Commission hears quality of life concerns

Fort Scott city commissioners on Tuesday heard concerns about handicap parking and quality of life in two different neighborhoods.

George Areu and Lyn Dodson who live on South Eddy Street said their neighborhood has a "drug house" and has seen recent break-ins and suspicious fires. Although police are called, they said nothing has changed.

Mayor Jim Adams assured them the city commission would take action.

"It just feels like we're losing our neighborhood," Areu said. "I'm not here to point fingers, I'm just here to say how can we help?"

Areu added he and his neighbors feel there should be more police presence in their area. On a separate issue, he said something has to be done about the trash in the alleyways.

Dodson said possible criminal activity has been reported, such as drugs and prostitution, but nothing has been done. He, too, asked what the solution is. "It's alive; it's well; it's being allowed. I'm kind of angry about this. I've suffered a lot of sleepless nights (with) all the screaming and hollering and bad behavior," he said.

City Manager Dave Martin said he has talked to the police about establishing a Neighborhood Watch program, which has said is something "we've never had here."

Dodson said Martin and the codes department have been very kind and Areu said the police have shown compassion. However, Areu said "something major" is going to happen if nothing is done.

"We can't just meet about stuff," Dodson said. "We have to start arresting some of these violators."

Adams said his mother doesn't live far from the neighborhood under discussion, but it's nicer by her. "Believe me we'll get on this," he said.

On the handicap parking matter, Kyle Isenhart, who lives near Fort Scott High School, said people park in front and in back of his home which makes it impossible for him to make his way easily. He said he and fellow neighbors, who are also disabled, are huge fans of local teams, but they want some consideration.

The police have told him to park in back of his home, but he gets surrounded. "We're taxpayers, too. We deserve a fair shake and that's the way it's getting to feel, we're not getting a fair shake," Isenhart said.

Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh said Isenhart can call police to have the car towed "if it's on his property where it's not supposed to be."

If someone is illegally parked, Puterbaugh said, police will take care of it "as the law allows."

Martin said he has talked to Isenhart several times and is aware of the situation. Adams said he would have someone talk to Isenhart and the people he spoke for about any assistance the city can provide.

On first reading of an ordinance to allow golf carts on city streets, Puterbaugh said he contacted 17 cities that had similar codes and heard back from 16. None of those cities had reported any accidents. If commissioners want to pass an ordinance allowing golf carts on city streets, they'll have to decide on a registration fee.

Commissioners Jean Parker and Cindy Bartlesmeyer said people have asked them about other vehicles being allowed on city streets in addition to golf carts. Parker said most of people she's talked to don't want such an ordinance implemented, because they feel it would open a "big can of worms."

Commission President Sam Mason said golfers have told him carts belong on the links. "I've had several others say, 'No we don't want it,'" he said.

Adams said he got initial "pushback" on the idea, but when he explained the proposed ordinance, people understood.

In other business:

* Commissioners tabled a discussion on a lease for Mother to Mother Ministries, currently in Memorial Hall. A work session will likely be held in the near future on the subject of the lease and the future of Memorial Hall as commissioners noted the expense of heating and cooling the building.

* Considered on first reading a change to the water/sewer service penalty change ordinance. Under this, fees would rise from 5 to 10 percent.

* Approved the salary ordinance on second reading, including a 2 percent raise for next year that is built into the budget and a change in status for the payroll clerk to financial operations director because she is now at the golf course and promotion of Codes Administrator Brent Crays to director of community development and project management. He will also still be in charge of codes.

* Approved a special highway budget amendment to allow the city to spend funds on project engineering for the North National Bridge.