Obituary

Obituary of Thomas Jones

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Thomas Andrew Jones, age 83, resident of Fort Scott, KS passed away Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Community Springs Healthcare in El Dorado Springs, MO.  He was born October 18, 1941, in Detroit, MI the son of Robert and Hazel Adams Jones.  They later moved to Woodbine, IA.

 

Tom was Postmaster in Fort Scott for 17 years, retiring after 35 years in 1997.  In retirement Tom loved to hunt, fish, and read.  He served as a Deacon at the Community of Christ Church in Fort Scott.

 

Tom was united in marriage to Karon Lee on February 4, 1962.  She survives of the home.  This union produced 4 children, Kim (Kevin) Kruse of Midwest City, OK, Kristi (Dan) Gregory of Camdenton, MO, Kara (Alan) Knapp of Springfield, MO, and Thomas Jones II (Tony) of Manhattan, NY; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, April 2nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Fort Scott, KS.

Another service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, April 4th, at the Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, IA.

Burial will follow in the Hazel Dell Cemetery, Council Bluffs, IA.

Memorials are suggested to the Community of Christ Church of Fort Scott and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted online at cheneywitt.com.

K-State Extension

Landscaping to Attract Hummingbirds

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The Southwind Extension District had a great program last week in Chanute on landscaping to attract hummingbirds. The program speaker, Chuck Otte, gave the attendees information on the hummingbird spring arrival time, nesting habits, food sources and feeder tips. I will highlight some of his information in hopes that it will help you be more successful in attracting hummingbirds to your landscape.

Although there are approximately 360 species of hummingbirds between North and South America, 99.99% of all hummingbirds found in our area will be the Ruby-throated. Their furious spring migration starts in April and continues until early May. Once the migration is complete, hummingbirds settle into nesting mode.

Nests are built in June, with the female determining the site location. The Ruby-throated hummingbird nests will be built near the tip of a down-sloping branch with a fairly open area below and the tree canopy above. Popular tree species for nest building include oak, yellow birch, pine and hackberry. Hummingbirds generally prefer deciduous tree species over conifers. The nesting site will be determined based upon availability of nectar sources and insects. The nests are small – no larger than the size of a quarter!

When it comes to food sources, hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. It is like a flashing neon on sign to them. To prove this point, try putting on a red cap or shirt and sit quietly near a feeder. The hummingbirds will definitely check you out! However, hummingbirds do feed on more than just red flowers.

Any flowering plant that has a trumpet-style flower and is in the red/orange sector of the color spectrum will be quite attractive to hummingbirds. In his presentation, Chuck highlighted several plants to include in your landscape to bring in the most birds. The list included: traditional red Salvia, Agastache, Scarlet runner bean, Cardinal flower, Beebalm, Trumpet Creeper (only if you have lots of space), Butterfly Bush, Hollyhock, Rose of Sharon, Cardinal Climber and Canna.

As for feeders, mark the date of April 5th on your calendar. Chuck stated that in southeastern Kansas, our feeders need to be up and open for business by then. He had several good tips for feeder management:

  • You CAN’T have too many feeders!
  • Don’t fill feeders completely full – clean at each filling
  • If hummingbirds are not emptying feeder – change nectar and clean every 2-3 days
  • Do not dye the water red – just a small amount of red on the feeder is all you need
  • Artificial nectar – 4 parts water, 1 part sugar

One eight ounce feeder will fulfill the daily energy needs of 40 to 60 hummingbirds. By having more feeders available, this will allow the hummingbirds to feed more easily with less stress. Also, it will decrease the likely hood of territorial fighting. If you’ve feed hummingbirds in the past, then I’m sure you know all about the one that seems to be the gatekeeper at the feeder!

In casual conversations, you might hear say that they have no hummingbirds over the summer, while others seem to be overran with hummers. This could be due to “neighborhood feeder saturation.” Basically, this is when the number of feeders within a geographic area exceeds the biological needs of the hummingbirds present which spreads the birds out. Populations of birds can be cyclical – you can have hummers for several summers and then those birds go elsewhere or don’t survive the winter. However, in a year or two, the population will probably cycle back around.

If you have no activity by late May or early June, you may just want to take the feeder down until early August. The south bound migration usually starts in late July or early August. Many bird watchers indicate that August and September are actually their best months.

Chuck’s presentation slide set, a map of Kansas with spring hummingbird arrival dates, and a complete listing of recommended plants can be accessed at www.southwind.k-state.edu/lawn-garden

Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension Horticulture agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

 

K-State Extension

Wheat Fungicides Applications

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Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.

Wheat is greening up across Kansas and producers are preparing to topdress nitrogen or apply herbicides. We commonly receive questions about the value of including a fungicide in the mix with those applications. This can be an economical option, but there are a few things to remember. Research at K-State and in other regions continues to demonstrate that fungicides applied between flag leaf emergence and heading growth stages provide the largest level of yield protection against foliar diseases. The yield response to this later fungicide application is influenced by the level of disease risk (amount of disease and predicted weather conditions), variety resistance to the most threatening fungal diseases, crop yield potential, foliar fungicide efficacy, and other factors.

Fungicides can also be applied as an early application made between “spring green-up” and jointing. This application may provide some yield benefits in some fields and years but often doesn’t achieve the same level of yield protection as post-flag leaf emergence applications. Early fungicide applications may result in a yield advantage due to a reduction in early disease establishment in the lower canopy. This may be particularly true for “leaf spot diseases” such as tan spot or Septoria leaf blotch that survive in wheat residue and can establish early in the year. Yield benefits are most likely in wheat fields planted back into wheat stubble and when weather conditions are wet enough to favor fungal disease development. There can also be some rust suppression with early applications, particularly when disease levels are high later in the season. The challenge is that it is difficult to know if rust disease will be a threat during these early growth stages.

If you decide to make an early application, it is important to factor that into the full-season fungicide program. Many active ingredients have use restrictions, where a limited amount of an active ingredient can be applied during a single season. It is important to ensure that early fungicides do not limit options for fungicide applications at flag leaf (which have the potential for higher yield protection in conducive disease years). Some fungicides have special “2ee” labels that allow for lower-rate applications early in the season for winter wheat. Double-checking labels when choosing a fungicide product is always a good idea. Since the payoff for an early application is less certain than with later applications, it is perhaps best to consider using a low-cost fungicide for the early application and saving more expensive products, if desired, for the later application. Producers considering the use of split applications must pay close attention to label restrictions. Every active ingredient in a fungicide has a maximum total amount that can be applied during the season.

For example, if an early application of a generic form of tebuconazole is applied at 4 oz/acre, a subsequent application of any fungicide containing tebuconazole alone or in combination with other ingredients (e.g., premix) around heading could put you over the limit for the crop season. Thus, be sure to read the label to determine the maximum amount of a chemical that can be applied in a single season and the exact amount of a chemical(s) that is in a fungicide.

For information on the efficacy of different foliar fungicide products, refer to the K-State Research and Extension publication Foliar Fungicide Efficacy Ratings for Wheat Disease Management 2024, EP130.

Lonnie Mengarelli is a K-State Research and Extension Agriculture agent assigned to Southwind District. He may be reached at [email protected] or 620-223-3720

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

 

Kelsey Andersen Onofre, Extension Plant Pathologist
[email protected]

Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Specialist
[email protected]

 

Fort Scott Community College, Government

FSCC Trustees Meet To Begin Search for New President

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The Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 4:00 pm in the Cleaver-Burris-Boileau Agriculture Hall to begin work on the presidential search process and conduct business needing addressed before the regularly scheduled meeting on April 21.  The Board will also adjourn to executive session(s) for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel, with no action expected to follow. 

 

 

 

Submitted by

Juley McDaniel

Director of Human Resources

Area News, Entertainment

Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter March 2025

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View Online
The SEKnFind Newsletter
March 2025

We hope you enjoy this newsletter sent as a courtesy to adult patrons of a southeast Kansas library using the SEKnFind catalog.
This selection of titles are NEW at a SEKnFind library and available for a hold.
Need assistance? Your local librarian can show you how!
Happy Reading!

New Fiction

The antidote
by Karen Russell

“A gripping Dust Bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraska town.”

Saltwater : a novel
by Katy Hays

Thirty years after Sarah Lingate’s mysterious death on Capri, her daughter Helen returns with the family for their annual retreat, only to uncover a buried necklace, renewed suspicions, and dangerous secrets, as betrayal and paranoia threaten to rupture the family and claim more lives.

Close your eyes and count to 10
by Lisa Unger

A single mother joins a deadly island game set up by a charismatic daredevil and extreme adventurer, but a monstrous storm and an unseen menace transform the social media stunt into a ruthless fight for survival. 100,000 first printing.

All the other mothers hate me : a novel
by Sarah Harman

When single mom Florence Grimes’ son is accused of causing the mysterious disappearance of a bully classmate, she must manage her disdain of the other moms, her own self-doubts and unexpected truths to prove his innocence.

Count my lies : a novel
by Sophie Stava

When Sloane lies about being a nurse to meet an attractive single father, she becomes his children’s nanny, entering a seemingly perfect world that hides dangerous secrets and forces her to confront the consequences of her deceptions.

Book boyfriend
by Emily Wibberley

Romantasy fan Jennifer escapes to a convention celebrating her favorite series, only to encounter her work nemesis Scott, whose surprising charm and“book boyfriend” transformation spark an unexpected, real-life enemies-to-lovers romance. Original.

The buffalo hunter hunter
by Stephen Graham Jones

In 1912, a Lutheran pastor documents the chilling confessions of Good Stab, a Blackfeet vampire seeking justice for a historical massacre, intertwining themes of revenge, survival and haunting truths on the Blackfeet reservation.

Galaphile
by Terry Brooks

Galaphile, an orphan turned master mage, builds the legendary Druid citadel Paranor while experience love, loss and battling an ancient evil who threatens the Four Lands, in the new series by the author of The Last Druid.

When the Moon hits your eye
by John Scalzi

When the Moon inexplicably turns to cheese, humanity grapples with the absurd transformation through the perspectives of astronauts, billionaires, professors, and everyday people, confronting faith, science and survival over a single surreal lunar cycle.

The Trouble Up North
by Travis Mulhauser

The fractured Sawbrook family, once master smugglers on Michigan’s lakes, is forced to confront their painful past and dwindling legacy when youngest daughter Jewell’s misguided crime threatens them all, pushing them to navigate their deepest rifts and one final dangerous mission together.

The Titanic Survivors Book Club : a novel
by Timothy Schaffert

Paris bookshop owner Yorick, joining a secret society of other Titanic ticket holders who didn’t board the ship, forms a book club where they can grapple with their good fortune and anxieties through heated discussions of literature, but when one of them unexpectedly dies, he wonders what fate has in store.

Dead broke, Colorado
by William W. Johnstone

When the silver boomtown of Dead Broke collapses into chaos, Mayor Nugget enlists gunslinger Mick MacMicking to restore order, facing off against gambler Connor Boyle and his hired guns in a desperate fight to save the town from complete destruction. Original.

New Audiobooks

The Secrets of Flowers
by Sally Page

As Hollywood prepares for its most glamorous evening, five actresses compete to see who will claim the top prize. Peeling back the layers of women who are in the business of being perceived, these five women work to push their careers forward and maintain the public’s goodwill, and all five are forced to confront truths about themselves that they would rather ignore.

Broken Country
by Clare Leslie Hall

Beth and her husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. When Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, it alters the course of their lives because the dog belonged to Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was and the woman she has become.

Hang on St. Christopher
by Adrian McKinty

Rain slicked streets, riots, murder, chaos. It’s July 1992 and the Troubles in Northern Ireland are still grinding on. Based on true events, Detective Inspector Sean Duffy must unentangle parallel operations by the CIA, MI5, and Special Branch. Duffy attempts to bring a killer to justice while trying to keep himself and his team alive as everything unravels around them.

New Nonfiction

Expect great things! : how the Katharine Gibbs School revolutionized the American workplace for women
by Vanda Krefft

A social history of the Katharine Gibbs School, revealing how it trained women for secretarial roles while empowering them to challenge sexism and achieve groundbreaking success across various fields from the 1910s to the 1960s. 12,000 first printing. Illustrations.

The next conversation : argue less, talk more
by Jefferson Fisher

“From communication expert Jefferson Fisher, the definitive book on making your next conversation the one that changes everything. No matter who you’re talking to, The Next Conversation gives you immediately actionable strategies and phrases that will forever change how you communicate. Jefferson Fisher, trial lawyer and one of the leading voices on real-world communication, offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships by improving your next conversation”

The lost and the found : a true story of homelessness, found family, and second chances
by Kevin Fagan

An empathetic exploration of homelessness in San Francisco through the stories of Rita and Tyson, two individuals battling addiction and striving to escape their circumstances, as well as a commentary on the broader societal issues of housing inequality and addiction, shaped by the author’s personal experiences and journalistic background.

Phenomena : An Infographic Guide to Almost Everything
by Camille Juzeau

This fabulous infographics book is packed with fascinating facts about nature, science, culture, and more. Vibrant visuals break down 124 need-to-know topics, one per page, from the structure of the atom to the makeup of the stars, animal tracks to the inner working of the brain, and echolocation to feats of human engineering. Anyone curious about life on Earth (and beyond) will relish this delightful dip into a vast ocean of knowledge.

The cure for women : Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the challenge to Victorian medicine that changed women’s lives forever
by Lydia Reeder

“How Victorian male doctors used false science to argue that women were unfit for anything but motherhood-and the brilliant doctor who defied them After Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to graduate from medical school, more women demanded a chance to study medicine. Barred entrance to universities like Harvard, women built their own first-rate medical schools and hospitals. Their success spurred a chilling backlash from elite, white male physicians who were obsessed with eugenics and the propagation of the white race. Distorting Darwin’s evolution theory, these haughty physicians proclaimed in bestselling books that women should never be allowed to attend college or enter a profession because their menstrual cycles made them perpetually sick. Motherhood was their constitution and duty. Into the midst of this turmoil marched tiny, dynamic Mary Putnam Jacobi, daughter of New York publisher George Palmer Putnam and the first woman to be accepted into the world-renowned Sorbonne medical school in Paris. As one of the best-educated doctors in the world, she returned to New York for the fight of her life. Aided by other prominent women physicians and suffragists, Jacobi conducted the first-ever data-backed, scientific research on women’s reproductive biology. The results of her studies shook the foundations of medical science and higher education. Full of larger than life characters and cinematically written, The Cure for Women documents the birth of a sexist science still haunting us today as the fight for control of women’s bodies and lives continues”

Survival gardening : grow your own emergency food supply from seed to root cellar
by Sam Coffman

“Learn how to grow your own food supply with advice from a survival skills expert. This essential guide includes how to choose and grow the most nutrient-dense crops without store-bought amendments or fertilizers, how to plan for a nonstop supply, how tostore food, and how to create your own seed bank”

There’s always room at the table : farmhouse recipes from my family to yours
by Kaleb Wyse

“When Kaleb Wyse started documenting his daily life on his farm in Iowa, he didn’t think many people would take notice or even care. After all, his way of life is simple, guided by the seasons–he spends his days gardening, preserving, baking, and cooking, a rhythm not all that different from that of his parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents who worked the land before him. But it turns out that people from all over the country (and even the world) connected with Kaleb’s simple, back-to-basics way of living, and fell in love with his hearty, homestyle cooking. From casseroles to biscuits, his recipes hit the sweet spot of nostalgia for some–and are a breath of fresh air for others”

Making practical backyard projects in wood : beautiful things to make in a weekend, including ready-to-use plans & patterns.
by Inc. Fox Chapel Publishing Company

Offers detailed plans for creating 20 functional backyard items, from birdhouses and herb boxes to Adirondack chairs and tool sheds, featuring expert tips and designs to enhance outdoor living spaces for DIY enthusiasts of all skill levels. Original.

Jane Austen’s bookshelf : a rare book collector’s quest to find the women writers who shaped a legend
by Rebecca Romney

“Jane Austen’s Bookshelf investigates the disappearance of Austen’s heroes-women writers who were erased from the Western canon-to reveal who they were, what they meant to Austen, and how they were forgotten. Each chapter profiles a different writer including Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth-and recounts Romney’s experience reading them, finding rare copies of their works, and drawing on connections between their words and Austen’s. Romney collects the once-famed works of these forgotten writers, physically recreating Austen’s bookshelf and making a convincing case for why these books should be placed back on the to-be-read pile of all book lovers today. Jane Austen’s Bookshelf will encourage you to look beyond assigned reading lists, question who decides what belongs there, and build your very own collection of favorite novels”

The woman who knew everyone : the power of Perle Mesta, Washington’s most famous hostess
by Meryl Gordon

An extensively researched account of the life of a wealthy and influential Washington socialite of the mid-20th century, who inspired a Broadway musical with her extravagant parties, her close relationships with U.S. presidents, and her pioneering support for the Equal Rights Amendment.

Even more reading suggestions

NextReads Sneak Peek
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Southeast Kansas Library System
218 E. Madison Ave.
Iola, Kansas 66749
620-365-5136sekls.org
Government, Health Care, Kansas

Kansas Has 23 Cases of Measles

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Kansas has  23 cases of Measles according to KDHE, according to information from Becky Johnson, BSN-RN
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer

https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2314/Measles-Data

“You can get to the above link as well by way of the link below from the CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

Below is the link to the MMWR article from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding MMR vaccination:

https://www.immunize.org/wp-content/uploads/acip/mm7146a1-H.pdf

To clarify:
During a measles outbreak, infants aged 6–11 months should receive a single dose of MMR. This would be followed by the 2 dose series at the recommended periods (12-15 months and 4-6 years).
**This would be for residents of counties with outbreaks**

The ACIP generally considers those individuals born before 1957 to have presumptive evidence of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella, thus does not recommend vaccination with the MMR vaccine for this group.”

—

Becky Johnson, BSN-RN
Administrator/SEK Local Health Officer

photo

 
Government, Kansas

Bipartisan Bill Eliminating Barriers to State Employment Signed

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Governor Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill Eliminating Barriers to State Employment


TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly signed on Friday Senate Bill 166, the Fostering Competitive Career Opportunities Act.

“There are a multitude of factors that go into employment consideration, and a postsecondary degree should not always be the deciding factor,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While this principal has already been implemented for agencies under my jurisdiction, I am pleased to sign this bill to codify this practice.”

Senate Bill 166 ensures that applicants for state jobs can’t be denied solely due to their lack of a postsecondary degree. The provisions of the bill would not apply to any positions for which a postsecondary degree is justifiably necessary. Currently, less than 15% of state employees work in jobs that require a postsecondary degree.

“As Chairman of the Commerce Committee for the past seven years, I’ve heard time and again from businesses and workers alike that experience in the field often outweighs classroom learning, and I know firsthand that I learned far more through work than I ever did earning my MBA,” said Representative for House District 27 Sean Tarwater. “This bill sends a clear message: Kansas values hard work and experience. Countless Kansans chose to build their careers rather than take on debt for a degree, and it’s time we recognize and reward their skills.”

This bill codifies current practice for executive branch agencies, continuing to allow flexibility in determining requirements for applicants for each job posting. Rather than being strictly limited to a postsecondary degree requirement, employers could consider prior direct experience, certifications, courses or specialized training, among other requirements.

“With this commonsense approach, Kansas is no longer tied to outdated requirements to demonstrate work readiness,” said Senator for District 25 Mary Ware. “For decades we’ve experienced ‘degree inflation’ which demands a post-secondary degree whether it’s truly necessary, but now previous work and life experience will be as important as a college degree for thousands of positions in our state’s workforce.”

In addition to Senate Bill 166, Governor Kelly also signed the following bipartisan bills:

Senate Bill 78: Requires postsecondary educational institutions to review and update accreditation policies regularly.

Senate Bill 194: Voids a restrictive covenant that limits the use of real property and includes discriminatory provisions, enabling an IXP project at Wichita State University to proceed.

House Bill 2092: Updates certain reporting and audit requirements for Professional Employer Organizations (PEO) with the secretary of state.

House Bill 2117: Modifies certain business filing and fee requirements for business trusts, foreign corporations and limited partnerships; and makes other technical changes.

Substitute for House Bill 2145: Reorganizes the Butler County Fair Board.

Substitute for House Bill 2102: Provides for the advance enrollment of a military student whose parent will be stationed in Kansas.

House Bill 2185: Provides additional educational supports for Kansas National Guard members and their families by updating the Educational Assistance Act to allow family of guard members to participate. The bill also updates the Kansas National Guard educational master’s for enhanced readiness and global excellence (EMERGE) program to include other advanced degrees.

                                                                         ###

Bourbon County, Government

Agenda and Packet for the March 31 Meeting of the Bourbon County Commission

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Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
Brandon Whisenhunt, Chairman
1st District Commissioner
David Beerbower, Vice-Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Leroy Kruger
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room 210 S National Ave.
March 31, 2025, 5:30 PM
I. Call Meeting to Order
a. Roll Call
b. Pledge of Allegiance
c. Prayer – Susan Walker
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Minutes from 03.17.25
IV. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of 03.21.25 Payroll Totaling $302,476.86
b. Approval of 03.21.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $323,049.49
c. Approval of 03.28.25 Accounts Payable Totaling $84,814.71
d. Tax Roll Corrections
e. Signature of Contracts – Special Legal Counsel Professional Services Agreement
V. Old Business
a. MOU Gov Deals
b. Fence viewing discussion
c. Tax Sale
i. Michael Hoyt
VI. Public Comments for Items Not on The Agenda
VII. New Business
a. Destry Brown – Stepping Up for Youth
b. Zoning discussion
c. Department Update
i. Susan Walker – Budget Presentation & Overpass study
ii. Lora Holdridge – Hidden Valley Roads & Cemeteries & Land Locked Property
iii. Eric Bailey – 60th & Grand Approval of Construction Engineer
d. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) Job Performance
e. Executive Session K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2)
f. Commissioner Comments
VIII. Adjournment
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS – FORM OF MOTION
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their
privacy
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body of agency which would be
deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in
consultation with the representatives of the body or agency
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations,
partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of acquisition of real estate
____ Pursuant to KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters
at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures
The subject to be discussed during executive session: ________________________________________
State persons to attend
Open session will resume at _____ A.M./P.M. in the commission chambers.

Attachments:

Tax Roll Corrections

Special Legal Counsel

Pryl 03.21.25

MOU Gov Deals

AP 03.28.25

AP 03.21.25

Fort Scott, Government, Schools

USD234 Meets on March 31

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Unified School District 234

424 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701-2697

www.usd234.org

620-223-0800   Fax 620-223-2760

 

DESTRY BROWN                                                                                                                                                        

Superintendent                                                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING

March 31, 2025 – 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA SUMMARY WITH COMMENTARY

1.0       Call Meeting to Order                                                                      David Stewart, President

2.0       Flag Salute

 

3.0       Approval of the Official Agenda (Action Item)

 

4.0       Other Business – Time ______

4.1       Enter Executive Session – Personnel Matters (Action Item)

4.2       Exit Executive Session – _______ (Time)

4.3       Approval of Personnel Report (Action Item)

 

5.0       Adjourn Meeting _____ (Time)            David Stewart, President

Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the April 1 FS City Commission Meeting

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

April 1, 2025  –  6:00 P.M.

                                               

 

  1.     Call to Order/Roll Call
  2. Pledge of Allegiance

III.       Invocation

  1. Approval of Agenda
  2. Consent Agenda
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1381-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of March 12 – March 25, 2025 – $ 696,826.18
  4. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 18, 2025

                                                                

  1. V Public Comment

VII.      Appearances

  1.  Shawn O’Brien – Good Ol’ Days – Street Closures, Memorial Hall reservation,                           Pavilion Reservation and Parade Permit
  2. Representative of USD 234 – Color Run– Temporary Street Closure (road south of                              Riverfront Park) & Temporary Park Closure – Riverfront Park – April 25, 2025 – 5:00PM           until 8:00PM for the safety of participants and their families.
  3. Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director – Wastewater Update

           

VIII.   Unfinished Business

  1.  Approval to honor demolition bid previously awarded for 323 W. Wall

 

  1. New Business

            Public Hearings

  1.  Consideration of Vacation of Street and Alley at approximately 123 McCleverty by  the request of Alyssa Green and Derrik States –  N. Nation

 

            Action Items:

  1.  Status of 118 E. Wall St. – L. Kruger
  2.  Consideration of Resolution No. 10-2025 Project Authorization of the East National   Improvements– G. Herrmann
  3.              Consideration of Plow Truck Purchase – B. Matkin
  4.  Food Trucks – N. Nation
  5. E.  Request for Gun Purchases – J. Pickert
  6.  Consideration to sign letter to save the Institute of Museum and Library Services  (IMLS) – M. Wells

 

           

  1. Reports and Comments

 

  1. Adjourn
Fort Scott, Government

The March 18 FS City Commission Unapproved Minutes

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of March 18, 2025                                              Regular Meeting

 

A regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The meeting was streamed live on YouTube.

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM. Roll call was taken. Commissioners Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.

 

              In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Jason Pickert/Chief FSPD, Mary Wyatt/Planning, Housing & Business Development Director (officiating the meeting) Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Cory Bryars/Care to Share, Becky Johnson/SEK Multicounty Health Department (SEKMCHD), Michael Hoyt, and Anne Dare.

 

VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and WELLS said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, the citizens, and our Government and City officials.

 

Approval of Agenda (3:37)

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to amend the agenda with the addition of Item D – New Business – Temporary Street Closure Application for Prom. OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to approve the agenda. SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda  (5:01)

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1380-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of February 27, 2025 – March 11, 2025 – $1,061,286.37

 

  1. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of March 4, 2025

 

  1. February Financials

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved to approve the Consent Agenda minus Item C to be moved under New Business.

 

MATKIN stated that $600,000.00 of the $1,061,286.37 is the amount paid to Freeman Hospital.

 

DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0

 

Public Comments (6:54) – None

 

Appearances (6:57)

Cory Bryan – FortFest 2025 – Park Closure request – Riverfront – Sept. 24 – 29, 2025

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to approve the Park Closure request for Riverfront Park and reserve the Pavilion for FortFest 2025 from Wednesday, September 24th through Sunday, September 29th . SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Unfinished Business (9:52)

Consideration of Letter of Interest for Planning Commission Vacancy – Danny Brown had submitted a Letter of Interest for the Board of Zoning Appeals and was not selected. The City Commission asked the City Clerk to reach out to those who were not selected and ask if they were interested in the vacant position on the Planning Commission. Danny Brown submitted a Letter of Interest to be considered.

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to approve the appointment of Danny Brown to the Planning Commission. SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

New Business

Public Hearings

Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 6-2025 – DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 301 N. Jefferson (10:49)

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

KRUGER:  “Basically to reiterate, on this structure, we did make contact with the owner, the owner doesn’t want any part of the house, says it’s nothing but bad memories and wants it tore down, doesn’t care anything about it.”

 

DANCER:  Did the owner by chance indicate that they might be willing to sign the property over to the land bank with a clear title?

 

KRUGER:  I didn’t ask about that. My feeling was it would be that she might but she’s really hard to get a hold of and hard to keep on the phone.

 

DANCER:  Is she current on taxes on that property?

 

KRUGER:  I don’t know.

 

VAN HOECKE:  Is there anyone here tonight representing 301 N. Jefferson? Any other questions for Codes on this property?

 

DANCER:  Do you think you could reach out to her and find out if she’d be willing to sign it over, if we could get a property with a clear title?

 

KRUGER:  I’d be willing to try for you. It took (20) or (30) calls to get as much as I got out of her, but I’ll sure give it an effort.

 

DANCER:  I’ve seen the pictures, and it’s got fairly recent siding.

 

KRUGER:  Actually, the siding is a complete band-aid for a mess.

 

DANCER:  Okay, even so, if we could get a clear title on that one, even if we had to knock it to the ground, we could possibly make good on another recent promise we had.

 

KRUGER:  I do know that several people in the neighborhood, once that property becomes clear of the house, are willing to buy it as is. I’ve been approached by (2) people from that neighborhood, that once that house is gone, they’re very interested in that property with or without title.

 

DANCER:  I’d be interested to see if you could get a clear title on that. If we could get something into the Land Bank with a clear title, that’s usable property.

 

KRUGER:  I will definitely make the attempt.

 

DANCER:  Unless somebody objects?

 

VAN HOECKE:  Any other comments or questions on this property?

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing (14:42). DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to table the item until Codes had a chance to reach the owner to consider transferring to the Land Bank with clear title. OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 7-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 501 S. Osbun – (15:26)

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing (15:39). SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION PASSED 5-0.

 

VAN HOECKE:  Is there anyone here representing 501 S. Osbun?

 

KRUGER:  I do not have anything new to add to this one.

 

WELLS:  They’re wanting to build a new house or bring in a double-wide or something?

 

KRUGER:  The last that I talked, she basically was in between jobs, couldn’t meet the deadline to tear it down herself; that was her intention to tear down the house and put something new there. Her intentions were to pay the City back once she gets back on her feet, but I don’t have anything new other than that.

 

VAN HOECKE:  How long ago was that conversation?

 

KRUGER:  Probably a month.

 

WELLS:  What was her timeline for being able to tear it down herself.

 

KRUGER:  I gave her a complete year. Basically, if she couldn’t tear it down by the first of this year, that would exceed her deadline. So, I gave her a year, she lost her job, so she can’t meet any kind of deadline.

 

VAN HOECKE:  Any other questions on this property?

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing.

 

Inaudible questions from the audience.

 

WELLS:  Apparently, she doesn’t want to donate the property, she wants to build a new house on the property, she wants us to tear it down.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to approve Resolution No. 7-2025 directing the removal of the alleged unsafe dangerous structure at 501 S. Osbun.

 

DANCER asked for clarification from KRUGER if the house was currently occupied.  KRUGER stated that the house is not livable.

 

DANCER seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes.  WELLS voted no.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 

 

Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 8-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 314 S. Scott – (19:21)

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to open the public hearing. DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

VAN HOECKE:  Is there anyone here representing 314 S. Scott this evening that would like to make a public appearance?

 

KRUGER:  I don’t have anything new to add on this one. Basically we have never made contact with this gentleman. I will remind you that this is the structure that people were having campfires in the garage and flopping in, so just food for thought in your consideration.

 

VAN HOECKE:  And you’ve presented this one to us before?

 

KRUGER:  Yes.

 

DANCER:  Have we used any kind of service like skip tracing, private eye, or something like that. You have your hands full doing Codes stuff, but somebody specialized in finding people?

 

KRUGER:  I know how to do that kind of work, that’s just not part of our procedure. I know where this guy’s at, he’s in the county out by Fulton, it’s just he didn’t make contact with us.

 

DANCER:  Again, hope for a clear title?

 

KRUGER:  This one I don’t know. Like I said, I never made any kind of contact with guy. I do know this one is behind on taxes and it’s a real mess.

 

DANCER:  I think County typically serves by mail. If we had personal delivery, personal service and that would constitute, right?

 

KRUGER: Yes. We meet our standard.

 

DANCER:  Right, but if we had personal service, then we could get a clear title.

 

OLSON:  When you say clear title, what are you meaning? Because all we’re doing is tearing it down and applying a special assessment and the rest is out of our control.

 

Inaudible comments from the audience.

 

WELLS:  We found this stuff out from the lawyer that came to the meeting the other night.

 

KRUGER:  That would be the same with 301, that might be the easier round.

 

SALSBURY:  That’s different, we had been told that if we were torn down we couldn’t get clear title very easily.

 

WELLS:  The lawyer that was here the other night, I believe we live streamed that, he had some very interesting information to provide for us.

 

VAN HOECKE: Are there any other questions for Officer Kruger?

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to close the public hearing (22:37). OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Request for Temporary Street Closure for Prom Walk Up on April 5, 2025

MOTION:  DANCER moved to approve the request street closure of Judson and Oak for April 5, 2025. SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Action Items:

Consideration of Bids for Easement Machine – (25:28)

 

MATKIN left the room at (25:30)

 

LEMKE explained Wastewater Collections Department has been looking to purchase an Easement Machine to be used for flushing the sanitary sewer and mains. It will work with the Vactor truck. Currently a manual line must be used to flush the lines. The hard, physical work has the potential for operator injuries. The easement machine allows the crew to get into places they would normally not be able to easily to flush the lines.

 

MATKIN returned to the meeting (27:18)

 

LEMKE went out for bids for an easement machine and (3) companies responded. The low bid was $71,100.00 and the highest bid was $93,874.52. He is requesting approval to accept the low bid from Key Equipment. MATKIN confirmed that it was budgeted for $100,000.00 in 2025.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved to purchase the Key machine that has been presented by Mr. Lemke for the easement machine in the amount of $71,100.00. OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

MATKIN asked to return to Item C to complete the motion on 314 S. Scott.

 

Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 8-2025 DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 314 S. Scott – (30:59)

MOTION:  DANCER moved to proceed with Resolution No. 8-2025 for the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 314 S. Scott. WELLS seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

MATKIN asked the Commission if they would reconsider visiting Item A at 301 N. Jefferson.

 

WELLS left the meeting (31:55)

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to reopen the consideration of Resolution no. 6-2025 – directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 301 N. Jefferson. SALSBURY seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes. WELLS was not present for the vote.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

WELLS returned to the meeting (32:55)

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to direct the removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure at 301 N. Jefferson. VAN HOECKE seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of Ground Lease Bids – Field A (33:24)

MATKIN stated (2) bids were received. $14,250.00 and $12,852.00. He is recommending acceptance the high bid for the 85-acres of land on the west side of Field A.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved to approve the bid for $14,250.00 a year (2025 Lease) for the 85-acres. OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of Greens Mower Purchase – (34:14) WYATT stated there were (3) bids submitted in the packet for the purchase of the greens mower.  She stated that last year they had agreed not to purchase a new greens mower but decided on (2) used mowers; only (1) was purchased last year. It is currently operating well. There is another greens mower they wish to use as a backup because it does have an issue with the starter and is not always reliable. They have one other greens mower that scalps the greens. She is recommending approval to purchase the 2021 Eclipse model 322 with 980 hours giving the department (2) operating greens mowers that are reliable with (1) backup.

 

Discussion was had about the bid discount.

 

ACTION:  WYATT to get clarification on the purchase price.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved that we buy the Eclipse mower based upon the price presented unless the John Deere comes back at $21,000.00. If it does come back at $21,000.00 then the Commission would request an opportunity to re-evaluate. OLSON seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Status of 323 W. Wall – (40:47)

WELLS stated that the lady is willing to donate it to the Land Bank per Pat Bishop/Land Bank Manager who has made contact with her. He stated that he has made contact with her as well as KRUGER and she is willing to donate the house to the Land Bank and we are waiting to hear back from her on the donation process.

 

KRUGER stated the only contact he has had recently was a set up for Commissioner Wells to speak with her. KRUGER did get a phone call last week from the granddaughter who advised him that the mother and grandmother asked her to try to secure a loan for repair of the house. He stated that she asked about the condition of the house. KRUGER took photos and sent them to her via text for her to make her own decision. He stated that her response was that she wanted no part of taking a loan out on the house and that she was going to speak with the mother and grandmother to inform them that the house was not worth saving. KRUGER stated those are the only conversations he has had.

 

WELLS stated he spoke to her about a week and a half ago and he did not ask Mr. Bishop when his last conversation was with her. WELLS stated that BISHOP told him that the mother and grandmother told him they were looking to donate it to the Land Bank.

 

Discussion was had about what would happen if it was donated to the Land Bank and the contractors who have shown interest in saving the home.

 

KRUGER stated that we have already had the public hearing.

 

MOTION: VAN HOECKE moved to go forward with bids for demolition of 323 W. Wall. SALSBURY seconded.

 

MATKIN suggested that if the interested contractors come forward, the Commission might want to reconsider.  VAN HOECKE stated to get the process started and it can be halted if that happens.

 

DANCER, SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE and OLSON voted yes.  WELLS voted no.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1.

 

Consideration of RESOLUTION NO. 9-2025 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AT 121 S. MARGRAVE (45:39) – KRUGER presented the property and asked for approval of the resolution to proceed with the demolition process. WELLS stated that he is the current property owner.  Discussion was had about the condition of the structure and the intentions to refurbish the home.

 

WELLS agreed to abstain from any vote on this property.

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to table this item until the second meeting in April.

 

KRUGER asked WELLS for a timeline on securing the bank loan. WELLS stated he would reach back out to him next week.

 

WELLS clarified that the title was transferred to one of his companies. He stated that he did not know that this home was up for demolition when he started the process.

 

Further discussion was had on how WELLS acquired the property.

 

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to table Resolution No. 9-2025 regarding and alleged unsafe or dangerous structure at 121 S. Margrave until the second meeting in April of 2025. SALSBURY seconded. SALSBURY, VAN HOECKE, OLSON and DANCER voted yes.  WELLS abstained.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of Lease Agreement for LaRoche Baseball Complex, City of Fort Scott, and Mid America Baseball League – (54:34)

MATKIN stated that MidAmerica Baseball League would like to sign a (5)-year, rent-free lease with the City of Fort Scott for the use of LaRoche Baseball Complex. The City would receive $.50 per ticket sold and they would help with some additional upkeep of the stadium and payment of the groundskeeper.

 

Discussion was had regarding the cost of upkeep verses return as well as damage and liability.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved to sign the lease agreement for the LaRoche Baseball Complex between the City of Fort Scott and Mid America Baseball League. OLSON seconded.

 

VAN HOECKE thanked MATKIN for his hard work of bringing this to our City.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of Monetary Partnership agreement between the City of Fort Scott and Mid America Baseball League – (59:24)

MATKIN requested approval of $50,000.00. He stated that $30,000.00 would come from the Economic Development fund and $20,000.00 would come from the Tourism fund.

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to approve the monetary partnership agreement between the City of Fort Scott and the Mid America Baseball League with $30,000.00 coming from Economic Development and $20,000.00 coming from Tourism. WELLS seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration for the City to write a letter to Congress or issue a resolution to send to Congressional Representative to Protect SNAP/No Kid Hungry – (1:01:55)

 

MATKIN left the meeting (1:02:02) and returned (1:04:43)

 

WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:01:56)

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved that a letter be presented for Commissioners to sign using their title on the issue to send to Congress, Congressional Representatives to protect SNAP.  OLSON seconded.

 

OLSON, WELLS and SALSBURY voted yes.  DANCER and VAN HOECKE voted no.

 

MOTION CARRIED 3-2.

 

ACTION:  WELLS will present a letter for review of the Commission.

 

Consideration for approval for Commissioner Wells to sign a letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem to immediately restart the US Refugee Resettlement Program

WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:20:00)

 

MATKIN clarified that the letter will not be written on City of Fort Scott letterhead.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved for approval to sign a letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem to immediately restart the US Refugee Resettlement Program with his Fort Scott City Commissioner title.

 

FARMER left the meeting (1:28:51) and returned (1:30:51).

 

OLSON seconded.

 

WELLS clarified that his motion was that he will be signing (with his title of Fort Scott City Commissioner) a letter that has already been signed by over (200) other elected nonpartisan City Commissioners and City Mayors.

 

OLSON, and WELLS voted yes.  VAN HOECKE, DANCER and SALSBURY voted no.

 

MOTION FAILED 2-3.

 

Consideration to sign a letter to save our historic site from the damaging impacts of the mass firings

WELLS submitted his proposal followed by discussion. (Full proposal available at the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel /3-18-2025 City Commission Meeting beginning at 1:35:32)

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved that the City Commissioners join him in signing this letter to be sent to our local representatives. VAN HOECKE seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration to approve installation of Family Station(s) in public areas – (1:49:16)

JOHNSON submitted a proposal and asked for permission to install the station(s). Discussion was had regarding possible locations. The Multi-County Breastfeeding Coalition is looking for collaboration with entities in the community and grants to help fund the project. They are asking the City for in-kind donation. She also wanted to inform the public of a Lactation Tent that they will be seeing within the counties.

 

MOTION:  VAN HOECKE moved to approve installation of a Family Station in a public area determined mutually by SEK Multi-County Health Department and the City of Fort Scott.  SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Consideration of Addendum No. 4 – Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contractor for Davis Lift Station Project – (1:58:42)

DICKMAN stated that this lift station is very large, mostly underground and in a flood plain.  Underneath the station are piers that go down to bedrock which was discovered only recently. Initially they considered having those as part of the new wet well that would house the pump for the storm water overflows because it would be the same depth and would be on piers as well. He stated that they overestimated (possibly overdesigned) and received quotes from contractors in the $200,000.00 range. The intent of this addendum is to have a geotechnical engineer do a boring at the location of the wet well, design the piers, and supply a report with recommendations. The addendum includes the cost of the drilling, report and recommendation as well as updating the plans. The final cost estimate as it sets now (without the addendum) is $200,000.00 to complete the project. However, with the report and findings it could potentially cut the cost in half; the intent is to save $100,000.00 on the final build to do the wet well.

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to approve Addendum No. 4 for the wastewater evaluation and design contract for Davis Lift Station project. DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.     

 

Request to Pay – Schneider Electric – Annual Renewal of Service Agreement – $12,894.00 (2:03:06)

Discussion was had regarding the history of the contract and the future benefits of continuing this service agreement or exploring other options.

 

MOTION:  SALSBURY moved to not proceed with the Schneider contract again. DANCER seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

     

ACTION:  MATKIN will look into wireless options for thermostat controls.

 

Reports and Comments

CITY MANAGER (2:09:35)

– Dance Party at Memorial Hall, Saturday at 7:00PM

– Designing and going out for bids for updating Memorial Hall bathrooms

– Marquee sign will be moved from Buck Run to Memorial Hall

 

CITY ENGINEER (2:11:39)

– Horton Street update – grinding is complete, fog seal weather permitting, cure for (14) days before striping can be done. Speed limit is temporarily lowered to 30 mph for friction factor of fog seal. Substantial completion date, based on contract days is 3/24/2025 – will do walk through. Punch list to be completed. Final closeout change order to come and final completion should be April 13, 2025.

–  17th and Eddy concrete completed – MATKIN

–  CCLIP due March 28, 2025

–  KDOT Wall Street field check March 26, 2025 – asking for new schedule for construction beginning next year.

 

CITY ATTORNEY (2:17:26) – No comments.

 

COMMISSIONER SALSBURY (2:17:47) – inaudible

 

COMMISSIONER WELLS (2:18:03)

–  Crossing light on 6th St. and Horton St.

–  Work Session for storage containers rescheduled

–  New ordinance for Land Bank to add County Commissioner

 

MATKIN left the meeting (2:20:55) and returned (2:22:49)

 

–  Permission to go to County Commission for TEAP study discussion – no objections

 

COMMISSIONER OLSON (2:26:09) – No comment

 

COMMISSIONER DANCER (2:26:13) – No comment

 

COMMISSIONER VAN HOECKE (2:26:15)

–  New baseball team

–  Bids for 118 E. Wall

–  Lenten Fish Fry – Mary Queen of Angels – Fridays 5-7PM – Cost is free will donation

–  Dance Party at Memorial Hall – 7PM – Friday

–  Bike sidewalk signs for Main Street

 

Adjourn

MOTION:  DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:31PM (2:31:48). SALSBURY seconded.

 

MARCH 18, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:31PM.

 

Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

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