REMINDER:
Special City Commission Meeting Tonight at 6:00PM – City Hall
For the purpose of discussion of the status of the building at 118 E. Wall Street.
Agenda attached. No supplemental materials have been received prior to the meeting.
Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk
City of Fort Scott
CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 3, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. Meeting available on City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel. Time stamps according to recording.
Meeting called to order at 6:00PM. Commissioners Tim VanHoecke, Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.
Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Police Chief, , Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement, Devin Tally/City Finance Manager, Ben Hart/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Jessica Oliphant/Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Garth Herrmann, Esq./Gilmore & Bell, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Cory Bryars, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, Richard Clark, Dana Davis, Janet Davis, Diane Striler, Colleen Quick, Lindsay Madison, David Lipe, Roger Harris, John Schwartz, Kathy Schwartz, Kevin Allen and Bob Talbot.
Approval of Agenda – (Time stamp 2:49)
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve the agenda as presented. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Approval of Consent Agenda – (Time stamp 2:56)
Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1367-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of August 15, 2024 – August 2024 – $1,831,904.90
Approval of Minutes for August 6, 2024, Regular Meeting – August 20, 2024, Regular Meeting.
Request to Pay – Earles Engineering, Inc. – Invoice No. 17444 – Project No. 24-414 – Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – $33,805.45
Request to Pay – Heck & Wicker, Inc. – Payment No. 2 – $282,995.42
Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 17 – Professional Services rendered through May 4, 2024 – Invoice No. 497880 – $5,735.07
Request to Pay – Olsson – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-021 (Design) AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) Summary No. 18 – Professional Services rendered through June 8, 2024 – Invoice No. 501825-Final – $16,815.60
Request to Pay – Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc. – Project #021-06610 Fort Scott KS Rehabilitate Runway 18/36 and Taxiways (Asphalt Overlay) – AIP Project No. 3-20-0022-023 (Construction) – Invoice No. 4 – Work Completed through May 3, 2024 – $154,949.84
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve all Items A through G in toto for the Consent Agenda. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Cory Bryars – (Time stamp 5:27) – addressed the Commission to remind everyone about the upcoming Fort Fest 24 at Riverfront Park.
James Wood/Owner of Holmtown Pub – (Time stamp 7:13) – (Cory Bryars spoke in his absence) – 206 N. National – Temporary Street Closure –September 9, 2024 – 4:00PM to 9:00PM – Pine Street from National to alley Special Event: ‘Straight Outta Clarksdale’.
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve the street closure request. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Diane Striler – Update on Downtown Ice Rink MOU – (Time stamp 9:49) – appeared before the Commission to present the updated MOU which named the (2) parties of the Memorandum of Understanding to be between the City of Fort Scott and the Fort Scott Area Chamber Committee and the timeline will be from the week of Thanksgiving through the first weekend of January.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve the MOU for the Fort Scott Downtown Seasonal Skating Rink. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration to Approve Ordinance No. 3770 – Land Bank Board of Trustees – Appointment – Terms – Dissolution – Tabled from August 20, 2024 – D. Olson
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve Ordinance No. 3770 reducing the number of board members to five (5). D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Update of 118 E. Wall – (Time stamp 20:58) – L. Kruger addressed the Commission to request a Special Commission Meeting to accommodate the owner of 118 E. Wall. The Special Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, 6:00PM at City Hall.
A discussion was had regarding the status of the situation, the Commission’s intentions for the meeting and the potential outcome.
MOTION: D. Olson moved to amend the agenda and bring Item H and Item K to the next order of business. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 25-2024 – RHID – Housing Needs Resolution – A RESOLUTION MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS AS TO THE NEED FOR HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY FOR FORT SCOTT, KANSAS AND SETTING FORTH THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF REAL PROPERTY PROPOSED TO BE DESIGNATED AS ONE OR MORE REINVESTMENT HOUSING INCENTIVE DISTRICTS WITHIN THE CITY–(Time stamp 34:05) – G. Herrmann appeared before the Commission to present the resolution requested for a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District of three (3) tracts of land.
Discussion was had about including the second story downtown district and others who have expressed interest in the RHID.
MOTION: D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 25-2024 as presented. T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration to research legal requirements and estimated legal costs for the City of Fort Scott to annex southward from the currently southernmost City limits along Jayhawk Road and eastward to envelop the Fort Scott Municipal Airport, Lake Fort Scott, and City-owned land adjacent to Lake Fort Scott – (Time stamp 45:26) – It was explained that this agenda item is intended to research the legal requirements and costs to annex properties, squaring the boundaries of the City, and the potential tax income. No action was to be taken at this meeting.
ACTION: B. Farmer is directed to research the topic for consideration.
Several residents wished to address the Commission regarding annexation.
Unidentified Citizen No. 1 – (Time stamp 52:07) – stated the land description for the item should be west/westward and not east/eastward. The correction was accepted by the Mayor.
Unidentified Citizen No. 2 – (Time stamp 52:21) – questioned the reason for annexation, agreement that the lake is primarily the drinking water resource and concerns about the lack of enforcement at the lake.
Dana Davis – (Time stamp 59:47) – addressed the Commission regarding lost revenue due to lack of boat permit enforcement especially to non-residents.
Harold Martin – (Time stamp 1:05:30) – addressed the Commission regarding the dissolution of the Lake Advisory Board and his previous appearances.
Consideration of Proposed Change of Zoning Regulations – Article 20: Supplemental District Regulations – Section 7: Accessory Uses – Storage Containers – (Time stamp 1:10:41) – L. Kruger was directed by B. Matkin to research what other cities do regarding the use of Connex boxes due to popularity. He provided the information to the Commission. He stated that the wording of the current zoning regulation needs to be amended in order to enforce the regulation.
ACTION: L. Kruger and B. Matkin were directed to research enforceable ordinances regarding this type of storage with one coming from Kansas City.
Consideration of Resolution No. 19-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1721 E. Wall – (Time stamp 1:22:34)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 19-2024.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 20-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 323 W. Wall – (Time stamp 1:25:56)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 20-2024. D. Olson seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 21-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1619 E. Pine – (Time stamp 1:27:10)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 21-2024. D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 22-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 1105 Scott (Time stamp 1:28:14)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 22-2024. D. Olson seconded the motion. D. Olson, T. VanHoecke, and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells and K. Salsbury voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 23-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 402 S. Lowman (Time stamp 1:29:57)
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 23-2024. M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 24-2024 – Demolition Proceedings for 418 S. Couch – (Time stamp 1:31:34)
MOTION: D. Olson moved to approve Resolution No. 24-2024. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke, D. Olson and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 4-1 VOTE.
Consideration of Change Order No. 1 – Project No. 22049 Horton St. & 6th St. Improvements – Contract No. 6 U-2455-01 – Heck & Wicker, Inc.-Additional Inlet Protection, Concrete Pipe Encasement, Sanitary Sewer Service, Extra Pothole Work at 8th & Horton, Tree Removal at 7th & Horton– $4,810.00 (Time stamp 1:34:25)- J. Dickman
MOTION: M. Wells moved to approve Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 6 U-2455-01 for $4,810.00. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Brick Street Policy Revisions Discussion – (Time stamp 1:36:20) – B. Matkin explained that the proposal to concrete the intersections of the brick streets was not in the current policy and would need to be amended if approved.
Further discussion was had about the proposed amendment to the policy.
(Time stamp 1:45:11) – B. Talbott was recognized to address the Commission to suggest an aerator for the rearing pond at the lake to conserve water.
ACTION: B. Matkin will provide the list of questionable intersections for the Commission’s consideration. M. Wells stated that according to Item B of Amendment No. 1 of the Brick Street Policy, the intersection is allowed if it is deemed necessary.
Public Hearing: 2025 Budget Hearing
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:50PM (Time stamp 1:50:50). M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
Consideration of Resolution No. 26-2024 – A RESOLUTION TO EXCEED THE REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE – Discussion was had regarding the decision.
There were no public comments.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 8:09PM (Time stamp 2:09:15). D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to approve Resolution No. 26-2024 – A Resolution to Exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate at 44.208 mills. K. Salsbury seconded the motion. K. Salsbury, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted yes. M. Wells and D. Olson voted no.
MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.
PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration to Adopt the 2025 Budget – B. Hart
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:23PM (Time stamp 2:23:16). M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
There were no public comments.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 8:24PM (Time stamp 2:24:50). M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.
MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.
MOTION: T. VanHoecke moved to adopt the 2025 Budget as presented by Baker Tilly (Time stamp 2:2510). K. Salsbury seconded the motion.
MOTION PASSED BY 3-2 VOTE.
City Manager Comments – (Time stamp 2:26:19)
Engineering Comments – (Time stamp 2:32:17)
Commissioners Comments
Special Meeting set for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 6:00PM for the purpose of discussing 118 E. Wall Street building status.
City Attorney Comments – (Time stamp 2:50:14) – No comment
MOTION: – T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM – (Time stamp 2:50:43) – D. Olson seconded the motion. All voted yes.
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:50PM.
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024, 6:00PM AT CITY HALL
_______________________________________________________________________
Submitted by:
Lisa A. Lewis
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
September 9, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
Susan and Eddie Townley opened Be The Light Boutique in November 2022, after several years of selling antiques, vintage finds, and home decor in the Kansas City area.
12 N. Main was the former Country Cupboard, an anchor store in Fort Scott’s Historic Downtown District for decades.
Recently the Townleys have been painting the facade of the building, removing a temporary wall in the back to extend the showroom to the back door and remodeling an existing bathroom.
“The wall came down in the back, which opened the view front to back, the way Country Cupboard was,” Susan said. Out the back door, there is more parking for downtown businesses.
“We added 400 square feet, with a total of 4,000 square feet,” she said. They remodeled a bathroom, put down new carpet, and painted.
The exterior is also getting painted, last week the front of the building, and this week the back.
Exterior painting was done by Ora Et Lobora Painting LLC, carpeting by Ruddick’s Furniture, and plumbing by Frenchs Plumbing, all of Fort Scott.
They are getting ready for the holiday season and the Fall Fest this week in Fort Scott this Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Hours of operation of Be The Light Boutique are Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
TOPEKA – Phone and internet services are vital to accessing healthcare and community services, finding employment, and calling for help in an emergency. However, the cost to stay connected is out of reach for many Kansans.
In observance of Lifeline Awareness Week, September 8-14, the Kansas Corporation Commission joins utility regulators nationwide in creating awareness of the Lifeline program and encourages those in need of assistance to apply.
Lifeline provides federal and state discounts of up to $17.02 per month to help pay for residential or wireless phone service, internet, or a bundled phone and internet plan. Subscribers living on tribal lands qualify for additional discounts. Currently, nearly 8 million Americans, including 23,000 in Kansas, are enrolled in the program.
Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:
More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the KCC’s website or by calling 800-662-0027.
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Special Naturalization Ceremony
Fort Scott, Kan. – Friday, September 20, 2024, Fort Scott National Historic Site will host the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services (USCIS) and the U.S. District Court, Kansas District, for a Special Naturalization Ceremony of 202 new citizens from 57 countries. Check-in for new citizens begins at 9 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Honorable Teresa J. James, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas, will preside over the proceedings on the historic fort Parade Ground.
The ceremony features musical performances from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra, with welcoming remarks by Fort Scott National Historic Site Superintendent Jill Jaworski and Fort Scott City Manager Brad Matkin. A keynote address will be made by Angela Bates, founder, past president, and current executive director of the Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum.
There will be seating for the applicants, but additional seating will be limited. Friends, family, guests, and the public are highly encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for seating. In case of rain or inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to Fort Scott’s Memorial Hall.
Fort Scott is the story of the growth of our nation, and its fight for freedom. On the same parade ground that the very first African Americans were brought into the Northern Armies to openly fight for their freedom and a better life, these new citizens are starting down their own path of freedom and a better life.
September 17 to 23, the nation observes Constitution Week. The commemoration honors both the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, (Constitution Day), an observance that began in 1940 as “I Am an American Day,” and Citizenship Day that began in 1952 based on a law signed by President Harry Truman,
Each year, USCIS celebrates the connection between the Constitution and citizenship by reflecting on what it means to be a citizen of the United States and holding special naturalization ceremonies across the country.
We encourage new citizens and guests to share their naturalization ceremony experiences and photos through social media, using the hashtags #NewUSCitizen #ConstitutionWeek, #FortScottNPS, and #FindYourPark.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Fort Scott National Historic Site
1 Old Fort Blvd.
Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701
-NPS-
Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Naturalization Ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site.
Bourbon County Community Theatre Announces Auditions for Voices from the Grave
Bourbon County Community Theatre is holding auditions for Voices from the Grave, an original production based on stories from Bourbon County’s history.
Auditions are 6-8 p.m. on Sept. 19 or 20 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College. Those who audition must be age 14 or over and only need to attend one evening of auditions. Rehearsal times will be scheduled in small groups with the Director, Regen Wells.
Voices from the Grave takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 26 at Riverfront Park in Fort Scott, KS. Guests will enjoy a guided walking tour of short acting vignettes centering around stories of murder and mayhem in Fort Scott. Scenes were written by the students in the Advanced Drama class at Fort Scott High School and are based off of stories from local author Brian Allen’s books about Fort Scott.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and are available from bcct.ludus.com in Fort Scott. Tour times must be pre-scheduled and run every 15 minutes. Parents must accompany children under the age of 14.
More information can be found on the Bourbon County Community Theatre Facebook page or by contacting Wells at 620-215-3510.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FUNDRAISER
To support repair/replace Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church
WHAT: Spaghetti and meat balls, salad, garlic bread,
dessert and drink. (Spaghetti with sauce only available)
WHEN: Friday, Sept 13th ,2024 5 PM to 6:30 PM
WHERE: Kennedy Gym located at 704 S. Holbrook
COST: Freewill Offering.
TO GO MEALS ARE $8.00 MINIMUM
EVERYONE WELCOME
100% of the proceeds will go to our Church Building Fund
Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Bad Baby Names
Choosing your child’s name is one of the most-important responsibilities of parents. Children are stuck with their name (unless it’s legally changed) for the rest of their lives. Several years ago, the old-fashioned names were brought back, which was refreshing for something old to become new. All my aunts are now deceased, but here are their first names: Letha, Mildred, Pearl, Floy, Elva, Christine, Ruth, Velda, Delta, Theresa, Ila, and Pauline. I would probably cause parents to have great anxiety if their son married a woman named “Jezebel,” or if their daughter married a man whose name was “Judas Iscariot.”
Judas Iscariot was the greatest pretender. He appeared to be right on the outside (one of Jesus’ chosen twelve disciples) but he became full of darkness and evil on the inside. The other eleven disciples rubbed shoulders with him on a daily basis and didn’t know who he really was. Judas went his own risky way rather than following Jesus. He didn’t allow the light and love of Jesus to penetrate his grasping, greedy heart. He fooled everyone — except Jesus. The all-knowing Savior was not deceived when He spoke to His followers, “’But some of you do not believe Me.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and He knew who would betray Him.)” (John 6:64 NLT).
Judas had a toxic love affair with money. It’s interesting to note that he was appointed treasurer for the disciples. He pretended to care about the poor, but he was actually covetous of the money spent on the expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus’ feet. Judas said, “’That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.’ Not that he cared for the poor — he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself” (John 12:4-6 NLT). Apparently, Judas would do anything for money because he became the archtraitor against God’s one and only Son. There’s nothing wrong with having plenty of money, but if the love of money takes precedence over loving God, we’ve got a big priority problem.
Jesus genuinely loved Judas even though He knew what Judas was going to do. Theologians agree that Judas must have been on the left side of Jesus at the table of The Last Supper. The position on the left of the host was the place of highest honor and reserved for the most-intimate friend. How amazing that, if Judas did occupy the seat of honor, it would have been at Jesus’ invitation to do so. Jesus extended His unfailing love, mercy, and grace to Judas right up to the very last minute. Scripture states that, “When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27 NLT). Regrettably, Judas had yielded to the evil thoughts in his soul and opened the door to the devil. And Satan hit the doorway with destroying power like an EF5 tornado.
Judas pretended to love Jesus. In the Garden of Gethsemane, he approached the Son of God and betrayed him with a kiss from hell. Jesus then said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” (Matthew 26:50 NKJV). The reason Judas was able to do these appalling things was because he only knew about Jesus, he never really knew Jesus. I wonder if he would have dropped out of the discipleship classes if he’d not been the treasurer. He later regretted his act of betrayal, however, he did not repent. Sadly, Judas Iscariot didn’t know Jesus well enough to understand that he could ask to be forgiven and receive it.
The Key: No matter what bad things you’ve done, you can be forgiven. Just ask Jesus.
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Bourbon County, Kansas
1st District Commissioner
2nd District Commissioner
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
September 9, 2024 5:30 p.m.
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the
attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the
representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting
would jeopardize such security measures.
