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Fort Scott City Commission Minutes for July 17

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting #14

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held July 17th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

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

INVOCATION: Pastor James Collins, First Southern Baptist Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Denton Wescoat, Deb Needleman, Darrell Parker, Travis Shelton, James Collins, Larry Gazaway, Michael Mix, Dave Bruner, Kenny Howard, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Chad Brown, Mike Embry, Alek Shelden, Rachel Pruitt, Ken Wheeler, Bill Boge, Shawn Pritchett & Mozzie, Dawna Maloney, John Maloney, Deb McCoy, Jerald Mitchell Randy Page, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Introduction of Drug Dog, Mozzie – Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, introduced Officer Shawn Pritchett and his drug dog, Mozzie. Mozzie is a two year old Dutch Shepherd dog. He has already assisted in over 20 drug arrests and is doing a great job. He and Officer Pritchett have really bonded well together.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of July 3rd, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1219-A totaling $375,841.80.

Parker moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Bartelsmeyer 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) –

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Mitchell moved to open the Public Hearing at 6:15 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. Motion carried.

OPENED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:15 P.M.

6:15 p.m. Resolution 31-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 608 S. Broadway Street – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this structure has had issues with codes since 1999. The porch is in bad condition and the roof of the porch is in disrepair. The roof of the porch has a hole in it by the ceiling that is covered by a tarp. The fascia and guttering has damage and the foundation of the structure is cracked and open to the elements. The structure is vacant and belongs to William Wiggans. She asked for this structure to be repaired or removed in a short time period.

Mitchell moved to approve Resolution No. 31-2018 authorizing this structure be repaired or removed in 10 days. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED RESOLUTION NO. 31-2018 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 608 S. BROADWAY STREET. STRUCTURE MUST BE BROUGHT UP TO 2012 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE BY AUGUST 3rd, 2018 OR DEMOLITION PROCEEDINGS WILL BEGIN.

6:15 p.m. Resolution 32-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure located at 1914 E. Wall Street – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that she has no photos to share of this structure but has been in contact with the owner. This is an old 1940’s motor court hotel. The owner is planning to put a new roof on as well as windows to renovate this structure. He has already removed a lot of brush from this structure. She asked that this be delayed for 30 days.

City Attorney recommended continuing the public hearing in 30 days.

Parker moved to approve to continue the public hearing on the structure at 1914 E. Wall for 30 days. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON 1914 E. WALL FOR 30 DAYS.

Bartelsmeyer moved to close the Public Hearing at 6:23 p.m. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:23 P.M.

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Wastewater Facility Inspection Review – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that an inspection was held at the Wastewater Treatment Plant facility on May 18th, 2018 by K.D.H.E. There were no issues or deficiencies found during the inspection. Michael introduced Mike Embry, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor.

Mike Embry thanked his team of employees: Alek Shelden, Randy Page, Bill Boge, John Maloney and Ken Wheeler. He also thanked the City Commission for their support when improvements are needed at the plant.

  1. Change in policy for Septic Haulers in Bourbon County – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that at the last meeting he brought up the issue of the Wastewater Treatment Plant receiving grease and oil from septic haulers. He drafted a letter that he will mail to all septic haulers notifying them that the plant will not accept any grease or oil as the plant cannot process it. He did discuss this issue with personnel at the State. He talked to Terry Lawrence, who is one of the biggest haulers and he was understanding of the change. This change will be effective August 20th, 2018.

Parker moved to approve the change in policy for the septic haulers effective August 20th, 2018. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CHANGE IN POLICY FOR SEPTIC HAULERS EFFECTIVE AUGUST 20TH, 2018.

  1. Consideration of appointment to Fort Scott Public Library Board – Diane Clay, City Clerk, informed the Commission that three letters of interest were received for the open position vacated by Tracy Homan on the Fort Scott Public Library Board. Yvonne Holloway, Amanda Collins, and Maybelle Mertz submitted letters of interest. These letters were sent to the Library Board and they have recommended the appointment of Yvonne Holloway to this position.

Parker moved to approve to appoint Yvonne Holloway to the Fort Scott Public Library Board. Adamson seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried.

APPROVED TO APPOINT YVONNE HOLLOWAY TO THE FORT SCOTT PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD TO REPLACE THE VACATED POSITION OF TRACY HOMAN.

  1. Adoption of 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance No. 3536 – Travis Shelton, Chief of Police, asked the Commission to approve the Standard Traffic Ordinance which allows the City to enforce all traffic stops.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve Ordinance No. 3536 approving the 2018 Standard Traffic Ordinance. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3536 AMENDING CHAPTER 10.04 OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCORPORATE 2018 STANDARD TRAFFIC ORDINANCES.

  1. Approval to solicit bids for a mower at Airport/Lakes – Kenny Howard, Airport/Lake Director informed the Commission he is requesting to go out for bid for a mower with a blower attachment for mowing at the Lakes and the Airport. This will also be used to clean the ramps at the Airport. This will be a 72” mower with a fold up deck with a blower that will blow debris off the runway. As the airport grows, other attachments could be purchased for the mower such as a power broom and a snow blower. The estimated cost is $24,000 and this is a budgeted item.

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve to solicit bids for a mower at the Airport. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR A MOWER AT THE AIRPORT AND LAKES.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Deb Needleman – Deb gave an update on the Healthy Bourbon County Grant the City was recently awarded. The City received $6,850 and she shared photos of the desk risers, a treadmill, and an elliptical that was purchased with these funds. The desk risers were purchased for City Hall, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Communications Manager at Dispatch. The treadmill is at the Police Department for the dispatchers and the elliptical is at Fire Station #2. In August, a workshop will be held on nutrition that the committee will plan to attend. She shared a graph with the Commission on Physical Activity for City employees.

Larry Gazaway – Larry shared photos of the remodel at the CVB. He gave several updates on the CVB. They have installed Rec Trac, which is a point of sale system. They are installing their own telephone system, which will have a different number than the Chamber. They have installed a door chime with a counter. Since July 1st, they have had 775 people come into the CVB. He is busy marketing Fort Scott. He gave them each a copy of the Southeast Kansas Tourism Guide, where Fort Scott is advertised. They are active on facebook, Instagram, and twitter. He will be attending Tour Kansas on August 7th. He is the President of Tour Kansas. He had a bus tour today with about 30 people. He is marketing the LaRoche Baseball Complex. He is working on a big Veteran’s Day weekend and has invited 217 V.F.W. and American Legion organizations to this event which will be held November 9-11. He shared a photo of a troop banner which will be 30X60 and can be purchased with a Veteran’s photo. They hope to sell enough to hang these all down Main Street and even National if needed. The CVB is marketing that they will book rooms for upcoming events for individuals coming to Fort Scott. The Trolley is being marketed also and tickets printed now. Any organization or restaurant can include a coupon to their establishment if desired to be included in the envelope with the ticket. He gave updates on the Biking Across America event, the Lavender Fest, the Waterways Exhibit and movie nights. There is a Welcome Back to Fort Scott event which will be held on August 11th at the River Room. He also updated the Commission on geo fencing and advertising that can be sent to a smart phone through this.

Dave Bruner – Dave shared two items with the Commission. The first item he showed the Commission was something new that he checked into called Project Breathe. It is a pet oxygen mask. They have three sizes. So many times when a fire occurs, an animal is in the house and they assist with the animals also. He showed how the mask works and how it hooks up with a hose to the oxygen bottle to help resuscitate animals. The next item was the announcement of a grant that the Fire Department received through A.F.G. for the purchase of air packs. The grant is for $104,500 with a City match of $4,976 to purchase 16 air packs and 32 bottles. He thanked Doug Bartlett with the Linn County Fire Department who assisted with the grant application and also Sheriff Martin who assisted also.

B. City Commission:

Adamson – Nothing to report.

Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.

Nichols – Not present.

Parker – Thanked Jon Garrison for his hard work in completing the 2019 Budget documents. She thanked all the departments including the Wastewater guys for their inspection accomplishment. She thanked all departments who help keep spending under control.

Mitchell – Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. Director of Finance: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager:

  1. Dave gave an update on several projects:

  1. Moving forward with the possible sale of 2nd Street Park to an entity who would still allow the City access to the trails for Gunn Park and Riverfront Park.

  2. Pool – Dave said that this has been a rough year at the pool. He thanked Chasity Ware and the pool assistants and lifeguards. They have had to send kids home this year.

  3. Court – Dave said that staff is looking at Municipal Court and Deb is taking this project on.

  4. Budget – Dave said that the budget is complete and will be on the next agenda for approval.

  5. Airport expansion – Dave said that funding is still being researched for this project.

  6. Tourism – Dave said that all the marketing that the CVB is bringing in is new revenue to the City.

  7. Fire Department – Dave thanked Dave Bruner and Paul Ballou on receiving the Air Pack grant.

  8. Fort Scott Lofts – Dave said that Fort Scott Lofts owner is trying to work out something with the owner of the Stout building.

  9. Comp Plan – Dave said that the Planning Commission wanted to make sure that the City Commission understands that the Comp Plan is a work in progress. It will be moving forward soon.

ADJOURNMENT:

Parker moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:58 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on August 7th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

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