Fort Scott, Government

Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on May 7

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NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR

MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION

City Hall Commission Room – 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701

May 7, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.

 

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call

Matthew Wells,    Tim VanHoecke,     Melissa Guns,     Dyllon Olson,     Tracy Dancer

III.    Pledge of Allegiance – T. Dancer/Mayor

  1. Invocation – M. Wells/Commissioner
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Consent Agenda
  4. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1359-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – April 10, 2024 – April 30, 2024 – $1,752,949.24

 

  1. Approval of Minutes for April 16, 2024.

 

  1. RESOLUTION NO. 14-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGE DUNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE (AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-25-010-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, LOT 8 BLK 132 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS [314 S. EDDY], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.

 

  1. RESOLUTION NO. 15-2024 – RESOLUTION AND NOTICE OF HEARING WITH REFERENCE TO ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE (AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURE) PARCEL #006-119-30-0-30-27-002-00-0 LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS FORT SCOTT, S 25’ LOT 4 BLK 130 IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS [306 S. LOWMAN], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.

 

VII.   Public Comment – Sign up required before the beginning of the meeting on register at the          entrance of the Commission Room. Public Comments are for any topic not on the agenda and                      limited to five (5) minutes per person, at the Commission’s discretion.

VIII.    Appearances – Must be scheduled with the City Clerk at least (1) week prior to the meeting           you wish to address the Commission. You will be scheduled on the agenda to speak on your topic.

  1. Dave Bruner/Fire Chief and Jason Pickert/Police Chief – City flooding updates
  2. Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director – Wastewater Treatment Plant update

 

 

  1. Old Business
  2. RESOLUTION NO. 12-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR        REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND    ACCESSORY STRUCTURE – KNOWN AS [110 W. OAK], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 –        Tabled from April 2, 2024 – Owner to return with requested information for the Commission.     Removed from April 16, 2024, agenda – L. Kruger
  3. RESOLUTION NO. 13-2024 – RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE REPAIR OR        REMOVAL OF AN ALLEGED UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS STRUCTURE AND    ACCESSORY STRUCTURE – PARCEL #006-119-29-0-10-12-00900-0-01 LEGALLY            DESCRIBED AS CAMERONS ADD-SUB DIV ORIG BLK 5, LOTS 27 & 28 BLK 3                                                   IN BOURBON COUNTY, IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS, OTHERWISE   KNOWN AS [1801 E. WALL], FORT SCOTT, KS 66701 – Tabled from April 2, 2024.                         Received Title Search – N. Nation and L. Kruger
  4. Consideration of donation to BBGo Transportation Service – $4,500.00
  5. Consideration of Proposal for Construction Observation for Horton Street & 6th     Street Improvement Project (180 calendar days) – Earles Engineering & Inspection –                  J. Dickman
  6. New Business
  7. Consideration to Purchase Time Clocks, License and Setup to be split between          departments – Tyler Technologies – $13,514 – P. Coyan
  8.  Consideration to Approve Construction a Public Safety Training Area – D. Bruner      and M. Miles
  9. Consideration of Letter of Interest for (1) Library Board Vacancy – Chelsey      McAllister – Recommended by Library Board to begin May 11, 2024 – (1) vacancy still under consideration – M. Wells
  10.  Consideration to Approve Resignation of Carol MacArthur from Planning             Commission and Advertise for Replacement Candidate – Reappointed March 5, 2024.
  11.  Consideration to Implement Deposit for Memorial Hall Usage – B. Matkin
  12. Reports and Comments
  13. City Manager Comments
  14.  Engineering Comments
  15.   Commissioners Comments
  16.  City Attorney Comments

 

XII.      Executive Session

XIII.     Adjourn

 

Fort Scott, Government

Unapproved Minutes of the Fort Scott City Commission on April 16

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CITY OF FORT SCOTT

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

 

 

Minutes of April 16, 2024                                        Regular Meeting

 

The regular meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was held April 16, 2024, at 6:00PM in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. (Time stamps according to YouTube recording of meeting).

 

Roll Call

Meeting called to order at 6:02PM (Time stamp: 2:27). Commissioners Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, and Dyllon Olson were present with Mayor Tracy Dancer.

 

Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation

  1. Dancer led the Pledge of Allegiance and M. Wells said a prayer asking God for guidance for the City, our Government and City officials.

 

Audience in Attendance – Brad Matkin/City Manager, Bob Farmer/City Attorney, Jason Dickman/City Engineer-Earles Engineering, Jason Pickert/Chief of Police, Payton Coyan/City HR Director, Jessica Oliphant/BakerTilly (by phone), Scott Flater/Water Utilities Director, Lisa Lewis/City Clerk, Diane Striler, Cory Bryars, Scott Dennis, Kristen Dennis, Casey Brown/SEK-CAP, Scott Christiansen/SEK-CAP, Jamey M. Whitney/SEK-CAP, Cherri Walrod/Core Community, Kellie Kemp, Brandi Meeks, Don Tucker, Jean Tucker, and Bailey Lyons.

 

Proclamation – The Fort Scott City Commission declared April 27, 2024 “Spencer Lee Day” with a Memorial Proclamation read by Mayor Tracy Dancer and accepted by Kellie Kemp.

 

Approval of Agenda

The City Clerk requested (2) amendments to the Agenda: 1) Removal of Item 1 – Old Business – Resolution No. 12-2024/Repair or Removal of a Dangerous Structure known as 110 W. Oak (requested by L. Kruger/Codes);  2) Addition of Item 5 – New Business – Action Items – Consideration of Agreement No. 208-22 for Project No. U 2455-01 – Cost Share Program.

 

  1. VanHoecke asked for clarification regarding Resolution No. 121-2024 – Resolution to Repair or Remove a Dangerous Structure known as 110 W. St. being removed from the agenda under Public Hearing. B. Matkin stated that the Codes Department is not present due to training out of town and the item will be returned on an upcoming agenda. He also spoke with the property owner.

 

MOTION:   M. Wells moved to approve the agenda with the requested amendments. D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consent Agenda

 

–  Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1358-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates – March 27, 2024 – April 9, 2024 – $464,041.39

–  Approval of Minutes from April 2, 2024, and March 26, 2024, Special Meeting.

 

–  Request to Pay – Hofer, Hofer & Associates – Application No. 1 – Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom – Current Amount Due – $58,065.30

 

–  Request to Pay – Environmental Process Equipment Company (EPEC) – Cell #2 -Phase 2 Aeration Upgrade – Final Retainage – 10% of Total – $82,661.80 –S. Flater

 

–  Request to Pay – Ray Lindsey Company – 55% Due With Shipment (per contract) –    Invoice #2024084 – Supply and Removal of Smith & Loveless Grit Equipment – $333,856.05 – S. Flater

 

–  Request to Pay – Schneider Electric – Invoice #0001010681 – Client Service Contract – April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025 – $12,543.00.

 

–  March Financials

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  M. Guns seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Public Comment – No Public Comments.

 

 

Appearances

 

–  Payton Coyan  (Time stamp – 12:01) – Temporary Street Closure – Luau Event – May 18, 2024 – 10:00AM to 11:00PM – North National to Oak – Market Street, North National to Old Fort Blvd. to North Main and Old Fort Blvd (alley entrance).

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the request for Temporary Street Closures on May 18, 2024.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Coyan recognized the sponsors of the Luau Event as well as those who donated.

 

–  Cherri Walrod – Core Community Bourbon County (Time stamp 15:24) appeared before the Commission to update them on the Core Community successes over the past year and invited everyone to the first graduation of those who completed the program so far.

 

  1. Matkin requested that the Chair recognize the addition of a Public Comment from Bailey Lyons and that she be allowed to speak at this time because she had to leave.

 

–  Bailey Lyons and John Crain – Downtown Chamber Division (Time stamp 26:35)  appeared before the Commission to remind everyone regarding the Earth Day Downtown Cleanup on April 24th from 4:00PM – 6:00PM and explain what will be done during the project.    She also acknowledged the Elks Club who provided a grant that funded most of the project, Good Neighbor Action Team and Bourbon County Arts Council and the City of Fort Scott.

 

–  Scott Christiansen/Transportation Director, Jamey Whitney/CEO and Casey Brown/Community Engagement Coordinator – BB Go Transportation– Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. (SEK-CAP) (Time stamp 33:01) appeared before the Commission to present the transportation services, in conjunction with the Bourbon County Action Team, they provide to citizens of Bourbon County. They are asking that the City consider making a donation to the company in order to continue services as well as expand in the future.

 

–  Diane Striler and Cory Bryars – Downtown Community Ice Rink (Time stamp 45:41) appeared before the Commission for consideration of the MOU they wrote to acquire a synthetic ice rink for the City of Fort Scott.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the MOU in its current state.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  M. Wells and M. Guns voted yes.  D. Olson, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted no.

 

MOTION FAILED BY 2-3 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  T. VanHoecke requested that the City Clerk provide the MOU in its current state on the City website with the minutes of the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Old Business

 

REQUEST TO VACATE OLD FORD STREET – Scott and Kristen Dennis – Property described as: 60’ x 150’ OF FORD STREET LOCATED BETWEEN LOTS 7-12, BLOCK 3, TALLMAN 1ST ADDITION, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS 60’ X 150’ OF FORD STREET IN THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS. Tabled from 4/2/2024 for further information. (Time stamp 59:32)

 

  1. Wells stated that the further information was provided and the clarity was instead of 60’ by 120’ it is actually 60’ by 150’ square feet. Instead of it being 7,500 square feet, the Commission is being asked to vacate 9,000 square feet.

 

  1. VanHoecke left the meeting at 7:06PM.

 

  1. VanHoecke returned to the meeting at 7:08PM.

 

  1. Farmer recommended for consideration to get the land surveyed and the City could issue a Quit Claim Deed.

 

MOTION:   D. Olson moved to vacate a 60’ by 150’ of Old Ford Street.  M. Guns seconded the motion.  M. Guns and D. Olson voted yes. M. Wells, T. VanHoecke and T. Dancer voted no.

 

MOTION FAILED BY 2-3 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  M. Wells directed that the City get the house “plotted” as a first step and then continue to figure out a path forward at another date.

 

MOTION:  M. Guns moved to have the City take responsibility and pay for the survey to be completed.  D. Olson seconded the motion.

 

  1. Dennis stated that he had planned to put a porch on the back of the house.

 

  1. VanHoecke requested to add to the motion on the table that the footprint of the house plus thirty (30) feet beyond. . . (statement not completed).

 

Further discussion was had about the amount of property to be included in the deed.

 

  1. VanHoecke struck his addition to motion made by M. Guns.

 

  1. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin stated that Norm Nation from the Codes Department would reach out to S. Dennis regarding the survey.

 

  1. Farmer left the meeting at 7:19PM.

 

Discussion of Event Sponsorship Grant Program (Tourism Grant) – B. Matkin explained the program and the pay out options once approved through the rubric.

 

  1. Farmer returned to the meeting at 7:21PM.

 

Discussion was had about the administration of the rubric and amount limits.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve that the maximum grant amount be $5,000.00 and that the rubric and evaluation sheet done by City staff be a line item in future agendas that are included in the Commissioners’ Agenda Packets.            M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

New Business

 

  1. Public Hearings

 

  1. CASE NO. 1045 – Zoning Change C2 to R2 – Requested by Jason Marbery – Intended use is to build four (4) duplexes – Recommended by Planning Commission March 27, 2024.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to open the public hearing at 7:28PM (Time stamp 1:27:11)  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Jason Marberry was not present.  There was no one present to be heard at the public hearing.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to close the public hearing at 7:29 (Time stamp 1:29:27).  M. Wells seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to approve the zoning change request from C2 to R2 as recommended by the Planning Commission for Case No. 1045.  M. Guns seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

  1. Action Items

 

Consideration of Purchase – Two (2) New Teledyne Ozone Analyzers (Teledyne API M465H) – $15,120.00 – S. Flater

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve the purchase of the two (2) Teledyne Ozone Analyzers.  D. Olson seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

  1. Flater updated the Commission on the Water Plant with the following items:

 

–  April 2, 2024 – No. 3 High Service Pump installed; pump No. 2 next year may need to be rebuilt next year.

 

–  Phase II of the Aeration for lagoon system (WWTP) completed and running well.

 

–  Grit Removal System (WWTP) – old system removed by Ray Lindsay Co., new system anticipated to be up and running by May.

 

–   ADM averaging twenty (20) drop-off loads per week.

 

–  pH average is between seven (7) and eight (8) – (7) is neutral. There was a meeting last week with City staff and ADM to talk about the present and the future.

 

–   Laboratory testing coming back in good shape for the past couple of months. There are items being watched but they are not compliance issues.

 

– ADM is working on an aeration system for their lagoons which has been beneficial to the quality of loads we receive. They are still working on being within contract limits.

 

–   AMS is still here, ADM is paying the bill for AMS to be here and inject microbes into the lagoon systems. There are currently (5) trailers on site and each trailer injects microbes into the lagoons twice a day.

 

– Current agreement is for AMS to be here until the end of June. There was discussion of reducing trailers from five (5) to three (3) by that time.

 

–   All observations indicate a healthy system.

 

 

Consideration of Addendum No. 2 – Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contract – Project No. 21-303 – Additional Consultant Services from Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. to Finalize Plans and Bidding for the Davis Lift Station overflow pump and force main – $18,000.00 –  J. Dickman

 

–  J. Dickman reported the state required the City to mitigate the overflow that tends to happen during heavy rains at the Davis Lift Station.  Earles Engineering has been working on designing a pump to get the overflow into a force main and direct it into Cell No. 2 at the lagoons.

 

–   Survey was done, plans laid out, last step is sizing the pump properly.

 

–   Part of the original scope of that work from 2021 included an evaluation of the entire WWTP based on KDHE’s recommendations, this contract did not make it all the way through complete design, so the current charge is to get past the preliminaries, out to bid and to the finish line.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to accept Addendum No. 2.  of the Wastewater Evaluation and Design Contract – Project No. 21-303.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Inspection Proposal – Earles Engineering & Inspection, Inc. – Project No. 22-049 – Horton & 6th Streets – KDOT Cost Share Project – J. Dickman

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin requested that J. Dickman amend the document to delete “City of Pittsburg” and replace it with “City of Fort Scott”.

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to table the Consideration of Inspection Proposal for Project No. 22-049 until the meeting of May 7, 2024.  M. Wells seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

Consideration of Bids – Project No. 22-049 – Horton & 6th Streets – KDOT Cost Share Project – J. Dickman

–   Three (3) bids were received opened on April 11, 2024: Heck and Wicker were the low bidder (within 10% of the Engineer’s estimate).

 

  1. Matkin left the meeting at 7:48 PM.

 

  1. Matkin returned to the meeting at 7:49 PM

 

Discussion was had about salvaging bricks according to the Brick Policy within the bids and the budget for this project.

 

  1. Oliphant/BakerTilly did not have any additional comments to add.

 

MOTION:  D. Olson moved to approve the bid of Heck and Wicker, Inc. minus line 44 of the bid.  T. VanHoecke seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Consideration of Agreement No. 208-22, Project No. U 2455-01 – Agreement between the Secretary of Transportation (KDOT) and the City of Fort Scott – J. Dickman

  1. Dickman explained that this document is the Cost Share Agreement with KDOT for the Horton and 6th Street Project that was originally executed in 2022.

 

MOTION:  M. Wells moved to approve Cost Share Agreement No. 208-22.  M. Guns seconded the motion.

 

  1. Matkin asked if the name of the LPA/City Manager on page 15 of 17 be changed from Kelley Zellner to Brad Matkin. J. Dickman did not believe it mattered but would verify. M. Wells stated that it was possibly due to the time the agreement was drawn up.

 

ACTION:  J. Dickman will make sure that the Cost Share Coordinator has all updated information.

 

  1. Olson called to vote. All voted yes.

 

MOTION PASSED BY 5-0 VOTE.

 

 

Reports and Comments

 

City Manager (Time stamp 2:00:15) – B. Matkin

  • Wyatt/Planning, Housing and Community Development Director went to a grant writing conference and couldn’t appear. She asked B. Matkin to address some current issues with the Land Bank.
  • Olson stated that at April 15, 2024, Land Bank meeting, they voted to recommend: 1) changing membership to have no professional requirements; 2) all positions are three (3) year terms;   3) remove the wording “the main support comes from Bourbon County REDI” from Ordinance No. 3599;  3) appointments to the board would be from date of appointment.

 

ACTION:  B. Matkin requested that Ordinance No. 3599 be changed and brought to the next meeting for consideration to approve the Land Bank’s recommendations of the April 15, 2024, meeting.

 

–   Gunn Park Shower House and Restroom Update: the inside is mostly        completed and will be ready for usage once the water is hooked up.

 

–   An agreement was signed for $12,000.00 for citywide fireworks for July 6,             2024, behind FSCC.

 

–    Reminder for Work Session scheduled for Tuesday, April 25th at 6:00PM           regarding RHIDs with Garth Herrmann from Gilmore Bell.

 

–     Water leak and line repair at St. Mary’s Street and Eddy Street will probably require another week of work.

 

–     25th Street Update: (2) more concrete pours to complete the job in the next           few days.  Thank you to Peerless for letting everyone go through their parking lot during the project.

 

City Engineer (Time stamp 2:04:51) – J. Dickman

  • Compiling a list of active projects for budgeting purposes
  • Meeting with KDOT and City staff for Phase III planning and submission of the Wall Street CCLIP Project
  • 25th Street testing – all passing

 

Commissioners Comments

 

  1. Olson (Time stamp 2:05:51) – No comments.

 

 

  1. Wells (Time stamp 2:05:55)

–  Clarification from statement made at last meeting regarding the Ground Lease by the WWTP, his research found that the damage to the bottom land was not caused by the farmer, it was caused by the equipment the City used to rip the ground up. There is a good plan of action moving forward, but he wanted to apologize for stating that it was the farmer’s responsibility.

 

–  Asked for verification that the City has already approved to move forward with the RHID package. It was stated that they did approve to move forward but have not established districts. He asked that the Commission be proactive in moving this project forward because there are developers who have projects that can be completed once it is approved.  B. Matkin stated as a reminder that this is a slow process.

 

–  Status of 3rd Street Park restrooms – B. Matkin stated it is in process with Wi-Fi lock system.  He will check with B. Lemke for an update.

 

–  Asked if the leak on Eddy was due to heavy truck traffic that was allowed to go through for construction.  B. Matkin stated that was not the cause, it had been leaking for months and is not all on Eddy; it goes west into the alley.

 

–  Reminder of Civil War event at the Fort this weekend.

 

–   Anyone available to help with Clean-Up Day, April 22, 4-6PM.

 

 

  1. Guns (Time stamp 2:11:04) – No comments.

 

 

  1. VanHoecke (Time stamp 2:11:10)

      – Thank you to all who supported the Mary Queen of Angels Church School fundraiser. The amount raised at the event was $110,000.00 for the school.

 

–  Spots are still available for the upcoming REDI On the Green Golf Tournament on Friday, April 19th. Funding from that goes to local scholarships.

 

 

  1. Dancer (Time stamp 2:12:14)

      –  Reminder to citizens to get their golf cart permits for the year at City Hall.

–  Incident with UTV on National Ave. was clarified. It is owned by the Sheriff’s

Department and they were assisting the City Police Department on a call.

 

 

 

 

  1. VanHoecke stated he is still seeing underage operators of the UTV and golf carts on the streets and crossing US 69 Hwy, all possibilities of someone getting hurt.

 

 

City Attorney (Time stamp 2:14:30) – No comments.

 

 

MOTION:  T. VanHoecke moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:14PM (Time stamp 8:14:35)  M. Guns seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

 

 

APRIL 16, 2024, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:14PM.

 

_______________________________________________________________________

Respectfully submitted by:

Lisa A. Lewis, City Clerk

Bourbon County, Schools, Youth

Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Teams Is Named Reserve State Champion

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The Uniontown FFA Livestock Judging Team was named the Reserve State Champion team at the Kansas FFA State Livestock Judging contest on Tuesday, April 30th in Manhattan, Kansas. With the win the team has qualified to represent Kansas at the American Royal Livestock Judging contest in Kansas City, Missouri in the fall. Team members include sophomores Klara Stock and Jaci Marlow and freshman Kole Harris and Jace Harvey. The team is coached by Uniontown FFA Advisor Scott Sutton.
Individually the team was led by freshman Kole Harris. Harris finished 8th overall individually and 3rd overall in reasons. Klara Stock was 11th overall and 14th in reasons. Jace Harvey was the 30th ranked individual. There were 88 total teams and 360 individuals in total.
Advisor Scott Sutton commented, “This young team exceeded expectations by earning the title of Reserve State Champion. For a young team to handle a competitive contest with such a high level of maturity is really impressive. Obviously with this finish they have set the bar very high for the next few years of their high school judging career. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish!”
Bourbon County, Business, Food, Fort Scott

Working Past Health Issues, Spurgeon Builds a Cottage Business

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Bree Spurgeon. Submitted photo.

Bree Spurgeon started her cottage industry of specialty cookies in 2017.

A cottage industry is a small business in which people work in their own homes, according to Cambridge Dictionary.

The first business was named The Cookie MOMster, from a suggestion by her daughter.

“I started The Cookie MOMster in 2017 after taking Financial Peace University at the Nazarene church,” Spurgeon said.

She said she is domestic and crafty and thought she’d make some cookies for Valentine’s Day and advertise on Facebook.

“Next thing I know, I’m taking orders, making sheet cakes, cupcakes, and cookies,” she said.

Spurgeon is disabled with Cystic Fibrosis,  which was diagnosed at three months of age.

“I wasn’t able to hold down a full-time job, with my lungs, at that time, because of the previous infections that have damaged my lungs,” she said. “Medication came out in 2019 that changed my health for the better. Now I have a second chance at life without a lung transplant.  I can pretty much live a normal life, without gasping for air. I got my life back.”

But carpal tunnel syndrome began in her hands.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start gradually and include tingling, numbness and weakness in her hands.

“It was excruciating enough to make me think of quitting, and I was experiencing burnout,” Spurgeon said.

She shifted gears and began to work at Bids and Dibs consignment store in the downtown area of Fort Scott.

“So I went to work at Bids and Dibs and eventually got over my burnout,” she said.

She began massage therapy for the carpal tunnel and started to get excited about making cookies again.

Submitted photos of B-Licious creations.

She started thinking about getting licensure for her cookie-making business.

“My daughter originally named me The Cookie MOMster, but since someone in Kansas has that name already, I’m not able to have it,” she said.

A month of agonizing over a name began.

Then one of her best friends sent the name B-Licious Cookies, for her to consider.

It combines the word delicious, which helped describe her cookies.

“My name starts with a B, I thought, that’s it, that’s my business name!” she said.

Spurgeon self-taught herself cookie baking.

“As I watched countless videos on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, I discovered royal icing and I fell in love,” she said. Royal icing is a type of icing composed of sugar, egg whites, and sometimes flavoring or coloring that dries to a hard glaze and is used for decorating baked goods, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

She began to focus on royal icing,

“I stopped doing buttercream, cakes, and cupcakes and focused on royal icing,” she said. “I look back on those days when I first started royal icing and they were so terrible, but everyone was so encouraging and you have to start somewhere. Plus, it was so much easier with carpal tunnel.”

“Fast forward to 2024, I fully own my own business and Healthy Bourbon County Action Team helped me gain my LLC wings,” she said. “The process was super easy and fast and they gave me all the information I needed to continue moving forward at the beginning of April.”

“I do not need a license because I do not use cream cheese and my final product doesn’t need refrigerated. I operate under the cottage law. I do everything at home and only make sugar cookies with royal icing.”

She has been honing her cookie decorating skills and now uses a cookie projector to download clipart about a particular theme onto a flash drive, put it into the projector and the image projects onto the cookie, then she traces it with icing.

The cookies before decorating. Submitted photo.

“I also use an airbrush and sometimes and I use cookie stencils as a background before I put the image on the cookie,” she said.

She advertises through Facebook only.

Cookies are priced $25 – $35 per dozen “depending on the difficulty of the theme.”

Spurgeon can be contacted at 620-215-6141.

 

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meeting at 1 p.m. Today Is Canceled

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Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Brandon Whisenhunt

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 

May 2, 2024 1:00 p.m.

 

The special meeting scheduled for 1:00 pm today has been cancelled.

 

 

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.

 

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Nick Graham

4 Comments

Why I support the ER Sales Tax (and why I originally didn’t)

Bourbon County is at a crossroads.  In the span of the last year, we’ve lost two major employers and our Emergency Room.  We’ve always been facing headwinds when it came to population decline (more on that later), but ever since the 1-2-3 punch of Timken, Value Merchandisers, and the ER, it’s almost felt like we are at the beginning of some sort of doom spiral into extinction.

Why I originally didn’t support the ER sales tax:

When the sales tax for an ER was first proposed, I was against it.  When Mercy announced its closing in 2019, we suffered what I would call a massive community trauma.  Many of us assumed that the hospital would always be there, and when it became clear that it wouldn’t, we as a community went into panic mode.  Trauma has a way of skewing your judgment, making you susceptible to emotion-based decisions you wouldn’t make under normal circumstances, and that has happened to our County in the wake of losing our hospital.  Millions of dollars have been spent trying to fill the gaping hole that Mercy left in our community, and while I believe those investments were made with only the best intentions, they’ve only made that gaping hole bigger.  When the concept of an ER sales tax was first discussed, I questioned how this investment would pan out any differently than the others.

Why I support it now:

Thankfully, before we as a community put the cart before the horse once again, things slowed down.  In the time since, we’ve had a volunteer group of well-respected local medical and business professionals take the reins of this initiative and take a very pragmatic, non-emotional, practical approach.  Nobody on the Citizens for an E.R. committee has any dream of pie-in-the-sky outcomes, they are focused strictly on what we as a rural Kansas community can realistically accomplish.  Some of the members of this committee are people I’ve been pestering for literally over two decades to run for City or County Commission to no avail.  These are people whose judgment I have 100% faith in, and I believe in what they have very meticulously placed on the ballot.  I also believe there is MUCH more at stake with this ballot initiative than just an ER.

What I fear if this sales tax doesn’t pass:

Even with the painful loss of Timken and Value, we currently have what every other Kansas county without an ER doesn’t: several large employers.  Most of these employers are manufacturers, manufacturers who I suspect value having an ER nearby in case of a workplace accident.  I suspect their insurance companies value it as well.  So what happens if our lack of an ER becomes permanent and not just a blip?  I have no inside information, but I can tell you that some of our biggest employers have facilities in neighboring towns with ERs that have PLENTY of empty space for expansion.  Is 1/4 of one cent worth keeping our major employers in Bourbon County happy?  I think it is.  I have heard at least one person tell me “Linn County doesn’t have an ER, so why do we need one?”  While I have nothing at all against Linn County (I have a great job there), I would implore anyone curious to work up a list of large employers in Linn County.  Spoiler Alert: This exercise will not take you long.

Actually, when it comes to the numbers, Linn County has been relatively lucky when it comes to maintaining its population while not having a hospital or ER.  Back in 2016, Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Development created fifty-year population projections for every county in Kansas, going from 2014 to 2064.  Those projections show Linn County only losing 20% of its population by 2064, going from 9502 in 2014 to 7677 in 2064.  However, Bourbon County (and keep in mind that these projections were made when Bourbon County still had a hospital) was projected to lose a full 25% of its population by 2064, going from 14,772 in 2014 to 11,087 in 2064.  How do you think that number changes if we don’t even have an ER?  How about if we don’t have an ER, and lose one or two more large employers who need the medical and liability protection of an ER nearby?  My goal with this isn’t to scare people (though I myself will admit that I’m scared), but to encourage you to think about this ER sales tax as more than just about an ER, but about the future of Bourbon County itself.

Nick Graham
Uniontown, KS

Bourbon County

Bo Co Coalition Minutes of May 1

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Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

May 1, 2024

 

 

  1. Welcome:  Nineteen members representing twelve agencies attended.  Billie Jo announced that the Board would be approving swim pass applications on May 7 and applicants would receive a letter with instructions for redemption.

 

  1. Member Introductions and Announcements:
  • Holly Fritter, Health Department: Billie Jo will forward Holly’s message about the Community Baby Shower in June and the tetanus shots available for those adversely affected by the recent flood.
  • Michelle Stevenson, USD 234 Early Childhood Program: Needs to fill slots for her program within the next few weeks due to several pre-school students graduating in June.
  • Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: At present, there is no waiting list for one-bedroom apartments; all other sizes have very short waiting lists; she needs applicants.
  • Kathy Romero, Angels Care Home Health:  They serve about forty patients in Bourbon County by providing services in the client’s home.
  • Travis Wilcoxen, Angels Care Home Health: They also offer in-home psychiatric care provided by state certified psychiatric nurses.
  • Nick Johnson: USD 234 Pre-School will add an additional pre-school class for the 2024-2025 school year to accommodate the increased need.
  • Stephanie Herring, Family Resource Center: Stephanie will be helping Miss Val at the library with a nature walk on May 15, at Nelson Park at 9 and at Third Street Park at 10.  She will be working with Heather Shepherd to organize a “Back to School” drive for personal hygiene products; they are planning to be able to offer free haircuts as well.  For information on the services provided by The Family Resource Center check the website: thecenterpittsburg.org.
  • Heather Shepherd, Community Health Worker for 234: She is working with high school students to maintain the community garden by Medicalodge.
  • Shanna Willey, CHC: She is available to help with insurance, Medicaid, Marketplace, some Medicare, financial assistance, SNAP applications, etc.; she is also the point person for the food pantry.
  • Renee Hibdon, CHC: Renee works with pregnant moms with education and services.
  • Sarah Gengler, First Presbyterian Church: On May 15, from 11:00 a.m. until finished, they will hold a free lunch and learn which will include free spinal screenings.
  • Janice Lamb, Coach, CORE Communities: Fourteen core leaders began the course; two were employed during the course and then unable to attend; twelve graduated.  The program goal is to make a difference in poverty.  Phase 2 now begins; Janice needs speakers who would be willing to share and encourage these graduates.
  • Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis: The Kiwanis ladies will be hosting the Chamber Coffee this Thursday; CASA can always use volunteers.
  • Larry Jump, SEK-CAP: Their pre-school goal is to do everything they can to prepare students for kindergarten.
  • Janice Durbin, SEK-CAP Head Start: works with students in the home setting.
  • Shelby Lackey, SEK-CAP Head Start: Shelby provides support for educators working with families in the program.
  • DeeDee Cheney, SEK-CAP: DeeDee is the family home educator for children ages 0 to 3.
  • Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State, SNAP Educator: The “Eating Smarter, Saving More” class is beginning in Iola for four weeks.  On June 6, 6:00 p.m., a six-week class will begin in Fort Scott.  Lea Kay will forward flyers for these   She also reminded members of the upcoming ribbon cutting for the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, May 4, 7:45 a.m.
  • Lisa Robertson, COPE. Even though the COPE grant will expire at the end of May, the free laundry service will continue at the Five Star Laundry on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. for one year.  Also, BB Go has been funded at least through December.

 

  1. Program:  Amanda Clasen, K-State Research Community Vitality Agent

June program:  Tara Solomon Smith, QPR Suicide Prevention

 

 Amanda presented a power point which explained the history, the services, and the personnel that make up the Southwind District.  In order to find class schedules, available assistance, and questions answered, check Facebook or the website: Southwind.ksu.edu.

 

  1. Open Forum:  Nothing further came before the membership.

 

  1. Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeting will be June 5, 2024.

 

Government, Kansas

KS Tax Collections Are Above Estimate

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Governor Kelly Announces April Total Tax Collections Nearly 8.0% Above the Estimate

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that total tax collections for April were $1.42 billion. That is $101 million, or 7.7%, more than the monthly estimate. Total tax collections are up 9.6% from April 2023.

“These revenue numbers underscore how important it is to provide responsible tax relief now,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I remain committed to cutting taxes in a fiscally responsible, comprehensive manner that doesn’t jeopardize the progress we’ve made.”

“The overage for April is largely due to the fact that we are processing 63,000 more ‘balance due’ checks from taxpayers this year than we were at the same time last year,” Secretary of Revenue Mark Burghart said. “A combination of two additional processing days and recently upgraded check remittance technology at the Department of Revenue have allowed payments to be processed faster and much more efficiently.

Secretary Burghart went on to say, “the spike in processed payments for April is really just a carrying forward of payments that would normally be processed in May. As a result, individual income tax receipts for May will likely be lower than the estimate.”

Individual income tax collections were $740.3 million in April 2024. That is $91.0 million, or 14.0%, more than the estimate, and up 24.7% from April 2023.

Corporate income tax collections were $338.2 million last month, which is $6.3 million, or 1.9%, more than estimates. It does, however, reflect a 4.5% drop from corporate income tax collections at this same time last year.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $295.1 million, which is $3.1 million, or 1.1% more than the estimate but down $13.5 million, or 4.4%, from April 2023.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating group met on April 19 to revise estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Click here to view the April 2024 revenue numbers.

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Bourbon County Local News