Fort Scott, Government

Fort Scott City Commission Minutes of Jan. 24

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Minutes of January 24th, 2023                                Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 24th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

 

ROLL CALL:

Commissioners J. Jones, T. Van Hoecke, E. Woellhof were present with Mayor M. Wells.  Commissioner K. Harrington was absent.

 

FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION:  T. VanHoecke, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE:  Brad Matkin, Interim City Manager, Travis Shelton, Police Chief, Dave Bruner, Fire Chief, Jason Dickman, City Engineer, Thomas Russell, Codes Enforcement Technician, Seth Simpson, Airport Director, Doug Guns, Sports Facilities Director, Bob Farmer, City Attorney, Lisa Lewis, City Clerk, Eddie Townley, Michael Buller, Steve Anthony, Justin Pregont, and Michael Hoyt.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA:  M. Wells asked if anyone had additional items to add to the agenda for this meeting. L. Lewis stated that the agenda did need to be approved due to amendments made to the published agenda on January 20th, 2023.  J. Jones motioned to approve the January 24th, 2023, amended agenda.  T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED THE JANUARY 24, 2023, AMENDED AGENDA.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

 

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 10, 2023.

 

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1328-A totaling $1,010,092.41

 

  1. Request to Pay – HDR – $13,328.46

 

  1. Request to Pay – Baker Tilly – $7,898.91 – Fees for December 2022 – Interim Management Services – City Manager and Lodging Fees.

 

  1. AMS – $516,498.33 – first ½ of sludge removal at Wastewater Plant

 

  1. Marbery Concrete – $33,720.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam work

 

  1. AG Engineering – $2,000.00 – Lake Fort Scott Dam engineering

 

  1. Tyler Technologies – $53,925.19 – Yearly software service

 

  1. Nuss and Farmer – $8,000 (December and January fees)

 

  1. BBCO Redi – $5,100 (December and January fees)

 

  1. Hawkins Inc. – $11,431.78 Water Treatment chemicals

 

  1. Kansas 911 Council – $36,600 (call handling phone package for dispatch)

 

  1. KMIT – $82,535 (Workman’s Comp Insurance, yearly)

 

  1. VanHoecke asked B. Matkin if the Commission was to expect more billing for the Lake Fort Scott Dam Work. B. Matkin confirmed this was the last.

 

  1. VanHoecke also questioned fees on the Consent Agenda for December and January. He asked if we were behind. B. Matkin confirmed and stated that we are getting there.

 

  1. Jones stated that he had questions on KTK Electric. B. Matkin stated that it is $6,426.95 and was for the electrical hookups at the lagoon and is additional to the $37,000.00 that was already billed and paid from when the lagoon work was started. He stated that is for additional materials, labor, and excavation.

 

  1. Jones stated that it was a bid job, the Commission did not receive a Change Order and the bill is a 15% increase. He asked if KTK said why they had to increase the price.

 

  1. Matkin stated that the very first Purchase Order was not bid out because it was deemed an emergency by the Interim City Manager at the time.

 

  1. Jones asked B. Matkin to reach out to KTK Electric and ask if they expected any other additional charges that were not in the original contract when they were awarded the bid.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked B. Matkin if the Kansas 9-1-1 Council was an annual fee or an equipment purchase. B. Matkin stated that it was an annual fee.

 

  1. Wells questioned the charge from AMS. He stated that his understanding of the contract was that we didn’t pay until they proved that we only had one (1) inch of sludge remaining. B. Matkin stated that 50% is paid when the sludge is down 50%. He said we will not pay anything else until it is down to the inches stated in the contract. M. Wells asked if we would be able to verify that with a secondary source.  B. Matkin agreed and stated that J. Dickman had the source. He stated that there is a waiting list, but they are still saying 45 days until they are probably done if the weather cooperates.

 

  1. Wells asked if the money has been specified to come out of a specific account. B. Matkin stated that it will come out of the specific account.

 

  1. VanHoecke moved to approve the Consent Agenda. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA.

 

Public Comment:

Steve Anthony

  1. Anthony came to ask the Commission for permission to use the lights at the Golf and the Tennis Courts for the night of the Bourbon County Golf Scramble for Special Olympics. He stated that the celebrities that were here last year will be here again. They arrive on Wednesday of that week and will do a Baseball Camp and a Basketball Camp on Thursday for the kids. He would like to put the prizes on the tennis court for safe keeping.

 

  1. VanHoecke moved to allow the Special Olympics Golf Scramble to use the lights and the tennis courts out at the Golf Course on July 29th, 2023. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

 

Michael J. Hoyt

  1. Hoyt came to give the Commission an update on former Commission Pete Allen. He is doing well after surgery. He asked that everyone keep Pete is their thoughts during his recovery. M. Hoyt would also like to recognize Ray Streeter who was recognized at KU as an awarded Medal of Honor Winner during the Vietnam campaign.

 

Eddie Townley

  1. Townley came to address the Commission regarding the Splash Pad. He stated that he has a vested interest in the northern part of downtown. He said he is not against the Splash Pad, but he does have a lot of questions. He stated it seems this is a Grassroots thing and was popped up on the citizens and now it is up for a vote. He said that he is for growth but does not care for the area that was selected because it is an historic district. He stated that he is surprised that the historical district with the state approved. Mr. Townley asked who purchased or donated the land or how the spot was given up. He would like to know who will be responsible for winterizing, maintenance and repairs and is concerned about the costs. He also stated that he does not know how this will support the downtown. He said he would like to hear some thoughts before it goes to a vote and what spawned this because he is reading the feedback that the community wanted a splash pad. He stated that he knows Mr. Jones is involved and that maybe he could enlighten him because he feels he is in the dark.

 

  1. Jones responded by stating that originally it was Gunn Park, but infrastructure wouldn’t work. They talked about Ellis Park, but people complained that it would get vandalized up there. Then we moved up to where the skate park was, but it would get graffitied up and there are no lights down there; so, he asked where would you like this.

 

  1. Jones stated that two (2) grants came out worth about $100,000.00 but it had to be done downtown. He stated that there was a study done six (6) or seven (7) years ago that said a water feature downtown would be beneficial to Fort Scott. He stated they talked about the parking lot south of Cheney Witt, but the required infrastructure would increase the cost by $100,000.00. He said that they got with the four (4), started working with people downtown, and talked to business owners. He stated there was a deadline for the grants and that was the spot they decided to pick if there were no major concerns or pushback and said the location still has not been approved by the Commission for that spot. He stated that we want to make sure we do everything we can and not just pass it through. And if there’s another spot downtown, we might lose the $100,000.00 in grants, but we had to pick a spot. He stated that they did not think it would happen this quick. He said that he thought it would be a 2024 project, but the fundraising overwhelmingly came in.

 

  1. Townley asked about the grants. J. Jones stated that most grants have deadlines. He said the ones they applied for had a deadline that required them to be downtown and told them to pick a spot. He stated if we have to move it and lose the grants, the completion may be a few years down the road if that’s what Commissioners and citizens want, so be it.

 

  1. Wells stated that the Fort was in on the conversation and that was the area that they helped direct to for the Splash Pad. He stated that one of the Forts upcoming pushes for the National Historic Programs is to have activities for children to do that are within so many feet of the actual historic site. He stated he believed that is another reason that location was chosen. He said that another reason was because the Farmer’s Market had requested, with the number of children that come to the Farmer’s Market, they wanted to create something for the children to do while people were at the Farmer’s Market. He stated that he believed that played a small part in directing people’s decision to that area.

 

Further discussion was had on how the site was chosen at the for the Splash Pad.

 

  1. Townley stated he did not know that the Fort was looking for children’s activities and that they needed that part. He stated he is a huge proponent of the Fort, and he thinks that for the businesses downtown the Fort needs to double tourism.

 

  1. Townley asked if the maintenance would roll over to the City when it is done. J. Jones stated yes. He also said that there would not be any cost to the City, but they tried to keep it to a minimum. Mr. Townley asked that if once it is turned over to the City, the Committee is done, there is no financial support, you’re signing it over? J. Jones stated I guess per se, but the people of this committee have been lifelong residents and we didn’t just start doing this for the Splash Pad. He stated that personally he donates $5,000.00 a year toward the maintenance and stated that he has no problem putting up his own money to do that if the City says we can afford to do this, and I think there’s other people out there that would do the same. He stated that his goal is to find more things we can do without charge because this is a poverty stricken county. He stated that they can fundraise more if they need, they would not leave and say there you go.

 

  1. VanHoecke thanked E. Townley for driving in from Olathe to address the Commission because a lot of folks had called in with concerns and questions so he invited Mr. Townley to come up and speak during Public Comments.

 

  1. VanHoecke and J. Jones stated they appreciate E. Townley investing in the downtown.

 

Mike Buller

  1. Buller addressed the Commission regarding the Splash Pad. He stated he owns Barbed Wire and Roses Vintage Market downtown. His main concern is that children will want to come through the stores downtown after being in the Splash Pad.

 

Old Business:  

Update on Cost to Move Existing Docks at Lake Fort Scott – Doug Guns

  1. Guns stated that he reached out to the vendor that will be putting I the new docks and they said they would move the docks where you would like them at no cost. They stated it was a hospitality thing since they will already be there installing the new docks. D. Guns asked about exact locations to move the old docks. Discussion was had about the final decision on the placement of the old docks. M. Wells directed D. Guns to make the decision using his best judgement. D. Guns stated that he had already emailed the Lake Advisory Board the decisions that were made at the last (Commission) meeting.

 

  1. Wells stated that he had people reach out to him regarding the continuation of the PGA Junior League. D. Guns stated that they are continuing the league and following the Woodland Hills Golf Course or PGA Junior League on Facebook, the information is listed that registration begins February 1st and the first practice should be the first week in March.

 

  1. Jones asked D. Guns if the program is in need of donations. D. Guns said that the program could always use donations. He said that last year the costs were kept down and none of the coaches were taking coaching fees. Also the PGA of America donated the course fees that you guys set at $1,500.00 last year, so the kids did not incur any of those costs. He said this year, so far, the cost is $99 for the PGA fee which includes their jerseys, hat and bag and a good time every Tuesday.  D. Guns stated that last year there were 34 participants signed up but some weeks there were 40. He stated that the families were great and it was a really good time for the kids. He said as far as he knows, all of the kids from last year will participate again this year, except for the ones who have aged out.

 

Dave’s Demolition Retracted the Bid Awarded for 523 S. Heylman –

  1. VanHoecke asked B. Matkin to explain why the bid was retracted. B. Matkin stated that he was told that the reason was because they did not know there was a basement, so they retracted their bid.

 

  1. Jones confirmed with T. Russell that bidders could call in and ask questions. M. Wells stated that they are supposed to go out and look at the job site. T. VanHoecke stated that the requirements are listed bidders’ instructions.

 

Discussion was had on options for the future when a bidder backs out of a demolition contract with the City.

 

  1. Jones motioned to offer the demolition contract for 523 S. Heylman to the next lowest bidder. E. Woellhof seconded.

 

  1. Russell confirmed for the Commission that this action is already stated in the Code. He also stated that it was told to him that there was an altercation between someone living in the home and the bidder when he went to check out the job site. The bidder then left the property.

 

  1. Matkin stated that we have Law Enforcement available to help in that situation and that is not an acceptable reason to back out.

 

All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO OFFER THE DEMOLITION CONTRACT FOR 523 S. HEYLMAN TO THE NEXT LOWEST BIDDER.

 

Consideration to Go Out for Demolition Bids on 1107 W. 6th St.

  1. VanHoecke asked T. Russell to address the Commission regarding this property known as The Icehouse.

 

  1. VanHoecke stated that his concern is that demolition of this building could wipe out the Unsafe Structure Budget. B. Matkin stated it could wipe it out for a few years. B. Matkin stated that the owner offered this building to the Land Bank and they refused it. J. Jones stated that his suggestion would be to go out for bids and the Commission does not have to accept them if they choose.

 

  1. VanHoecke moved to go out for bids for demolition of the Unsafe Structure at 1107 W. 6th Street. J. Jones seconded.

 

  1. Jones requested that the Demolition Budget be made available at the next City Commission meeting.

 

All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR DEMOLITION OF THE UNSAFE STRUCTURE AT 1107 W. 6TH STREET.

 

Update on the Brick Street Policy that was tabled from 1-10-2023:  B. Farmer stated that there is intrinsically nothing wrong with the policy if you view it in the terms of guidance. The implementation is the tricky part. He stated that it could be shortened, but it is a guide and there is no penalty.

 

  1. VanHoecke stated that he did some more research and went into the Ordinances that are already in place but are not being enforced. He highlighted some of the points of the Excavation Code of Ordinances Chapter 12.12. He stated that he is concerned Ordinance No. 3489 was amended (a section removed) late last year pertained to replacing the bricks.  He asked that the Commission look at 12.12.110 to see that it states that the section is reserved. However, under 3489, under 12.12.110 … he stated, the City Commission took out the requirement for the concrete … was repealed (confirmed by B. Farmer).  T. VanHoecke reiterated that there is an Ordinance that states it has to be replaced the way it was but the requirement on the concrete (under Ordinance No. 3489) no longer exists. He states it was an Ordinance that was repealed in 2021.  He stated that his opinion was that instead of a policy, we should enforce the ordinance.

 

  1. Wells stated that was Pete Allen’s point as well. He stated that we do not need another ordinance because we already have Ordinances in the books. That is why we decided to present a policy that helps as a roadmap to determine which streets should be saved as brick streets and which should not be saved as brick streets. He stated that the ordinances must be upheld to maintain the streets. However, the policy has nothing to do with ordinances.

 

Further conversation ensued regarding ordinance versus policy.

 

  1. Farmer stated that the written policy is a little confusing but is not harmful.

 

  1. Woellhof asked if B. Farmer had any objection to the Commission adopting the policy and what would be the process for cleaning up the language.

 

  1. Farmer stated that he would recommend adopting it as policy and then clarifying the language as the issues come up on the staff side.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked B. Matkin if the policy would hinder what he was trying to accomplish. B. Matkin stated that if the policy was adopted, they would go with it, however contractors may have an issue with following it. He stated there may be some concern because of staffing but most importantly, we are working hard to be consistent.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked about the repealed content in the ordinance. M. Wells stated he would do more research into that because he does not recall voting to repeal anything from that ordinance.

 

  1. Jones motioned to accept the Brick Policy as presented. E. Woellhof seconded. J. Jones, E. Woellhof (with a statement) M. Wells voted aye. T. VanHoecke voted nay.

 

  1. Woellhof stated that his concern with the Brick Policy was the we didn’t have the teeth to enforce it, but this gives it the teeth and what he would like to see come out of the policy is that we have a moderate understanding of what will be restored to brick and that we don’t necessarily say every single brick street in Fort Scott needs to be back to brick and don’t just asphalt over everything either.

 

  1. Matkin asked who will determine if bricks go back in.

 

  1. Wells stated that the policy will have three (3) designations: Special Character Streets, Historic Streets and Save Our Brick Streets Program. These will be under the determination and advisement of the Street Advisory Board. According to the policy, we now task the Street Advisory Board with presenting these streets to the Commission within those categories and the Commission will vote if we agree with their recommendations. He stated they do have a master list to go from that indicates the substrates of every street.

 

Save Our Brick Streets Program was discussed. B. Matkin is concerned that all citizens be heard regarding the decisions made in this category.

 

Further discussion was had on brick streets.

 

  1. VanHoecke stated that he is concerned that the Commission approved a policy that gives authority to a group (Save our Brick Streets Committee) that is not a recognized City Advisory Board.

 

  1. Wells stated that the Streets Advisory Board did approve this Brick Street Policy before it was brought back to the Commission.

 

  1. Wells stated that the agenda item titled Traffic Counts was answered as 3,000 cars per day.

 

Brick Specifications – Jason Dickman

  1. Dickman addressed the Commission to confirm that the ordinances do not contradict spec and vice versa which also ties back to the policy. He stated that he would like to review the policy in depth between now and the next meeting and make recommendations on issues he finds as City Engineer. He stated that any questions or comments about the clay brick specifications can be sent to him. He stated if the Commission does not want concrete under the bricks, that is a decision that has to be made.   He stated that he does like the idea of a work session to address and clean up some of the issues with the spec and policy.  He also stated that he felt the traffic count number stated at 3,000 cars per day is high, given the report submitted by KDOT, but can be addressed again later.  He said he is glad this is moving forward but is still a work in progress.  J. Dickman reiterated that he is concerned that the ordinances reflect the specs, and everything ties together.

 

Update on Splash Pad Location:

  1. Jones stated that any further questions or concerns can be forwarded to him for clarification beyond what was answered earlier in the meeting. He asked that the Commission vote on the Splash Pad location at the next City Commission meeting.

 

  1. VanHoecke stated that if citizens still have concerns or questions about the Splash Pad, they should reach out to a Commissioner or come to the next meeting to address the Commission during Public Comments.

 

  1. Wells directed that the Splash Pad location be placed on the next agenda for a vote by the Commission.

 

 

Appearances: 

Justin Pregont addressed the Commission regarding the Van Fossen Apartment Project. He stated that he has been a local government professional for twelve (12) years. He stated that he is interested in developing 19 and 23 S. Main Street. He intends to keep the ground floor retail. He is more concerned with the second and third floors as moderate-income residential rental units. He stated that he needs the Commission’s partnership and permission to pursue a Rural Housing Incentive District and to apply to the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation for those funds. RHID is a property tax abatement program which is used to build new subdivisions. Now it is used to reimburse a developer for building expenses on the second and above floors in downtown buildings.  He stated that he is asking for a 20-year RHID and a partnership and permission on a Resolution of Support for a Moderate Income Housing Award through the Kansas Housing Resource Corporation. The application is due February 17th. He would like to reappear with the Resolutions at the February 7th Commission meeting for their approval.

 

Public Hearing: None

 

New Business:

Consideration of Crosswalk and Signage to be painted on the alley roadway exiting onto Wall Street from the Common Ground Drive Through – T. Russell and Jennifer LaRoche.

 

Jennifer LaRoche did not appear to address the Commission.

 

  1. Russell stated this was brought to his attention by a sign company that was asked to make signs for the building; however they would be an intrusion. He stated they would be looking for an alternate solution due to the dangerous situation at the crosswalk.

 

  1. Russell stated it would be the City’s responsibility to paint the sign.

 

  1. VanHoecke expressed concern about the option selected. He would prefer the signage to be at eye level.

 

  1. Jones asked T. Russell about the ordinance for signage. T. Russell stated that the signage could not interfere or cross into the public roadway.

 

  1. VanHoecke stated no motion was needed. The Commission would direct the City to paint the crosswalk and ask the business owner to allow the City to put a sign on the building by their pickup window. B. Matkin stated that he would take care of the direction.

 

Consideration to Increase Airport Hangar Rates:  Seth Simpson

  1. Simpson addressed the Commission for permission to increase three (3) hangar rates: spot rentals, hangar one and hangar two. The initial plan was to incrementally increase the rates annually. He stated that when COVID hit, that plan was delayed so as to not burden people, but believed it is time to implement the increase to get back to market value.

 

  1. Jones motioned to approve the increase in the airport hangar rates as presented to the Commission beginning April 1st, 2023. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO INCREASE THE AIRPORT HANGAR RATES AS PRESENTED TO THE COMMISSION BEGINNING APRIL 1ST, 2023.

 

Consideration of Cost for Lake Fort Scott Boat Ramp:  Doug Guns

  1. Matkin stated that Commission had requested a report on the cost of the boat ramp at Lake Fort Scott to be taken from the Lake Fund. He stated that Jerry Morgan reported that labor and materials would cost $2,740.00 and not to exceed $3,500.00.

 

  1. Jones motioned to approve the amount of $2,740.00, not to exceed $3,500.00, for the Lake Fort Scott Boat Ramp to be drawn from the Lake Fund. E. Woellhof seconded. J. Jones, E. Woellhof and M. Wells voted aye.  T. VanHoecke was absent for the vote.

 

APPROVE THE AMOUNT OF $2,740.00, NOT TO EXCEED $3,500.00, FOR THE LAKE FORT SCOTT BOAT RAMP TO BE DRAWN FROM THE LAKE FUND. 

 

Consideration to go out for bid for Gunn Park RV Bathroom Renovation:

  1. Matkin provided the Commission with two (2) rendering options for the renovation. He provided the details of the drawings. He is asking for approval from the Commission to go out for bid. Design modifications were discussed.

 

  1. Jones motioned to approve to go out for bid for the Gunn Park RV Bathroom Renovation using the CAD drawing submitted to the Commission with the specification changes discussed and finalized by B. Matkin and J. Dickman. Bids are due February 28th, 2023, at 4:00 PM. T. VanHoecke seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR THE GUNN PARK RV BATHROOM RENOVATION USING THE CAD DRAWING SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION WITH THE SPECIFICATION CHANGES DISCUSSED AND FINALZED BY B. MATKIN AND J. DICKMAN. BIDS ARE DUE FEBRUARY 28th, 2023, AT 4:00 PM.

 

Consideration to go out for bid on Fort Scott Pavilion:

  1. Jones motioned to go out for bids on the Fort Scott Pavilion due February 28th, 2023, at 4:00 PM. E. Woellhof seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO GO OUT FOR BIDS ON THE FORT SCOTT PAVILION DUE FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023, AT 4:00 PM.

 

Consideration of advertising for Request for Qualifications for US-54:

  1. Dickman stated that the City was awarded the CCLIP funds from KDOT for the Wall Street work. It is the geometric improvement category requiring the City to go out for qualifications selection for design. He stated that it is basically soliciting engineers to send statements of qualification. It has been written to be returned February 10th, 2023. J. Dickman stated that it was to go into the newspaper. J. Jones stated that three (3) engineers were to be solicited directly.

 

  1. Jones motioned to advertise for RFQ for the CCLIP US-54 Project to repair Wall Street. T. VanHoecke seconded.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked if the parking spaces on Wall Street would be eliminated with this project. J. Dickman confirmed and stated that there had been previous discussion on how to mitigate parking on Wall Street.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked B. Matkin to be proactive with the businesses who will be impacted by the elimination of parking with this project.

 

All voted aye.

 

APPROVED MOTIONED TO ADVERTISE FOR RFQ FOR THE CCLIP US-54 PROJECT TO REPAIR WALL STREET. 

 

Consideration of Memorial Hall Steps Restoration Bid Award:

  1. Dickman stated that there was only one (1) complete bid from Mid-Continental for the amount of $147,426.49.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked how many folks were solicited. J. Dickman stated that he sent it out to five (5) restoration contractors specifically and it was advertised in the newspaper. He stated that the only other information received was from a ready-mix company that submitted prices for concrete to be purchased. T. VanHoecke stated that $125,000.00 was put into the budget for Memorial Hall repairs and that would not cover this bid.

 

Discussion was had on options for the Memorial Hall Steps Restoration.

 

  1. VanHoecke motioned to table the Memorial Hall Steps Restoration for 60 days. J. Jones seconded. All voted aye.

 

APPROVED TO TABLE THE MEMORIAL HALL STEPS RESTORATION FOR 60 DAYS.

 

Reports and Comments:

 

Interim City Manager: B. Matkin, stated that he had two (2) bids for the Audio-Visual equipment for the Commission Room.  He asked E. Woellhof if he had his bid yet.  E. Woellhof stated that he had not received a response from Ford AV.

 

  1. Matkin presented two options and asked what the Commission would like to do at this time. The quote is good for thirty (30) days. E. Woellhof suggested that they wait until he received his quote from Ford AV.

 

Discussion was had on what options the Commissioners were interested in pursuing for the Commission Room.

 

  1. Matkin stated that the Streets Department is working on ditches this week, did alleys last week, ditches will be next week due to cold weather. He stated that the Parks Department is working on the RV Park improvements at Gunn Park. He stated that he made a list of items and issues that need to be addressed at Memorial Hall to make it safe and more comfortable to hold events.  He also commented that the event Saturday night at Memorial Hall was a success and commended J. Jones for putting the event on.  He said that at the next meeting, he will present preliminary options for the downtown parking plan to be considered by the Commission before it is presented to the business owners.  He also discussed the Snyder Electric report and asked for feedback. He stated that he supplied them with the AIP (Action in Progress) Report and how staff meetings are restructured.

 

  1. Wells thanked B. Matkin for the AIP. He stated that he appreciated being able to see all that is being done within the departments.

 

Engineering:  J. Dickman updated the Commission on the completion of utility plans for Horton and 6th Street, 17th and Eddy project. ATT was finally in contact with the contractor, so ATT and Kansas Gas stated three (3) to four (4) weeks for design.  B. Matkin asked that dirt be brought to the front of the church due to settlement.  J. Dickman stated that if the utility companies are not finished, there may be further delays.  B. Matkin asked to be updated on that status.

 

  1. Wells asked J. Dickman if KDHE set a date for completion of the water treatment plant. J. Dickman stated that it has not yet been received.

CIP work session, Wastewater Treatment Plant add the water reuse system needs to be replaced.

 

Commissioners Comments:

 

  1. Jones – Dispatch contract expired 2017, Moody Building wall is separating from the building and may need a letter drafted, Bank Bids due February 10th at 2:00PM, Police Chief search update, UTV Ordinance regarding inspection, begin conversations regarding removing Interim from Interim City Manager title, successful event at Memorial Hall on Saturday.

 

  1. VanHoecke – thank you to Streets crew, best wishes to Travis Shelton on his Retirement, bad weather coming through, watch out for your neighbors’ well being and be respectful and mindful of first responders trying to do their jobs.

 

  1. Woellhof – was asked to look into Maintenance Management System and found three (3) that will do a demonstration. B. Matkin asked that he get with D. Guns and share resources. E. Woellhof asked about the status of the Meals on Wheels request for help from the City.  T. VanHoecke stated that Jim Harris said that they would reach out to us but have not heard anything yet.  E. Woellhof asked about the RenoDry status.  B. Matkin stated that Norm Nation met with them and they will be giving a report.

 

M.Wells – requested prayers for Commissioner K. Harrington and former Commissioner Pete Allen, Congratulations to FSHS Debate Team who brought home two (2) state trophies.

 

City Attorney Comments: Congratulations to the FSHS Debate Team.

 

  1. Matkin stated that Jeff Hancock has arranged for the consultant who will help set the goals and evaluation for the City, City Manager and Commissioners. He would like to set up a Work Session at 5:00PM on September 7th, 2023.

 

Executive Session – None

 

Adjournment:

  1. VanHoecke moved to adjourn at 8:23 PM. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.

 

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:23 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Lisa Lewis

City Clerk

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