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Uniontown City Council agenda for Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at Uniontown City Hall.
___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart
Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Matt Quick –
Uniontown Ruritan Bathroom Project, Skeet George –
CITIZENS REQUESTS
FINANCIAL REPORT
Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports
APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA
Superintendent: Bobby Rich
KCC Inspection
KRWA Conference
Codes Enforcement: Doug Coyan
Clerk Report: Sally Johnson
May 1, 2023 through April 30, 2024 Projected Gas Supply Requirements –
KRWA Voting Delegate –
Benefit-Cost Analysis Workshop, April 19-20, Manhattan –
Rabies Clinic this year?
CCMFOA Conference, March 22-24, Manhattan –
Court Clerks Conference, March 3, Wichita –
KSGFOA Membership, Spring Symposium, March 30, Wichita –
Utility Hearings this month – last Wed 22nd, change date to 28th?
LSLI survey –
Councilman Ervin –
Councilwoman Esslinger –
Councilman Hartman –
Councilwoman Kelly –
Councilman Stewart–
Mayor Jurgensen –
Citywide Trash Service –
School Pond Project –
Placemaking Project –
American Rescue Plan Act update–
KMGA/MMGA Prepay project –
City Attorney –
Attachments:
The Regular Council Meeting on January 10, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Dixie Riedel and Kay Forsen (Kansas Municipal Gas Agency), City Superintendent Bobby Rich, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, and City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
KMGA Prepay Project, Dixie Riedel – gave a presentation of the proposed project and fielded questions. We would have a contract with KMGA to participate in a project with Minnesota Municipal Gas Agency. MMGA would be the entity to actually prepay. If we would choose to participate, we would choose the amount (10%-60%) of our proposed daily usage to pledge to this project. The discount seen in the last six months has been $0.25-$0.40/unit.
Ruritan Bathroom Project, Raymond “Skeet” George – Mr George was unable to attend. He sent a thank you to the Council for their support of the project with a list of donors and costs for the project.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the December 2022 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $354,638.51, Receipts $56,191.05, Transfers Out $19,026.68, Expenditures $48,250.91, Checking Account Closing Balance $343,551.97. Bank Statement Balance $355,533.60, including Checking Account Interest of $76.87, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $11,981.63, Reconciled Balance $343,551.97. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,165.36, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,793.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,442.36, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $429,952.95. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $438.27, and Utility CDs $374.30 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $812.57. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of December 2022, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. December Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 to General Fund $2,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $1,000.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Security Meter Deposits $0.23, to General Fund $3,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $1,000.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Security Meter Deposits $0.45, to General Fund $3,000.00 and to Capital Improvement $3,000.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement $3,000.00 for Total Transfers of $19,026.68. Net Loss for the month of December $11,086.54, Year-to-Date Net Income $19,808.47. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $123,315.52 (116.9%), Expenditures $116,473.53 (89.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $36,274.50 (101.6%), Expenditures $39,133.62 (95.4%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $133,607.21 (95.7%), Expenditures $172,946.27 (70.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $155,336.20 (109.6%), Expenditures $146,843.96 (88.8%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $7,661.33 (120.9%), Expenditures $10,620.81 (99.9%). The January 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $39,253.89 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich reported KCC Inspection of gas system will by January 17-18.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported little change on Smith Estate demolition over holidays. The park looked really good over holidays!
Mayor Jurgensen addressed the ongoing neighbor feud. Discussion ensued.
Clerk Johnson was absent due to family emergency.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – Received an invitation to attend Governor’s inauguration.
OLD BUSINESS
School Pond Project – Mayor Jurgensen visited with Bourbon County Public Works Director on the rock and he said the county can’t give us the size rock we’re wanting. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 accept the size of rock presented unless they can make bigger
Placemaking Project – Mayor Jurgensen has reviewed the catalogs and called companies for pricing. He’s going to try to get the committee together soon.
American Rescue Plan Act update – Doug Coyan indicated materials would probably be delivered around February 1. Discussion ensued regarding timeline of project. He also stated that concrete cost is skyrocketing. Discussion ensued.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to nonelected personnel matters exception KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss nonelected employees performances and pay rates with the open meeting to resume at 8:20PM
Open meeting resumed at 8:20PM.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to increase the City Superintendent and City Clerk wage rate $1.00/hour and the Maintenance Helper wage rate $1.50/hour, effective January 1, 2023
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:25PM
There is one opening (City resident) for the Fort Scott Design Review Board.
The function of the Design Review Board is to review requests for Certificate of Appropriateness in the historic district of our downtown. They meet on an “as needed” basis.
If you have a desire to serve on this board and meet the above requirements, please submit a letter of interest to the City Clerk, Lisa Lewis, 123 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. The names will be submitted for consideration to the City Commission. All the boards and commissions serve on a volunteer basis and are not compensated. If you would like more information on this board, please contact Lisa Lewis, City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or [email protected].
Please submit your letter of interest by March 9th, 2023.
The February Makers Market is this Saturday, February 11th from 10 am to 3 pm in the Cloverleaf Event Center at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds.
The Makers Market will have lots of options for all of your Valentine’s gift
Vendors are:
Mmm Flavor Shop
Locust Hill Lamancha Goat Milk Products
Donna Beerbower’s Fudge
Designer Florals by Rilie
Hamilton Bakery
Bathhouse Trading Company
Micki Kraft’s Sewed items
All Things Cute Cuddle
Happy Little Candle Factory
Makaeldron’s Cauldron Jewelry
Frilz by Victoria
Pheonix Fire Designs
Mmm Flavor Shop will have a meals available for purchase that include create your own pasta, macaroni and cheese, from scratch Angel Food Cake, and Whoppie Pies. They will also have dips available for Sunday Superbowl Parties.

Bourbon County REDI is proud to announce its collaboration with two housing developers on the Moderate-Income Housing Grant from the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation. If awarded, this project will bring over 20 new housing units to Fort Scott, a much-needed addition to the community.
The Moderate-Income Housing Grant provides funding for the development of affordable housing for moderate income families. This grant will allow for the creation of new housing units that will provide families with the stability and comfort of a safe and affordable home.
Bourbon County REDI, working with the two housing developers, has been advocating for this grant for many months. The grant, if awarded, will have a significant impact on the local economy, creating jobs and providing much-needed housing for Fort Scott families.
“Bourbon County REDI is committed to creating a better future for the families of Fort Scott,” said Robert Harrington, Executive Director of Bourbon County REDI. “This grant will help us achieve that goal and make a positive impact on the community. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with the Kansas Rural Housing Corporation and our housing development partners on this project.”
For more information on Bourbon County REDI, please visit our website at www.bourboncountyredi.com.
About Bourbon County REDI
Bourbon County REDI is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic development in Fort Scott, Kansas, and the surrounding areas. We work with businesses, individuals, and community organizations to create a thriving and sustainable economy for future generations.
Contact: Robert Harrington Executive Director of Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc. [email protected]
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD will meet at 5:00PM at City Hall regarding the Fort Scott Pavilion and discussion of open position on the Board.
SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING will meet at 6:00PM at City Hall to consider Patrick Wood Properties, LLC’s request of the City to Support (MIH), IRB, RHID or NRP. a waiver of building permits and impact fees, help with water metering, sanitary sewer tie in and storm water runoff for his Pocket Neighborhood. Also, the consideration of acquiring a mini excavator by trade.
Both meetings are open to the public and will be available on the City of Fort Scott YouTube Channel.

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To better serve travelers and the community, the Sleep Inn Hotel installed an electric vehicle charging station a few weeks ago.

An electric vehicle charging station is equipment that connects an electric vehicle (EV) to a source of electricity to recharge electric cars, neighborhood electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, according to https://www.techtarget.com
“We are only the second public charging station in town,” Sleep Inn Manager Bill Michaud said. “The only other one being Evergy with a single port station in front of their offices on Old Fort Blvd.”
The Sleep Inn is located at 320 E. Wall, Fort Scott.

Currently. Michaud knows of only one other hotel charging station in the area, in Overland Park.
“As far as hotels in southeast Kansas, the Hampton Inn at Prairie Fire Casino is the only other hotel based EV station, ” Michaud said. We are hopeful that adding this station will open the doors to our community to the growing number of EV drivers.”

Michaud is in the process of adding the Sleep Inn charging station to the numerous station locator online apps. This makes it easy for drivers to plan sites that can accommodate their electric vehicles along a route.
“Our charger is a JuiceBar brand, two-port, 32 amp charger that operates on the EVConnect network,” he said. “To use the station you simply download the EVConnect app and use the station identifying QR code on the side of the charging station to activate the port.”
“The station is open to the public – not restricted to hotel guest use,” he said. “We just hope that making the charging station available will bring people to town that otherwise wouldn’t ,due to lack of charging options. I’m told that the 32amp charger will charge an EV at the rate of 25 miles per hour on the charger giving someone that’s plugged in for 12 hours up to 300 miles in driving range.”
Carl Edward Hagan, Sr., age 70, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Monday, February 6, 2023, in Ft. Scott.
He was born January 7, 1953, the son of Floyd E. Green and Teresia Waunettia Edna Pryor.
Carl graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. Carl first married Bethany Ann Nolan and they had one son, Carl Jr. He later married Kelli Thompson and later divorced.
In earlier years, he worked as a diesel mechanic for Mid-Western Distribution. When that business closed, Carl found employment with Superior Industries in Pittsburg where he worked until his retirement.
Carl had a love for vintage automobiles and will be remembered for his ’56 yellow Chevy Nomad.
Survivors include his son, Carl Hagan, Jr. of Ft. Scott and a step-son, Kelley Olivas and two grandchildren, Jacob Magnus Hagan and Gwenyth Bethany Hagan. Also surviving is a brother, Ernest P. Hagan, Jr. of Montgomery, Texas.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Marilyn McKey.
Rev. Chuck Russell will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Monday, February 13th at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Carl Hagan Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott will host “Army of the Amazons: Women’s Fight for Labor Rights in the Kansas Coalfields,” a presentation and discussion by Linda O’Nelio Knoll on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 2 p.m., at the Lowell Milken Center at 1 South Main Street.
Members of the community are invited to attend the free program. Contact the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes at #620-223-1312 for more information. The program is made possible by Humanities Kansas.
Refreshments will be provided for those attending.
To view the poster of the event:
Email Community Book Read (5 × 7 in) (2)(1)
In December 1921, thousands of women in southeast Kansas rose up to fight injustice in the area coalfields.
These women were immigrants from Eastern European nations as well as Kansas born.
After a months-long strike by the coalminers, the women joined the cause. In the short term, their efforts crippled mine production for nearly a month; in the longer term, their continued activism impacted future statewide elections and national legislation.
This talk will share the stories of these women, christened the “Amazon Army” by The New York Times, and their fight for democracy and labor rights in Kansas’s coalfields.
This event will kick off the community reading of two books about Unsung Heroes “Cher Ami” and “Lorraine Hansberry.”
Free books are provided by Humanities Kansas and all are welcome to participate!
Both book discussions will happen at the Lowell Milken Center three weeks after the book is passed out
About Humanities Kansas
Humanities Kansas is an independent nonprofit spearheading a movement of ideas to empower the people of Kansas to strengthen their communities and our democracy. Since 1972, our pioneering programming, grants, and partnerships have documented and shared stories to spark conversations and generate insights. Together with our partners and supporters, we inspire all Kansans to draw on history, literature, ethics, and culture to enrich their lives and serve the communities and state we all proudly call home. Visit humanitieskansas.org.
About the Lowell Milken Center: The Lowell Milken Center is a non-profit 501 © (3) that works with students and educators within a range of diverse academic disciplines, to develop projects focused on unsung heroes. Once their projects are finished, we advocate the student’s unsung heroes by sharing them in our Hall of Unsung Heroes or our website so people all over the world discover their individual influence and obligation to take actions that improve the lives of others. The Hall of Unsung Heroes is proudly located in Southeast Kansas and showcases some of the top projects developed in collaboration with the Center.
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