Regional Advisory Committees on the implementation of their regional priority projects.
The Long Term Vision for the Future of Water Supply in Kansas has an educational supplement to address water education for Kansas. The KWA was presented different strategies to consider, helping Kansans value their water and understand the source of their water supply.
The KWA is responsible for advising the Governor, Legislature, and Director of the Kansas Water Office on water policy issues. They also ensure that water policies and programs address the needs of all Kansans as well as serve as advisors of the Kansas Water Vision and Kansas Water Plan. The KWA was established in 1981 and consists of 13 voting members who are appointed by the Governor or Legislative leadership. State agency directors serve as ex-officio members.
KWA meetings are held throughout the year and for additional information and other upcoming meetings, visit www.kwo.ks.gov.
If youth are planning to do farm work, and it is for someone other than a parent or guardian, and youth are 14 or 15 years of age, a tractor safety course is required.
This follows the U.S. Department of Labor requirements before youth can be employed at certain hazardous farm tasks. This includes operating a tractor with 20 horsepower.
On Wednesday, May 9, K-State Research and Extension will offer a Tractor Safety Training Course in Erie at the Courthouse Assembly Room.
The course will begin at 5:00 p.m. and should conclude at 8:30 p.m.
Cost is $20 per student to cover the safety manual, supplies and pizza.
Transportation will be coordinated through the Extension Office as to encourage parents to carpool. The registration deadline is Friday, May 4 to your local Extension Office.
Interested Third Parties File Briefs in Support of Kansas’ Petition in Planned Parenthood Fight
Topeka – Two separate briefs were filed yesterday by interested third parties – including a group of 15 states — in support of the Kansas petition to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Planned Parenthood’s receipt of Medicaid funds. The case is Andersen v. Planned Parenthood, No. 17-1340, in which Kansas, through KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen, sought U.S. Supreme Court review of a Tenth Circuit decision that upheld a preliminary injunction in favor of Planned Parenthood, thereby blocking the Kansas effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
One amicus curiae brief was filed by a group of 15 states lead by Indiana, and also including Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A second amicus curiae brief was filed by Americans United for Life, a prominent pro-life advocacy organization. Both briefs argue that the U.S. Supreme Court should accept the Kansas case and reverse the lower court decision.
“Protecting the right to life will always be something we champion in Kansas, and we are grateful to see other states defending it as well,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “We are hopeful the Supreme Court will reverse their decision so Kansas no longer has to use public funds for a program that is not supported by the people of our state and other states as well. We will not give up this fight.”