The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to approve an ordinance to hire Robert L. Farmer as City Attorney. They will also hear a request for the use of Gunn Park on April 9th.
This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting is open to the public.
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the relocation of the offices at City Hall to the Bourbon County Courthouse. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
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[Message clipped] View entire message
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Sen. Marshall Announces Agriculture, HELP, Small Business, and Energy Subcommittee Assignments for 117th Congress
(Washington, D.C., March 19, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., announced his subcommittee assignments for the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee; the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee for the 117th Congress.
“I am honored to be named to these important subcommittees as they give our state a seat at the table when it comes to protecting the Kansas way of life and tackling the many issues facing our nation,” said Senator Marshall. “As a fifth generation farm kid, someone who has spent many years leading businesses in a variety of fields, and as a physician, I look forward to adding the Kansas perspective to each of these subcommittees.”
The Senator’s subcommittee assignments are as follows. You may click on each subcommittee for more information.
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Bailey Lyons is a lady on the move.
“After more than three years as a realtor in Bourbon County, I decided to launch my own independent brokerage,” Lyons said. “It was a dream of mine to open…in my hometown.”
Lyon’s real estate business has grown over the years from repeat business and word-of-mouth introductions of friends, family, and neighbors, she said.
Lyons Realty Group’s new office is at 8 E. Wall St., in the recently restored Tribune Building. The office is part of the LaRoche family’s investment in the block of storefronts at Wall and National Avenue.
Katie Hueston is the business’s office administrator.
“We invite you to stop in and visit anytime,” Lyons said. “Stay tuned for more details regarding a grand opening in the very near future.”
She can be reached via phone at (620)266-9448, or email at [email protected].
Born and raised in Fort Scott, Lyons values this community.
“Growing up in this wonderful community was a blessing,” she said. I want to see it grow, thrive, and evolve, and I love playing a small part in that. The many benefits of small-town, Midwest living is not lost on me, especially since I have chosen to raise my family here. It is a true joy to help people fall in love with our little gem, and allow other families to call this place home.”
“Up until I found my calling in real estate, I worked in banking and finance, a background that compliments real estate and one that I capitalize on to help my clients as they work through the loan process or contemplate financial decisions.”
“I care about giving clients sound advice they can trust and truly want the best for them,” she said.
She works with a team of professionals that include marketing, lenders, home inspectors, title companies, financial advisors, and attorneys.
Bailey and husband Nate reside in Fort Scott with their four children, Addison-19 years old, Jhett and Jaxon-7 , and Lute-3.
Lyons and her family have played an active role in the community and the new business will carry on that tradition, she said.
“At Lyons Realty Group, we want to give back to the community that supports us,” she said. “Our business wouldn’t exist without the support of this community. It’s our goal not to express in words how much we appreciate that support, but to display it in action and deed.”
She is dedicated to getting top dollar for clients while making the process “enjoyable, smooth and stress-free.”
“Buying or selling a home is a deeply personal endeavor,” she said. “Our clients deserve the full service and attention that only a team of experts can consistently provide.”
“Working with us, you will have personal attention, professionalism, honesty, integrity, and extremely hard work ethic,” she said.
Lyons said she loves what she does.
“I hope that shows,” she said. “I am sincerely grateful that I get to work with wonderful clients, in a wonderful community. It is truly an honor and a pleasure.”
Lyons attended The University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in both finance and accounting, as well as her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
She has worked in Tulsa and Kansas City but ultimately made her way back to Fort Scott.
Activity This Weekend
This weekend the new business is a part of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Lollipop Hop & Shop + Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest.
“Bring the kids and have them draw their dream house in front of Lyons Realty Group’s new downtown office,” she said.
At the Good Neighbor Action Team kick-off meeting on March 18, there was lots of energy and ideas, according to Craig Campbell who is spearheading the helping group.
Following are the notes from Campbell about the meeting.
“We have started a curbside limb pick up.
“Starts today (March 19) and will go until no longer needed.
“We would appreciate assistance when loading at the property, if able, and a donation to the GNAT in care of the city.
“They would text 620-224-0167 to schedule the service.
“We lead off the meeting with a talk by (Bourbon County Appraiser) Clint Anderson. It is a common misconception that maintaining your home such as paint, window repair, siding repair, will increase the valuation and thus increase taxes.
“We had similar concerns during the East Wall Street Blitz in May 2015.
“At that time, we had Judy Wallis, county appraiser, attend a meeting with residents to go over the specifics of the effects of repairs on property valuations.
“If painting were to take a house on the appraiser list from sub standard to standard, that would raise the valuation slightly. To offset that, the homeowner can apply for a Neighborhood Revitalization Program waiver of 95% of the increase for 5 to 15 years depending on the type of property.
This program is available for repairs, renovations, or new construction at any time.
“Next, new (Fort Scott) city manager Jeremy Frazier spoke about his experience with a similar group to GNAT called Cushing Pride. They had monthly work days to pick up trash, paint, and other things.
“Bailey Lyons is organizing a downtown clean up for April 16th at 3 p.m.
“It was thought that we would use that time coupled with Earth Day on the 22nd to have a GNAT clean up day on Saturday the 17th from 8-11 a.m.
“The location of the effort will be determined in the next couple of days.
“We are most likely going to have a standing day of projects going forward.
“The team liked the idea of every 3rd Saturday from 8-11 a.m.
“We would start with a few minutes of donuts and coffee, conversation, then work. We will still assist citizens with individual projects.
“We are exploring having a t-shirt for volunteers and may seek corporate sponsorship to preserve the GNAT funds.
“We are creating a team of volunteers that will assist citizens to fill out forms from the USDA 504 Repair program.
“Many times people contact us to volunteer but the physical work is not possible.
“Helping people complete government forms and assist in the follow up is a great what for them to help.
“These forms allow homeowners to apply for grants and/or low interest loans up to $15,000. These grants or loans can be used to repair heating or cooling units, roofs, winterize windows and doors, painting, to name just a few.
“We have set a goal of bringing into Bourbon County $200,000 in 2021.”
“Your freezer door needs two hours of sunshine.”
My repairman here in Mexico explained that that would repair my water dispenser. Javier already had replaced two parts and duct-taped a couple more together, but after waiting for two days—as I was told—there still was no water. I phoned to tell him so.
“I will be over at 10:00 in the morning. We will take the door off, plastic wrap your freezer, and take your door into the sun for two hours. Then it will be fine.”
10:00—no Javier. 10:30—no Javier. At 11:00, I called him. “I am a little delayed. I will be there in an hour, Mexico time.” Everyone in Mexico knows what that means: either today or possibly next week.
Thankfully, Javier showed up “almost” on time.
I had phoned my friend, Lael, to share my story, and we were laughing about the “never say die” attitude of repair people here in Mexico. Nothing is beyond hope. When we hung up, I thought that the freezer is really no different than the rest of us. We all need sunshine. Most research states that Americans are deficient in Vitamin D, also referred to as “the sunshine vitamin.”
If you’ve ever had your bloodwork done, there’s a good chance you are on the low end of that necessary vitamin. The problem is, you might not know so until there are signs like weak bones, bone pain and muscle weakness. Other issues might show up in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems. Without those symptoms (or bloodwork), we can go on our merry way and not realize that we are in danger…until, regrettably, it’s too late. There is, however, a warning. Taking more than 50,000 IU daily of Vitamin D over long periods can lead to high blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia), which can lead to death.
When I started thinking of how we—and my freezer—depend on sunshine to function properly, I also considered how there’s another sunshine we need, only the spelling is different. I’m talking about Son-shine–you know, as the Son of God. His best friend, John, quoted Jesus as saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” and “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Is there a better way to be hope-full than to understand the benefits of soaking up Jesus’ kind of son-shine? Not according to Peter who reminded Jesus’ followers, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
One of my favorite things to do is to curl up with my Bible where I read about how much I am loved and how there is One who constantly pulls me towards the light and teaches me ways to dispel the dark. The story hasn’t changed since the beginning of creation, yet it’s up to us to determine just how much Son-shine we want.
And here’s the cool part! Overdosing on Jesus is impossible. With him, we never are beyond hope. Maybe it’s time to increase the time we spend in the Son.
The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is open to the public.
The Tourism meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
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March 12, 2021 Friday 2:30 pm (Special Meeting)
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, (Clifton Beth via phone), Eric Bailey, the County Counselor and the Deputy County Clerk present.
Also present were the following: Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker and Kim Simons.
Eric Bailey received a call from Jayhawk Wind requesting a representative from the Commission attend a meeting with Eric on Monday, March 15, 2021 @ 10am. Eric stated this would be a meeting with introductions from both parties, questions from both parties and discussing a final set of plans. Eric stated that previous meetings held by Jayhawk Wind with other counties had been attended by the Chairman of the Commission. Jim Harris asked if the Chairman would be making decisions or just gathering information. Lynne stated there could be no decisions made at the meeting and would be information only.
Jim made a motion to approve Lynne Oharah attend the Jayhawk Wind meeting on Monday, March 12, 2021 @ 10am as a representative and share the information with the other commissioners. Clifton seconded the motion and the motion passed.
At 2:40 pm, Jim made a motion to adjourn, Clifton seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
March 16, 2021, Approved Date
March 9, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Also present were the following; (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting) Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Susan Bancroft, Anne Dare, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker and Mark McCoy.
Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes from the prior two meetings, Jim seconded and all approved.
Road & Bridge supervisor Eric Bailey met with the Commissioners; the Commissioners signed a completed culvert permit for Kyle Brown.
Eric received an estimate for a project from Frank Young for $185,000 to install box culverts at a low water crossing at 250th & Deere Road; Jim said there had been a request from the property owner in this area to address this issue, Jim suggested that either he or Eric visit with the property owner and inform them that the County can’t do this work since it costs so much.
Eric presented the Commissioners with a report from Agricultural Engineering regarding the report of findings for the leak at Elm Creek Lake; Eric gave a copy of this to the Commissioners for their review.
Eric said they would be doing a blast at the Beth Quarry on 3/16/2021.
Eric discussed the rock crusher; he said springs had broken on the screen and it had been down for a day, but is now repaired and producing road rock. He said all of the dump trucks are in service and working well. He said they are doing roadside mowing in the north central part of the County.
Jim asked Eric if he was planning on replacing the Ford Tractor that was previously purchased from KDOT; Eric said R&R was going to see if it can be repaired.
Eric said they will be cleaning brush around a bridge near 130th & Xavier and 215th & Xavier. They will be putting rock down for the bridge at 260th & Indian Road.
Eric said the City needed asphalt for patching so the County has the asphalt plant running today.
Eric had a meeting with Jayhawk Wind; he said they presented the County with a road plan; he is reviewing this and will meet with Frank Young for Frank to review it as well. Justin said that February 26th started the 45 day window for them to have the money to the County.
Clifton made a motion that Jim and Eric meet with T&C regarding roads in their area, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Eric said that crossroad culverts near Garland had been added to the list.
Lynne discussed a bridge near 115th & Unity; he said this is an open road, Eric said they will get the debris cleaned out underneath the bridge.
Lynne reported that the road was muddy at 120th & Kansas Road (possibly from where the road was cut for a cable to be installed); Eric said they had recently rocked that road.
Jim told Eric that he had drove the roads last week and said the roads look good.
Matt & Taylor with SEKRPC met with the Commissioners; Matt said they have been working with the new meat packing company and with Ace Hardware. He said they had assisted with a project in Uniontown in 2020. SEKRPC received a CARES Act grant and Taylor will be getting out to the smaller communities to help work on smaller grants. Taylor gave the Commissioners documentation regarding a revolving loan fund and said there are still funds available. They announced a small business seminar on April 7th in Chanute.
Jim made a motion to advertise to take hay bids for Elm Creek Lake and the old Landfill site, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to take bids for the County health insurance for the 2022 year, Jim seconded and all approved. Bill Martin said quotes were provided in 2018 and Wallstreet Group had provided a quote that if accepted would have saved the County $130,000 (Bill handed the Commissioners the 2018 quote). Bill said when a wage study was done, employees were surveyed if wages or benefits were more important to them, he said the majority of employees said wages. Jim asked Bill if he thought that decision was made because they have never experienced bad health insurance. Susan Bancroft briefly discussed the City of Fort Scott’s health insurance; she said the County’s policy covers a lot more than the City’s; she suggested that the County research the brokers offering the policies and said insurance is not apples to apples.
Jim made a motion to allow Lynne to attend a tour with Fort Scott City Manager Jeremy Frazier of the proposed dispatch area in the old jail, Clifton seconded and all approved. Susan Bancroft said the City had approved moving the dispatch to the Courthouse.
Register of Deeds Lora Holdridge met with the Commissioners; Lynne said she had been looking at road maps from 1950 on to determine what roads are open or closed. Lora showed the Commissioners a 1983 reappraisal map that showed one road open and one road closed regarding two roads they have been questioning. Lora said there was a road closure in 2013 that was never put on record in her office, she questioned if the adopted resolution regarding this road could now be put of record, Justin said he would check with the State to verify this. Lora suggested that they have a road work session with she, Eric and at least one Commissioner, Lora said she would meet with Eric to review the maps. Lora said the 1983 reappraisal map lines up with the 911 map. Justin suggested that there are roads in the County that should be vacated and said the Commissioners should reach out to landowners to see if they would want their roads vacated.
Lynne said that Lora had taken on the responsibility of doing the road records, he said the Clerk and the Treasurer has an annual salary of $47,248.24 vs. the Register of Deeds salary of $44,821.66, he felt the Register of Deeds pay should be raised to be comparable to the Clerk & Treasurer. Jim made a motion to raise the Register of Deeds pay to $47,248.24, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Justin said the Commissioners needed to have a meeting regarding the Multi-County Health Board, Lynne made a motion for Clifton to be the liaison for the Bourbon County Commissioners to discuss the future plans for the Health Board, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Jim said he, Justin and a City of Fort Scott employee would be touring a meat packing plant in Springhill on Friday.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session regarding KSA 75-4319(b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship with possible litigation, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:08 am, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). At 10:08, Lynne made a motion to come out of executive session back into open session and said no action, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Clint Walker gave the Commissioners a copy of the Fort Scott Tribune with an article in there discussing the KDOT Cost Share (90/10% grant) program. He said there is a webinar on this beginning at 11:00 am Friday. Lynne later said he appreciated Clint bringing up the KDOT grants, Susan said the City had applied the last three times, but hadn’t gotten any funding. Clint briefly discussed the LEAP program; he said in some instances LEAP will help with a new roof on a house, he suggested the County have a go-to person that could help with LEAP applications.
Anne Dare met with the Commissioners; she apologized for her attitude on how she came across at the last Commission meeting, she said she wants to be heard, but knows she needs to keep her emotions under control, she said she was sorry for her unprofessional behavior. She said she sees good things for the City and County and realized they are trying. Lynne and Clifton both later said they didn’t take any offense to Anne’s actions at the last meeting.
Mark McCoy said he was the vice-chairman for the SEK Multi County Health Board and offered to work with Clifton regarding the Health Board.
Mark said as a former business owner he felt it was important to bid contracts every year or every other year, but said there can be a big difference in the bidding rates; he encouraged the County do their due diligence in getting insurance quotes, but said to make sure they were comparing apples to apples.
The March 2 election canvass will be held on Thursday, March 11th at 10:00 am, Lynne and Clifton plan to be at the canvass; Jim requested that Ashley Shelton represent him at the election canvass.
Jim Harris said he felt there was a need to have another school resource officer for the Fort Scott schools.
At 10:16, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
March 16, 2021, Approved Date
