Improved Walking Trail In The Making For Uniontown Community
An improved walking trail around the USD 235 Campus is in the making. The trail is an oval around the two school buildings in Uniontown and is used by many in the community.
Work began on March 11 to dig up the old asphalt.
“Everything that was asphalt will be replaced with concrete,” said Uniontown Schools Superintendent Vance Eden. “The new path will be 5 feet wide and ADA compliant.”
“Excavation/demolition is being donated by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch.” Vance said. “The (concrete) replacement is being done by Tri-state Building of Pittsburg. The project was bid by several contractors and they had the winning bid.”
The major part of the community improvement project is through the Recreational Trails Program by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, he said.
“The district will cover its portion through in-kind donations and also our Capital Outlay Fund,” Eden said. “Donations of the excavation by Brian Stewart and Jason Koch, a gravel donation of 800 tons by Mary and Don Pemberton of Bandera Stone, and a donation of the rock hauling by Bourbon County (Public Works Department) all help us minimize the district’s cash portion.
The project should be completed by late April or early May.
“Spring weather could be a factor but we are planning on it taking around 6 to 8 weeks,” he said.
Gordon Parks Self Portrait “Live Jazz Event” Is March 21: Free and Open To The Public
Gordon Parks: Self Potrait “Live Jazz Event”
Fort Scott, Kan. Friday. March 14, 2024 – Beach Museum of Art Specialist and Musician Nate McClendon will be at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center Theater on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to present his Gordon Parks: Self Portrait in music and narration with a live jazz band. The performance starts at 7:30p.m. and doors open at 7:00p.m. This is a free community event.
This performance was inspired by the exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come: Photographs by Gordon Parks from the Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University organized by the Beach Museum with support from Art Bridges, a philanthropic organization dedicated to expanding access to American art. This music and narration event is free and open to the public of all ages courtesy of Art Bridges. It is part of the Gordon Parks Convening at the Ellis Fine Arts Center, March 20 – 22, a collaboration with the Beach Museum of Art and the Gordon Parks Museum funded by Art Bridges. The convening will have over twelve museum professionals from across the nation at Fort Scott learning more about Gordon Parks and his works.
For information on the Gordon Parks: Self Portrait Live Jazz event, contact Kirk Sharp, executive director, (620) 223-2700, ext. 5850, or at [email protected].
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Agenda for the Fort Scott City Commission on March 19
NOTICE OF AND AGENDA FOR REGULAR
MEETING OF FORT SCOTT CITY COMMISSION
CITY HALL COMMISSION ROOM – 123 SOUTH MAIN ST.
March 19, 2024 – 6:00 P.M.
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
Matthew Wells, Tim VanHoecke, Melissa Guns, Dyllon Olson, Tracy Dancer
III. Pledge of Allegiance – T. Dancer/Mayor
- Invocation – M. Wells/Commissioner
- Approval of Agenda
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of Appropriation Ordinance 1356-A – Expense Approval Report – Payment Dates February 28, 2024 – March 12, 2024 – $387,082.32
- Approval of Minutes from March 5, 2024, February 6, 2024, and September 19, 2023 – cannot confirm earlier approval.
- February Financials
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 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 with your topic. You will be scheduled on the official agenda to speak on that topic.
- Tiger Color Run – Request for Temporary Street Closure – April 26, 2024 – Maple Ridge Park (roadway in Riverfront Park) – 5:00PM – 8:00PM and Temporary Park Closure – April 26, 2024 – 4:00PM – 8:00PM.
- Diane Striler – Downtown Ice Rink
- Old Business
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3762 – AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING ORDINANCE NO. 2383, ORDINANCE NO. 2384 AND ORDINANCE NO. 2393 WHICH ESTABLISHES THE CITY OF FORT SCOTT, KASAS, PLANNING COMMISSION, AND ORDIANCE NO. 3497 AMENDING SECTION 2.20.040 MEMBERS APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OF THE MEMBER THEREOF AND DEFINING THEIR DUTIES – Recommended by Planning Commission-February 21, 2024, tabled by City Commission-March 5, 2024- Commission Work Session-March 12, 2024.
- Approval of Ordinance No. 3761 – AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.04.90 OF ORDINANCE NO. 3486UTLITY TERRAIN VEHICLES (UTV) OF THE FORT SCOTT MUNICIPAL CODE – tabled March 5, 2024, to change verbiage before approval.
- Approval of Ordinance No.3763 to repeal Ordinance No. 3060 Requiring a Public Dance License
- Approval to correct the numbering of Charter Ordinance No. 32 to Charter Ordinance No. 35.
- Consideration of MOU with Bourbon County Senior Citizens, Inc. – tabled from February 20, 2023
- Updates on (6) lake lot surveys – J. Dickman
- New Business
- Public Hearing – Case No. 1043 – Zoning Change from R2-C3 and Conditional Use Permit – Gary W. Cullor and Sally A. Cullor Revocable Trust represented by Kevin F. Mitchelson/Wheeler & Mitchelson Law Firm and Fred Wingert/Advantage Development, LLC. – Recommended by the Planning Commission on February 21, 2024.
- Action Items
- Consideration to purchase (1) 2024 72” Grasshopper 900D mower under state contract #53340. Item is budgeted for 2024 to replace the Super 104 mower -$21,124.95 – T. Coffman
- Consideration to purchase WorkMaster 70 – Tractor for Public Works from R&R Equipment – Sole Vendor – $38,500.00 – T. Coffman
- Consideration of CD Reinvestment Bids (2) bids received – Landmark National Bank and UMB Bank – B. Hart
- $2,000,000.00 – 12 Months – Settlement Date March 20, 2024 –
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
- $1,000,000.00 – 3 months – Settlement Date March 20, 2024 –
Maturity Date June 20, 2024
- Discussion of School Zone Speed Limit Signs on National
- Discussion of Downtown Parking Time Limit/Yellow Curb Enforcement
- Discussion of Codification of Ordinances for City of Fort Scott – L. Lewis
- Discussion of Fireworks for 4th of July
- Reports and Comments
- City Manager Comments
- Engineering Comments
- Commissioners Comments
- City Attorney Comments
XII. Executive Session
XII. Adjourn
Bo Co Commission Special Meeting Canceled
The special meeting of the Bourbon County Commission on Friday, March 15, 2024 has been canceled.
Submitted by Bourbon County Clerk Jennifer Hawkins
FSCC Trustees Agenda for March 18
March 18, 2024
Board of Trustees
Fort Scott Community College
2108 S. Horton
Fort Scott, KS 66701
The Board of Trustees of Fort Scott Community College will meet in regular session on Monday,
March 18, 2024. The meeting will be held in the meeting room of Cleaver-Burris Boileau Hall at Fort Scott Community College.
5:30 p.m. Regular monthly Board meeting
THE AGENDA
5:30 ROLL CALL, 3
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CALL TO ORDER, 4
A. Comments from the Chair, 4
B. Comments from the Public, 4
C. Review of Programs – Agriculture, 4
CONSENT AGENDA, 5
A. Approval of Agenda, 5
B. Approval of Minutes of previous Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 19,
2024, and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024,
C. Approval of Bills and Claims, 9
D. Ratification of Contracts, 30
1. Tri-Valley Shredding Agreement, 30
2. Osawatomie State Hospital Agreement for Clinical Training, 32
E. Approval of Personnel Actions, 5
DISCUSSION ITEMS, 40
A. First Reading of Policies, 40
1. Purchasing
2. Travel Expenses
3. College Vehicle Use
4. Guidelines for Use of FSCC
Facilities
B. Honorary Degree, 45
C. Graduation Ceremony Attendance, 46
ACTION ITEMS, 47
A. Resolution 2024 – 2: Consideration of Sycamore Grove Apartments Lease Agreement, 47
B. Resolution 2024 – 3: Consideration of Board Member Conflict of Interest Policy, 48
C. Resolution 2024 – 4: Consideration of Board Meeting Rules of Order Policy, 49
D. Resolution 2024 – 5: Consideration of Employee Tuition Scholarship Policy, 50
E. Resolution 2024 – 6: Consideration of Campus Closings Due to Weather Policy, 51
F. Resolution 2024 – 7: Consideration of Tuition and Fees for 2024-25 Academic Year, 52
G. Resolution 2024 – 8: Consideration of Agreement Between FSCC and IDEA, 571
H. Resolution 2024 – 9: Consideration of Culinary Arts Memorandum of Understanding
Between FSCC and Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, 58
I. Resolution 2024 – 10: Consideration of Amended Lease Agreement between FSCC and the City of Frontenac, 60
REPORTS, 66
A. Higher Learning Commission
B. Gordon Parks Museum
C. Foundation
D. Administration
EXECUTIVE SESSION, 74
ADJOURNMENT, 75
UPCOMING CALENDAR DATES:
• March 18, 2024 Board Meeting
• April 15, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 20, 2024 Board Meeting
• May 27, 2024 Memorial Day, Campus Closed
• June 17, 2024 Board Meeting
Sincerely,
Bryan Holt, Chair
Jason Kegler, President
FSCC’s vision for the future is to support “Students First, Community Always” through a
central focus on teaching and learning; advancing strong, innovative programs and
departments; maximizing and leveraging opportunities; initiating efficient and effective
processes; and developing the region’s workforce.2
ROLL CALL
_____ Ronda Bailey
_____ John Bartelsmeyer
_____ Jim Fewins
_____ Bryan Holt
_____ Chad McKinnis
_____ Doug Ropp3
CALL TO ORDER
A. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
B. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – AGRICULTURE4
CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Attached are the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting conducted on February 19, 2024
and Special Board Meeting conducted on February 29, 2024.
C. APPROVAL OF BILLS and CLAIMS
Attached are the Bills and Claims Report.
D. RATIFICATION OF CONTRACTS
Attached are contracts for amounts less than the threshold required for Board approval.
E. APPROVAL OF PERSONNEL ACTIONS
1) Separations
a) Cale Griffiths, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
b) Lance Coulter, Custodian, effective February 29, 2024
c) Geraldin Alaniz, Iowa MEP, effective February 29, 2024
d) McKinley Ward-LaSalle, Assistant Track/XC Coach, effective February 29, 2024
e) Mary Speyrer, Louisiana MEP, effective February 29, 2024
f) Jolee Carswell, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective March 7, 2024
g) Kristen Havron, Cosmetology Instructor, effective March 8, 2024
h) Celina Moses, Assistant Director to Financial Aid, effective March 20, 2024
i) Jared Keylon, Director of Facilities and Operations, effective March 22,
2024
j) DeeDee Cheney, Athletics Secretary, effective March 31, 2024
2) Transfers
a) Sara Sutton, from Agriculture Instructor/Meats Coach to Vice President of Career and Technical Education and Workforce Development, effective July 1, 2024
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Consent Agenda items be approved as
presented.
BOARD ACTION: MOTION _____ SECOND _____ VOTE _____
DISCUSSION:
VOTE: Bailey Bartelsmeyer Fewins
Holt McKinnis Ropp
To view the entire packet:
Minutes of the FSCC Board of Trustees on February 19
FORT SCOTT COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Minutes of the Board of Trustees Meeting
February 19, 2024
PRESENT: Ronda Bailey, John Bartelsmeyer, Jim Fewins, Bryan Holt, and Doug Ropp
ALSO PRESENT: Jason Kegler-President, Juley McDaniel-Board Clerk, faculty, staff, community members
Chairman Holt called the meeting to order at 5:31 pm in the meeting rooms of the Ellis Fine Arts Center.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Chairman Holt recognized the men’s and women’s track team who took first
and second in the conference respectively, as well as Coach Redrick who was voted men’s coach of the year. The men’s 4×4 team broke the region’s record and will go to Nationals.
Jim Fewins reported past FSCC president Jim Meisner passed away unexpectedly, and his funeral will be at the National Cemetery. More details will be shared when they become available.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Anne Dare asked about migrant education and IDEA at FSCC. Although she said she’s not sure what it is and what it does for FSCC, she is concerned about the balances in those funds as shown on the treasurer’s report. She said she found where IDEA was approved by the Board of Trustees in the
March, 2023. She asked the Board to consider if IDEA is a partnership they want to continue.
REVIEW OF PROGRAMS – VOLLEYBALL: Coach Trisha Hamm and seven volleyball team members introduced themselves. Trisha started as head volleyball coach in the 2022-23 season, improving from 6-22 the first year to 13-16 the second year. The team made it to the playoffs for the first time in three years, hosted their first
tournament in five years, and had a nationally ranked team GPA. The team participated in the welcome back to school at a local elementary school, has served as line judges at high school games, had a Greenbush day, and volunteered at trunk or treat, the spring kids fair, and worked the baseball admissions gate. Coach Hamm said they are always looking for community service opportunities. The team has four returning as sophomores, five committed, two offers are out, and two still to visit and offer, and all but 1 are from Kansas. The group agreed they have created a positive culture in the program. Board members were encouraged to attend games, help with the pancake feed, and help spread the word about their camps.
CONSENT AGENDA: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by unanimous vote
to approve the consent agenda.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
A. First Reading of Policies – As part of a plan to consistently work towards updating Board Policy, the following policy revisions were reviewed for feedback. They will be presented for final approval at the next board meeting.
a. Board Member Conflicts of Interest
b. Board Meeting Rules of Order
c. Employee Tuition Scholarship
d. Campus Closings Due to Weather
B. Five Year Financial Plan – Dr. Kegler reported many have asked what FSCC’s plan is to recover from financial concerns. He said many other presidents in the state have shared their financial plan. The financial plan pages are a framework for moving forward. Amounts will remain blank until the Board goes
through a budget workshop to complete it.
C. 2024 – 25 Academic Year Fees – Dr. Kegler said he hoped to have numbers for fee increases, but is still waiting on a couple of outside entities to get back with FSCC on what things will cost. Dr. Kegler
explained student fees will likely increase $5 and most institutions across the state are increasing tuition and fees $2 and $3 respectively, so across the state institutions are seeing a fee increase of $3 – $5. Dr. Kegler said FSCC is anticipating a $5 fee increase this year and potentially tuition increase next year, as6
well as a housing increase of $100 – $200 depending on what rates Great Western Dining provides. The executive team will continue talking about rates.
D. FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame Guidelines – The Board reviewed the current requirements for admission to FSCC Athletic Hall of Fame. Based on the guidelines currently in place, it appears at least one of the students mentioned in a previous meeting is eligible to be nominated. Steve Anthony reiterated his desire
to help with any part of the process.
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Resolution 2024 – 1: A motion was made by Fewins seconded by Bailey, and carried by unanimous vote to mapprove an increase in the allowed petty cash amounts from $3,300 to $5,300.
B. Resolution 2024 – 2: A motion was made by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous
vote to table the consideration to terminate the current lease with Sycamore Grove Apartments upon completion of the current agreement’s term. Fewins requested additional figures on students, capacity, and fees, in order to make a decision. Ropp requested new board members be given a tour of the housing
options so the board knows what they’re being asked to consider.
C. Resolution 2024 – 3: A motion was made by Ropp, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote to
approve the Bank Signee Resolution.
REPORTS:
• HLC – The HLC Committee has continued meeting every other Tuesday, reviewing what has been done for each criterion since 2020. Dr. Kegler reported a digital copy of the progress will be provided to the Board.
Dr. Kegler added the number of employees going to the HLC Conference has been reduced based on feedback. Dr. Kegler, Sonia Gugnani, and Sara Sutton will attend the conference in April in Chicago.
• GORDON PARKS MUSEUM – The Board reviewed a report provided by the Gordon Parks Museum.
Dr. Kegler added he’s received several compliments on the work that Kirk Sharp is doing.
• FOUNDATION – None
• ADMINISTRATION – The Board reviewed and heard updates from Miami County, Academic Affairs, Finance and Operations, Student Services, and President.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: A motion was made by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer and carried by unanimous vote to adjourn to executive session for 5 minutes beginning at 8:10 pm for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel as it relates to discussion of identifiable personnel information of non-elected personnel with no action expected to follow. The Board invited Dr. Kegler to join.
OPEN SESSION: A motion was made at 8:16 pm by Fewins, seconded by Bartelsmeyer, and carried by
unanimous vote to return to open session.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the Trustees, a motion to adjourn was made at
8:16 pm by Bartelsmeyer, seconded by Fewins, and carried by unanimous vote.
Land Bank, Design Review Board to Meet Next Week
The Fort Scott Land Bank meeting will be held on Monday, March 18th at 4:00 pm at City Hall.
The Fort Scott Design Review Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19th at 4:00 pm at City Hall
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Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration Is April 18
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Chamber Coffee at Briggs Auto on March 14
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Prescribed Fire Planned in March at Fort Scott National Historic Site
Fort Scott, Kan. – Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five-acre restored prairie this March 2024. The soonest date will be this Wednesday, March 13th, if conditions are safe and will meet the park’s goals. The specific date and ignition will depend upon weather conditions and the burn may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unfavorable.
“We are looking forward to implementing this prescribed fire (Rx) project with the assistance of our interagency neighbors. Our ability to annually use fire to enhance the resilience of the ecosystem, results in a more diverse tallgrass prairie, and provides a better habitat for migratory birds and pollinators.” said Jill Jaworski, Superintendent, Fort Scott National Historic Site. Like all prescribed fires, the plans for the tallgrass prairie Rx contain a set of parameters which define (among other things) the expected weather and fuel conditions under which the fire can be initiated. Prior to implementing the burn, fire managers will evaluate current conditions and will only ignite the fire if all of the prescribed conditions are within those parameters.
During typical Rx fire activity, daytime smoke disperses to the northwest, up and over the highway. Coordination with the City of Fort Scott, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas State Highway Patrol, and Kansas Department of Transportation is already underway for this prescribed fire. Smoke impacts or traffic delays on Highway 69 are not expected during the burn.
-NPS-
Credit Photo as: NPS Photo, Prescribed fire at the entrance to the Tallgrass Prairie Trail.
John E. Johnson Jr. Escaped From Jo. Co. Department of Corrections
Submitted photo.
Minimum-Custody Offender John Evans Johnson, Jr. Placed on Escape Status from Johnson County Department of Corrections’ Adult Residential Center
~Should be considered dangerous~
GARDNER, Kansas. –
Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) resident John Evans Johnson, Jr., has been placed on escape status after not returning to the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JSDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) facility this afternoon.
Johnson, a 49-year-old white male with green eyes, stands 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 191 pounds. He has a shaved head and nine tattoos across his arms, legs, neck, and back.
He was placed on escape status when he did not return to the residential center following two job interviews.
Johnson has been serving a one-year sentence at the Johnson County Work Release Center since August 3, 2023. He was convicted in Wyandotte County for one count of burglary.
Anyone with information on Johnson should call the KDOC’s Enforcement, Apprehension, and Investigations Division (EAI) at 816-266-2102, the JCDOC at 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911. Kansans can also contact EAI via email at [email protected]
The walk-away is currently being investigated. New information will be released as it becomes available.
Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who meet certain criteria can be housed at the ARC to promote their successful reintegration into the community.
A photo of John Evans Johnson, Jr., can be found here.