The Fort Scott Tribune

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The Fort Scott City Commission was short handed Tuesday night. However the absence of Mayor Gary Bukowski and Commissioner Nick Graham did not slow the commission down.

The meeting began with a special recognition of Commissioner Dick Hedges for being named to the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame. After a short history of Hedges' accomplishments were read, a standing ovation was given.

Dale Bunn, Economic Director, addressed the commission regarding the Downtown Streetscape Program change order. Bunn stated that the change order extend the addition of the lights, benches and trash cans from the current endpoint of 1st Street to 2nd Street totaling three blocks. The change order will also fix the broken sidewalk, curb and gutter and street pavement over an area at the southeast corner of Scott and 1st Street. The third item of the change order would be to close the window well openings at the Courtland Hotel. The change order was passed by the commission.

Two public hearings were held for property at 750 S. Judson and the accessory structure at 308 Ford. The owner of the property on Judson has made progress on repairing the structure and plans to have a new roof finished by the end of the week. The owner also added that it will be six months before the property is livable. The commission gave a 90-day period to get the structure to comply with codes.

The accessory structure at 308 Ford was also given 90 days after the owner made it known that he had been in contact with a contractor to repair the structure. The 90 days was given after Code/Zoning Administrator Amanda Proffitt recommended that additional time be given.

"It is a very dangerous structure," said Proffitt.

The commission then had an appearance by Vicki Pritchett regarding the Frontier Military Scenic Byway. The topic was to get Fort Scott to nominate the byway for National Scenic Byway designation.

"It is a nation-wide program that gives nation wide coverage," said Pritchett.

Pritchett also added that this would be the third National Scenic Byway in Kansas. The commission passed the resolution for the nomination.

During the Citizen's Comments part of the meeting, Jim Shoemaker addressed the commission stating that there were weeds on city property near his home that needed to be taken care of. City Manager Joe Turner told Shoemaker that the issue will be taken care of. Shoemaker also stated that he was still not happy with the laying of the bricks on the Streetscape Project.

"This is observation, just a citizen's comment," said Shoemaker.

Other items covered during the meeting were:

* Notice of a public hearing was given regarding a new Flood Plain Management Ordinance. The hearing is set for November 4 at 6:15 p.m.

* Ordinance No. 3351, Pay Plan Salary, was given it's first reading. The plan would take effect January of 2009 if approved.

* Turner mentioned the retaining wall at 7th and National, saying that it will be discussed by the commission soon, but he just wanted to keep it in front of them.

* Upon the recommendation of Public Works Director Eric Bailey, the commission rejected the only bid that was received for the installation of three separate water mains located at North National Bridge, 10th and Little Street and Mill Creek Bridge.

* Upon the recommendation of Bailey, the commission accepted the bid of $102,000 from Slates Earthwork, LLC for the reconstruction of sanitary sewer lines at 1st and Franklin, Clairmont from 16th to 17th and Elm and Mulberry.

* Susan Brown discussed the progress of the Safe Routes to School and displayed the brochure that was created.

* Brown also mentioned to the commission that the Federal Trade Commission is requiring the city to pass a resolution of Red Flag Rules by November 1. These rules will protect customers from identity theft.

The full Fort Scott City Commission meeting will be replayed tonight on cable channel 3 at 7:30 p.m.