City proceeds with recommendation

With little discussion after Fort Scott City Manager Joe Turner's presentation to the Fort Scott City Commission, the decision was made to move forward with the lease-purchase agreement which would sell the armory to Fort Scott Community College.

Fort Scott Community College President Clayton Tatro was in attendance at the meeting to address any questions. He said that the FSCC Board of Trustees will meet on Sept. 20 at which point they will vote to accept the contract.

"I can not imagine we would not accept it," he said.

According to Mayor Dick Hedges, the metal building which was located on the property remained property of the Kansas National Guard and will removed and sent to another location where the Kansas National Guard may need it.

There was not opposition from the community members present at the meeting, in fact, no citizens spoke on the issue.

Other business conducted during the meeting included:

* Set a public hearing date of 6:15, Sept. 7, for consideration of amendments to the 2011 budget which would allow money to install playground equipment at Fisher Park, a half-court basketball court at the Third Street Park, funding to pay for the repairs to the spillway at Lake Fort Scott, renovations to the new City Hall building, and repairs to Shelter House No. 1. Fort Scott Director of Finance Susan Brown said that the money is available in the budget and the amendments will allow the money to be used.

* Approved the sale of the building at 111 Scott Avenue to Kenny Blake. Blake has been renting the building from the city for the past 17 years. The purchase price was agreed at $17,500.

* Authorized the Fort Scott Fire Department to apply for funding through the 2010 SAFER Grant which would allow the department to hire additional personnel. Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said he has not received notification regarding the status of the 2009 application to the same grant, however he was told by FEMA that the funding for 2009 had been exhausted.

* Held a public hearing in regards to the unsafe structure located at 615 Couch. Fort Scott Codes Administrator Kent Hamlin said the residence unsecured and had numerous codes infractions. He said attempts to contact the local owner were unsuccessful and found the owner had left town. He added the previous resident was living with 10-12 dogs which has left the interior and exterior of the structure infested with fleas. Ballou said he entered the home to investigate the structure and was covered in fleas which resulted in him wearing a Hazmat suit to enter the structure again to take photos.

* Accepted the amended bid from Rogers and Sons Concrete, of Fort Scott, for the project which will repair the retaining wall located near Seventh Street and National Avenue. The original bit was $197,709, however the project was delayed due to easement negotiations and the 90-day period to award the contract ran out. Rogers and Sons Concrete resubmitted a bid which had increased to $243,989, which is still well under the engineer's estimate of more than $455,000. The project could begin as early as Oct. 1.