CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of August 20, 2024 Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held August 20, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Meeting available on City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel. Time stamps according to recording.
Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Tim VanHoecke, Dyllon Olson and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer. Matthew Wells was absent.
Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Police Chief, Dave Bruner/Fire Chief, Norm Nation/Lead of Codes Enforcement, Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement Technician, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Larry Giddens, Garrett Knight, Cory Bryars, and Michael Hoyt.
- Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance. T. VanHoecke said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.
Approval of Agenda – (Time stamp 1:46)
MOTION: D. Olson moved to approve the agenda with the amendments of the typo of August 2, 2024, Minutes of the Regular Meeting (corrected to August 6, 2024) and that those minutes be removed from the current Consent Agenda for a correction to the Memorial Hall Proposal in the amount of $82,393.00 to Mid-Continental Restoration Co., Inc. before approval. It appeared in the minutes as $823,000.00. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
Public Comment
Laramie Giddens – (Time stamp 3:21) – 1618 E. Elm – appeared before the Commission in support of the request for a zoning change from residential to commercial for the purpose of a mechanic’s shop at 223 N. Franklin. He addressed the various issues expressed by his neighbors at the July 24, 2024, Planning Commission meeting of Case No. 1047 as well as his concern for consideration of personal property rights.
Cory Bryars – (Time stamp 3:21) – commended Laramie Giddens on a job well done in expressing his opinions to the Commission. He appeared to update on the public 501c3 organization, Care to Share. He stated that he last appeared on July 2, 2024. He expressed his thanks to the City for their support in the golf tournament where they raised approximately $20,000.00 net proceed. He wanted to share with the community what they have achieved and what they can give back. They are fully volunteer and raise money by fundraising events and donations. He explained the various things the organization does for cancer fighters, their families and their caregivers. He asked that he wanted the community to be aware that Care To Share is available to help in Bourbon, Crawford and Linn County, they are fully volunteer, they welcome volunteers and donations. They can be contacted through Facebook (CareToShareSEK) or by calling (620) 644-9090. They are housed at the old hospital, and he thanked Legacy, KRI and upcoming Freeman. The upcoming fundraiser will be a 3-day event called Fort Fest 24, September 27, 28 and 29 at Riverfront Park. Details are available on Facebook (FortScottFortFest) and local flyers.
Michael Hoyt – (Time stamp 14:45) – appeared before the Commission and thanked everyone who took the time to sign the petition enabling a vote to move from three (3) to five (5) County Commissioners. He stated that they were seventy-five (75) signatures short and a week until the deadline, however the County Commissioners agreed to pass a resolution (at their last meeting).
Appearances
Dave Bruner/Fire Chief (Time stamp 16:21) – appeared before the Commission in the absence of Mike Miles/Deputy Fire Chief to an upcoming event, Fort Scott Fire Department’s First Annual 9/11 Stair Climb, 5K Run and Walk Challenge on Saturday, September 7, 2024, beginning about 8:45AM at FSHS. Registration and details are available on Facebook (Fort Scott Fire Department), by QR codes on flyers around town, calling the fire station at (620) 223-8106 or Mike Miles at [email protected]. Volunteers are welcome for the events and there are business sponsorships available, or donation of water is appreciated. The money raised by the event will be used for the training of high school seniors who want to move into the fire service with the FSFD.
Alison Leach – (Time stamp 20:11) – Mowing Proposal – did not appear.
Unfinished Business
Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3769 – Golf Cart Ordinance – (Time stamp 21:29) – Tabled from July 29, 2024, and August 6, 2024
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approved Ordinance No. 3769 after striking Section 1(b) due to repetitive phrase in Section 1(f). K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3770 – Land Bank Board of Trustees – Appointment – Terms – Dissolution – (Time stamp 23:51)
- Olson presented the concerns regarding the stability of the current Land Bank Board and offered several suggestions for the Commission to consider. Discussion was had about the options. M. Hoyt offered a suggestion as a member of the Land Bank Board.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to table this item until September 3, 2024. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes. D. Olson voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 3-1 VOTE.
New Business
Action Items:
Consideration of Land Bank Board Membership Term Limit for Bailey Lyons – (Time stamp 38:00) – Staff Request for Commission Action by Mary Wyatt/Planning, Housing and Community Development Director.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve the request to extend Bailey Lyons’ term on the Land Bank Board through February 2025. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION APPROVED BY 4-0 VOTE.
Public Hearing:
Case No. 1047 – Request for Zoning Change from Residential to Commercial (C3) for the Purpose of a Mechanic’s Shop at 223 N. Franklin – Garrett Knight – Not recommended by the Planning Commission on July 24, 2024.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:39PM (Time stamp 39:20). D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
- Farmer left the meeting (Time stamp 39:23)
(Time stamp 39:59) – Garrett Knight (applicant) addressed the Commission regarding his request for the zoning change. He presented a map and stated that the building and driveway placement is not official. He stated that he is willing to work with the neighbors regarding their objections to the details of his plans. Franklin Street is a collector street, and the amount of traffic is ideal for a business. The property to the north and to the west are empty lots, the property to the south is an abandoned house, two (2) blocks down is where Topco used to operate, and he does not feel it is an extremely residential area due to the amount of traffic going through; specifically farm traffic. G. Knight addressed questions from the Commission.
- Farmer returned to the meeting (Time stamp 41:17)
Answers to questions as follows: The Planning Commission meeting of July 24, 2024, eight (8) people spoke who were not in favor of the location. G. Knight stated that he talked with them briefly afterwards and a lot of their concerns were about traffic. He stated that he does not completely understand that because Franklin is a busy street already. He understands them not wanting traffic on the road directly to the north of the property, so he is willing to put a driveway coming off Franklin Street. He stated the other comments were not wanting to see a shop, but he is more than willing to put up a privacy fence. He does not plan on doing tires, he does heavy line work which is engines, transmissions, and general maintenance. He already has a service that picks up his scrap on a weekly basis and a trash dumpster. He stated it is not his intention to have clutter. He hopes to have two (2) or three (3) employees but currently he is a one-man operation. He has been looking for two (2) years and finds there are not a lot of affordable options for location. He likes this lot because it is a double lot that is expandable in the future. There are no appropriate properties in the Land Bank. K.
Salsbury stated that if the property is rezoned and he decided to leave, a concern of hers would be what would replace it. G. Knight stated that he has heard that special use permits have been granted for one-time use.
Discussion was had about other property options.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:48PM (Time stamp 48:44). D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
MOTION: D. Olson moved to deny case No. 1047. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSEDY BY 4-0 VOTE.
- VanHoecke stated that the Commission took the Planning Commission’s recommendation into consideration, and he looked at the property. He encouraged G. Knight not to give up. He stated that they would keep their eyes open for a more suitable property that does not have the same community push back and he would support that 1000%. He stated that he understands the opposition based on the condition of current shops in town and that their decision was not personal.
- Hoyt offered G. Knight the opportunity to look at Land Bank properties with him the following day.
- Dancer stated that we do need small businesses in town, and he was sorry that the Commission was not able to accommodate his request.
Reports and Comments
City Manager (Time stamp 52:17)
– Lake rearing pond – will be turned off possibly middle of the week. It was turned on due to the blue-green algae.
– Water line replacement at VanFossen and Wall St. due to road replacement
– Road work at Clark and 12th
– Horton St. Project – currently tearing up 6th to 8th Street
City Engineer (Time stamp 54:03)
– Horton St. update – rained out last week causing delay, 6th to 8th St. full replacement, storm sewer issue at 7th, sidewalk work starting on west side of Horton causing activity in the right-of-way.
- Salsbury – (Time stamp 54:59) – no comments
- VanHoecke – (Time stamp 55:08)
– Start date for Memorial Hall façade repair – L. Kruger stated he was told by Chase Halsey that fencing would go up immediately and work would begin by the end of that week or next week.
– Golf Course: Land that was given for construction of pond between holes four (4) and thirteen (13), appears to be growing exponentially compared to where the initial digs were performed and beyond what the Commission had agreed.
ACTION: B. Matkin was directed to verify that they are staying within the agreed upon amount of land.
- Olson – (Time stamp 56:44)
– Cape Seal Project – B. Matkin stated it is starting very soon. Watch for updates on social media and radio.
- Dancer – (Time stamp 57:30)
– Thank you to Brad and City staff with budget and especially answering questions
– Revisit lake lot encroachments and a timeline for course of action, options of courses of action including but not limited to annexation of the lake.
ACTION: B. Farmer directed to draft estimate of costs for legal options with lake lot
issues in question.
– 911 Dispatch Center – statutory costs are a County burden to bear, but the City is paying 80% of costs. Would like the Commission to investigate options.
– Discussion of continuation of IT Services and other options.
ACTION: B. Matkin (and City staff) directed to provide input and feedback to the current process and support that we get.
City Attorney – (Time stamp 1:01:11) – no comments.
Executive Session – (Time stamp 1:01:17)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved that the City Commission recess into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2). In the session will be the City Attorney, City Manager, four (4) attending City Commissioners in the City Manager’s office. The open meeting will resume in the Commission Room at 7:10PM to come out with action. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved come out of Executive Session. (Time stamp 1:10: 18). D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
MOTION: D. Olson moved to direct legal counsel to draft a thirty (30) day notice to Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Incorporated (REDI) according to our contract with them to inform them that we will be parting ways and authorizing the City Manager and the City Attorney to sign the document and provide a photocopy to the Commission. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-0 VOTE.
(Time stamp 1:11:34) – B. Matkin updated the Commission on the status of the barber shop at 118 E. Wall St. L. Kruger stated that he had been contacted by the last contractor hired by the owner. He was advised that the contractor will not do the scope of work that is required. The contractor wanted an engineer diagram, and the owner would not provide it therefore they parted ways. L. Kruger contacted the engineer and was told that the owner would not pay for the drawings, and they parted ways over a month ago. L. Kruger stated that it is a situation of “when it will fall” not “if it will fall.” Currently there is a two (2) inch void and is buckling which gets worse every day. With upcoming wet, winter weather the ice will act as a wedge and when it falls, it all will fall. The engineer stated that there were three (3) propositions. The most favorable option is to take all bricks down to the ground on the cosmetic layer, lay the bricks back up and pin it to the existing structural wall. L. Kruger stated it is his opinion that if the owners do not do it quickly, the City will need to step in.
Further discussion was had on potential options moving forward.
ACTION: B. Matkin was directed to immediately arrange a meeting with the owner, City staff, Fire Department, and City Attorney, to verify the owner’s intentions, provide evidence of insurance on the building to cover the liability of damage to his building as well as the adjoining buildings. He is also directed to obtain the diagrams from the engineer. B. Matkin will then report back to the Commission where options will be discussed. The Commission is open to a special meeting.
- Farmer commented on the potential legal actions the City can take in the matter.
Further discussion was had on the situation and possible outcomes.
MOTION: – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:24PM – (Time stamp 1:24:52) – D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
AUGUST 20, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:24PM.
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Submitted by:
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk