Bourbon County, Government

Agenda For County Commission Meeting March 6

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: March 6, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: ____________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00- 9:45 Jim Harris

9:45- 10:00 Carla Nemecek – Extension Office

10:00- 10:30 Opioid Crisis

10:45- 11:00 Executive Session for personnel matters

11: 00- 11:15 Justin Meeks- letter to employees regarding smoking

11:15 -11:30 Justin Meeks- letter to Kansas Land Trust

12:00- 1:00 Commissioners gone to Lunch

1:30- 2:00 Jacqie Spradling – JV Detention Center

2:00-2:15 Justin Meeks – Executive Session attorney/client relationship possible litigation

2:15-2:45 Economic Development

2:45 Employee Handbook

Justifications for Executive Session:

Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

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

Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

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

Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, Schools, Submitted

Aggie Day at FSCC April 6

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Arnold Arena

The Fort Scott Community College Agriculture Department will host the 42nd annual Aggie Day on Friday, April 6. Approximately 1,400 students representing more than 100 schools will compete in the contest.

“We look forward to hosting Aggie Day each year,” said Ryan Edgecomb, FSCC Agriculture Instructor. “We are anticipating another large event, which will draw schools and 4-H clubs from across the Four States.”

Students will compete in a variety of areas, including agronomy, entomology, farm management, floriculture, food science, livestock, meat evaluation, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, speech, and veterinary science.

Sponsored by Purina and Purina Mills Honor Show Chow, this event is the longest running interscholastic competition in the region. “We are honored to have Purina and Honor Show Chow back as our sponsors for a third straight year, and we’re grateful for their support,” said Edgecomb.

Teams should pre-register online at http://www.fortscott.edu/aggieday/registration before Friday, March 30. Registration for the event will begin at 7:00 am on April 6 at Arnold Arena, 2108 S. Horton St. Fort Scott, Kan. For more information, please call Ryan Edgecomb at 620-223-2700, ext. 3280.

Area News, Government, Submitted

Kansas District 13 Senator Richard Hilderbrand’s Weekly Newsletter

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State senator Richard Hilderbrand 13th district

communications from the state capitol

March 2, 2018 ∙ Week Eight

Quote of the Week:
“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand;

the spines of others are often stiffened.”

– Billy Graham

HARD FACTS:

PRESENATION ON K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING:

On Friday February 23rd, Dr. Lori L. Taylor gave a preliminary presentation to a joint session of the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives on the methods, data, and analysis plan for her research on K-12 education funding in Kansas.

Dr. Taylor was hired by the Legislature in December to act as an expert witness and to investigate whether Kansas’ K-12 funding is adequate. This comes after the Kansas Supreme Court declared the current funding level is not enough and gave the legislature an April 30th deadline to create a new funding system.

Taylor, a native Kansan, holds a BA in economics and a BS in business administration from the University of Kansas and received her PhD in economics from the University of Rochester.

She is currently a professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University and works as the Director for Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy. Taylor’s research is focused in school finance and she has consulted for numerous state legislatures and state and federal agencies on the topic.

During Friday’s presentation, Taylor outlined her study’s objective to estimate the level of spending required to produce a given outcome within a given educational environment. Taylor explained that she is looking at many different factors of school finance such as differences in spending, student outcomes, student needs, labor costs, geographical differences, and many other variables. One major variable Taylor will investigate in her research is student achievement relative to spending per pupil.

Taylor is expected to deliver her results to the Legislature by March 15th, a few weeks before the court mandated deadline.

I had the opportunity to attend the Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce First Friday Legislative update on March 2nd, at the Kansas Crossing Casino, and on Saturday March 3rd, I had the opportunity to attend the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Legislative Update at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

TASK FORCE ON SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

On Thursday, Governor Jeff Colyer issued an executive order creating a task force addressing substance use disorder. The objective of the task force is to gather information regarding substance abuse in Kansas, particularly regarding the growing number of opioid and heroin overdoses in the state along with methamphetamine addiction. The task force will work to find useful resources and initiatives to fight drug abuse. It will also examine practices for prevention and treatment along with recovery options for at-risk individuals through early detection and education.

Since 2012, more than 1,500 Kansans have died from opioid or heroin overdoses and more than 100 Kansas residents continue to die each year. In 2016, drug poisoning was the cause of death to more than 300 people in Kansas, with 95 deaths caused by methamphetamine alone. The task force acknowledges that substance abuse is an illness which not only impacts the lives of those addicted but also their families and surrounding communities.

The task force will be chaired by Dr. Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Membership will be comprised of heads from numerous state agencies, legislators, and professionals in industries such as education, law enforcement, hospitals, and more.

AVIATION DAY:

The Kansas Department of Transportation Division of Aviation along with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE) held their 4th annual Aviation Day event Thursday.

The day began with an economic development training event for city officials on how to best harness state and local resources to boost the aviation industry. During the Aviation Day event, legislators, manufacturers, suppliers, and aviation organizations gathered to discuss industry growth and opportunities and addressed development potentials for Kansas economic stakeholders.

The Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education highlighted industry development opportunities throughout the day, spreading awareness regarding STEM and aviation education through KCAE.

NEXT WEEK:

Monday-

    • Consideration of agency budget: Department of Education – [Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, March 5 at 11:30 am]
    • Presentation on: High Enrollment Weighting: KSDE, Dale Dennis, Deputy Commissioner, Legislative Research Department & Revisor of Statutes – [Senate Education Committee, March 5 at 1:30 pm]

Tuesday-

  • Hearing on: HB 2511, Making commercial driver’s licenses renewable every five years – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 6 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 400, tax lid exemption when taxing entity abolished and duties assumed by a city or county – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 6 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2088, allow use of certified drug abuse treatment program for drug severity level 4 crimes – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 6 at 10:30 am]
  • Presentation on: FutureMaker Mobile STEM Lab – update on Hands on Experience – [Senate Education Committee, March 6 at 1:30 pm]

Wednesday-

  • Hearing on: HB 2486, allowing golf carts to be driven on certain streets at night – [Senate Transportation Committee, March 7 at 8:30 am]
  • Hearing on: SB 415, depositing all state sales tax revenues from sales on the Kansas state fairgrounds into the state fair capital improvements fund – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2501, establishing the health occupations credentialing fee fund – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2600, increasing the fees assessed by KDHE for certain radiation protection services – [Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, March 7 at 9:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2458, adding violations of the act for obtaining a guardian or conservator, or both, to the crimes of mistreatment of a dependent adult and mistreatment of an elder person, changing the felony loss thresholds and adding the crimes to the inherently dangerous felony list – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on: HB 2479, allowing criminal cases to be stayed during state appeal of writ of habeas corpus relief – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Hearing on SB 378, creating the crime of counterfeiting currency – [Senate Judiciary Committee, March 7 at 10:30 am]
  • Discussion on: Joint Senate Select Committee on Education Finance & House K-12 Education Budget Committee- Dr. Jesse Levin, Peer Review of the LPA and Augenblick Studies (Skype Presentation) – [Senate Select Committee on Education Finance and House K-12 Education Budget Committee, March 7 at 1:00 pm]

Thursday-

  • Hearing on: SB 367, sales taxation; treatment of coupons; certain cash rebates on sales or leases of new motor vehicles – [Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee, March 8 at 9:30 am]
  • Presentation on: Concurrent Enrollment – KBOR, Dr. Blake Flanders, President & CEO – [Senate Education Committee, March 8 at 1:30 pm]

Below are links to make it easy for constituents to follow the Kansas Legislature:

Website – www.kslegislature.org. It is great for looking up bills, calendars, journals, as well as, the roster in each Chamber.

YouTube of Legislature – http://bit.ly/2CZj9O0 Did you know the legislature is now streaming its proceedings? The YouTube page has an archive of the sessions thus far – including the State of the State and the State of the Judiciary.

Committee Streaming – http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/View/Calendar/ The Kansas Legislature is also streaming committees, with every committee room equipped with audio streaming technology.

Thank You for Engaging

Thank you for all your calls, emails, and letters regarding your thoughts and concerns about happenings in Kansas. Constituent correspondence helps inform my decision-making process and is taken into great consideration when I cast my vote in the Kansas Senate. I

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Technology Class Tour

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Fort Scott Middle School Technology Teacher Adam Feagins explains the three-dimensional printer to an attendee of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.

Learning is hands-on in Mr. Feagins technology classes.

Attendees of the weekly coffee coordinated by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce took a tour of the career technology education class Thursday.

Adam Feagins is the instructor of the classes: Intro to technology,
Pre-Engineering, 6th Grade Technology, 7th Grade technology, and
8th Grade Technology.

USD 234 Curriculum Director Nicki Traul  told the Chamber attendees that Feagins classes are popular among students.

“The goal is to teach the students basic technology concepts,” Feagins said in a later interview.  “Once they learn the concepts they have to use the knowledge in some type of project.”

The following photos are some of the students working on projects in the classroom.

Eighth-grade students Ashlynn Bagnall and Shawn Barrager press a vinyl pattern piece on a t-shirt in Feagins technology class Thursday.
Eighth-grade students Grant Feagins, left, and Bobby Kemmerer, right explain their rolling robot project to Fort Scott Chamber Member John Hill during the tour of the classroom Thursday morning. They are timing how fast the robot can go.
Eighth-grade students Amanda Emmerson and Kerragan Davis paint a background as part of their Rube Goldberg Project. A marble will start at one point and set in motion a domino effect with the end result watering of a live plant.
Teachers in USD 234 School have a poster of their education process posted near their classroom door. This is Adam Feagins.
Fort Scott, Government, Submitted

Agenda For Fort Scott City Commission 6.m. on March 6

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The Fort Scott City Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at city hall, 123 S. Main. The  phone number of city hall is 620-223-1550. Following the agenda in this feature are the previous meetings minutes.

The agenda’s Commission for 6 p.m. March 6 is as follows:

I. ROLL CALL:

ADAMSON BARTELSMEYER NICHOLS PARKER MITCHELL

II. FLAG SALUTE

III. INVOCATION: Allan Schellack, Chaplain, Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries

IV. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS: Recognition of City Employees

V. CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 20th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1210-A totaling $561,766.74.

  1. Approval of Archer Daniels Midland Amended Agreement – purchase of treated wastewater from City of Fort Scott

  1. Resolution No. 11-2018 and Notice of Hearing With Reference to Alleged Unsafe and Dangerous Structure and Accessory Structure located at 310 N. Cleveland – Public Hearing Date – 4/17/2018 at 6:15 p.m.

VI. APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

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

C. PUBLIC HEARINGS/COMMENTS:

6:15 p.m. Resolution 10-2018 directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 1234 E. Elm Street

VII. CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Fitness Bids – Buck Run Community Center

  1. Consideration of 124 E. Wall Bids – CDBG Grant and Approval of Project

  1. Consideration of Tourism Center Upgrade Bids
  1. Consideration of Memorial Hall Rental Contract

  1. Consideration of Ground Lease Bids for land at Wastewater Treatment Plant

VIII. COMMENTS:

  1. Director Updates:
  1. Commission:
  1. City Attorney:
  1. Director of Finance:
  1. City Manager:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

I MOVE THAT THE CITY COMMISSION RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION FOR ________________________________ IN ORDER TO

(see below justification)

DISCUSS ______________________________________. THE

EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE ___________ MINUTES AND THE OPEN

MEETING TO RESUME AT ________________.

Justifications for Executive Sessions:

  • Personnel matters of non-elected personnel

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

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

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

  • Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

IX. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: ROLL CALL

The minutes of the previous meeting:

CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Minutes of February 20, 2018 Regular Meeting #4

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held February 20th, 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: Dave Martin, City Manager, said a prayer asking God for guidance for the city and all government and city officials.

AUDIENCE IN ATTENDANCE: Travis Shelton, Rachel Pruitt, Clayton Miller, Frank Adamson, Paul Ballou, Rhonda Dunn, Deb Needleman, Robert Taylor, Matthew Wells, Patrick Wood, Denton Wescoat, Karen Gazaway, Larry Gazaway, Katlyn Stahl, Abby Fangman, Liseth Arana, Courtney Russell, Izzy Russell, Jade Russell, Samantha Hunt, Trey Hunt, Mersadies Roof, Amy Roof, Jenna Graham, Kimberly Graham, Ashlyn Graham, Alvin Metcalf, Sr., Alvin Metcalf, Jr., Alexis Metcalf, Candy Stroud, Rick Zingre’, Brandon Brown, Melissa Swisher, Teresa Russell, Kevin Russell, Hannah Vann, Jody Hoener, Amanda Roof, Edwin Roof, Addie Smith, Dakota Hall, and Jason Silvers, representing the Fort Scott Tribune.

PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS:

Recognition of Fort Scott High School Girls Wrestling Team – Mayor Mitchell recognized the Fort Scott High School Girls Wrestling Team which consisted of 12 girls. The team was formed in 2017/2018. There were 8 girls recently who placed at the State Wrestling Championship held in McPherson on February 10th, 2018. Those girls include: Jenna Graham, Mersadies Roof, Breya Brown, Alexis Rusk, Hannah Vann, Addie Smith, Jade Russell and Sam Hunt. The FSHS Girl’s Wrestling Team finished 2nd in the State of Kansas. The City is proud of each of these girls and their accomplishments. They were each presented with a Certificate of Recognition.

Introduction of new City employees – Deb Needleman, Human Resource Director, introduced Denton Wescoat and Karen Gazaway. Denton will be the IT System Administrator and Karen is the new Water Utility Clerk.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND APPROPRIATIONS/CONSENT AGENDA:

  1. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 6th, 2018.

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1209-A totaling $320,132.82.

  1. Approval of Archer Daniels Midland Agreement – Purchase of treated wastewater from City of Fort Scott

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Installation of Bicycle Racks in downtown area

  1. Certificate of Appropriateness – Approval of final Gordon Parks sign to be installed on Iron Star Building

Bartelsmeyer moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Nichols seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED CONSENT AGENDA.

APPEARANCE/COMMENTS/PUBLIC HEARING:

  1. APPEARANCE: None

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

limit per citizen) –

Robert Taylor – Mr. Taylor said he moved to Fort Scott two years ago. He would like to address the closure of the Beaux Arts Center. He said they have been forced to move out due to the Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Fire Prevention Code violations. It would cost a lot of money to bring the building up to code. This puts an establishment out of business and is bad for the community. It diminishes the tax base and cultural base as the Beaux Arts Center helped support the local arts base in Fort Scott. He asked that the City give the owners reasonable accommodations and rescind the letter that was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

City Manager responded and said what was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office was the code foot print. It is an important document that you need when you change occupancy of a building which is what has occurred at this location. A complaint was filed with the State Fire Marshal’s office that there was a change of occupancy for this building. The City has tried to work with the owners but they chose to close their doors.

Matthew Wells – Mr. Wells asked why the code foot print for the Beaux Arts Center was funded using City taxpayer funds. He also asked why the report was sent to the State Fire Marshal’s office before confirming the size of the windows and doors. Lastly, he asked about the other downtown businesses and if the City would lose more businesses due to changes in occupancies in their establishments.

Mayor Mitchell said that the Beaux Arts Center did not have to close their doors. The City’s first and foremost concern is safety for all of our citizens. The City would work with them as they would any other business.

Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, said that his department had been working with the Duncan’s for some time.

Rick Zingre’, architect, said he did the code foot print for the Beaux Arts Center. He said that the City is always willing to give variances and exceptions. The change in occupancy from business to assembly is why the State Fire Marshal’s office requires the extra exit on the third floor.

Rachel Pruitt informed Mr. Wells that the code foot print was paid for with the downtown building improvement grant that is only for historical buildings.

City Manager said that he had a meeting with them this morning and asked them to reconsider again and they told him they were done.

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None

CONSIDERATION:

  1. Consideration of Zoning Change – A change of zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential District) to MU (Mixed Use District) – For Tract #1 at 1907 S. Horton – Approval of Ordinance No. 3530 – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this zoning change went before the Planning Commission on February 1st, 2018. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change. This property is where the old trailer park used to be located across from the college. This property has been purchased by Patrick Wood and Jake Gross who have formed Two Dogs Barking, LLC.

Patrick Wood informed the Commission they plan to put a strip mall in the southwest corner of this property along Horton Street and a 12 unit apartment building along the northwest corner. The apartment building would be appealing to young professionals and be on an upscale level. He is working with Rhonda Dunn and Rachel Pruitt as he would like to put some retail business in this parcel of land. He hopes to be able to apply for a T.I.F. for this location.

Mitchell moved to approve Ordinance No. 3530 – Zoning change from R-2 to MU for the property at 1907 S. Horton Street. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3530 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS OR DISTRICTS OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY K.S.A. 1973 SUPP. 12-708 – CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R-2 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) TO MU (MIXED USE DISTRICT) FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1907 S. HORTON STREET.

  1. Consideration of Zoning Change – A change of zoning from R-2 (Medium Density Residential District) to R-3 (High Density Residential District) for Tract #2 at 1920 S. Huntington – Approval of Ordinance No. 3531 – Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director, informed the Commission that this zoning change went before the Planning Commission on February 1st, 2018. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change.

Patrick Wood said they are still deciding what to do with this property. This zoning will allow for housing at this area.

Mitchell moved to approve Ordinance No. 3531 – Zoning change from R-2 to R-3 for the property at 1920 S. Huntington Street. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED ORDINANCE NO. 3531 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS OR DISTRICTS OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS UNDER THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY K.S.A. 1973 SUPP. 12-708 – CHANGE OF ZONING FROM R-2 (MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) TO R-3 (HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT) FOR THE PROPERTY AT 1920 S. HUNTINGTON STREET.

  1. Consideration of playhouse placement – Dave Martin, City Manager, informed the Commission that a playhouse has been given to the City of Fort Scott by Pittsburg State University. The Men’s Kiwanis group has worked on the playhouse to make it safer for children. City Manager said that they need a location now to put the playhouse and asked the Commission for their input. The Public Works Director would like to see it placed at Ellis Park. They would pour a concrete slab and the playhouse would be placed on top of that. There are other parks where it could be placed also.

Nichols moved to allow City Staff to make the decision where to place the playhouse. Parker seconded. All voted aye.

APPROVED TO ALLOW CITY STAFF TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR THE BEST PLACE TO PUT THE PLAYHOUSE THAT WAS DONATED TO THE CITY BY PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY.

  1. Consideration of Fitness Equipment purchase – Buck Run Community Center – City Manager asked for this to be tabled since Tom Robertson was not present.

  1. Consideration of Natural Gas Supply Agreement with Constellation for Memorial Hall and the Public Works building – Jon Garrison, Director of Finance, informed the Commission that several weeks ago he was approached by Constellation New Energy about switching our natural gas supplies from Kansas Gas Service to Constellation at Memorial Hall at 1 E. 3rd Street and the Public Works building at 2104 S. Sidney. He said that he has not checked with Kansas Gas Service yet to see if they would match their rate. He asked that this be tabled at this time and brought back in two weeks.

COMMISSION/STAFF:

  1. Director Updates: None

B. City Commission:

Adamson – Remarked that the City did a great job on the streets.

Bartelsmeyer – Remarked that the Beaux Arts Center is important to our community and she hopes they reconsider their decision to close.

Nichols – Remarked that he noticed in the Planning Commission meeting notes that the new Comprehensive Plan will be coming before them at the first meeting in March. He will not be present at that meeting and asked if it could be moved to the second meeting in March.

Parker – Remarked that she appreciated the comments tonight at the meeting.

Mitchell – Nothing to report.

C. City Attorney: Not present.

  1. Director of Finance: Nothing to report.

  1. City Manager: Remarked that he has reached out to the owners of the Beaux Arts Center and hopes they reconsider their decision to close.

ADJOURNMENT:

Mitchell moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:57 p.m. Bartelsmeyer seconded. All voted aye.

ADJOURNED MEETING AT 6:57 P.M.

The next regularly scheduled meeting is to be held on March 6th, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.

RECORDED BY:

____________________

DIANE K. CLAY, CITY CLERK

 

Bourbon County, Submitted

Fescue Meeting to Discuss Endophyte Fungus

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Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management Christopher Petty.

Fescue is one of the predominate grasses in southeast Kansas.

It can be successfully managed for intensive use as a livestock feed, but it is not without its drawbacks. Kentucky 31 fescue, the most commonly found pasture variety, has a fungus (called an endophyte), living within the plant. This endophyte is good for the plant but causes negative reactions in beef cattle.

Joint the Southwind District of K-State Research and Extension on Wednesday, April 4, to learn more about fescue endophytes, their effect on cattle, and how to manage fescue. This program will take place at 6 p.m. at the Moran Community Center, located at 407 N. Cedar St. in Moran, Kansas, and will feature Southwind Extension District Agent for Livestock Production and Forage Management Christopher Petty, Kansas State University Southeast Area Livestock Specialist Jaymelynn Farney, and Kansas State University Southeast Area Agronomist Doug Shoup.

The meeting is sponsored by Multimin 90 and Ag Choice of Moran. An evening meal will be provided, free of charge, by our sponsors. Pre-registration is required, by March 30 to reserve your meal.

For more information, or to pre-register, contact the Southwind Extension District, Iola Office at 620-365-2242 or e-mail [email protected].

Fort Scott, Submitted

What’s Happening This Weekend In Fort Scott

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Provided by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

FRI & SAT – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Livestock Sales – Fort Scott Livestock Market – 2131 Maple Rd. You don’t have to be a buyer to watch the sale and visit the café.
FRI, SAT & SUN – 8:30 am – 4:00 pm – Art Project: New Faces New Neighbors Fort Scott National Historic Site – History & Art come together. Kids have created textile works of art that encompass the change of Fort Scott NHS throughout its history.
SATURDAY, March 03
8:00 am – Kansas Conceal Carry Class – The Bunker – 108 Scott Avenue – Bring any caliber handgun and a box of ammo. Email, text, or call 620-215-1521 to reserve a seat, www.ksrockspark.com.
9:00 am – Fort Scott Legislative Update Coffee – Hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce in the lower level of Mercy Hospital by the Cafe.
10:00 am – Water/Ways Exhibit on display – Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center – 231 E. Wall St.
10:00 am – Free Watercolor Class – Empress Event Center, 7 N Main St. Part of the Water/Ways Exhibit Children 12 and under. Each child participating will utilize watercolors, recreating images of the Marmaton River. Paintings will be on display through the end of the Water/Ways Exhibit on April 8th
12:00 pm – FSCC Women’s Softball vs. State Fair Community College – FSCC Softball Field
1:00 pm – FSCC Hounds Men’s Baseball vs. Independence Community College – Doubleheader, Hounds men play at both 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm.
1:30 pm – 36th Annual Spelling Bee – Friendly competition for1st – 5th grade. Top spellers meet for the final round in the Buck Run Community Center auditorium. Call 620-223-0386 for more information.
3:00 pm – Spring Sheep Meeting hosted by Southwind Extension District – 4-H Building, Bourbon County Fairgrounds, 23rd & Horton across from FSCC. Open to the public!
6:00 pm – FSHS Boy’s & Girls Sub-state Basketball Championship Games – 1005 S. Main – Girls play at 6:00 pm, Boys play at 7:30 pm.

SUNDAY, March 04
9:30 am – FSHS Boy’s & Girls Sub-state Basketball Championship Games – 1005 S. Main –
12:00 pm – FSCC Women’s Softball vs. Park University JV – FSCC Softball Field

Area News, Submitted

Flags Order At Half-Staff Today For Billy Graham

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Governor Colyer Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff in Honor of Reverend Billy Graham

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff until sun-down today, Friday, March 2, 2018 to honor the life of Reverend Billy Graham who is to be buried today at his library in North Carolina.

“Billy Graham was an inspiration to entire generations of Americans. Like many, I remember listening to his sermons as a child,” said the Governor. “Billy truly left the world a better place than he found it. My heart goes out to his family for their loss.”

The White House last week issued a proclamation directing flags at all public buildings and military installations to be flown at half-staff on the day of Rev. Graham’s interment.

To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honors/ to subscribe.

 

 

Fort Scott, Schools

Middle School Flex Room Has Many Benefits

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Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert welcomes guests of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee to the school Thursday morning.

Fort Scott Middle School Principal Brian Weilert spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee social Thursday at the school.

An important purpose of the building is safety during tornados.

“We can fit 650 people in this space,” Weilert said. “We can get the student body in here in four minutes.”

The building was constructed of concrete with minimal windows for student safety.

But the school uses what is referred to as “flex space”, for other purposes, Weilert said. “There is a community space, an art gallery, and breakout rooms.”

The brightly painted and colorfully decorated large building can be divided easily for different purposes. It is located on the south side of the school

“This space encourages creativity and it’s good to get out of class once in a while, to change environments,” Weilert said.

The newly constructed space was added to the school in 2017 as part of a district-wide building improvement project.

USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton shows the community room that is available for organizations in the community to use. The room is located in the high wind building, completed in 2017 and has innovative technology.

Pictured below are members of the community who congregated in small groups before the announcement segment of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Weekly Coffee.

During the coffee event, members can tell about upcoming community events or organizations for a $1 donation, which goes to fund the town trolley car.

At the conclusion of the weekly coffee, the host organization/business/school/church gets a platform to tell about the events or projects that are currently happening.

This is the dedication plaque that was placed in the community room of the new high wind building, completed in 2017.

Bourbon County Local News