Cosens submits resignation from city commission

Fort Scott City Commissioner Lucas Cosens is stepping down from his position as a city commissioner. Cosens, a local chiropractor, announced during the commission's Tuesday meeting that he is leaving his position to continue his education at Kent State University in Ohio. Cosens' last meeting as a commissioner is March 22.

"My family and I will be moving to Cleveland, Ohio, so that I can go to med school at Kent," Cosens said. "I've always wanted to, since I was in high school and college, to serve the public. If I never do it again, at least I was able to serve in my hometown."

Cosens has been a commissioner for three-and-a-half years. City Clerk Diane Clay said his term is scheduled to end Jan. 8, 2018.

Commissioners approved acceptance of Cosens' resignation and also approved his replacement.

"I am very pleased with the direction our city government is headed by both the public and private investment in our little town," Cosens said in his resignation letter. "Public office is and will forever be another avenue to help people, just as in medicine. It is an avenue I hope to enter again and one I am sure the City of Fort Scott and our fair Commissioners always have on their minds' eye in making policy."

Commissioners approved the appointment of Dr. Randy Nichols to fill Cosens' unexpired term. Nichols will be sworn in during the April 5 city commission meeting.

Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer said she was made aware Cosens' resignation may occur and after previously speaking with Nichols, she found Nichols is interested in serving on the commission. City Manager Dave Martin said he also talked with Nichols and confirmed Nichols is interested in filling Cosens' unexpired term.

Funding for trees

Local resident Ralph Carlson brought forth the importance of continued efforts to plant trees throughout Fort Scott. He requested $2,000 to be used to plant trees throughout the city in 2016. The funding requested would provide for the planting of 65 to 70 trees, Carlson said.

At a Fort Scott Kiwanis meeting Tuesday afternoon, District Community Forester Tim McConnell spoke to the group about the city's trees and how to properly plant and care for them. McConnell said Fort Scott has about 8,500 trees that are either aging or new. In the fall of 2015, 33 trees were planted in Ellis Park.

Having a steady tree planting program in place is important to maintain a proper tree population, McConnell said.

McConnell has agreed to help the city choose the best species of trees to plant to better survival rates. The city will dig the holes and the Kiwanis organization will plant the trees. The state forester would determine the best type of tree for a particular location.

Commissioners approved the $2,000 allocation for the tree program for 2016.

Canine registration

Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton spoke to the commissioners about the need for the registration of dogs with the city. Registrations are active each year starting June 1 and expire May 31. Registration costs are $3 for spayed/neutered dogs, and $5 if the animal is not. If a dog is registered, the Animal Control Officer can identify its owners if lost. Vaccination papers are required for registration.

Shelton also brought up negative comments on social media about the city's animal shelter. The comment referred to the shelter as a high-kill animal shelter, which Shelton said is not true.

"Our Animal Control Officer, Max Daly, works hard to rescue or get animals adopted out before we have to put down," he said. "Our put down numbers are way down since he took over."

According to Shelton, the law requires that a dog is kept a minimum of five business days before it is eligible to be put down. He said the animal shelter is licensed as a municipal pound and does not accept cats.

By law, the city has to hold dogs for five days. When space is available, Daly has held dogs as long as two months in order to find them a home, Shelton said.

"He cares," he said.

Shelton also noted changes to the animal shelter building. Concrete walls have been added between each pen to help with aggressive dogs and to stop spreading of disease. Future plans include laying asphalt around the area to help with drainage issues. New signs will soon be placed for the shelter.

Gunn Park lake named

After seeking information from a couple of Fort Scott historians, Martin asked the commissioners to consider naming the second lake in Gunn Park, "Gunn Lake," after the W.C. Gunn family who gave the park to Fort Scott. Help from local historians Arnold Schofield and Don Miller was sought to find a past name for the lake, though no previous name could be found.

The commissioners unanimously approved the lake's new name.

Other business

* Commissioners approved the definition for a household to be used for season passes sold by the city for Woodland Hills Golf Course, Buck Run Community Center, and the Fort Scott Aquatic Center.

The definition is as follows: "A household shall be no more than two adults, age 18 and older, and their dependent children through age 26, who are residing together as a single family unit. Dependent children includes foster children and legal guardianship situations."

According to Director of Finance Jon Garrison, the city's current policy is a household is defined as a family of four for a set price. For all family members greater than four, an additional $25 charge is added to the regular pass fee.

During the setup of the city's new parks and recreation software, it became evident the city needed to further define what makes up a household as city officials discovered people trying to add cousins, nephews, nieces and others to their family memberships, according to Garrison.

The age of 26 is recommended to correspond with the age limit of the Affordable Care Act.

* Martin said because the downtown community park near Wall and Main streets will not be completed before the grand opening of the new Lowell Milken Center building in May, the city will construct some temporary concrete dividers and level dirt to make the area look nice. After construction starts at the park, the dividers will be used at the animal shelter.