Fort Scott and Bourbon County To Receive Grants to Rebuild Economies and Support Families
66 Kansas cities and counties to receive Community Development
Block Grants to support coronavirus response
Editors note: Both The City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County Commission will receive $132,000.
Governor Laura Kelly announced today the award of nearly $9 million in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement (CDBG-CV) funds to 66 Kansas communities.
“Kansans have faced unprecedented challenges during the past few months due to COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said. “Our communities need relief – and they need it now. I’m pleased to announce additional resources to help Kansans navigate through the recovery process. These grants will help our communities rebuild their economies and support Kansas families.”
Grants were available in two categories – Economic Development and Meal Programs. Economic Development grants provide communities with funding to help local businesses retain jobs for low-to-moderate income people by covering working capital expenses such as inventory, wages and utilities. Meal Program grants can be directed toward organizations such as Meals on Wheels, local food banks or to support organizations providing meals for children affected by the loss of school meal programs.
“The COVID-19 crisis has left many communities searching for resources to support their residents and businesses,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The CDBG-CV award provides cities and counties the ability to determine where the greatest need in their community lies and to provide some relief as we move into the recovery phase of the crisis.”
CDBG funds are one of Commerce’s primary tools in supporting the state’s small, predominantly rural communities. CDBG-CV grants are part of the state’s allocation from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are designed to help Kansas communities respond to the needs of their residents and businesses during the reopening phase of the state.
The following communities are recipients of CDBG-CV awards.
| Recipient | Award Amount |
| Abilene | $132,000 |
| Allen County | $132,000 |
| Anderson County | $132,000 |
| Atchison | $132,000 |
| Baldwin City | $132,000 |
| Beloit | $132,000 |
| Bourbon County | $132,000 |
| Chanute | $132,000 |
| Cherokee County | $169,200 |
| Cimarron | $132,000 |
| Clay County | $132,000 |
| Cloud County | $132,000 |
| Coffeyville | $167,000 |
| Crawford County | $132,000 |
| Derby | $132,000 |
| Dodge City | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth | $132,000 |
| Ellsworth County | $132,000 |
| Emporia | $167,000 |
| Eudora | $132,000 |
| Eureka | $167,000 |
| Fort Scott | $132,000 |
| Franklin County | $132,000 |
| Garden City | $132,000 |
| Garnett | $132,000 |
| Girard | $169,200 |
| Gove County | $132,000 |
| Graham County | $167,000 |
| Harper | $152,000 |
| Horton | $167,000 |
| Hoxie | $173,600 |
| Hutchinson | $132,000 |
| Independence | $167,000 |
| Jackson County | $132,000 |
| Jewell County | $132,000 |
| Junction City | $167,000 |
| Labette County | $132,000 |
| Liberal | $132,000 |
| Linn County | $132,000 |
| Louisburg | $132,000 |
| Marion County | $167,000 |
| Marquette | $66,000 |
| Marshall County | $132,000 |
| McPherson | $132,000 |
| Mitchell County | $132,000 |
| Montgomery County | $132,000 |
| Mulvane | $132,000 |
| Neosho County | $169,200 |
| Oberlin | $80,600 |
| Osborne County | $132,000 |
| Ottawa | $132,000 |
| Parsons | $132,000 |
| Phillips County | $132,000 |
| Pittsburg | $170,300 |
| Pleasanton | $132,000 |
| Reno County | $132,000 |
| Russell County | $173,600 |
| Scott County | $132,000 |
| Sheridan County | $132,000 |
| Sherman County | $132,000 |
| Smith County | $132,000 |
| Thomas County | $132,000 |
| Unified Greeley County | $55,000 |
| Wallace County | $132,000 |
| Wilson | $77,000 |
| Wilson County | $132,000 |
To date, the Department of Commerce has received 106 award applications totaling more than $32 million. Applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis. While all funds for this round of CDBG-CV have been awarded, the Department of Commerce expects to receive approximately $7 million in additional funding in a second round of CDBG funds through the CARES Act. More information will be announced as it’s made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information on the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Response Supplement program visit www.kansascommerce.gov/cdbg-cv/.
For current information on COVID-19 in Kansas, go to covid.ks.gov/.
Millions of Dollars to Local Governments For COVID 19 Expenses
SPARK Taskforce Executive Committee approves proposal of $400 million to local governments for COVID-19 expenses
Commits to delivering resources swiftly and thoroughly to Kansas communities
Today, Governor Laura Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce Executive Committee reviewed and approved a proposal to distribute $400 million to local governments to help address the health and economic challenges inflicted by COVID-19.
“Over the last few months Kansans have faced unprecedented challenges because of COVID-19,” Governor Kelly said. “Through it all, they have shown resiliency and compassion that has served as a strong reminder that we are all in this together.
“Every region of our State has been impacted by the health and economic crisis of this pandemic. We need to provide local governments with all the resources we can to mitigate the virus and revitalize our economy. We want to make these funds available, so communities can address current challenges and jumpstart our economic recovery,” Kelly said.
This is the first action of the SPARK Taskforce, which is charged with distributing over a billion dollars in federal funds Kansas received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“This fair, impactful and timely distribution of funds to county governments will strengthen our health, speed the reopening of our economy and help our state remain open for business,” Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Executive Director of the Recovery Office, said. “I’m grateful to the Executive Committee members for the swift action they took today and look forward to collaborating with them and the Steering Committee to put the remaining funds to work.”
Harrison-Lee proposed a three-phased approach to allocating the funds. The first round will focus on providing relief to county governments which had not already received funding under the CARES Act. Johnson and Sedgwick Counties have already received funds because they have populations over 500,000.
Under the SPARK proposal, each county would receive funds based on the following formula:
- Population: All counties are guaranteed to receive at least $194 per person. This is the same amount awarded to Johnson and Sedgwick residents previously.
- Impact Fund: Counties will receive additional dollars based on their COVID-19 case rates and unemployment rates. The purpose of the Impact Fund is to provide additional dollars to those counties hit hardest by the virus. Johnson and Sedgwick counties will receive funds through this fund as well.
Fifty percent of each county’s share will be for reimbursement of COVID-19 related expenses and the remaining 50 percent will be direct aid for eligible expenditures under the CARES Act.
To receive funds, counties will be required to pass a resolution affirming they will allocate the funding consistent with the CARES Act and to share and allocate funds to educational and municipal entities within their counties.
Under this proposal, there will be two additional funding rounds later this year. Public and private entities will be eligible for funding in the later rounds, which will focus on strategic investments and revitalizing the State’s economy.
“While our initial focus is on strengthening health, the second round will target short-term and long-term opportunities to generate economic growth for all Kansans,” Lyle Butler, SPARK Executive Committee Chair, said. “I’m so pleased at the talent we’ve assembled both on our Executive and Steering Committees – we’re going to need it to make sound, inclusive investments that serve rural and urban Kansas now and in the future.”
To find the full presentation, please find it here: https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SPARK-Process_6.2_FINAL_Presentation.pdf
Nancy Ingle Files For Senate
The 13th Senate District has a new candidate. Nancy Ingle of Pittsburg filed for the Democratic nomination for the Senate Seat. Ingle, a retired attorney, filed on Friday, May 29th.
A native of Pittsburg, Ingle has previously served Crawford County as an assistant prosecutor in the Crawford County Attorney’s office, and also as an Assistant for Policy in the Office of former Governor John Carlin. She worked in the private sector as a manager for a Fortune 500 company, Boeing, and for several highly respected research centers, including Cedars-Sinai and UCLA.
Ingle said that she decided to file for office because she has grown tired of the continuing discord in Topeka. “It isn’t even about being a Democrat or Republican anymore. It’s just plain petty politics. The people of SEK don’t have anyone who will stand up for their interests in the Senate.”
Ingle cited the antics of the Kansas State Senate last week as a very dark day for the people in the State of Kansas. The legislature passed a bill that stripped the Governor of her authority to protect the people. Before the final bill could even be read, they left town.
“If you are serious about governing and representing the people, you don’t treat a legislative bill like a hand grenade; throw it over the fence and run. If you believe what you are doing is right, you stand your ground, you don’t have to sneak out the backdoor.”
There are issues like Medicaid expansion, that have been pending for multiple years because of the back and forth bickering in Topeka. Ingle said, “It shouldn’t matter whose idea it is, if it’s good for your people and the State you need to get behind and push.”
The 13th district includes all of Cherokee and Crawford counties and parts of Bourbon and Labette.
FS Golf Advisory Board Meets June 12
The Golf Course Advisory Board will meet on Friday, June 12th, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at Woodland Hills Golf Course, 2414 S. Horton. The meeting will take place in the clubhouse. This meeting is open to the public.
The Beacon Food Pantry Reorganizes Staffing
On Monday, June 1, 2020, David Gillen assumed full management of the operation as Beacon Food Pantry Administrator. The new assistant administrator is Patty Mowen. Both are knowledgeable of the operation, and both consider this organization their “mission.” according to the press release submitted by Carol MacArthur, board chairwoman.
At this time, no one but the staff is allowed inside the building, according to the press release.
Food orders are called in, filled, and picked up at the back dock of the building at 525 E. Sixth. This practice may become permanent, according to the press release.
Financial requests may be called in at this time as well.
People may call The Beacon and ask for David Gillen, for inquiries, MacArthur said. The phone number is 620-223- 6869.
Improvements in the facility have already been made by Gillen and volunteers.
Office equipment is being updated as needed as well to improve service to clients.
The Beacon, Inc., in existence for almost forty years, began as churches in the community came together to serve the needs of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.
They have provided those struggling in the community as a food pantry and in offering financial assistance, dominantly through the efforts of community-related donations.
Currently, the organization provides food, financial assistance, and referrals to other service organizations.
“People have been so generous with funds and donations,” MacArthur said. ” But we have had difficulty procuring large amounts of food (during the pandemic),”
“The community has been wonderful,” she said.
The Beacon is located at 525 E. Sixth Street, Fort Scott, Ks. 66701, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with one exception.
On the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, the Beacon is closed during the day and is open instead from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Updated FS City Commission Agenda for the Meeting Tonight
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
JUNE 2, 2020
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
K. ALLEN P. ALLEN NICHOLS WATTS MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: None
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of May 19th, 2020 and special meeting minutes of May 22nd, 2020 and amended minutes of May 5th, 2020, and amended special meeting minutes of May 14th, 2020.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1264-A totaling $459,811.91.
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Consideration of Fort Scott Housing Authority Appointment – Edna Erie – Resident Commissioner – 4 year term
VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
-
APPEARANCE:
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 5 minute limit per citizen) Comments will not be taken during this meeting. If you have a topic to discuss not listed on the agenda, please contact a City Commissioner or send a written request to [email protected].
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: 6:15 p.m. Resolution Directing the Repair or Removal of an Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 10 N. National Avenue
VII. CONSIDERATION:
- Finance Update
- Discussion of Pool Opening
- Consideration of sale of City property
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Consideration of Bids for Curb and Gutter Work – 500 block Andrick
- Consideration of Lake Advisory Board Member selection
- Consideration of Interlocal Agreement with Bourbon County
- Consideration of Code of Ethics for the City of Fort Scott
- Consideration of Code of Procedures for the City of Fort Scott City Commission
VIII. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates:
- Commission:
K. Allen – Vacancy in Office of City Commissioner
P. Allen –
R. Nichols –
L. Watts –
J. Mitchell –
- City Attorney:
- City Manager: 500 Block Andrick residents
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Chamber Coffee Restarts This Thursday at Sunshine Boutique
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The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 29-June 1
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports June 2
Bourbon County Commission Agenda for June 2
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: June 2, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
WEATHER PERMITTING MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THE EAST FRONT STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE. THERE WILL BE A LINK ON FACEBOOK TO YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE MEETING IF MEETING HAS TO BE HELD INSIDE.
9:00 – 9:45 Jim Harris
9:45 – 10:00 Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi County Health Dept 2021 Budget
10:00 – 10:30 Terry Sercer, 2019 Audit
10:30 – 10:45 Jody Hoener, Executive Session, Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
10:45 – 11:00 Commissioners to review 2019 Annual Summaries
11:00 – 11:05 Kendell Mason, Real Property Relief Application
11:15 – 11:20 Justin Meeks, Interlocal Agreement
11:30 – 11:35 Mary Pemberton, Commission Meeting Procedures
Section of K-31 Section Closes May 8 in Linn County
Section of K-31 to close for pipe replacement project
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will close a section of K-31 in Linn County to replace two crossroad pipes on Monday, June 8, weather permitting.
K-31 will be closed approximately three miles east of Blue Mound, between Flint and Gorman roads. The closure will start after 8 a.m. and remain in effect until late Monday. Traffic should use alternate routes.
Persons with questions may contact KDOT Area Engineer Donna Schmit, (785) 433-6107, or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
Closure shown in red