Commissioners hear students' proposals

Fort Scott High School students have some ideas for improvements in Fort Scott and they shared some proposals Tuesday with the Fort Scott City Commission.

During the commission's regular meeting, two groups of FSHS students presented the results of projects students worked on throughout the semester. Amber Toth, debate and forensics teacher at FSHS, appeared with students who made the presentations.

Student projects propose city projects such as a new amphitheater in Gunn Park and renovation of Bridal Veil Park on Second Street. Students had a virtual budget of $500,000 to work with and conducted interviews with city officials as part of their research for the proposed projects.

The first project, presented by students Ryann Allison, Chris Johnson, Alex King, Franklin Torres and Taylor Krokroskia, involved construction of an amphitheater in an open field next to Shelter House No. 7 in Gunn Park. Students said the amphitheater would bring people to Fort Scott for various live entertainment events, and those people would stay in town and spend money.

The project is designed to provide another venue for large events and live entertainment, and promote more community involvement. Other benefits include economic growth and a "closer knit community," according to the students' presentation. The amphitheater could also be used by local groups and charitable organizations.

Students provided estimated costs and said funding could be obtained through possible grants and fundraising efforts. City staff would maintain he park and provide seating and parking. Students found through their research that the project would not affect other activities in the park.

The second group of students consisted of Olivia Houston and Austin Bolinger, who proposed improving Bridal Veil Park located in the northwest part of the city. Students chose Bridal Veil Park because they saw it as a tangible project and wanted to improve the community park's current blighted appearance.

The plan would be to use a local contractor for the renovation, which would "bring new life to the park," Bolinger said. The renovated park could be used as another venue for local events.

Funds for the project would come from grants and money from the city's parks and recreation budget, according to students' presentation.

Commissioner Lucas Cosens commended students for choosing Bridal Veil Park for their project as the park is in need of improvements.

"That's a good park choice," he said.

Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer, commissioners and city officials thanked and applauded students for their efforts on both projects. Martin thanked Toth for the work she does with her students.

"Your presentation was well thought out and done," Mayor Cindy Bartelsmeyer said.

"I've seen a lot of these student projects over the years and this was the best I've seen. Great job," Director of Economic Development Heather Smith said. "It was very impressive."

Riverfront Park road, trail named

Commissioners approved naming of two components of the Riverfront Park at the request of Riverfront Authority Chairman Jerry Witt.

Following public input on the naming of the north walking trail and the newly-constructed loop road on the south side of the park, which is located on North National Avenue, the Riverfront committee decided on naming the trail the "Bell Town Trail." The newly-opened road on the south side of the Marmaton River will be named the "River Loop Road."

The committee received between 25 and 30 suggestions for names and approved the "Bell Town Trail" and "River Loop Road" names.

According to information from Witt, land used for the walking trail was commonly known as Bell Town in earlier years and would honor John S. Bell, an early Fort Scott developer and area business owner. Bell helped plat the north area of Bell Town in 1867.

Since the entire park will carry the Riverfront Park name, the committee wanted to continue with the river theme. Witt said he has also talked with Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton and Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou, who have suggested that by naming these areas, emergency personnel will now be able to identify areas where services may be needed and on which side of the river to respond.

Witt also told the commission the committee recently made a presentation to the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism for a grant that, if awarded, would go toward funding an event center and lookout pavilion to be built at the Marmaton/Mill Creek crossover. The committee should know by March if this grant is awarded. Witt also said the committee is awaiting notification on a grant application submitted to the Kansas Department of Transportation in December that would fund restoration and relocation of the 1902 Long Shoals Bridge located in the northeast part of the county, and move the historic ornate metal truss bridge to the Riverfront site for use as a pedestrian and light vehicle bridge.

New tractor for wastewater plant

Commissioners approved the low bid of $70,700 from R&R Equipment of Fort Scott for the purchase of a new tractor for the wastewater treatment plant. City officials said the cost is included in the city's budget.

In December, the city put out to bid for a new tractor and received a total of five bids. Water Treatment Supervisor Michael Mix said the low bid from R&R Equipment is the best value for the city and recommended purchase of the tractor. The company also provided the highest trade-in value for the city's old tractor.

In making the motion to accept the R&R bid, Commissioner Jim Adams said it is "great" to purchase from a local company.

The base bid from R&R Equipment was $67,500 plus $3,200 for additional options. The city will trade in an existing tractor that has 4,400 hours. In December, Mix said the current sludge hauling tractor, purchased in 2004, needs to be replaced.

According to city documents, the selling price for the New Holland tractor is $125,000 with the city getting trade value of $57,500 for the current tractor, for a trade difference of $67,500.

Other bids received were Heartland Tractor of Nevada, Mo., which submitted two bids for two different machines, one with a total bid of $73,250 and trade-in of $50,000 and another with a total bid of $82,497 and trade-in of $50,000; O'Malley Implement Co., Inc., of Pittsburg with a total bid of $80,599 and trade-in of $52,480; O'Malley Equipment of Iola which submitted two bids for two machines, one with a total bid of $84,500 and trade-in of $46,000 and another with a total bid of $87,169 and trade-in of $46,000; and Legacy Farm and Lawn of Nevada with a total bid of $90,000 and trade-in of $42,000.

Curb, gutter and sidewalk program

At the request of Codes Manager Stephen Euler, commissioners approved a five-year plan for local property owners to replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks on their properties. Ballou said Euler looked at several city programs and noticed the sidewalk, curb and gutter program, which began in the 1990s, needed to be updated.

The purpose of the program is to establish a cost-sharing plan between the city and eligible property owners for the replacement and repair of such infrastructure, a city document said.

In the program, the maximum city participation would be 50 percent of the project cost, up to $2,000 per project. According to a city document, it is recommended that the city limit the program to 10 projects per year. The impact on the city's budget would be $20,000 per year and the amount is included in the city's budget.

Prior to receiving reimbursement from the city, applicants must meet the following conditions: a minimum of two written bids must be submitted to the city, which will participate in the least expensive bid; the applicant must receive prior approval from the city before construction begins, including an actual visit to the project site; the contractor must adhere to city specifications; a final inspection must take place by the city before reimbursement is made; and the city will not participate in any driveway approach reconstruction unless it is directly related to the project and is at least 50 percent of the project.

"Within the city of Fort Scott there exists a considerable number of existing sidewalks, curb and guttering which need repaired. The city commission believes that a stimulation plan to repair such infrastructure is important and critical for the continued wellbeing of the community and its citizens," the city document states.

Ballou said the program is "open to anyone in the city limits."

For more information on the program, property owners can contact the codes department at (620) 223-0550.

New pothole patcher

Street Supervisor Chad Brown updated commissioners on the city's new pothole patcher machine.

Brown said the machine is primarily being used now on "main arterial streets" and after those areas are addressed, the machine will move to patching up side streets in residential areas.

Main streets include Main, Horton, Margrave, Broadway and Wall streets, among others. Brown said work on National has been limited due to ongoing construction from Sixth to 13th streets on the National improvement project.

The plan is to start at 23rd Street and work on Horton to the north, then move west to east addressing side streets, Brown said.

"We'll take care of the other areas in a timely manner," he said.

Brown said use of the machine has been "limited" due to wintry weather in January. An 8,000-gallon tank was purchased to store the oil used for the machine, both of which will save the city money, Brown said.

Brown said the city purchased the machine Jan. 12 at a cost of "just over" $68,000.

Budget update

Director of Finance Jon Garrison provided an end-of-year update on the city's budget for commissioners.

Garrison discussed the city's various funds and said cash carryover for the city from 2015 is $1,087,188.

Commissioner Jim Adams said he wanted to thank city staff "for having an outcome like this with the budget."

Other business:

* City Manager Dave Martin told commissioners he received a letter from the city of Paola requesting donation of old disc golf baskets to the Paola disc golf course. The Fort Scott course at Gunn Park has new baskets in place. Paola officials will pick up the baskets if donated.

Commissioners approved donation of the baskets.

* Commissioners approved donating items inside the old clubhouse at the golf course to the My Father's House community service outreach organization.