CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of September 18, 2018 Regular Meeting #18

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 18^th, 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 and all government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Darrell Parker, Tom Robertson, Steve Buerge, Jerry Witt, Robert Uhler, Chad Brown, Lisa Walther, Valetta Cannon, Dominic Cannon, Ashley Cannon, Kaylee Cannon, Roger Carswell, Kim Rutter, Sara Ellis, Olive Ellis, Kerry Pommier, Mila Newman, Ronda Bailey, Gabrielle Studer, Martha Scott, Clara Dunn, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Valetta Cannon – Southeast Kansas Library System Excellence Award presentation – Lisa Walther, Library Director, introduced Roger Carswell and Kim Rutter with the Southeast Kansas Library System. Mr. Carswell presented Valetta Cannon with the Excellence Award. Ms. Cannon was nominated by Lisa Walther. A check for $1,000 was presented to the Fort Scott Public Library, and a trophy was given to Ms. Cannon. Her name will also be inscribed on a traveling plaque with other award winners. The City Commission also presented her with a Certificate of Recognition. Ms. Cannon thanked the City and the great community that supports the local library.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

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

2. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1223-A totaling $406,758.85.

3. Resolution 35-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 302 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

4. Resolution 36-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 421 W. 5^th Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

5. Resolution 37-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1110 Scott Avenue – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

6. Resolution 39-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Accessory Structure located in a vacant lot south of 711 S. Barbee Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.

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

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

1. APPEARANCE: Tom Robertson – October 26^th, 2018 – Zombie Run – 5K Race – Gunn Park – Tom Robertson asked for approval to use Gunn Park to host a Zombie 5K Race on Friday, October 26^th, 2018. The park would close to the public around 9 p.m. and registration would begin at the top of the park around 10:00 p.m. with the race beginning at 11:00 p.m. All proceeds from this race will go to the Christmas in the Park event to be held the first weekend in December.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Zombie Run 5K Race to be held on October 26^th, 2018 at Gunn Park. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO HOLD ZOMBIE RUN 5K RACE ON OCTOBER 26^TH, 2018 AT GUNN PARK.

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

limit per citizen) – None

3. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:11 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:11 P.M.

6:00 p.m. – Public Hearing – Vacation of Street – Barbee Street – between 10^th & 11^th Street between Barbee and Little – Fort Scott Christian Heights c/o Terry Chance and Cecil J. & Cynthia K. Feagins, Jr. – (Jerry Witt) – Approval of Ordinance #3539 – Jerry Witt said that he is on the board for the Christian Heights School and they have requested that this street be vacated. It has never been a street and is on the school property as well as on the Feagins property.
There is a drainage issue which the City is working on. Both property owners signed the petition.

There were no comments from the audience.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the ordinance vacating Barbee Street between 10^th & 11^th on Barbee and Little. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO 3539 VACATING THE PLATTED STREET ALSO KNOWN AS LINDEN STREET LOCATED SOUTH OF 10^TH STREET BETWEEN LOTS 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16, BLOCK 1, PLEASANT VIEW ADDITION AND LOTS 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 & 12, BLOCK 2, PLEASANT VIEW ADDITION TO THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AT BARBEE STREET BETWEEN 10^TH AND 11^TH STREET BETWEEN BARBEE AND LITTLE STREETS – FORT SCOTT CHRISTIAN HEIGHTS C/O TERRY CHANCE AND CECIL J. & CYNTHIA K. FEAGINS, JR.

Mitchell moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.

6:15 p.m. – Resolution 38-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 111 S. Little Street – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that there was a fire at this structure approximately two years ago. This structure belongs to James Marshall and he is cooperating with the City. He has asked for time to remove his personal belongings from the structure. She asked for a time frame of two weeks for him to either repair or remove this structure.

Bartelsmeyer moved to give two weeks to repair or remove this structure at 111 S. Little. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 38-2018 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 111 S. LITTLE STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY OCTOBER 5^TH, 2018 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

Rhonda gave an update on 1601 E. Wall Street and that since no progress has been made, demolition bids will be sent out.

CONSIDERATION:

1. Riverfront Grant submittal update – Jerry Witt, Chairperson, Riverfront Committee, informed the Commission that there is a lot going on at the Riverfront. The new overlook structure is almost complete. Mercy Hospice has a memorial space made with bricks and has seating at this location also.

Last Monday, a grant was submitted to K.D.O.T. in the amount of $1,364,400 for the relocation of the Long Shoals Bridge. There is K.D.O.T. funding available and the deadline for submission of the grant was Monday, September 10^th. The City Manager signed the grant application. He thanked the City for their help in submitting this grant.

He has also applied for a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks grant for a children’s play area. It would consist of a natural play area in the middle of the park. He should know if the City was awarded this soon.

City Manager said that he did sign the grant application due to the time frame it needed for submittal. He reminded the Commission that the Riverfront Committee is responsible for raising the matching funds for this grant.

Parker moved to approve the submittal of the Long Shoals Bridge Relocation Grant to K.D.O.T. signed by the City Manager. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED THE SUBMITTAL OF THE LONG SHOALS BRIDGE RELOCATION GRANT TO K.D.O.T. SIGNED BY THE CITY MANAGER.

2. Comprehensive Plan update – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, informed the Commission that due to the hard work of the Planning Commission, Commissioner Parker, Allyson Turvey, and Rhonda Dunn the Comprehensive Plan is complete. A public hearing will need to be held for the formal adoption of this plan.

Parker moved to approve to hold a public hearing to adopt the new Comprehensive Plan. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

3. Consideration of Bids – Waterway Mowing – Rhonda Dunn, Finance/Codes Director, informed the Commission that the City has a lot of waterways to maintain. She had two waterways bid out recently where they need to be cleaned out badly so the water can flow properly. There were five bids received. This was bid in two sections with one area at 7^th and National and the other area on 23^rd Street to Highway 69. The low bid is from SMM Holdings which is Kenneth and Steve Mason. This is a new company just getting started. She asked for approval for the bid at 7^th and National in the amount of $2,975. She would like to see how they perform the work at this location first before awarding the other location. They are the low bid for the 23^rd Street location also. She asked for approval for the location at 7^th & National in the amount of $2,975 to SMM Holdings.

Nichols moved to award the 7^th & National waterway bid to SMM Holdings in the amount of $2,975.00. Mitchell seconded. All voted aye.

AWARDED THE 7^TH AND NATIONAL WATERWAY BID TO SMM HOLDINGS OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,975.00.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

1. Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn – Ms. Dunn informed the Commission that she has a great team of employees that are reporting to her. Tyler, the City’s software company, will be here on October 16-18 for training for her and any employees that need additional training. She is reviewing every invoice paid by the City and looking for ways to save money. The Codes Department is also doing well, although she is not in the same building with them now.

Rachel Pruitt – Thanked Steve Buerge and Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. for their assistance and all they do for the City. The City’s Comprehensive Plan is nearing completion, and the next step is to strategize on implementation.  BEDCO has recommended contracting with experts for further guidance and direction. 

Steve Buerge said that he spent all day recently with City officials and with an engineering firm called Waggoner & Associates of Mississippi. With over 40 years of experience, Waggoner and Associates manage comprehensive infrastructure, economic development, and housing programs that improve quality of life.  Their services will offer perspective on capital funding, implementation, and program management strategies as well as the implementation which will help transform our community. Bedco has hired this firm and will be paying for them to assist Bedco and the City.

Dave Martin said that he is proud to announce that the new Community Development Director for the City is Robert Uhler. The job was posted and they interviewed three individuals. Robert has experience in lobbying and working with state and federal officials. Robert started last Monday.

Robert Uhler said that he appreciates the opportunity to work for the City of Fort Scott. They choose to live here and love Fort Scott. He thanked the City for their vote of confidence.

B. City Commission:

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer – Welcomed Robert Uhler to the City team.

Nichols – Thanked Jerry Witt for his help with Riverfront Park. He also thanked Steve Buerge and Bedco. He is excited about this project with Waggoner & Associates. He is glad to see that Rhonda is looking for ways to save money with the City’s finances.

Parker – Echoed Commissioner Nichol’s comments.

Mitchell – Welcomed Robert Uhler also. Thanked Steve Buerge for the amazing job he does with Bedco.

C. City Attorney: Informed the Commission and public to go by the City’s golf course. It has never looked better than it does right now. The new cart shed is completed and the old cart shed has been demolished. It looks amazing.

City Attorney asked for a 10-minute executive session with just the City Commission present to discuss non-elected personnel. There is no action anticipated.

3. City Manager: Nothing to report.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Nichols moved to move into Executive Session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel to include City Commission and City Attorney. There is no action anticipated. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

WENT INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:50 P.M.

Rachel Pruitt announced that there will be a liquor by the drink informative meeting on Saturday, September 22^nd, at the Elks Lodge. Tickets for dinner are $20.00 each which will be used for marketing materials.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:01 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on October 2^nd, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK