City commission votes down term-limit proposal Tuesday

The Fort Scott Tribune

Despite covering issues of Commissioner term limits and the local cable company, the main focus of Tuesday night's meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission was the Fort Scott Municipal Airport master plan update.

Mike Waller, Project Manager of the Airport Planning Group with Bucher, Willis and Ratliff Corporation, was on hand to present the master plan update. Waller presented drawings for the proposed changes to the runways and the terminal. He said the Federal Aviation Administration sends the plans through nine different branches for approval and he expects the plans to be approved by the FAA in about six months.

Improvements upgrading equipment, extending runway 18-36 by 5,000 feet, and relocating County Road 50, also known as Lake Road. Waller said a section of Lake Road will be moved to accommodate the extension of the runway and to provide the minimum 15 feet of clearance between the aircraft and the ground.

Over a 20 year period the project will cost a total of $15,694,000 with $9,781,000 being paid by the FAA for a total of $5,913,000 being paid by the City of Fort Scott.

Following the presentation the commission followed the recommendation of the Airport Advisory Board to approve the Master Plan.

Following the discussion Director of Finance Susan Brown presented the commission with an Agreement for Services to allocate budgeted funds to pay for the runway overlay project totaling $48,550. The agreement was passed.

Two somewhat touchy subjects were addressed during the Commissioner's Comments portion of the meeting. Commissioner Nick Graham entertained a motion to prepare documentation which would put a two-term limit for city commission seats item on an upcoming ballot for public vote.

"This is something I have been passionate about," Graham said.

Graham said the reason for his request is his belief it is essential for the growth and progress of the city to get new members on the commission with new ideas. Graham's fellow commissioners did not see it the same way. Commissioner Barbara Wood was in opposition of the proposal, stating residents have the say as to who commissioners are. And, setting term limits would take away from the truest form of democracy. Also opposing were Commissioner Dick Hedges and Mayor Gary Bukowski. Hedges said that the people will decided who they want in the commission and if they want someone for more than two terms it should be allowed.

After a vote, the motion was denied 2-3.

Wood took advantage of her time on the floor by discussing her dissatisfaction with SuddenLink Cable. She said she was very unhappy that Charles Hembree was at the last commission meeting and said that he will keep the city informed and she was given very short notice about the loss of two channels.

"It is our responsibility as a commission to serve our constituents as best as possible and I don't think that is SuddenLink," Wood said. "I don't think this is the end."

In addition Wood encouraged those in attendance to present a letter of dissatisfaction to SuddenLink with their next bill payment.

"We all know it probably won't change anything, but it's worth a shot," Wood said.

A public hearing was also held for the repair or removal of the property located at 123 S. Wilson. Codes Director Amanda Proffitt reported the city has received complaints about rodent and animals getting inside the structure as well as the appearance of the property.

The property owner, Marsha Cowen, Calif., was present to defend the property. She informed the commission that her family is in the business of restoring homes and they have purchased 11 properties within the last three years. She reported seven of the 11 are fully resorted and are now being rented.

Cowen said the structure needs a new roof and new wiring. She said her roofing contractor will not be able to work on the roof until the weather warms up.

After explaining the condemnation process to Cowen, commissioners voted to continue with the process and give Cowen 90 days to show improvement.

In other business:

* A facade application was approved for Cheney Witt Chapel, Inc. located at 201 S. Main. to recover their awnings.

* The Fort Scott Tribune was named the official newspaper of the City of Fort Scott. Likewise, the Governing Body of Fort Scott, Citizens Bank, City State Bank, UMB Bank, Landmark National Bank, Liberty Savings Association and Union State Bank have been designated as the official depositories of the public funds of the City of Fort Scott.

* The commission passed an ordinance relating to the cutting of weeds and vegetation, providing for notice and providing for cutting by the City of Fort Scott.

* All members of the Fort Scott Electrical Board were approved to serve another three-year term.

* The commission approved a contract with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton CPA's for audit services.

* The commission accepted the donation of a clock from John Bartelsmeyer of Bartelsmeyer Jewelry to be placed downtown.

* The Supplemental Agreement No. 1 with Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. was approved by the commission. According to City Manager Joe Turner, the agreement is for inspection process of the Wall Street program.

* The commission gave permission to Kyle Anderson with Felsburg, Holt and Ullevig to proceed with the U.S. 69 Corridor Study.

The next meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission will be at 6 p.m., Jan. 20, in the Commission Room at City Hall.