Commission discusses 2010 street, sidewalk improvements

The 2010 Street and Sidewalk Improvement Program has not yet begun but is already seeing changes.

Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner addressed the Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday night to discuss a change of plans for the program which began in 2009 and will run through 2013 to make improvements to the streets and sidewalk in Fort Scott.

The original plan was to resurface the street which runs through County Club Hills, a section of Arthur Street, and a section of 10th Street. Turner suggested that National Avenue, from Wall to Sixth streets, should be moved up the list into 2010 and moving the sections of Arthur and 10th streets to be completed in 2011.

"National (Avenue) is in really bad shape," Turner said.

Turner added that the water main will also need to be moved on National Avenue, however that money was already budgeted in the Water and Sewer fund.

The total cost of the work to the two streets is $665,766. With only $600,000 set aside in bonds for the project, the remaining balance will be paid through the Special Streets and Highways Fund. Turner said that the bids could also come in lower than expected, which happened with the 2009 improvements.

The work on the streets will also include improvements to the curb and guttering as well as the sidewalks where needed, Turner said.

Other business conducted included:

* Passed a Franchise Ordinance with Greely Gas Company. There are a few customers near the Fort Scott Country Club and Golf Course who use Greely Gas Company and there may be more in the future. With the ordinance, the city will receive a franchise fee from each customer.

* Approved the application for the first phase of funding for the design of taxiway improvements at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport.

* Approved the application of the SAFER Grant in which the Fort Scott Fire Department would be able to hire two more firefighters for two years. The city will be under no obligation through the grant to keep the two firefighters on the payroll if the budget does not allow after the two years.

* Agreed to contract with Professional Engineering Consultants, P.A. for the designing of repairs to Eighth and Main streets as well as the Horton Street storm sewer near Fort Scott Community College. The damage was caused by the summer storms and will be paid for through a matching grant with FEMA.

* Agreed to allocate $2,500 to Southeast Kansas Mental Health. In previous years a total of $5,000 was allocated, however half will be given and an evaluation of the city's budget in August will determine if the other half will be allocated.

* Commissioner Dick Hedges commended the crews responsible for clearing the roads.

* Turner reminded the commission of the U.S. Highway 69 Corridor Study presentation which will be held at 5:30 p.m., Jan. 14, at Fort Scott Middle School.

* The commission went into an executive session for eight minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. No action was taken.