Eight structures come under scrutiny

The commission decided unanimously on all eight properties to proceed with the condemnation process which allows the owner 90 days to make substantial and noticeable progress toward the repair of the structure.

The first structure on the table was 608 E. 1st St. Fort Scott Codes Administrator Amanda Proffitt reported there was a fire inside the house in 2004 and that the structure appears to be fixable. She added the wiring and plumbing needed to be replaced and sections of the floor were missing.

Leon Rhodes, owner of the property, was on hand to address the condition of the structure. He said he bought the house because it was cheap and that he wanted to fix it. He has sold the house on a contract and said the contract owner, who was also present, will make the repairs. Rhodes added the did not believe the work could be completed in the 90 day period and said it would take six months due to economic restraints.

"Our concern is that you make a good effort in 90 days ... we'll work with you," Fort Scott Mayor Gary Bukowski said.

Proffitt discussed the structure located at 15 N. Crawford St. to inform the commission of it's dangerous condition.

"The wiring is in very bad, dangerous condition," Proffitt said.

She added the roof leaks and the outside walls are pulling way as the middle of the structure sinks.

"It's a dangerous structure," Proffitt said.

Owner Wanda F. May, of Dallas, Texas, approached the commission enthusiastically saying she is here to fix the house. She gave a history of the house and said it was robbed earlier this year and that it was run down by a drug abusing tenant.

May added she wants to fix the home up because of it's historical significance. She said at 68-years-old, she loves history.

"I love old houses, old cars, and old men if they're clean," May said. "I'm going to fix this house so you won't be ashamed to look at it."

Proffitt's report on the structure located at 416 S. Eddy St. was not favorable. She said the roof is in disrepair and that the house is unlivable because of health and sanitary issues. Despite the house's condition the owner is currently residing in the house and has refused any assistance from neighbors to clean up the property, according to Proffitt. She added the only way into the house is through the seller because the front door and back door are both blocked by piles of trash.

Proffitt gave a report on the structure at 412 S. Little St., saying the roof of both the structure and the garage were leaking and had large holes. She added the plumbing was not working and that the water has been turned off since December 2007. The owner was present at the meeting to inform the commission work is being done on the house.

"It's being done slowly but surely," the owner said.

The owner of the structure at 802 S. Barbee St. was not present however Proffitt did inform the commission work is being done by the owner to repair the roof and the foundation. She said the work is being done as the owner gets money to pay for materials.

The structure at 512 S. Ransom St. is in a state of disrepair according to Proffitt. She added the owner wants to tear the structure down and the codes office is helping in the search for a contractor.

Likewise, the property at 1723 E. Oak St. will also be torn down. Fort Scott City Commissioner Jean Parker said she received a phone call from the owner just before the commission meeting began where she was informed of the owners intentions.

The future of the structure located at 201 S. Washington St. is unknown. Proffitt reported the gas has been shut off since October 2008. She said the roof leaks and that the owner lives elsewhere.

Other business conducted by the commission included:

* Bukowski proclaimed May 23 as Arbor Day.

* Approved a payment of $242,776 to Lathrop Construction for the water line project.

* Approved a payment of $10,350 to Emery Sapp and Sons for the construction of an aircraft parking apron at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport.

* Accepted the low interest offer by County Club Bank out of the Kansas City area, of just over 3.44 percent for the sale of the General Obligation Bonds for the Wall Street Water Line Project, downtown water line work, street program, and sidewalk program. Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner said they were planning on a 5 percent interest rate.

* Accepted the Certificate of Appropriateness for signage and painting for Main Street Mercantile at 8 S. Main St.

* Approved new zoning fees.

* Accepted the low bid of $599,974 from Se-Kan Asphalt Services, Inc., of Gas, for the overlay of the 17-35 runway at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport.

* Approved the rezoning of 1627 E. Wall St. from Mixed Use to C-3 for the purpose of running a tire shop. The shop will operate under a conditional permit.

* Upheld the Fort Scott Planning Commission's recommendation to deny the rezoning of the property at the southwest corner of Liberty Bell Road and Jayhawk Road for the purpose of building a new Animal Shelter.

* Approved a donation of $2,000 to the Good Neighbor Action Team for the Good Neighbor Blitz.