Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for Ft. Scott City Commission Meeting on August 15

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR        

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.

August 15, 2023 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1.   Roll Call:
  2.     VanHoecke       K. Harrington      E. Woellhof        M. Guns         M. Wells
  3.   Pledge of Allegiance & Invocation:  Led by E. Woellhof

III.    Approval of Agenda:

  1. Consent Agenda:
  2. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2023
  3. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1341-A — $1,627,351.54
  4. Request to Pay – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – $41,723.74

Invoice #16731 –    2022 Sanitary Sewer Inspection – $12,538.74

Peter W. Earles – 10.00hrs/$200.00 – $2,000.00

Shane Redfern – 48.50hrs/$48.50 – $6,741.50

Jason Dickman – 18.00hrs/&147.50 – $2,655.00

Amanda Simpson – 6.00hrs/$48.50 – $291.00

Mileage – 1,309.6 miles/0.65 – $851.24

 

Invoice #16727 –   South Horton St. & West 6th St.  –  $22,485.00

                            Preliminary Design (100%) – $6,210.00

Final Design (35%) – $16,275.00

 

Invoice #16726 – 21-303A – WWTP – System Designs – $6,700.00

                             Phase III – $3,500.00

Phase II – $3,200.00

 

  1.        Request to Pay – Invoice #08072301-EPEC-WWTP Aeration – $206,654.50

                                      Phase II Aeration Upgrade (Total: $826,618.00)

25% of Total due – $206,654.50

 

  1. Request to Pay –  Bourbon County –  I.T. Services 2023 –  $25,500.00

 

                              Shane Walker – $12,000.00

Jimmy Kemmerer $13,500.00

 

  1. July Financials

 

  1. Public Comment:   Sign up required.  Comments on any topic not on agenda

and limited to five (5) minutes per person, at Commission’s discretion.

 

  1. Old Business:

 

  1. Consideration of bids for investment CDs from WWTP funds – B. Hart
  2. Consideration to approve purchase of split case pump and impellor for WTP- $31,052.92 – S. Flater
  3. Consideration to approve MOU to join Bourbon County Health in All Policies Task Force and select a City representative – TABLED 7/25 AND 8/1 –
  4. Consideration to adopt a new policy for City Commission Agenda deadlines
  5. Consideration to pay Diehl, Banwart, Bolton $18,150.00 (approved 7/25/2023) for Certified Audit of Records and Preparation of Audit Report for the year ending 12/31/22. Invoice #161402 indicates an additional $4,975.00 for Single Audit of Federal Funds. Total amount due $23,125.00 requiring a new motion.
  6. Approval to go out for bid for KDOT Sub-Area Road Extension

 

 VII.   Appearances:  None

 

VIII.   Public Hearing:  None

 

  1.  New Business: 
  2. Consideration of Lake Campsite Improvements – B. Matkin
  3. Consideration of 14-Day Camping Regulation at Gunn Park (Ordinance No. 3606) and corresponding municipal codes
  4. Shelter House Price Increases for #2 and #6 (Ordinance No. 3607) and corresponding municipal codes
  5. Consideration to Approve Sale of General Obligation Bonds,  Series 2023 to USDA – B. Hart
  6. Consideration to Adopt Bond Ordinance No. 3752
  7. Consideration to Adopt Bond Resolution No. 10-2023
  8. Consideration to Approve Earls Engineering and Inspection, Inc. submission of work hours estimate for CCLIP US54-from US 69–Barbee Street – J. Dickman

 

  1. Reports and Comments:
  2. City Manager Comments:
  3. Engineering Comments:
  4. Commissioners Comments:
  5. VanHoecke –
  6. Harrington –
  7. Woellhof –
  8. Guns –
  9. Wells –

 

  1. City Attorney Comments:

 

  1.  Executive Session:

 

XII.     Adjournment:

Fort Scott, Schools

New U234 Teachers: Singmaster and Feeback

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This is part of a series featuring the 20 new teachers in USD 234.

Distict Events Taken From https://www.usd234.org/ :

Aug 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. is the monthly board of education meeting at 424 S. Main, Fort Scott.
August 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. is the Fort Scott High School Open House at 1005 S Main St, Fort Scott.

School starts in the district on August 18.

 

Torrie Singmaster. Submitted photo.

Torrie Singmaster, 27,  is a new 6th grade math teacher at Fort Scott Middle School.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Ottawa University and will graduate with a Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2024 from Ottawa University.

“I taught first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary for two years and one year at Humboldt Elementary School in fifth grade, she said.

“My favorite part of being a teacher is being able to watch students transform not only academically but personally as well,” Singmaster said. “I take pride in knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of my students.”

“After I became a mom, I wanted a career that would allow me to have more time with my kids,” she said. “I started subbing at the elementary school and immediately knew that education is the path I was supposed to take. I always enjoyed school growing up and that was due to the fact I had really amazing teachers along the way. I want to help students see their self-worth and be a safe place for all of my students to grow into the best versions of themselves.”

“The hardest part about being in education has been trying to figure out where I am the most successful as an educator,’ she said. “This will be the third different grade I have taught in my four years as a teacher. I was a para at the middle school for two years before getting my own classroom. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to transition to middle school and start this next journey in my career.”

She grew up in Fort Scott and she and husband Dakota, have two sons: William will be in first grade and Tyson will be starting preschool.

In their free time , they  enjoy golfing, playing cornhole, and driving RC cars and she also enjoys painting and doing projects.

Brennen Feeback. Submitted photo.
Brennen Feeback, 22, is a new special education teacher at Fort Scott High School.
“Growing up, I saw that the influence teachers could have on students’ lives, and I wanted to be someone that invested into these awesome students,” he said. “With my area of teaching, I think it is going to be really awesome to help each individual student find their different ways of success.”
“The biggest challenge that I will be facing is that this is my first year, but the group  (of educators)that I am going to be working with is very experienced and willing to help me,” he said.
Feeback graduated from Baker University this past May.
He grew up in Chanute, Kansas, but went to high school in Spring Hill. He just recently married his wife, Allisyn.
In his spare time he  likes watching “any sort of Missouri Tiger athletic activity, and doing any sort of activity that is outdoors,” he said.

 

Bourbon County, Fort Scott

Ft. Scott Area Community Foundation Summer 2023 Newsletter

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News from the

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

Please find our Summer 2023 Newsletter below.

Click here for a printable PDF copy.

NOTE: The newsletter below announces the 2023 Grant Cycle is open and accepting applications from August 1-31, 2023 from

501c3 organizations and other qualified entities.

Click here for the grant application link.
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Thank you for reading our

Summer 2023 Newsletter!

Contact us with questions or for more information:

Board President Craig Campbell: 620-224-0167

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.fsacf.com

Charitable donations to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

may be mailed to PO Box 901, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Connect with us:
Click here to Like the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Craig Campbell is the FSACF Board Chairman.
Opinion, Uncategorized

A Banana Split…Sort of by Patty LaRoche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023

“Who believes God performs miracles?”

The baseball players, attendees at the weekly Chapel service, all raised their hands.

“Who believes God can do a miracle in your life?”

Same response.

“Who believes God will do one right now?”

The athletes looked at one another, unsure what to do. If they didn’t raise their hands, were they denying the possibility that this speaker had a special connection with God?  If they did raise their hands, was the miracle dependent upon their faith being powerful enough to make it happen?

The guest evangelist, sensing their confusion, removed a banana from a plastic bag and asked the crowd, “How many of you believe that God can split the fruit of this banana into thirds without altering the peel in any way?”

The ballplayers were dumbfounded.  After all, God could do anything He wanted, so He certainly “could” perform such a miracle.  Slowly the men raised their hands.

“Good,” the speaker continued.  “I’m going to pray that God does just that.  I’m going to ask Him to slice the meat of this banana into thirds without making a mark on the skin.  How many of you are confident God will answer my prayer?”

Surely it was a trick.  Or was it?  No one moved.

The speaker spoke to their doubts.  “You probably think I’m messing with you, right?  To prove I’m not, I’m going to pass this banana around the room.  Check it carefully.  See if there are any external marks on its skin.”

Each ballplayer took his time studying the banana.  No one could find any puncture or marking.  While the players sat on the edge of their seats, the preacher took the banana, raised it high, and prayed for it to be cut into thirds when peeled.  As he broke the top portion of the banana’s skin and pulled it back, one piece—approximately a third—fell onto the table.  The same scene replayed itself as the skin was peeled further.  Three pieces.  Just like the miracle worker said.

My son Adam, a player in that room, phoned me from the clubhouse.

“Mom, I just saw a miracle.” Adam proceeded to tell me what had happened.  Although somewhat skeptical—only because I wasn’t sure why God cared about a banana dividing itself into thirds—I was thrilled for my normally unexcitable son to be so pumped about what he had witnessed.

A few days later I relayed Adam’s story to my friend.  “Patty, that’s an old trick,” she said.  “A threaded needle is pushed through the banana by working in a circular motion.  With enough punctures, it creates a cut, and the skin heals itself so the pin marks can’t be detected.”  I couldn’t believe it.   The ballplayers had been deceived.  My friend was as bothered by this evangelist’s tactic as was I.

I shared my findings with Adam so he could discuss what had happened with the chapel leader who organized the visiting speakers.  I told him what bothered me most was that God doesn’t need any help in the miracle department. Jeremiah 10:12 speaks to His authority: But God made earth by his power; He founded the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. His abilities are endless.  For starters, He produced ten plagues to force Pharoah’s hand, provided manna for millions of Israelites wandering in the desert, saved Daniel and his friends from a fiery furnace, and made Himself man to redeem a lost humanity.

In retrospect, I hope the intention of the pastor was to excite his audience about God’s power and not to draw attention to his own ability to be used by God.  I feel bad that he was so desperate to prove God is still in the miracle business.  On the other hand, I would like to think my friend was wrong; there was no needle and thread and this man’s prayer was answered.

Yeah.  I would like to think that.

I just don’t.

 

 

 

 

Fort Scott, Government

Ft. Scott Commission Discusses Certified Local Government Program This Evening

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WORK SESSION REMINDER

Please join us on Friday, August 11th at 5:00PM to discuss the idea of Fort Scott considering the option of applying to the Certified Local Government Program as presented to the Design Review Board and the City Commission by Mayor Matthew Wells. The Certified Local government (CLG) program is designed to promote the preservation of prehistoric and historic sites and districts by establishing a partnership between the local government on behalf of the State of Kansas and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Kansas Historical Society. Katrina Ringler, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, and Director of Cultural Resources Division of the Kansas Historical Society will be present at the meeting to answer questions.

Please share with anyone who might be interested in learning more about this program and participate in the discussion of this proposal for the City.

Further information that was presented at the City Commission meeting can be found at http://www.fscity.org/AgendaCenter

An announcement will be posted on Facebook as well.

Government, Kansas

Grant to Revitalize Downtown Buildings Announced

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New Round of Funding Announced for Revitalization of Downtown Buildings

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced today $1.5 million will be available for a fourth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. HEAL grants help close financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts more economically vibrant.

Since the HEAL grant program was launched in 2021, more than $3.5 million has been awarded to fund 63 projects in 48 counties throughout Kansas.

Enhancements have been made for HEAL 4.0 that are designed to set up applicants for even greater success, including a longer application period and a maximum award of $100,000.  Additionally, formal bids will be required this round from licensed contractors at the time of application submission.

“HEAL 4.0 will offer even more support and funding for communities working to bring vacant and underutilized buildings back to productive use,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We want as many communities as possible across the state to benefit from this successful program that breathes new life into downtown districts.”

HEAL grants help bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:

  • New or expanding businesses
  • Housing
  • Arts and culture
  • Civic engagement
  • Childcare
  • Entrepreneurship

Submitted projects must show potential to be economic drivers in that community and also demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. Proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application.

Communities that received a HEAL grant in the first round (awarded spring/summer 2022) are now eligible to apply again. Communities that received HEAL grants in either fall 2022 or spring 2023 are not eligible to apply this round.

The application window opens August 14 and closes November 10 with award notifications in mid-December.

A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 18. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar. To register, please click here.

Additional information about HEAL, the webinar and the online application can be accessed here.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce:

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was awarded the 2021 and 2022 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

Fort Scott, Government

Opening on Fort Scott Park Advisory Board

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT NEWS RELEASE

 

August 10, 2023

 

There is an opening on the Fort Scott Park Advisory Board to finish out the remainder of a vacated seat that expires December 31, 2023. The position is for a 3-year term and may be renewed after the upcoming expiration date, if you wish to continue to serve on the board. The function of the board is to provide suggestions to the City Manager and the City Commission regarding all parks within the City of Fort Scott. They meet on an “as needed” basis. All boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. Please submit your letter of interest by October 6, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. to Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at [email protected] or at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street.

 

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! August 10th Weekly Newsletter

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Daily Guided Tours: 10am & 1pm

Special activities all this weekend! See link below.

Visit your National Park!

Trolley Tours of Fort Scott

50-minute narrated historical tour

Every Friday & Saturday on the hour

Fridays 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Saturdays 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

$6 adults, $4 12 & under, leaves from the Chamber

Click this link: The Artificers

August pottery class/workshop

schedule, a creative space for all ages!

BINGO hosted by the American Legion Post 25 every 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month unless it falls on a holiday. Doors open at 6pm and Bingo starts at 7pm at Memorial Hall.

The Lavender Patch Farm will be open many days throughout the month of August, click here for specific hours/dates.

Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore August Special: 25% off gently used fiction books!

8/11 ~ Friday Nights at Uniontown, classic rock country band Ridge Runnerz with Hot Pink Heifer Food Truck, 5-8pm, click here for more info!

8/11 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring “Dangerous” Doug Harper, seating is limited so bring a lawn chair, in case of inclement weather concert will be at Common Ground Coffee Shop located at 12 E. Wall St. click here for more info!

8/12 ~ Poverty Paradigm by Core Community of Bourbon County, Tickets are $10, all are welcomed and encouraged to attend, Fort Scott Middle School, click here for more info!

8/12 ~ Coffee and Clay at The Artificers, 8-10am, click here for more info!

8/12 ~ Farmers’ Market on Skubitz Plaza every Tuesday Night from 4-6 and every Saturday from 8am-12pm through the last Saturday in October, click here for more info!

Register your garage sale listing for only $12! Garage sale flyers will be distributed throughout the entire city, so don’t wait! Click here to register!

8/12 ~ Fort Scott Christian Heights Alumni & Friends Gathering, 6pm, click here for FB event.

8/13 ~ Flower Bouquet Class at Sunshine Boutique, $10/person, contact 620.223.6007

8/15 ~ USD 234 Open House for FSMS and FSHS, 6-7:30pm, click here for details.

8/15 ~ Cornhole Tournament hosted by FSHS Volleyball Booster Club, Registration from 6:30-7:15pm, $20 team/Open Division, $10 team/Youth Division, click here for more info!

8/16 ~ FSCC Business Expo for New and Returning Students, 8am-12pm, contact Marcus Page at 620.223.2700 ext. 3520 to register to have a FREE booth!

8/16 ~ USD 234 Open House for preschool, Winfield Scott, and Eugene Ware, 4:30-7pm, click here for details.

8/16 ~ Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore, everyone with an interest in writing is welcome to join, 1:30-3pm, click here for more info!

8/17-18 ~ Ft. Scott Blood Drive at Buck Run Community Center, Thursday 12:45-7pm and Friday 9am-1pm, sign up online at redcrossblood.org

8/17 ~ Chamber Coffee hosted by Credo Senior Living, 820 S. Horton, 8am

8/17 ~ Berry Bowl Class at The Artificers, 7-8pm, click here for info.

8/18 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park at Heritage Park Pavilion, seating is limited so bring lawn chairs, starting at 7pm

8/18 ~ Deadline to take the Interest Survey if interested in BCBS Health Insurance for 2024 thru the Chamber Blue program, click here for info. and survey link. If already on the program, you don’t need to take the survey.

8/19 ~ VFW 8 Ball Tournament, registration begins at 11am with calcutta starting at 12pm, $10 entry fee with 100% payout, click here for more info!

8/22 ~ Business Exit Planning – Breakfast @ Carson Wealth, enjoy breakfast while talking about how to prepare to successfully exit your business, 8-9am, click here for more info!

8/24 ~ Chamber Coffee and Ribbon Cutting at Structure by Margo, 19 S. National Ave.

8/25 ~ Deadline for youth Fall sports signups through Fort Scott Rec. Dept./Buck Run Community Center. Click here for their FB page for more info.

8/25 ~ Patio Concert hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council, Liberty Theatre Patio, Members-$15/Non-Members-$20, contact Terri Floyd 620.224.7221 or Deb Anderson 620.224.8650 for more information.

8/25 ~ Friday Night Concert in the Park featuring Jam Session, Heritage Park Pavilion, limited seating bring lawn chairs, 7-8pm, click here for more info!

8/25 ~ FSHS Football V/JV Pre-Season Jamboree @ Louisburg, 7pm

8/26 ~ Todd Royce Comedy at Memorial Hall, 7-10pm, click here for more info.

8/26 ~ Larry Ballou Jr. Alongside Care to Share, Biscuits and Gravy at the Farmers’ Market from 8am-12pm/free will donation, cornhole tournament with registration starting at 12:30pm/$20 per team, Fat Kids BBQ will be serving $15 meal deal from 12-5pm, click here for more info!

SAVE THE DATE!

9/1-4 ~ Uniontown Old Settlers Picnic, parade/craft and food vendors/drawings and games/Dale Jackson Memorial Care Show, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Super Smash Bros, Ultimate Esports Tournament by FSCC, click here for more info!

9/2 ~ Butch Hall Memorial Fishing Tournament, 6am-4pm.

9/8-9 ~ Town-Wide Garage Sale, starting Thursday September 8th at 10am copies of the official garage sale maps may be found around town, click here for more details.

_________

SHOPPING ~ SUPPORT LOCAL!

Boutiques-Antiques-Flea Markets & more!

Click here for Chamber member

specialty shopping & other retail in

Downtown & other areas of the community.
Fort Scott Area
Chamber of Commerce
620-223-3566
In This Issue

Calendar of Events

Special Event Features

THANK YOU Chamber Champion members!!
Chamber Highlights
Click here for our
Membership Directory.
We THANK our members for their support! Interested in joining the Chamber?
Click here for info.
Thinking of doing business in or relocating to Fort Scott?
Contact us for a relocation packet, information on grants & incentives, and more!
Seeking a job/career?
We post a Job of the Day daily on our Facebook page, distribute a monthly job openings flyer, and post jobs on our website.
Many opportunities available!
Housing needs?
Click here for a listing of our Chamber member realtors.
Click here for our rental listing.

25% off gently used Fiction Books at Hedgehog.INK! Bookstore!

Poverty Paradign at Fort Scott Middle School!

FSCC Business Expo ~ August 16th

Reserve a booth today, see below!

Breakfast and Business Exit Planning!

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation

grant applications are now being accepted thru 8/31 from eligible 501c3 organiations & other entities!

Click here for the application link.

Town-Wide Garage Sale!

Click here
Obituary

Obituary of Billy Joe Johnson

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Billy Joe Johnson, age 79, a resident of Devon, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at the Pittsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He was born July 13, 1944, the son of Lawrence Leo Johnson and Esther A. Swartz Johnson.  Billy grew up in rural Deerfield, Missouri where he enjoyed farming and working with cattle.

He first married Donna Beisly and they owned and operated their own dairy farm near Deerfield for several years prior to their divorce.

At the age of eighteen, he became a licensed auctioneer and worked in this profession throughout his life.   In addition, Billy also worked for many years as assistant manager of Whiteside’s IGA which then became Gene’s IGA. He later took a job with the Bourbon County Public Works crew where he was employed until his retirement in October of 2011.

Billy married Kathy Harper Underwood on October 18, 1996.  Following their marriage, Billy moved to the Devon area where he continued to farm and raise cattle.  After his retirement, he befriended several members of the Amish community, and he frequently provided them with transportation.  One of Billy’s favorite auctioning gigs was the annual Christian Heights Country Store Auction.  He faithfully volunteered his auction skills for many years and helped to raise thousands of dollars for the benefit of the school.

Billy will be lovingly missed by all who knew him.

The family would like to express their thanks to Pittsburg Health & Rehab and to Gentiva Hospice for the excellent love and care for Billy over the last several months.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of the home; three children, Tabitha Hamersley (David) of Nevada, Missouri; Diana Heckman (Jerry) of Fulton, Kansas and Julia Brown (Keith) of Ft. Scott, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren, Stephanie Lilley (Bradley), Dr. Chad Johnson (Becca), Trenton Johnson, Catherine Johnson, Landon Johnson, Gabriel Hamersley, Opal Heckman (Kyle), Whitney Heckman, Ashley Rodriguez, Jerad Heckman (Andi), Jenny Heckman (Kaden), Lily Brown and Alex Brown and twenty-one great-grandchildren.  Also surviving is a brother, Roger Johnson.

Billy was preceded in death by a son, Doug Johnson and an infant daughter, Regina Kay Johnson, a brother, Jerry Johnston and a sister, Claribel Kerrick.

Rev. Bill Smith will conduct funeral services at 11:00 A.M. Monday, August 14th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Centerville Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 10:00 A.M. until service time at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Ft. Scott Christian Heights School and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Bourbon County Local News