CITY OF FORT SCOTT
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 15, 2022 Special Meeting #15
A special meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 15th, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Tim Van Hoecke, Shane Walker, and Matthew Wells were present with Mayor Kathryn Harrington presiding.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Brad Matkin, Anne Dare, Rob Harrington, Braley Harrington, Dave Bruner, and representing the press Tammy Helm, Editor, Fort Scott Tribune.
- Accept resignation of City Commissioner – City Clerk read the following letter from Josh Jones: “It has been a privilege to serve Fort Scott for the last two years as Mayor/City Commissioner. I have had the honor to get to know some of the best employees Fort Scott has. I haven’t always made the right decisions, but I truly felt like the decisions I made were for the betterment of Fort Scott. My house outside of the City limits will be complete in 4-5 months, however, I feel like it is best to resign as City Commissioner effective immediately as I feel the direction of the current Commission is moving in a direction that differs from my views. It would be better suited for me to resign early and let a more motivated commissioner come on board. Josh Jones”.
- Van Hoecke said that he would like to say that he appreciates all that Josh has done for the City. He enjoyed the time he worked with him as Commissioner. He said that they not always saw eye to eye on issues, whether one on one or on social media, but his greatest concern was for the citizens of Fort Scott. He thanked him for his commitment to the City and the plans that he has for the future and wishes him the best.
- Wells said that he knows Josh will continue to work for the betterment of the community. He won’t give up and he appreciates that about him. He felt the decisions he made were best on behalf of the citizens. He thanked Josh for all that he did.
- Walker also thanked Josh. He said that he put in a lot of hours doing City business.
Katie said that he would ask questions and help steer them in the right direction. Katie said that he spent a lot of time preparing for the meetings.
- Harrington moved to accept the resignation of Josh Jones as City Commissioner effective immediately. S. Walker seconded. T. Van Hoecke and S. Walker voted yes. M. Wells and K. Harrington voted no. The City Attorney then had to make the deciding vote.
City Attorney said that he has given us a letter stating that he quit. The Ordinance says that you have 10 days to replace him. It’s hard to replace him if you don’t accept his resignation. You need to be able to move forward and make decisions as a board.
Bob Farmer said that for the good of the City he will vote to accept the resignation of Josh Jones. Motion carried 3-2.
APPROVED THE RESIGNATION OF JOSH JONES AS CITY COMMISSIONER EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
City Clerk said that she drafted a Letter of Interest for them to review. Letters of interest would be accepted until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 26th, 2022. She asked for approval to post this notice.
- Van Hoecke moved to publish the letter of interest to the press. S. Walker seconded. T. Van Hoecke, S. Walker, and K. Harrington voted aye. M. Wells voted no. Motion carried 3-1.
APPROVED TO PUBLISH THE LETTER OF INTEREST TO THE PRESS.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
- Van Hoecke moved to recess into Executive Session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) and for attorney/client privilege exception in K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) until 5:55 p.m. This will include the City Commissioners and City Attorney. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.
- Van Hoecke moved to come out of Executive Session at 5:55 p.m. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNMENT:
- Van Hoecke moved to adjourn the special meeting at 5:55 p.m. M. Wells seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 5:55 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane K. Clay, MMC, City Clerk