Fort Scott Commission to discuss credit union proposal

FORT SCOTT -- The Fort Scott City Commission will discuss a proposal from the Kansas Teachers Community Credit Union to purchase a portion of land the city owns so it can remodel a building.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday inside the Commission Room in City Hall, 1 E. Third St.

The credit union is considering opening a branch in Fort Scott. They have located a possible building at 2 E. 18th Street. Their concern is that the property rests close to property lines and remodeling will need to be done, according to a letter from the company to the commissioners. Construction of the drive-through lane and a canopy over the lane may come close to crossing the property line.

The city owns the 22-foot-by-65-foot strip of land that is located between the property line and National Avenue. The company wants to purchase a portion of the land to expand the building on the east side of the building.

Also at the meeting, there will be voting for reorganization of the commission. The governing body will hold an election for the mayor, commission president, a representative with the Bourbon County Economic Development Council and a delegate for the Fort Scott Housing Authority.

Commissioners will consider the following:

* Approving the city's annual 2008 asphalt program. The work will include infrastructure like streets, intersections, alleys, and a shelter house in Gunn Park.

* Bids for refuse pickup for city facilities. Also, consideration of bids for repair of a rock wall at the southwest corner of Second and Heylman streets.

* Whether to close a section of Main Street, from First to Second streets from 4 to 11:15 p.m. May 10. The street closing is for Fort Scott High School's prom.

* Recommending approval of an application by John and Cindy Bowman for upgrades to their restaurant's facade. The application is through the city's downtown facade grant program.

* An agreement with Golden Arrow Corporation that would extend the sewer main on the 1800 block of Richards Road about 80 feet and install a manhole cover. The city would provide the materials like piping, rock and the cover. Golden Arrow would provide labor according to specifications set by the city.

* Whether to give $30,000 toward a matching grant that the Marmaton WRAPS group received to improve and manage needs in the watershed area.

According to city staff, the city doesn't have the funds at this time.

It's recommended that commissioners consider the funding during its budget hearings.