Click below for the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office daily reports. The office can be reached at (620) 223-2380.
Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission For Sept. 4
CITY OF FORT SCOTT
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
Minutes of September 4, 2018 Regular Meeting #17
The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held September 4th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Commission Room, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.
ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Adamson, Bartelsmeyer, Nichols, and Parker were present with Mayor Mitchell presiding.
INVOCATION: Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City and all government and City officials.
AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Janet Braun, Travis Shelton, Rhonda Dunn, Paul Ballou, Dave Bruner, Michael Mix, Mike Billings, Kenny Howard, Darrell Parker, Kenneth Rood, Larry Gazaway, Deb Needleman, and Clayton Miller, and representing the press, Jason Silvers, Fort Scott Tribune.
PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of August 21st, 2018.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1222-A totaling $1,650,284.63.
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Resolution 34-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 15 S. Crawford Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.
Bartelsmeyer moved the Consent Agenda. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.
APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE: None
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute
limit per citizen) – None
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PUBLIC HEARINGS: None
CONSIDERATION:
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Review of Water Plant KDHE Inspection – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, informed the Commission that the Water Treatment Plant recently had an inspection by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He is happy to report that no deficiencies of any kind were found. He is very proud of his Water Treatment Plant crew and recognized them for their hard work.
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Letter of Conditions – USDA – River Intake Structure Grant – Michael Mix, Public Utilities Director, introduced to the Commission Michael Billings, Area Specialist, with Rural Development of Iola, Kansas.
Mike Billings informed the Commission that he was present to go over the Letter of Conditions for the Water Treatment Plant and Dam Improvements project. The loan application has been received by R.D.A. and is in the amount of $4,925,000. This loan will be administered by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and area staff of USDA Rural Development. All conditions set forth under Section III must be met within 280 days of the date of this letter. He did state that this time frame can be extended if needed. He briefly went over all eight sections of the Letter of Conditions and 46 items on it. He did highlight on a few of the items.
Project Description: Funds will be used to make improvements to the Intake Facility, SCADA, and the water treatment plant clearwell and will provide an opportunity to further investigate the dam design and construction. Development items include: improvements to access road, emergency pump connection, water transmission main condition assessment, replacement of intake gates and actuators, replacing mechanical and intake screen, repairing intake pumps, replace pump motors and install VFD’s, replacing check valves and insulation valves, installing a new mixing system in the wetwell, install grout in the corners of the wetwell wall, installing a sump pump, providing davit cranes, replacing the roof, tuck pointing and sealing the brick structure, provide internal roof access, replacing old heating and ventilating equipment, modifying the existing power feed, providing a stationary standby generator, surge protection, RTU and radio system, security monitoring, SCADA improvements, temporary dam access, and abutment analysis.
The project is budgeted as follows:
Construction $3,132,000
Contingency $ 469,800
Engineering Fees $ 848,300
Includes:
PreDevelopment $ 114,000
Design $ 344,300
Construction Administration $ 390,000
Interest – Interim $ 199,900
Legal & Administrative Fees $ 275,000
Total Project Costs $4,925,000
Loan Terms: The interest rate will be the lower of the rate in effect at the time of loan approval or at the time of loan closing, unless otherwise requested. The loan is for a period of 40 years. Payments will be equal annual amortized installments, beginning one year after closing. A 3.125% interest rate and an amortization factor of 44.15, which provides for an annual payment of $217,439 is used. This amount could be slightly different based on the interest rate at which the loan is closed.
Mr. Billings asked for approval of four items:
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Letter of Intent to Meet Conditions
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Request for Obligation of Funds
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Certification Approval
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RD Staff NPA Certification Checklist
Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Mayor sign all these documents after they have met the approval of the City Attorney. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: 1) LETTER OF INTENT TO MEET CONDITIONS; 2) REQUEST FOR OBLIGATION OF FUNDS; 3) CERTIFICATION APPROVAL; 4) RD STAFF NPA CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST. CITY ATTORNEY AUTHORIZIED ALL FORMS ARE APPROVED FOR SIGNATURE. – USDA WATER TREATMENT PLANT RDA LOAN – $4,925,000.
COMMISSION/STAFF:
Director Updates: Paul Ballou and Dave Bruner – Dave Bruner, Deputy Fire Marshal, gave the Commission an update on the calls they have taken so far in 2018. As of today, they are at 1,116 calls. In 2017, the calls totaled 1,594 so they are very consistent with last year. In addition to all the calls they attend to, they also conduct inspections in accordance with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office. The Fire Department inspects all schools, restaurants, motels/hotels, nursing homes, health care facilities, and any public facility. The State Fire Marshal’s office inspects Fort Scott Community College and the health care facility. The Fire Department does over seventy inspections a year. With their volume call, starting an inspection, and then getting called away on a call, it is becoming increasingly hard to finish inspections as they should be. He asked the Commission to approve for the State Fire Marshal’s office to take over inspecting all of the hotel/motel facilities in the City which will alleviate that from their inspection list. The Fire Department will continue to go in there once a year for a pre-planning inspection at the hotels/motels to prepare in case of a fire.
Mitchell moved to approve to allow the State Fire Marshal’s office to begin inspecting all hotels/motels in the City of Fort Scott. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
APPROVED TO ALLOW THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE TO BEGIN INSPECTING ALL HOTELS/MOTELS IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT.
B. City Commission:
Adamson – Echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.
Bartelsmeyer – Nothing to report.
Nichols – Also echoed Commissioner Parker’s comments.
Parker – Recognized the Water Plant personnel for their excellent inspection results. She also recognized the Fire/EMS for their excellent service. She stated that the average citizens do not understand what all goes into running a City.
Mitchell – Nothing to report.
C. City Attorney: Nothing to report.
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City Manager:
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Changes at City Hall – City Manager announced that Jon Garrison, Director of Finance, has retired. There will be a reception held for him on Friday, September 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the great job he did while he was here.
With the retirement of Jon Garrison, became an opportunity to make changes. The following changes have been made:
Rhonda Dunn will move from Community Development Director to Finance Director/Codes Director. Rhonda will keep the Codes position as well for now. Resources may need to be added in that department if needed.
Marlene Braker had the title of Assistant to the Finance Director. This position is not needed so her title will change to Financial Analyst.
Paul Ballou has been promoted to Assistant City Manager/Fire Chief. He will be the second in command when the City Manager is unavailable.
Community Development Director – This position will be posted on the City’s website today.
Kenny Howard is retiring effective December 31st. This position is open on the City’s website and will now report to Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director.
Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, will begin overseeing the IT position and taking over the City’s insurance which Kenny Howard has overseen.
Dave Martin will supervise Larry Gazaway now and the new Community Development Director.
ADJOURNMENT:
Nichols moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m. Parker seconded. All voted aye.
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:45 P.M.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on September 18th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
RECORDED BY:
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DIANE K. CLAY
Fort Scott City Commission Meeting Agenda For Sept. 28
AGENDA
FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
FORT SCOTT CITY HALL
COMMISSION ROOM
123 SOUTH MAIN
SEPTEMBER 18, 2018
6:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL:
ADAMS BARTELSMEYER MASON NICHOLS MITCHELL
II. FLAG SALUTE
III. INVOCATION: First Church of the Nazarene Pastor
IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:
Valetta Cannon – Southeast Kansas Library System Excellence Award presentation
V. CONSENT AGENDA:
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Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of September 4th, 2018.
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Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1223-A totaling $406,758.85.
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Resolution 35-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 302 S. Lowman Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.
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Resolution 36-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 421 W. 5th Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.
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Resolution 37-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 1110 Scott Avenue – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.
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Resolution 39-2018 – Notice of Hearing with Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Accessory Structure located in vacant lot south of 711 S. Barbee Street – Public Hearing Date – 10/16/2018 – 6:15 p.m.
VII. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:
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APPEARANCE: Tom Robertson – October 26th, 2018 – Zombie Run – 5K Race – Gunn Park
B. CITIZEN COMMENTS (Concerning Items Not on Agenda – 3 minute limit per citizen)
C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:
6:00 p.m. – Public Hearing – Vacation of Street – Barbee Street – between 10th & 11th Street between Barbee and Little – Fort Scott Christian Heights c/o Terry Chance and Cecil J & Cynthia K Feagins, Jr. – (Jerry Witt) – Approval of Ordinance #3539
6:15 p.m. – Resolution 38-2018 directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 111 S. Little Street
VIII. CONSIDERATION:
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Riverfront Grant submittal update
- Comprehensive Plan update
- Consideration of Bids – Waterway Mowing
IX. COMMENTS:
- Director Updates: Rhonda Dunn
- Commission:
- City Attorney:
- City Manager: Introduction of Community Development Director
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO
(see below justification)
DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN
MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.
Justifications for Executive Sessions:
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Personnel matters of non-elected personnel
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Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
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Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency
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Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships
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Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
X. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL
Howard To Retire As Airport Director
Kenny Howard, Fort Scott’s Airport Director for the last 18 years, is retiring.
“I can’t say enough about Kenny’s leadership,” City Manager Dave Martin said at the Chamber of Commerce Coffee Thursday at the airport. “We’re definitely going to miss him.”
Howard will retire December 31 and the city is currently interviewing for the position, Martin said.
Howard told about some of the planned events in his tenure which included clinics and fly-in breakfasts.
There have been increased fuel sales at the airport, since changing fuel vendors, he said.
Last year approximately 77,000 gallons of fuel were sold there, and as of August 2018, approximately 92,000 have been sold thus far, he said.
Agricultural flying operations, corporate flights, medical emergency flights and more recently a request from the parents of some St. Martin’s Academy students for charter flights, are a part of the job.
His additional duties are overseeing the mowing of 190 acres of grass and overseeing the insurance piece for the airport.
He said he was able to drop the premium for the insurance coverage in the last few years.
Two recent grants for improvement were received: a grant that will upgrade the Automated Weather Observation Station, and one for improved runway lights.
Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said there is currently a Federal Aviation Administration opportunity for rural airports.
“I submitted an application in August…there is no matching grant required…to expand the runway,” Pruitt said.
“The last six years, the airport has seen 60 percent growth,” she said.
For more information click below:
Subscription Will Place Flag at Residences
Members of The Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site Flag Project Committee, measure placement of a flag in front of the Scott home as 1208 S. National.
The Flag Project, which for a subscription of $35, will place a flag at the front of your house or business for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day.
If you subscribe before October 1, 2018, you’ll also get Veteran’s Day 2018 included in your subscription.
The project supports programs of the Friends of Fort Scott National Historic Site which benefits programs at your local National Park. For further information contact Kelley Collins 417-684-2484 or Martha Scott 620-224-9924
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports Sept. 11-13
Click below for the Fort Scott Police Department daily reports. They can be reached at 1604 S. National, Fort Scott, KS 66701 or
620-223-1700.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 14
Bonkers by Patty LaRoche
San Francisco has once again made the news. And no, I am not talking about the homeless people using the sidewalks as their personal restrooms; the City Commission is working on a solution to that. I’m referring to its new “No-Shame Dress Code” for its public- school students. August 24th’s USA Today reported that the school district has adopted a policy loosening its clothing code so that students can…well, loosen theirs.
Before going bonkers like I did, be comforted that the school board members have mandated that certain items must be worn: bottoms; tops; shoes; clothing that covers genitals, buttocks and nipples. Okay, go bonkers. Ask yourself, like I did…
Have any of these decision-makers read 1 Timothy 2 which addresses dressing with modesty and self-control?
New to the list of clothing students may wear are midriff-baring shirts, pajamas, and halter tops/ strapless tops. Still, there are restrictions: no bathing suits, visible underwear or clothing with pornographic messages are allowed. At least, not for this year.
Steven Fong, the district’s chief academic officer, spoke about the benefits. “We believe these changes will reduce inequitable and unnecessary discipline and help us maximize learning time. Districts across the country are adopting similar revisions for similar reasons. We are excited to be moving forward with a such a student-centered approach.” Other areas are getting on board. California’s Alameda School District “rejects the idea that certain students’ bodies are distracting and therefore must be monitored and covered.”
Bonkers! Bonkers! Bonkers!
According to this article, “Opponents of strict dress codes say punishing students for their clothing is a form of shaming that can result in body-image issues.” The answer? Let students pretty much wear what they want.
Get that? Enter a classroom with your belly hanging over your belt and a cleavage-showing strapless top, and your body-image is going to be “validated” by other students? I have news for these rules-makers. Body-image issues will be magnified, not minimized.
The way people dress is a major indicator of how they feel about themselves, not to mention, preparation for future employment. Try walking into a Walmart interview in your pajamas and tell me how that works for you. In my opinion, if San Francisco really cared about “validating” its students, it would require school uniforms. You know, where everyone looks relatively alike, thereby reducing the competition to one-up each other and actually meeting Fong’s goal to “reduce inequitable and unnecessary discipline and help us maximize learning time.”
I am so thankful I live in an area where a school dress code is in place, where school board members give teachers one less ambiguous issue to discipline, where a moral code dictates policy instead of relying on a “student-centered approach.” (You know, where mature adults know when and when not to acquiesce to students’ wishes.)
I pray that Christians in San Francisco rise up and make their voices heard and recognize this dress code solution is a dangerous slippery slope (knowing those slides never seem to move in the direction of morality).
Maybe it’s time they even go a little bonkers.
Obituary Of Mary Alice Foulk
Mary Alice Foulk, age 90, a resident of Winfield, MO, passed away Monday afternoon, September 10, 2018, at home.
She was born June 21, 1928, in Conway, MO, the daughter of Sylvester and Dorothy Lynch. She married Walter Foulk in September 1955 and together they had four children (Connie, Lydia, Andrew, and Lora).
Mary was a life-long homemaker whose selfless nature meant she always put everyone’s needs above her own and never complained. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidering and spending time with loved ones. Mary lived most of her life in Springfield, MO, until she moved to St Charles County, MO, in 2008 to live with her daughter Lora.
Survivors include her husband, Walter Foulk of Arcadia, KS; three children, Lydia Baker of Crane, MO, Andrew Foulk of Springfield, MO and Lora Pratt of Winfield, MO; seven grandchildren (and respective spouses); eleven great-grandchildren; a sister in law, Sharon Lynch of Elkland, MO; and many loved nieces, nephews and greats.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvester and Dorothy Lynch of Elkland, MO; an infant son (Connie); a sister, Margaret Barber of Elkland, MO; and a brother, James Lynch, also of Elkland, MO.
Although she is gone, she is not forgotten.
We love you and will see you again one day.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct graveside services at 1:00 PM Friday, September 14th, in the Sheffield Cemetery, Arcadia, KS.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.
Mercy Hospice Bereavement Support Group Meets Sept. 20
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 13
Zumba at Fort Scott Community College
Kassie Fugate-Cate, Director of Strategic Communication, has officially brought the Zumba exercise program to Fort Scott Community College.
Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Although this is where Zumba started, Fugate-Cate has added a more modern twist to the classes as well, using today’s popular music and dance steps.
Fugate-Cate fell in love with the Zumba program when she had the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant for the class that was offered when she went to Pittsburg State University, she said.
Fugate-Cate thought that getting certified to teach a Zumba class would be a great way to get back into Zumba and also show other students and community members what a great program it is.
The class is offered every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-6: 30 pm.
Tuesday, September 11, was the first class.
Until further notice, the classes will be held in the auditorium at the college’s Ellis Fine Arts Center.
Each class has a $3.00 fee and welcomes men and women of all ages.
Cate says, “No one is too old for this class!”
To sign up for a session or request more information, please contact Cate via text/call at (918) 801-5060 or by email at [email protected]