Light agenda for Tuesday commission meeting

The Fort Scott City Commission faced a light agenda during their meeting Tuesday evening. Although Commissioners Jim Adams and Dick Hedges absent from the meeting, the commission went on with business as usual.

There were no public comments nor any appearances to come before the commission at Tuesday's meeting.

Ordinance No. 3351 regarding the city's employee pay plan was given its second and final reading. The ordinance is to increase the wages of city employees to a level that is comparable with other cities of similar size.

"I hope this is just the first step," said Commissioner Nick Graham.

City Manager Joe Turner replied informing Graham that the ordinance will be "tweaked" every year.

The ordinance was approved and will take effect January 2009.

The resolution for the City of Fort Scott Identity Theft Prevention Program was proposed to the commission and was passed. The program is a result of the "Red Flag Rules" passed down by the Federal Trade Commission. The program contains nothing new, according to Director of Finance Susan Brown. Everything that is in the document is already in practice within the city. The program will be updated as changes in the city are made.

Codes Director Amanda Proffitt informed the commission that the Fort Scott Planning Commission was asked to consider the changing of zoning at 615 W. 6th St. from R-1 (single family residential) to C-2 (general commercial).

The owner, James Sellers, does not reside in the house on the property but would like to operate a small engine repair business. Kenneth McClure, owner of the property next door operates a small engine repair business from his property and stated that this would be an expansion of his business. It was discovered that McClure's property is in violation of current zoning regulations.

As a result the Planning Commission denied the request for rezoning and recommended that the City Commission do the same. The city commission voted to also deny the request.

The commission approved the bid from Shepherd Team Auto Plaza for a new four-wheel drive pickup truck for the Public Works Department. The current truck being driven by the Director has 208,357 miles, transmission issues, a significant oil leak. The cost of the truck will be $18,847. The truck is a 2005 4x4 Ford club cab with 53,000 miles. The money for the truck was budgeted in the 2008 budget.

Turner reported that he, the City Attorney and the Mayor met with Charles Hembree, Director of Operations for the Central Region of SuddenLink to discuss the possibility of getting channel KMCI, an independent TV station in Lawrence, carried on cable in Fort Scott.

"At the current time, we do not have the carriage right to KMCI, so legally we can't carry them," said Hembree in a letter to Turner.

Also discussed were issues with KCPT, channel 8 and, MSNBC, channel 52. Turner reported that the sound problems with MSNBC have been fixed and that the problems withKCPT are expected to be repaired soon.

Three public hearings were held Tuesday evening. Structures considered for condemnation were 113 N. Barbee, 207 N. Judson and the accessory structure at 121 N Washington.

Proffitt reported that the roof of the structure at 113 N. Barbee was sagging, the deck was collapsing and that the foundation was deteriorating. Proffitt stated that the owner has been in contact with the city and has made repairs to the structure. The owner is currently away with the National Guard. Proffitt recommended that more time be given due to the owners absence. The recommendation was passed by the commission.

The condemnation process will continue for the property at 207 N. Judson. Upon recommendation of Proffitt, the commission gave 90 days for the owner to bring the property up to code. The owner receiving mail at the address but does not appear to reside there. There are complaints of illegal activity going on inside the structure which is open.

The accessory structure at 121 N. Washington was missing half the roof and was shifted due to cracks in the mortar. As a result of the open roof the rafters were rotting. The owner has fixed most of the problems. The only remaining project left to completing the roof. The commission passed the recommendation to continue the condemnation process giving 90 days for the owner to bring the structure up to code.

In other business:

* Request for payment was granted to pay Emery Sapp and Sons, Inc. for the airport parking apron. The payment amounts to $82,124.78.

* The commission approved the closing of a portion of Huntington Blvd. and 21st Street as well as placing "no parking" signs on the east side of Huntington between 19th and 20th Streets. The closure will be October 31, for the Community Christian Church Trunk or Treat event.

* Commissioner Graham stated that he was glad to see the progress downtown and he was pleased to see the Kansas Teacher's Community Credit Union was opened.

* Mayor Bukowski wished congratulations to the Public Works Department for the work on Horton St. He said that the work looked very nice. Commissioner Wood agreed.

The commission meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be November 4 at 6 p.m. in the Commission Room at City Hall.