Contractor chosen for property demolition

The Fort Scott City Commission addressed only a few items during its brief meeting Tuesday night.

During its 15-minute gathering, the commission approved bids for demolition of structures located at 717 S. Osbun and 107 S. Wilson streets, Christmas bonuses for city employees, ordinances related to slight increases in water and sewer rates, and a charter ordinance re-authorizing exiting library tax levy to six mills.

Concerning the bids for the demolition of the structures, the commission approved the low bids of $2,800 for structures at 107 S. Wilson St., and $3,200 for structures at 717 Osbun St., from Walker Construction of Fort Scott.

Codes Manager Brent Crays told the commission Walker Construction provided the lowest bid on both properties and recommended the commission accept the company's bids. Crays said the city has worked with this company in the past.

Other bidders for the properties included Greg Schick with a bid of $4,150 for the Wilson properties and $4,500 for the Osbun properties, and Randy Vilela Demolition, of Pittsburg, which came in with a $4,400 bid for the Wilson structures and a $3,700 bid for the Osbun structures.

The commission also approved ordinances setting new water rates and sanitary sewer rates within the city. A 3-percent increase in water and sewer rates will go into effect in January.

Director of Finance Jon Garrison said what he has seen in other communities are slight adjustments in utility rates "to keep up with inflation."

Garrison said there are old water hydrants in the city's system that would cost about $2,500 to $3,000 to replace.

"A modest increase each year allows for replacing of aging infrastructure," he said.

Garrison also told the commission the existing ordinance setting the mill levy for the public library had sunset about 10 years ago and the new charter ordinance re-institutes the same limit of six mills for the library.

In response to a question from commissioner Lucas Cosens, City Attorney Bob Farmer said the charter ordinance cannot sunset.

"It's perpetual," Farmer said.

Garrison said the ordinance must go through two readings by the commission and publication in the city's newspaper.

During City Manager Dave Martin's report to the commission, Martin said a proposal on what to do about the city's insurance needs should be prepared for the commission's next meeting on Dec. 17.

"Our insurance coverage took quite a jump this year," he said.

At Martin's request, commissioners approved pledging a $1,000 commitment from the city to Track Chairs for Veterans, a charitable effort by the Symbols of Sacrifice Committee in Fort Scott. The group is challenging other Kansas communities to purchase track chairs for local veterans.

In other business, the commission:

* Approved the consent agenda, which included appropriation ordinances totaling $377,713.

* At the request of Martin, approved Christmas bonuses for city employees, with the exception of Martin and City Attorney Bob Farmer. Martin said the bonuses will be given during the Employee Christmas Dinner scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Buck Run Community Center.