Fort Scott, Government

Unapproved Minutes of the Jan. 21 Meeting of the FS City Commis

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of January 21, 2025                                   Regular Meeting

 

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

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:00PM (0:28). Roll call was taken. Commissioners Dyllon Olson, Matthew Wells, Tracy Dancer and Kathryn Salsbury were present with Mayor Tim Van Hoecke.

 

In Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering & Inspections, Inc., Lt. Caleb Bell/FSPD, Devin Tally/City Finance Manager, Leroy Kruger/Codes Enforcement Technician, Ben Hart/BakerTilly, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Bryan Matkin/FSK Manager, Jose Montanez, Amanda Lancaster, Lindsay Madison, Robert Coon, and Cory Bryars .

 

(0:53) VAN HOECKE led the Pledge of Allegiance and MATKIN said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Approval of Agenda  (1:50)

MOTION:  DANCER moved to approve the Agenda as presented.  WELLS seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

Approval of Consent Agenda  (2:31)

  1. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1376-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates of January 2, 2025 – January 14, 2025 – $457,688.20
  2. Approval of Minutes: December 17, 2024; December 23, 2024; and January 7, 2025.
  3. December Financials

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.  SALSBURY seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0

 

Public Comments (3:30) None

 

Appearances

(3:36) Cory Bryars – Care to Share – Update on the organization and its activities including a recap of 2024 and roadmap for 2025.

 

(13:35) Amanda Lancaster/Deihl, Banwart, Bolton – Audit results were reviewed. One significant deficiency was indicated due to (11) missing invoices out of (45) selected were an internal issue and not related to BakerTilly. Processes are now in place to prevent further occurrences.

Approval of Resolution No. 3-2025 – A RESOLUTION FOR EXEMPTION FROM       GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRACTICES UNDER K.S.A. 1120A (26:44 )At the previous meeting, WELLS indicated a concern with using the GAAP waiver. LANCASTER was asked to explain the difference between the GAAP Audit and Regulatory Basis Audit. She stated that she only does regulatory audits and does not provide that service. She explained the differences that she is aware of.

 

(28:21) HART provided an explanation of the differences between the types of audits as it would pertain to the City of Fort Scott.

 

Discussion was had about the audit options.

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved that we adhere to the generally accepted accounting practices for this year. DANCER seconded. DANCER, OLSON, SALSBURY and WELL voted yes.  VAN HOECKE voted no.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1.

 

ACTION:  B. Hart will put the required amount for the GAAP Audit in the budget after discussing it with A. Lancaster.

 

Approval of Code of Ethics – Ordinance No. 3780 – Revised  (34:01)

 

MOTION:  WELLS moved to approve the revised edition of the Code of Ethics. OLSON seconded. OLSON, SALSBURY, and WELLS voted yes.  VAN HOECKE and DANCER voted no.

 

MOTION CARRIED 3-2.

 

  1. Wells left the meeting (42:56)

 

Appointment of City Commission Representative to the Health in All Practices           Commission – tabled from January 7, 2025 (42:56)

MATKIN stated that Lisa Dillon/Housing, Community Development Coordinator is the appointed representative.

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to remove Item D (Appointment of City Commission Representative to the Health in All Practices Commission) from the Agenda.  OLSON seconded.  WELLS was absent for the roll call of the vote.

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-0.

 

  1. Wells returned to the meeting (44:38)

Consideration to Appoint or Remove City Commission Representative to REDI – tabled from January 7, 2025. (44:39)  

ACTION:  DANCER will upon attending his first meeting will attempt to get something in writing from Bourbon County REDI acknowledging that the City is not their customer and does not owe them money for him attending their meetings. If he cannot get such thing in writing, I will discontinue attendance.

 

MOTION:  SALSBURY moved to appoint DANCER to the Bourbon County REDI Board (as a representative for the City).  VAN HOECKE seconded.

 

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

MATKIN stated that he would like to know the function of REDI, what their mission statement is, where are they going and how are they getting there.

 

ACTION:  DANCER will ask the questions of REDI.

 

Status of 323 W. Wall – tabled from January 7, 2025 (47:11) – WELLS had interested contractors look at the home, all want the home to be saved, and he summarized their comments. He is requesting more time to bring the item before the Land Bank and contact the owner directly.

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to table the item until February 4, 2025.

 

ACTION:  WELLS will bring the topic before the Land Bank on January 27, 2025, and will contact the owner of the home.

 

SALSBURY seconded.

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1.

 

Status of 118 E. Wall (52:34)

 

  1. Hart left the meeting (54:54)

 

Discussion was had about what MONTANEZ would present to the Commission following the Commission’s visit to the building.  WELLS again stated that a structural engineer must certify that the building is safe. That has still not been submitted. Further discussion was had on what work has been done and what has not been done to date toward the goal of opening the building for business.

OLSON asked MONTANEZ if the City were to draft a waiver where he would assume all responsibility should this building collapse, will he sign it.  MONTANEZ stated “definitely…”

 

MOTION:  OLSON moved to allow legal counsel and the City Manager work with the building owner of 118 E Wall to draft a waiver that can be brought back to the Commission as well as the owner to provide Certificate of Insurance with the City named as additionally insured and the building owner gives the Codes Department permission to inspect the building annually.

 

DANCER asked KRUGER that in his professional opinion does the building in its current state represent a hazard to the citizens of Fort Scott. KRUGER stated that “someone more professional that I has already answered that.” MATKIN stated “I don’t think you want that liability on the City of Fort Scott.”  FARMER agreed with MATKIN.

 

Discussion was had about the (2) structural engineering reports.

 

DANCER seconded the motion.

 

VAN HOECKE called the question.

 

DANCER requested to rescind his second to amend the motion to include the option that if a structure engineer will certify that the building is safe to open the City will discontinue any requirement to prove that the building owner has insurance.  OLSON agreed to the amendment to his motion.

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED 4-1.

 

(1:27:48) COON requested to be heard regarding the opening of his building.  VAN HOECKE stated that he would have the City Manager call a Special Meeting to address his request to reopen his building once the work specified in the structural engineers report is completed and inspected by KRUGER.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting (1:28:46)

 

Approval of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program (1:29:28) – B. Matkin/FSK Airport Manager appeared to provide an overview of the document that needed the Commission’s approval. It is a document that allows fair bidding on government contracts and is required to be updated every (3) years in order to receive funding for airport projects.

 

MOTON:  WELLS moved to approve the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.  SALSBURY seconded.

MOTION CARRIED 5-0.

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting (1:30:30)

Status of 15 E. 2nd St. – Moody Building (1:30:27) – MATKIN stated he had been in contact with the building owner and a structural engineer’s report is in hand. The owner is in the process of finding a contractor to do the specified work.

 

Discussion was had about the probable safety of the building.

 

ACTION:  MATKIN will ask the building owner for a Certificate of Liability and the alley behind the building will be completely closed down until the work is completed.

 

Reports and Comments    

 

CITY MANAGER MATKIN (1:32:00)

CITY ATTORNEY FARMER (1:54:12)

COMMISSIONER SALSBURY (1:54:23)

COMMISSIONER WELLS (1:56:14)

COMMISSIONER OLSON (2:01:52)

COMMISSIONER DANCER (2:01:55)

COMMISSIONER/MAYOR VAN HOECKE (2:05:31)

 

MOTION:  DANCER moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:09PM (2:09:38).  SALSBURY seconded.

 

JANUARY 21, 2025, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:09PM.

 

 

Submitted by Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

K-State Extension

Winterkill For Wheat Crop Potential

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Lonnie Mengarelli. Submitted photo.

The extremely cold temperatures observed in Kansas in mid-January 2025 have the potential to cause winterkill to the winter wheat crop. However, several factors determine whether winter wheat will survive the winter and this particular cold spell. The most important factors from the crop’s perspective include proper cold hardening and root system development, as well as the overall crop status in terms of damage from pests. From an environmental perspective, important factors include air temperature, consequent soil temperatures at the crown level, snow cover, and soil moisture content.

The condition of the 2025 Kansas wheat crop is variable depending on the region and the planting and emergence dates. Overall, some precipitation occurred in parts of the state in September, which was followed by a dry spell in late September and into October, followed by a wet late-October into November. This precipitation dynamics allowed growers to harvest summer crops on time and to move along on wheat planting, whose pace was very close to the historical average. However, the dry spell during October somewhat delayed the emergence of the crop that did not get planted after the early September rain events until late October. At this point, when precipitation occurred again across the state, the percent emerged increased and surpassed the historical average since most of the summer crops had been harvested and the wheat planted.

The good amount of late fall precipitation, coupled with above-average fall temperatures, were positive in allowing the crop to establish and tiller during the fall. In fact, some reports from growers in south central Kansas suggest that the early planted crop produced a large amount of biomass during the fall, perhaps being considered “too big”. The large number of tillers and consequent good root development may have allowed for good winterhardiness development, although excessive tillering can increase moisture consumption and worsen the crop’s potential to survive through the winter due to a dryer subsoil. Some fields planted after the harvest of a summer crop could be exceptions, perhaps emerging late and having much more limited development in the fall both in terms of tillers and root development, thus being more exposed to potential consequences of the cold temperatures. However, for the most part, the Kansas wheat crop was off to a good start in the 2025 growing season.

A well-developed crop with 3-5 tillers can handle air temperatures during the winter in the single digits fairly well. Over 60% of the Kansas wheat crop emerged by mid-October and likely fall in this category. However, soil temperatures in the single digits can cause significant damage and winterkill, especially to less developed crops, such as the fields that emerged after November (about 25% of the Kansas crop), which will be more sensitive to winterkill with higher temperature thresholds for damage.

During the current cold stretch that began on January 18 and lasted through the 21st, air temperatures have dropped as low as -15°F in lower valleys of the state. These temperatures were cold enough to cause leaf burn and, if soil temperatures reached these levels, could potentially cause winterkill. However, some areas of the state, central and northeast, were still snow-covered from the January 6th snowfall event. Despite the west remaining mostly snow-free, soil temperatures at the 2” depth never dropped below 20°F across the state. Soil temperatures at these levels are likely not cold enough to cause winterkill to a well winter-hardened wheat crop.

Two environmental factors that affect the crop’s response to cold temperatures due to their potential of buffering of low air temperatures are soil moisture content and snow cover. The relatively moist fall led to high percent saturation of soil water at the majority of the state (while 5- and 10-cm measures are mostly unavailable due to frozen soils, the 20- and 50-cm maps of the Kansas Mesonet Soil Moisture suggest that most stations are currently above 70-80% saturation, https://mesonet.k-state.edu/agriculture/soilmoist/#mtIndex=2). Wetter soils help in buffering changes in soil temperature as a function of the low air temperatures observed.

Regarding snow cover, most of Kansas’s wheat-growing region had good snow cover levels from January 6 until about January 14, and parts of central and north central Kansas had decent snow cover until January 21. The western portion of the state had only limited and shallow snow during the cold temperatures experienced on January 18-21. Where the crop had at least 2-3 inches of snow cover, this snow should have been sufficient to insulate the wheat crop from the coldest temperatures. However, the combination of extremely cold air temperatures and lack of snow coverage, particularly in western Kansas, could leave the crop exposed and result in some winterkill, particularly in terrace tops, late-planted fields, and other more exposed areas.

The biggest potential for winterkill is in fields that either emerged too early and had a very lush top growth, consequently drying the soil, or those fields that emerged very late and thus had limited tiller and root development. In particular, fields with very limited snow cover (less than 2-3 inches) in more exposed areas of the terrain (e.g., terrace tops) are more prone to winterkill.

We will not know the extent of winterkill in the state until temperatures start to warm up and the wheat starts to green up later in the spring, so there is nothing growers can do at the moment. This will likely occur in mid- to late-March, so at least another 50-60 days.  As wheat green-up progresses later in the year, any winter injury will become more apparent. Injured wheat may initially green up, then go backward.

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

 

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

Romulo Lollato, Extension Wheat and Forage Specialist
[email protected]

Christopher “Chip” Redmond, Kansas Mesonet
[email protected]

 

Business, Food, Fort Scott

New Employee: Teri Hamilton at Common Ground Coffee Co.

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Teri Hamilton. Submitted photo.

Teri Hamilton, owner of The Hamilton’s Artisan Bakery, is putting her own business on pause and will be using her baking talents at Common Ground Coffee Co.12 E. Wall as of Monday, February 3.

Common Ground Coffee Shop.

 

In recent years, Hamilton’s husband has been able to help her with her home business, but because of a new job, he won’t.

“This makes it unsustainable for me physically,” Hamilton said. “The bakery business needs to grow in employees and space…and we are not ready to take that step.”

Starting on February 3 she will be at the coffee shop on Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to noon,  baking for them.

“I’ll be making cookies and pastry-type things and possibly adding a few things of my own but will be keeping that baked good case full,” she said. “Taking this part-time job will keep me baking for the community.”

She started her artisan bakery three years ago, and feels the job will allow her to “see people, interact with them and see them enjoy the things I make for them.”

“I’m excited to  join the Common Ground team, I look forward to serving people good food.”

Suzanne Griffin will continue her weekly dinners at the coffee shop and offer catering services.

Together they will produce some fun offerings for Super Bowl parties and Valentine’s Day.

Griffin said they will be offering appetizer trays and dip assortments for Super Bowl parties and for Valentine’s Day-chocolate dipped strawberries and Chardudery Trays for men.

“We call it Chardudery Trays because it has bacon, beef and no frilly stuff,” Griffin said.

 

For more information contact Common Ground Coffee Co. at 620.223.2499.

Left to right: Common Ground Coffee Co. staff working this day:
Ashton Pridey
Heidi Dixon
Orpha Durossette
Ava Witt
Suzanne Griffin
Jenna Graham
Submitted photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion

We Know The Ending by Patty Laroche

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Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

If you were at all interested in the Kansas City Chief’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, chances are you were on the edge of your seat the entire game. I ran home from church and donned my red and gold Chiefs’ shirt, made Dave and me some lunch and curled up on my living room couch.

My phone texts began dinging an hour before kickoff, and they continued until an hour after the game. As the game progressed, girlfriends were posting emojis of happy faces, then sad faces, then “Go Chiefs” emblems, followed by “I can’t take this!” shrieks.  There I sat, yelling at our players for not catching a pass or for missing a tackle and cheering for them when they made a touchdown or stopped the Bills from moving downfield.

Post game, I couldn’t wait to watch the highlights.  Now that my heart rate had returned to normal, I would be able to enjoy the good, the bad and the ugly because I knew the outcome. I had nothing to sweat.  No longer would I be upset when our defense failed to intercept a pass or sack the Bill’s quarterback.  When our opponents went ahead, I feared not.  I knew the final score: 32-29.  I still get excited when I think about that final minute of action.

When, for some reason, the television station showed no highlights, I was frustrated but I relived the game aloud, sharing with Dave my play-by-play review. He looks forward to my expertise.

I’m funny.

But when I woke up this morning, I had a different perspective.  Shouldn’t life reflect that same attitude so that we see each day, each circumstance, through “I’m not going to sweat this,” confident eyes?  You know, so we don’t get all worked up when things don’t go our way? After all, we know the ending.  Jesus will win; Satan will lose. Eternity will be more than we can ever imagine.

God, knowing most of us do sweat the small stuff, told us a few things about what awaits us.  Our eternal home is an actual place (John 14:1-3, NIV) where we will reside in real, physical bodies (2 Corinthians 5:1-5, NIV) and where we will experience everlasting joys, rewards, and treasures (Matthew 5:12; Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 6:23 NIV).                                                              

God allowed the apostle John to get a sneak peek into what awaits us.  From his time in exile on Patmos Island, he wrote his memoirs which are copied in Revelation 21:4 (NLT): He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.                                                                                                         

And with that waiting all of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we sweat the small stuff…why?        

Gordon Parks Museum

Celebrating Black History Month In February

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The Gordon Parks Museum

At Fort Scott Community College

Celebrating Black History Month

 

Come in and view the Black History Month Tribute Panel Exhibit. This consist of over 100 different posters, photos and information of some of the great and important Black Innovators and Leaders throughout history. The exhibit also features some inspiring and moving quotes. Located in the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.

February 1- 28, 2025

On display each day, will be a Black History Month “Quote of the Day”.

This will have inspiring and moving quotes by different people.

 

The “Quote of the Day” provides a great opportunity for any faculty, staff and coaches to help promote educational activities throughout the month to keep black history and diversity at the forefront along with encouraging your students to keep learning more!

 

This would be a great way to open a creative discussion and to highlight a different person every day or week with your class or team and ask questions about the meaning and relevance of each quote or fact and how it might relate to our lives the lives others and what is happening in the world today.

 

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

What’s Happening in Fort Scott Jan.31 Edition

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What’s Happening in Fort Scott! January 31st Weekly Newsletter

SAVE THE DATE!

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Coffees

Every Thursday at 8am

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

________________

Fort Scott National Historic Site

Visit your National Park!

Click here to see all the FUN classes at The Artificers, classes 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. (Taking the month of August off for BINGO & will start again in September)

KANSASWORKS in Fort Scott

Every Tuesday 9am-4pm

Office located at the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, 104 N. National Ave.

620-231-4250

Wednesday Writers at Hedgehog.Ink Book Store

Every Wednesday 1:30-3pm

Downtown Fort Scott, 16 S. Main St.

EVERY THURSDAY EVENING

STUDENT NIGHT AT FORT CINEMA

$5 tickets for all students Pre-K thru College

KOMB-FM ALL HIT 103.9 Radio Auction

Every Wednesday and Thursday

January 22nd – February 27th

Starting at 3pm

Get bidding and PIN #:

620-223-4500 or radioauction.kombfm.com

__________________________________

UPCOMING EVENTS

2/1~ 11am-3pm | Care to Share Cancer

Support Group OPEN HOUSE

9 E. Wall St

2/1 ~ 6-7:30pm | Coyote Calling Contest

by The Fort Outdoors

$50/team proceeds go to

Care To Share Cancer Support Group

Elm Creek Lake

(North shelter on East side of the lake)

2/1 ~ 8am | FSCC Rodeo hosts

Bareback & Saddle Bronc Ground Clinic

$125/student

620-224-6108 or 620-223-2700 x7020

Arnold Arena

2108 S. Horton St.

2/1-28 ~ | Valentine’s “Ghost” Private Wheel Throwing Class at The Artificers

Night includes dessert from Crooner’s Cakery

2 hours of wheel throwing as a couple

$175/couple – Book a night for your whole group

$300/couple – Book a night for just the two of you

RSVP Call 913-574-7741

2/2 ~ 11am-1pm | Murder Mystery with the Flower Shop hosted by Sunshine Boutique

The Courtland Hotel & Spa

121 E. 1st St

$40/person | RSVP 620-223-6007

2/4 ~ 10:15am | Story time at

The Fort Scott Public Library

The Magic Rabbit

2/5 ~ 5:30- 9:30 | FSCC Basketball

5:30 Women’s Game | 7:30 Men’s Game

Fort Scott Community College Arnold Arena

2108 S. Horton St.

2/5 ~ | FSCC SoundDawg Pep Band

High School Band night!

Check-in 2:30pm

Games start at 5:30pm

FREE MEAL PROVIDED

2/6 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee

hosted by Riggs Chiropractic

304 E. 23rd St., Fort Scott

2/7 ~ 6-9PM | First Fridays at The Artificers

8 N. National Ave.

2/7 ~ 2-5pm | Laree + Co.

Galentine’s Patch Bar Party

3 S. National Ave.

Click HERE to sign up

2/7 ~ 7PM | Valentine’s Day Dinner

at The Kitchen Collective + Collaborative

12 S. Main St.

Entree Options: Beef Filet $60/person

Chicken Cordon Bleu $50/person

*Limited seating

RSVP Call or text 620-418-9284

2/7 ~ 4:30PM | Fort Scott Tiger Basketball

Home vs. Parsons

V/JV/C

Fort Scott High School 1005 S. Main St.

2/7 ~ 6-9pm | Artist Opening Reception Show at

The Artificers – 8 N. National Ave.

Feat. Master Artist Kadra Nevitt’s Chalk Pastel Originals & Guest Artist Ashley Purdin’s mixed Media Originals.

Click HERE for the Facebook Event Page with details

2/8 ~ 1-3PM | The Artificers Master Artist Class

$65/person

All supplies provided – Guided instruction

*Limited spots

Click HERE to sign up

2/8 ~ 7-9pm | REZA, Branson Illusionist Act hosted by CORE Community of Bourbon County

Ellis Fine Arts Center

2108 S. Horton St

Purchase tickets online HERE!

SAVE THE DATE

2/12 ~ 12-1pm | “The Kansas City Monarchs & America’s National Pastime” Lunch & Learn

Ellis Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton St.

FREE EVENT

Click HERE to visit the FB event page.

2/12 ~ 5:30- 9:30pm | FSCC Basketball

5:30 Women’s Game | 7:30 Men’s Game

Fort Scott Community College Arnold Arena

2108 S. Horton St.

2/13 ~ 8am | Chamber Coffee

hosted by T-Mobile

2400 S. Main St. Suite 300, Fort Scott

2/15 ~ 5-7:30pm | Cohn’s Cafe presents

Murder Mystery Dinner

5-6pm-Cocktail Hour | 6-7:30pm-Dinner

$45

Cash Bar available

RSVP text 620-418-6209 or 110southmainfortscott@gmail.com

2/15 ~ 6-9pm | Care to Share Pre-Spring Fling

Presents “The Piano Man” A Rock & Roll Tribute

River Room, 3 W Oak St. (elevator available)

Piano Man Dennis Laffoon, a long-time member of Shooting Star and Piano Man extraordinaire.

Tickets:

Single: $30 Couples: $60 Table of 8: $250

Click HERE to get your tickets! **Tickets ARE refundable

2/15 ~ 8-11pm | Bourbon County Community Theatre Presents: Saturday Night Fever

Adult Prom Fundraiser

Sharky’s Pub & Grub, 16 N. National Ave.

Tickets:

Single: $25 Couple $40

Click HERE to get your tickets!

Click HERE to follow the Facebook Event Page!

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.
…
Bourbon County

Jennifer Hill Moves To Withdraw as Counsel for Board of Commissioners

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A lawsuit was filed in November 2024 seeking to declare Bourbon County Resolution 14-24 unenforceable, which had been approved by the County Commissioners on October 31st, 2024. The resolution revoked an existing moratorium on solar energy developments and “limit the Board of County Commissioner’s exercise of police powers in the future with respect to” the solar companies.

The lawsuit was filed by David Beerbower, Leroy Kruger, Brandon Whisenhunt, Boa Casper, Katie Casper, Timothy Emerson, Samuel Tran, Karen Tran, and Michael Wunderly against The Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County Kansas, Hinton Creek Solar LLC, Kingbird Solar Energy LLC, Tenneyson Creek Solar LLC, and Tenneyson Creek Solar II LLC.

On January 30th, Jennifer M. Hill, counsel for the Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, moved to withdraw as counsel. She said three of the people who brought the lawsuit now represent the entirety of the Bourbon County Board of Commissioners, which is being sued in the lawsuit. Thus, a subset of the plaintiffs represents the entirety of one of the defendants. This, she said, violates Kansas Court rule KRPC 1.7 regarding conflict of interest. 

In the most recent filing, Jennifer Hill advises the commissioners,

“You are further notified that further proceedings may be held in this matter whether or not you are represented by counsel. “If you do not retain other counsel, you should appear personally at any scheduled hearings. There are no presently scheduled hearings. However, Judge Richard Fischer, JR. will preside over hearings related to various Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss in the upcoming weeks or months.”

The original petition in the lawsuit can be found here.

 

 

 

 

Area News

CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle

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Honoring the past by looking to the future:

CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle

On April 14, 1903, the Mount Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg opened its doors. For over 100 years, the hospital was a cornerstone of healthcare in the Southeast Kansas community. The name, Mount Carmel, means much to the community. The Mount Carmel Foundation (MCF) was formed in 1983 to ensure everyone in Southeast Kansas had access to quality healthcare and continued that mission until August 2024.

The changing landscape of healthcare in Southeast Kansas led the MCF board to consider transferring their assets to another local organization to carry on their mission. They chose to donate their funds to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) to establish the Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle, with the mission to carry on the legacy of MCF throughout Southeast Kansas, forever.

“The Mount Carmel name has such a rich history in our area and holds a special place in many peoples’ hearts,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “We are extremely proud to help carry on the name and honor the great work the Mount Carmel Foundation achieved during its lifetime. These annual healthcare grants will honor that history while providing significant programs, services, and equipment, which will have a positive impact on the lives of so many people in our community.”

The inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle through CFSEK is open February 1-28, 2025. This grant opportunity is for any nonprofit healthcare providers in Southeast Kansas that share the vision of the Mount Carmel Foundation: to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for SEK residents.

Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the granting fund is available at SoutheastKansas.org/news/blog/mtcarmel.

Bourbon County

Bourbon County Coalition Meets Feb. 5

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The General Membership meeting will be next Wednesday, February 5th at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the Scottview Apartments, 315 S. Scott Ave.

 

 

Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Agenda

 

February 5, 2025

 

 

  1.  Welcome: 

 

 

  1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:

 

 

  1.  Program:  Allison Duke, Kinship Navigator Specialist, FosterAdopt Connect

 

 

  1.  Open Forum:

 

 

  1.  Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be March 5, 2025.

 

Area News

Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport From Wichita

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Governor Kelly Releases Statement Regarding
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport


TOPEKA — This morning, Governor Laura Kelly released the below statement: 

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. I have been in constant communication with federal, state, and local officials overnight and want to thank the over 300 first responders from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for their response efforts. I will issue a flag order today to acknowledge this devastating event and tragic loss of lives.”

Bourbon County Local News