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City's new finance director introduced
The Fort Scott City Commission's agenda was short and commissioners addressed only a few items during their regular meeting on an Election Day Tuesday evening at Fort Scott City Hall.
During the brief gathering, commissioners met and welcomed the city's new director of finance, Jon Garrison, approved a citizen's request for street lights at two local intersections, and heard a few various updates from city personnel.
City Manager Dave Martin introduced Garrison, who will begin work as the new director of finance on Dec. 3, to the commission and commended current Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance Susan Brown for the work she has done for the city over the years. Brown, who is leaving to work in USD 234 next month, was not present at the meeting.
"Susan is a great finance director that is going to U-234," he said. "I can't tell you enough about what she did during her years here ... We hate to see her go, but we had talked about it and this is something she has wanted to do."
Martin said Garrison "loves Fort Scott" and will help the city move into the future.
Currently serving as the director of finance and administration for the city of Pittsburg, Garrison made a few brief remarks to the commission and said he is ready to return his hometown.
"I'm looking forward to working with Dave and other city staff and getting back to the community," Garrison said.
Mayor Jim Adams and other commissioners welcomed Garrison back to town and to the city's staff.
"I like that passion for the community and people that want to be here," Adams said. "Welcome to town."
Garrison has worked in his current position since 1988, and previously served as finance director for the city of Fort Scott from 1983 to 1988. He was also interim city manager for the city of Fort Scott from 1985 to 1986.
He comes back to Fort Scott with more than 29 years of experience in government finance under his belt.
Public Works Director Eric Bailey told commissioners that a citizen had sent a letter requesting the installation of street lights at the intersections of Coates and Mulberry and Coates and Walnut as it is extremely dark in those areas at night and visibility is poor. Bailey also said there has been some criminal activity in those areas at night.
The commission approved the installation of two 70-watt HPS street lights at the intersections at a cost of $5.82 per fixture.
Martin told the commission he completed the Leadership Kansas program last week. Martin was one of the members of the 2012 Leadership Kansas class and took part in the six-month program which aims to develop and motivate future leaders in the state.
"I learned a great deal and made a lot of great contacts in Kansas that can help move this city forward," he said.
In other business, the commission:
* Approved the consent agenda, which included September financials, approval of appropriation ordinances totaling $583,329; a resolution and notice of hearing with reference to an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 114 N. Judson; and set a public hearing date for 6:15 p.m. Dec. 18; a Kansas Pride Program Entrant Resolution; and $4,000 from the Special Alcohol Funds to assist the Common Grounds Coffee Shop, a new project in town designed to provide a safe, alternative location for high school students, college students and other young adults to socialize other than parties involving drugs and alcohol.