City looks good; Southeast Kansas Regional Leadership Academy presents favorable report to commissioners.

Two representatives of the Southeast Kansas Regional Leadership Academy First Impression Team gave a generally favorable report on the city during a presentation to the Fort Scott City Commission on Tuesday evening.

Daniel Crook and Jane Brophy, representing the team, revealed the findings of a study that detailed the squad's first impressions of Fort Scott following a visit on Nov. 21, 2011. The study is a community betterment program that began in 1992. Its purpose is to provide an outsider's perspective on a community.

"This report is just that -- our observations from a one-day visit," Crook said.

In conducting the study, team members spread out throughout Fort Scott and studied the town's entrances, cemeteries, parks, the Fort Scott National Historic Site, downtown, schools and government buildings. Members interacted with the community by shopping, eating lunch and asking for directions to evaluate various dimensions of the city. Crook said the team also took photos.

The report showed mostly positive aspects, but contained some negative findings.

Concerning entrances to Fort Scott, Crook said there is a nice stone welcome sign on the edge of town, but the team had difficulty finding some areas and locations due to lack of signage. He said the visitor information center is "very visible" and staff there were "very friendly."

Fort Scott has much to offer visitors with the historic site and the Fort Scott National Cemetery, which are "beautiful, well-maintained and taken care of," Crook said. He said some visitors he talked to during his visit said they specifically came to Fort Scott to see the historic site and cemetery.

Brophy said the team was impressed with how the historic site transitions into the retail district and funnels visitors downtown. She said a big challenge for the town is maintenance on old buildings, some of which are showing signs of neglect such as broken windows. Brophy said many downtown businesses did not have addresses displayed, which she said would be very helpful to visitors. The team was also impressed with the downtown retail district and some "amazing old homes" around town, Brophy said.

Brophy said there is a "nice variety of dining and shopping," in town with several locally-owned restaurants. She said Gunn Park is a "wonderful asset" to the community.

The team visited local schools and Brophy said they found the buildings were nice and well-maintained. Brophy also mentioned the need for the town to include more signs directing people to certain locations. She said a good idea might be to include a sign on the new aquatic center to highlight it as a community betterment project.

Brophy said the team saw a lot of police officers on patrol during their visit. There was some litter present in ditches along roads, which could provide an opportunity for a community clean-up day, she said.

"The people were very friendly and pleasant," she said. "It was a pleasant and positive experience. Fort Scott has a lot of really good things going on."

Crook agreed, adding he was "pleased to be here. It's a great city to look at."

Mayor Jim Adams and City Manager Dave Martin thanked Crook and Brophy for their presentation.

In other business, the commission:

* Tabled consideration of a Conditional Use Permit for 2447 Locust Road to allow a used car business. Martin said Codes Manager Brent Crays, who was not present at the meeting, has more information on this matter and it will be reviewed at the commission's next meeting.

* Conducted the first reading of two ordinances calling for small increases in sewer and water rates. Assistant City Manager Susan Brown said the city ended the year with a good cash balance but is looking to spend money on needed infrastructure improvement projects.

* Approved an application for a license to sell 3.2 beer at the Woodland Hills Golf Course. Adams said this will create some extra income to help pay for the golf course.

* Heard a year-end financial report from Brown, who said there was an estimated $500,000 carryover from last year to the general fund. She said 2011 was a "great year" financially and the city came out about $100,000 better in the general fund than anticipated. She also gave a brief review of the city's other funds.

"It was a great year. We ended the year pretty well," she said.

* Approved donation of extra fencing to the new Lee's Paws and Claws Animal Shelter.