During their final meeting of 2016, held on Tuesday, the Fort Scott City Commission received and approved an Airport Federal Improvement Program for the Fort Scott Municipal Airport as presented by airport manager Kenny Howard.

The document includes a five-year capital improvement plan, beginning in 2018, but also looks at some long-range goals reaching all the way through 2027, listing the costs associated with those projects. The plan will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration and will be completed based on the federal dollars available, which is provided at a 90/10 percent split, with the city providing 10 percent of the cost.

Some of the initial projects include replacing the runway and taxiway edge lighting systems—some of which Howard said have been there since the 1970s, purchasing more land to the south of the current runway and then completing surveys to prepare for extending the runway. Long-term goals include runway and edge lighting extensions, construction of a partial parallel taxiway and the upgrade of other systems.

The costs of the projects range from $90,000 to more than $3 million. No projects are planned for 2019 in order to build up funding for future, larger projects that cannot be complete at one time.

The city owns 25 acres used for the airport, but would like to eventually buy about 75 more acres. The airport has more than 20 planes, which are used regularly by local businesses and manufacturers, and also houses a new crop-dusting firm that built a hangar.

“The airport is kind of out of sight, out of mind, how much business we do out there,” City Manager Dave Martin said, pointing out that its presence and efficiency are key to further development in Fort Scott.

• The city also gave Police Chief Travis Shelton permission to go out to bid for four new police vehicles. With that purchase, older vehicles will be replaced while two current vehicles will be transferred to the codes department.
• The commission also approved a four-year lease for 30 new golf carts for the Woodland Hills Golf Course, which will cost almost $19,500 each year. The city will receive more than $14,000 from the company by trading in 16 of the golf course’s current golf carts.

After much discussion and research by the Fort Scott City Commission and police chief Travis Shelton, the commission voted unanimously Monday evening to allow Utility Task Vehicle’s on city streets.

During past meetings, local UTV owners spoke in support of allowing those vehicles on city streets, pointing out that golf carts had been allowed on streets with no issue. UTVs are usually larger, heavier and more capable of higher speeds than golf carts.

The commission had asked Shelton to create an ordinance that would specify what UTVs would need in order to be considered street legal. Shelton presented that ordinance during their meeting Monday evening, which will now come into effect January 1.

Though capable of high speeds, the ordinance demands that UTVs not drive on certain streets or at speeds higher than 35 mph. They will also be required to have at least two side or rear-view mirrors, turning signals, reflectors, a muffler and seat belts. Some of those features do not come with a purchased UTV, but can be bought separately as a kit.

UTV owners will be required to register their vehicle with the police department and have their title registered at the county courthouse. Those without a title will not be allowed to register or legally drive on the roads.

Another issue previously raised involved the UTV tires, which often use softer materials than most cars use. But after consulting with owners and researching the issue, Shelton said they decided not to require UTV drivers to purchase separate tires since there is not enough data to show the tires would do any harm to the roadways or affect the drivers’ safety.

The commissioners gave their approval while asking Shelton to bring a report back after six months to see if there are many violations, accidents or road problems as a result.

Other topics discussed or approved included:

• The commission approved working with the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to create a strategy on how to improve health in Fort Scott and the county.
• A $43,000 bid for the repainting and resurfacing of the aquatic center was accepted.
• Funds from the Buck Run Community Center reserve will be used to replace their current surveillance system, which is about 15 years old.
• Fines for not keeping property up to code for will now be a minimum of $300 instead of the previous $50, which will include the city mowing the yard and clearing branches if needed, and also covers administrative fees.
• Homeowners in violation of the property maintenance ordinance will now be given six months to complete the needed improvements before their structure is condemned.

During their meeting Monday evening, the Unified School District 234 Board of Education received a positive audit report to help wind up the end of the year.

Terry Sercer, certified public accountant for Diehl Banwart Bolton, said his job was to look at the school’s report of all their cash, balances and receipts for the entire year and make any adjustments that might be needed in order to hold to state and federal statutes.

Sercer said very few adjustments had to be made to the district’s report and said the unencumbered cash remained almost the same from the beginning of the year until the end, aside from the bond money which continues to decrease as the project progresses.

“You have good cash balances in your funds,” Sercer said.

Sercer pointed out that there were no violations of Kansas or federal statutes and that their school activity funds were also in order.

“Really a good audit report for you this year,” Sercer said, adding he always enjoys helping Fort Scott’s school district because of his own family ties to the schools.

Submitted by Fort Scott Public Library

Fort Scott Public Library will host its Second Annual Holiday Party on December 19, in the temporary library location in the Memorial Hall basement.

Holiday stories and songs will start off the party, which opens its registration table at 3:45 p.m. and runs from 4-5 pm. Activities, prizes, snacks and crafts will also be offered for various age levels, and families will stay together as they move through the various activities.

Children and teens of all ages are encouraged to attend, and all children 2nd grade and under will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

The library is looking for volunteers and donors from the community to help make the event a success. Pre-registration is available by joining the Facebook event, emailing [email protected], calling the library at 223-2882, or filling out the registration sheet at the library.

In 2015, the party brought in around 50 attendees, who enjoyed the variety of activities and commented favorably on the overall event. Librarian Valetta Cannon hopes this year will be just as successful, and will also bring new patrons in to see what the library has to offer, both in materials available for borrowing and youth programming.

Submitted by Fort Scott Community College

Fort Scott Community College sophomore Natalia Ready has signed a national letter of intent to further her education and basketball career at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.

Ready, from Little Rock, Ark., averages 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

“Natalia is a very special player. She has the ability to score points in many different ways and also has a great impact on the defense,” said Jeff Tadtman, FSCC Head Women’s Basketball Coach. “She has been a joy to coach, and she always represents FSCC in a positive manner. I wish her all the success next year at the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.”

FSCC Women’s Basketball Team had its best season start in the history of the program, with 11 straight wins before being handed their first loss Saturday, their final game prior to the Christmas break.