City increases financial support to CASA

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Fort Scott City Commissioners provided a financial boost to the Bourbon County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program during their Tuesday meeting.

Christa Horn, director of the program, appeared before the commission to request financial assistance from the city for the program, which provides trained volunteers who advocated for children in juvenile court proceedings as a result of abuse, neglect or divorce. Horn thanked city officials and commissioners for their support of the CASA program in past years.

"This is a big year for us. It's our 25th year," Horn said.

Horn said over the last 25 years, the program has provided advocates for more than 800 children in Bourbon County.

"Last year, CASA served more than 68 children but there were over 112 cases filed so unfortunately, some children were without a volunteer," she said. "Our goal is to have every child a volunteer."

Horn said the organization is proud to have advocated for so many children, but there continues to be a need for volunteers. The agency recently began its annual volunteer recruitment campaign and is searching for members to train to become advocates for abused or neglected children involved in the court system after being placed in protective services.

"We believe every child in foster care deserves the support and advocacy of a CASA volunteer," Horn said. "With your financial support, we can recruit, train and support enough volunteers to care for every child in the foster care system -- all of them."

In past years, the city has approved a contribution of $1,500 each year to the CASA organization. On Tuesday, commissioners approved a slightly higher donation to the program.

"CASA does a great job," Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer said, prior to making a motion to contribute $2,000 this year to CASA. The motion was seconded and all commissioners approved.

Volunteers in the program gather information and make recommendations to the court for what they believe is in the child's best interest. The goal of the program is to find a safe, permanent home for each child. Often, the children's families find themselves involved with the courts as a result of drug and alcohol issues which affect their ability to properly care for and parent their children, Horn has said.

The local chapter was formed in 1990 by then-judge and current commissioner Sam Mason. The agency operates on an annual budget of about $25,000 and receives some funding from the state, however a majority of its funds come from local donations and grants.

Local residents interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can contact Horn at (620) 215-2769 or by email at bbcocasa@cpol.net to begin the process. Interested individuals must be at least 21 years of age and meet other criteria.

Other business

* Commissioners approved the consent agenda, which included appropriation ordinances totaling $888,652; and a resolution and notice of hearing with reference to an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 702 S. Broadway, and set a public hearing date of 6:15 p.m. April 21.

* Following a public hearing, the commissioners approved a petition by Kevin Allen for vacation of a 16-foot wide alley at 801 E. Third St. The alley is located between Margrave and Barbee and Second and Third streets.

Allen, who owns property on both sides of the alley, has purchased the old Nazarene Church at Third and Margrave streets. According to Jan. 5 minutes of the Fort Scott Planning Commission, Allen plans to put a wedding venue there including a big chapel along with a party room and possibly in the future the ability to stay overnight there. Allen wishes to close the alley, as individuals who work at a nearby school park there and Allen does not want to assume the liability of their vehicles on his parking lot. Allen said he plans to build a privacy fence along with gates at each entrance to the alley, the minutes said.

The planning commission had previously approved the request.

* Following a public hearing, the commissioners approved a resolution directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 1234 E. Oak St., and allowing 30 days for the property owner to bring it up to code.

Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said the property "is going downhill quick" and "is in dire need of some work." Ballou said the city has recently had problems with people breaking into the property.

Commissioners also approved a resolution directing the repair or removal of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 324 S. Broadway St., and allowing the property owners 30 days to bring it up to code.

Ballou said the property is "deteriorating fast" and local law enforcement have had problems with people breaking into it. The property owners, who are from Pleasanton, were present at the meeting. One of the owners said they have talked to a realtor about plans to sell the property and did some clean-up work around the property last fall. City officials informed the owners they must bring the property up to code or it will be torn down.

The owners were told they must repair the broken windows and doors, siding and make other improvements to get the building structurally sound.

Commissioners also approved allowing the owner of an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure and accessory structure located at 523 S. Margrave St., 30 days to bring the property up to code. Ballou said the buildings are "going downhill fast."

* A $14,250 bid was approved from J.W. "Jingles" Endicott for the one-year lease of 101 acres of farm ground at the wastewater treatment plant.

Other bidders were Joe Wimmer with a $12,300 bid and Jim Meech Farms who submitted a $7,587 bid. The city leases the acreage for farming purposes.

* Commissioners took no action following a 10-minute executive session for preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property. The session included commissioners, City Manager Dave Martin and Director of Finance Jon Garrison.