Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet Feb. 5

Join us for the
Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet
Tuesday, February 5th, 2019
8:30 to 9:30am
Hosted by:
Boiler Room Brewhaus
Bryan & Barbara Ritter
10 S. National Ave.
Click here for their Facebook page.
Click here for their website.
The Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greets are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives and any community members to attend to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown!
All are welcome!

Bourbon County Commission Agenda Feb. 5

Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

 

Date: February 5th, 2019

 

1st District-Lynne Oharah                                                                Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer                                                                                   Corrected: _______________                                                                                                 

3rd District-Nick Ruhl                                                                                  Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

 

 

               9:00 Wellness Update

 

9:15-10:00-Jim Harris

 

 

               10:30-Employee Questionnaire

 

               11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

 

 

               12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch.

Dances With Our Stars Benefits The Community

The 9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

Proceeds from the annual Dancing With Our Stars will this year benefit Bourbon County 4-H, Communities in Schools, Lee’s Paws and Claws, the Fort Scott High School Pantry and Closet, Friends of the Fort, Fort Scott High School Thespians and Care to Share.

The theme this year is Totally 80s.

Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the charities. VIP Tickets are $15, regular tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office,  231 E. Wall.

The entertainment is dancing, of course. and members of the audience vote during intermission on teams comprised of Southwind Extension District members, Fort Scott High School students, Fort Scott Police Department members, Smallville Crossfit members, and volunteers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.

There will be other performers who are not a part of the competition: Abby Albright and Jackson Muckala and Kenna Miles.

Gary Palmer and Hunter Adamson will be the emcees of the event.

The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club.

Members of the DWOS Committee are Betty Boyko, Janet Braun, Kathy Dancer, Rhonda Dunn, Lynnette Emmerson, Lindsay Madison, Shirley Palmer and Melissa Wise.

2019 KANSASWORKS Statewide Job Fair March 7

Topeka, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Commerce, in partnership with KANSASWORKS, will host the KANSASWORKS Statewide Job Fair on March 7, 2019. The annual job fair will provide employers, veterans, and job seekers with the unique opportunity to connect face-to-face.

“Wherever I go in our state, I hear from businesses seeking the employees they need to grow and from workers seeking new job opportunities to help them advance their careers,” said Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce David Toland. “The Statewide Job Fair is part of the solution to these challenges, providing a great opportunity to bring together talented Kansas workers and growing Kansas companies.”

The Statewide Job Fair is also an opportunity for veterans of any status and their families to meet with a variety of employers in various industries and fields. Veterans at any stage in their career search are invited, including active duty, reservists, or National Guard.

“The Kansas workforce is made up of talented, highly-skilled individuals with a passion and drive that brings an inherent value to everything they do,” said Mike Beene, Kansas Department of Commerce Director of Employment Services. “Our workers make up the fabric of this state, holding it together through their commitments to hard work and excellence.”

The job fair will be open to all job seekers from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the following locations across the state:

o   Colby: Colby Community College, Multi-Purpose Room, 1255 South Range

o   El Dorado: Train Depot, 430 N. Main Street

o   Kansas City: Wyandotte County Workforce Center, 626 Minnesota Avenue

o   Independence: Memorial Hall Civic Center, 410 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

o   Lawrence: Peaslee Technical Center, 2920 Haskell Avenue, #100

o   Leavenworth: Leavenworth County Workforce Center, 515 Limit Street, Suite 200

o   Manhattan: Holiday Inn Across from the Campus, 1641 Anderson Avenue

o   Overland Park: Johnson County Public Library, Central Resource Library, 9875 West 87th Street

o   Salina: The Kansas Army National Guard Training Center, Building 365, 2929 Scanlan Avenue

o   Topeka: West Ridge Mall, Lower Center Court, 1801 SW Wanamaker Road

o   Wichita: Wichita Workforce Center, 2021 North Amidon Avenue

 

Registration for the Statewide Job Fair can be done via the following links:

Colby, Independence, Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Overland Park, Salina, Topeka: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/kansasworks-18343559329

El Dorado, Manhattan, and Wichita have reached full capacity. 

For more information, job seekers and employers may visit any Workforce Center or call (877) 509-6757.

 

 

Ryan Brinker

Public Information Officer

[email protected]

 

Kansas Department of Commerce

1000 SW Jackson St. Ste. 100

Topeka, KS 66612-1354

Phone: 785-296-4931

Cell: 785-276-9723

 

Obituary of Robert Jack Eshelbrenner

Robert Jack Eshelbrenner, age 71, died on January 9, 2019.

Bob was born November 1, 1947 in Fort Scott, Kansas, the son of Jack and Sara Handly Eshelbrenner.  He was a 1965 graduate of Fort Scott High School.  Bob graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in business.

He worked in the insurance industry specializing in information technology, retiring as CIO from Hastings Mutual in Michigan.

Bob also served in the United States Army in both active and reserve duty for 27 years.  He retired with the rank of Colonel after serving in Operation Desert Storm.

He is survived by his wife Nancy (Wogan) Eshelbrenner of Fishers, IN; two daughters, Erin Green of Fishers; Kate Sowder and husband Jason of St. Louis, MO; and three grandchildren, Ellie and Jackson Green of Fishers, IN. and Nate Sowder of St. Louis, MO.  Also surviving are three sisters, Sally Steckler and husband, Mike, of Prairie Village, Kansas, Lyn Hixon and husband, Mitch, of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Jara Martin and husband David, Fort Scott.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Following cremation, Rev. Dusty Drake will conduct a memorial service at 10:00 A.M. Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial with military honors will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery. The Family will receive friends from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rock Steady Boxing, 7440 N Shadeland Ave., Suite 202,  Indianapolis, IN 45250 or www.rocksteadyboxing.org.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guest book at cheneywitt.com

2019-2020 Kansas Transportation Maps Available

Map cover photo: Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park near Scott City.

Whether you want to find the closest airport, discover new places of interest or travel along a Scenic Byway, the new 2019-2020 Kansas Official State Transportation Map has it all.

 

The map, published by the Kansas Department of Transportation, highlights numerous tourist and scenic locations, including state parks and lakes, as well as the recreation areas across the state.

 

City/county indexes and a distance map allow motorists to pick the best route to their destination. Visitor resources, helpful phone numbers/websites and locations of museums and hospitals are also provided.

 

On the back of the map are inset maps of Kansas City, Wichita, Topeka and 13 other cities. There is also road condition information and details on how to get roadside assistance.

 

Maps will be available at various travel information centers, attractions and other locations across the state. They can also be requested on the KDOT website at http://www.ksdot.org/maps.asp.

“Outstanding” Weekend for FSHS Forensics Team

The FSHS Forensics Team.

The Fort Scott High School Forensics team competed in Chanute on Friday and Saturday as well as in Lawrence on Saturday.

On Friday night at Chanute, in Congress, Lincoln Douglas, and Public Forum Debate: Thade Yates placed 5th in Novice House, Neil Gugnani placed 2nd in Novice house, Jacob Ham and Zach Mundhenke placed 5th in PFD, Audra McFarland and Karina Kantilal placed 3rd in PFD, Grant Feagins and Shekhar Gugnani placed 2nd in PFD, Mark Adams placed 2nd in LD and Rebekah Sweyko placed 1st in Open house.
On Saturday, at Chanute, Poetry: 1st place and state qualifier Chloè Studyvin, Duo: 1st place and state qualifier Chloe Studyvin and Rebekah Sweyko, Impromptu: 1st place and state qualifier Rebekah Sweyko,

Domestic Extemp: 2nd place and state qualifier Rebekah Sweyko,

International Extemp: Novice Shekhar Gugnani takes 5th place!  
At Lawrence High School on Saturday, in Poetry: Placing second and qualifying for state was Brooklyn Lyons and placing first and qualifying for state was Elizabeth Ngatia.

In Prose: Placing first and qualifying for state was Brooklyn Lyons.
In Duo: Placing fourth Audra McFarland and Karina Kantilal and in
Original Oration: Placing first and qualifying to state was Elizabeth Ngatia.
In Program of Oral Interpretation: Placing second was Karina Kantilal.
Finally, in Domestic Exempt and Impromptu Placing first and qualifying for state in both is Mark Adams.

We had an outstanding first weekend out, and we look forward to improving even more as the year progresses.  
Submitted by Angella Curran.

From Linderhof’s Kitchen . . . Martha Meinsen Scott

Photo by Martha Meinsen Scott.
Cannoli Tart

 

Desserts are tricky after a heavy pasta meal.     I found this recipe for cannoli tart that is a perfect Italian dessert.     The bonus, it’s very easy to make and very tasty!

 

¾ c. heavy cream
¾ c. powdered sugar
12 oz. Mascarpone
½ t. Vanilla
½ t. Cinnamon
Chocolate chips
Boughten graham cracker crust

 

Whip cream until frothy.     Add ¼ c. powdered sugar and then whip until it forms stiff peaks.    Set aside.

 

Combine mascarpone and ½ c. powdered sugar.     Beat until smooth (do not overbeat). Add cinnamon and vanilla and beat some more.

 

Fold whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture.    Pour into pie shell. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.     Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Martha Meinsen Scott is a Fort Scott foodie who creates from her home, called Linderhof.

 

Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission Jan. 15

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of January 15, 2019 Regular Meeting #1

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held January 15th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.

ROLL CALL:

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

INVOCATION: Pastor Norman Tillotson, First Baptist Church, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Arnold Schofield, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Darrell Parker, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, Rachel Pruitt, Pastor Norman Tillotson, Seth Simpson, Jennifer LaRoche, Billy Keith, Mark McCoy, Chad Brown, Jody Hoener, Frank Adamson, Kevin Allen, Lindsay Madison, Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification – (Rescheduled to February 5th, 2019 meeting)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of December 18th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1230-A totaling $581,238.41.

  1. Resolution 1-2019 designating the official City newspaper.

  1. Resolution 2-2019 designating the official City depositories for public funds

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 7 South National Avenue and 6 East Wall

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 10-12 East Wall Street

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – 124 E. Wall Street

  1. Resolution 3-2019 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure located at 1612 E. Oak – Public Hearing Date – 3/5/2019 at 6:15 p.m.

Commissioner Parker asked about Item G, the Certificate of Appropriateness for 124 E. Wall. She reviewed the information in the packet and asked if this outdoor addition needed approval from SHIPO. She asked if more detailed drawings were needed from the property owner.

Arnold Schofield, Chairman, Design Review Board, was present and said that SHIPO is more concerned with alterations to the exterior and interior, and outside features are left to the local government officials to approve. The original photos submitted were not to the Board’s liking, but Rachel added the dimensions to the photos as she was also at the meeting and then showed them to the Board, and this was ultimately approved.

A discussion was also held about the outside park area and if the property owner was responsible for any liability. Jody Hoener said that she has talked to her insurance carrier already on this. It is a private playground area.

Bartlesmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

REORGANIZATION OF CITY COMMISSION AND ELECTION OF MAYOR, COMMISSION PRESIDENT, B.C.E.D.C.I. REPRESENTATIVE, AND FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY DELEGATE.

    1. Election of Mayor

Commissioners thanked JoLynne Mitchel for the great job she did serving as Mayor the last two and a half years.

Bartelsmeyer moved to appoint Jeanie Parker as Mayor of the City of Fort Scott. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPOINTED JEANIE PARKER AS MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.

City Clerk, Diane Clay, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected Mayor, Jeanie Parker.

    1. Election of Commission President

Nichols moved to appoint Cindy Bartelsmeyer as President of the Fort Scott City Commission. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPOINTED CINDY BARTELSMEYER AS PRESIDENT OF THE FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION.

    1. Election of Bourbon County Economic Development Council Inc. Representative

Bartelsmeyer moved to appoint Dr. Randy Nichols as the City’s representative on the Bourbon County Economic Development Council, Inc. Adamson seconded. All voted aye.

APPOINTED DR. RANDY NICHOLS AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE BOURBON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.

    1. Election of Fort Scott Housing Authority Delegate

Mitchell moved to appoint Cheryl Adamson as the City’s representative on the Fort Scott Housing Authority Board. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPOINTED CHERYL ADAMSON AS THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE FORT SCOTT HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Mark McCoy – Discussion on Visioning Committee – Mr. McCoy appeared before the Commission to discuss the idea of a joint City/County form of government. There is one county in the State of Kansas that has this form of government and that is in Wyandotte County. He asked for the Commission to consider putting a task force together to research this option.

City Manager said that City staff has been looking at this. We have to do what is best for the citizens of Fort Scott. He asked the Commission to consider supporting the visioning committee.

Adamson moved to approve to support the visioning committee and their research. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SUPPORT THE VISIONING COMMITTEE AND THEIR RESEARCH INTO A JOINT CITY/COUNTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute

limit per citizen) – None

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Airport Electric Vault Upgrade – Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director, introduced Seth Simpson, Airport Manager, to the Commission. She informed the Commission that there is $150,000 in F.A.A. entitlement funds that need to be spent or they will expire. They would like to upgrade the electrical at the airport.

Seth Simpson informed them that a new structure will be built on the east side of the outside of the hangar. The structure will house all the electrical for the airport. LED lights will be installed which will be more energy efficient.

Rachel informed the Commission that she and Seth are meeting with the F.A.A. tomorrow afternoon. The grants have not been awarded yet.

  1. Consideration to Solicit Bids – Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (16) – Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, informed the Commission that the Fire Department received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) to replace the self-contained breathing apparatuses that are currently used by the Fire Department personnel during firefighting and hazardous environments. This grant was awarded in July of 2018. He asked for approval to solicit bids for 16 self-contained breathing apparatuses which the grant will pay for.

Mitchell moved to approve to solicit bids for 16 self-contained breathing apparatuses. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR 16 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUSES.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates:

Deb Needleman – KCAMP – Deb informed the Commission that the City’s insurance group, KCAMP, has a Risk Avoidance Grant program. She applied for a grant and the City was awarded $2,000. This amount was used to purchase light bars for the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief’s vehicles. She will apply again next year.

Frank Adamson – City Manager asked Frank Adamson to update the Commission on the Fisher Park project.

Frank said he started working on this project about three years ago. This project is to install a parking lot on the west side of Main Street to alleviate parking on Main Street when games are held. He has raised about $8,400. He has visited with AG Engineering who has estimated it will cost about $8,500 to design the parking lot. There will be some opposition due to the house that is located to the north side of the proposed area.

City Manager asked the Commission to discuss the proposed area with AG Engineering to see if it is feasible for a parking lot.

Nichols moved to allow the City Manager and Frank Adamson to visit with AG Engineering to see if the proposed area is feasible for a parking lot. Mitchell seconded. Bartelsmeyer, Mitchell, Nichols, and Parker voted aye. Adamson abstained. Motion carried.

Approved to allow the City Manager and Frank Adamson to visit with AG Engineering to see if the proposed area is feasible for a parking lot.

Rachel PruittRachel said she had several updates to give:

Price Chopper Incentives – Rachel informed the Commission that with the closure of Price Chopper, she wanted to point out that no taxpayer dollars are affected by the closing. Price Chopper had performance-based tax incentives with the CID and the TIF. She knew there had been several comments about how much taxpayer dollars were invested and there were none.

Fort Scott Lofts – Rachel shared photos of the floor plan for the Union Block building which will house Fort Scott Lofts. They plan to have nine units on the 1st floor. This will go through the Planning Commission process as they will need a Conditional Use Permit to allow residential living on the first floor of the building.

County Survey – Rachel said she just received, this afternoon, a copy of a survey that the County plans to send out. It is called the Bourbon County Business Retention and Expansion Survey. It is sponsored by Bourbon County, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, and Live Local. It is a 13 page questionnaire. The City was not aware of this survey and she was told that the County Commission approved the survey today. There are specific City questions on this questionnaire and she would have liked for the City to be involved since there are specific City questions.

City Manager said that the City is not involved in this survey and if the County is going to do one, the City should have been asked about it. The City knows what our goals are: Lower taxes, Healthcare, and Streets. That is the City’s mission. The City should have seen this questionnaire first. He checked with the Chamber’s president and he had not seen this questionnaire either.

Commissioner Bartelsmeyer said that this questionnaire is not confidential due to the questions asked.

Commissioner Nichols said that he sits on one of the boards that is sponsoring this and had no idea about it.

City Manager stated that the City is not involved in it and does not support it.

Thanks – Rachel thanked the City Commissioners for serving on the board. They all do a great job!

B. City Commission:

Nichols Congratulated Jeanie Parker on becoming Mayor and thanked JoLynne for serving as Mayor.

Adamson Remarked that it was a pleasure to have JoLynne as Mayor.

Mitchell Congratulated Jeanie Parker on becoming Mayor. She thanked Rachel for all her hard work.

Bartelsmeyer She also expressed her congratulations to Jeanie Parker and thanked JoLynne for the great job she did while being Mayor.

Parker – Thanked JoLynne for her terms as Mayor and stated this will be a challenge but she will do her best as Mayor.

C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager:

  1. City Manager thanked JoLynne for the great job she did while she was Mayor. She always handled herself in a good manner.

  1. Flag Pole at Skubitz Plaza – City Manager said that there was a letter to the editor in Saturday’s newspaper regarding the flag pole at Skubitz Plaza. This will have to go through the Design Review Board, and ultimately, the City Commission before any approval is given. It is still in the design stage and could take quite some time. The City will discuss any problems with this when more information is available.

  1. Tourism – City Manager thanked Larry Gazaway for the great job he is doing traveling to trade shows and marketing Fort Scott and the LaRoche Baseball Complex. He appreciates his hard work.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 7:16 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on February 5th, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

DIANE K. CLAY

CITY CLERK

Fort Scott City Commision Agenda for Feb. 5

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission for Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. at city hall, 123 S. Main.

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER MITCHELL NICHOLS PARKER

II. FLAG SALUTE:

III. INVOCATION: Pastor Matthew Hunt, Faith Church

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of Alpha Money and Randy Ballweber – Codes Certification

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of January 15th, 2019.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1231-A totaling $589,319.33.

  1. Approval of 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage License – Package Sales – GW2 DBA Cash Saver, 911 E. 6th Street

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: Jerry Witt, Riverfront lighting

B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen) –

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS: None

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Resolution 3-2019 declaring it necessary to acquire Fire Fighting Equipment for use by the Fire Department of the City of Fort Scott, Kansas and to issue General Obligation Bonds of said City to pay the costs thereof; and providing for the giving of notice of intention to acquire said equipment and to issue said General Obligation Bonds

  1. Consideration of appointments to Golf Course Advisory Board
  1. Approval of 2019 ADM Contract
  1. Approval to purchase sewer push camera
  1. Approval to solicit bids for water leak correlator
  1. Consideration of new life insurance benefit offering

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Manager:

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:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

  • Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

  • Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency

  • Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

Bourbon County Local News