Obsolete airport equipment removed from service

The Fort Scott City Commission approved moving forward with the decommissioning of an obsolete device at the Fort Scott Municipal Airport during their Tuesday night meeting.

Commissioners approved a request from Airport Manager Kenny Howard to take the facility's non-directional beacon, or NDB, out of service since it is becoming obsolete due to global positioning system, or GPS, technology.

Howard said he received notice from the Federal Aviation Administration to either decommission the NDB or replace it with a newer piece of equipment that meets FAA specifications. He said the latter option is not recommended at this time.

"This is one way the FAA is cutting expenses right now," he said.

The NDB is a radio transmitter that is used an an aviation navigational aid. NDBs are being phased out and replaced by the more current and commonly-used GPS technology, Howard said.

Commissioners also heard a year-end financial report from Director of Finance Jon Garrison, who said nearly every city fund had excess cash carryover at the end of 2012.

Commissioner Cindy Bartelsmeyer said this is "great news" and can be attributed to solid leadership and "good management" by city leaders.

In his report, City Manager Dave Martin said a company called the Velocity Corporation has purchased the old Key building on Wall Street and has plans for sales of ammunition and firearms as well as an indoor shooting range.

In other business Tuesday, the commission:

* Approved the consent agenda, which included approval of appropriation ordinances totaling $558,228; a resolution and notice of hearing in reference to an alleged unsafe and dangerous structure located at 415 Osbun, and set a public hearing for 6:15 p.m. April 2; and January financials.

* Approved a request from Jared Leek of the Bourbon County United Way to close Old Fort Boulevard from Wall Street to National Avenue, the parking lot between Old Fort Blvd., and H&H Realty Agency, and Oak Street between National and Main Street, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 20 for a barbecue cook-off fundraiser for the organization.

* Following a public hearing, approved a resolution directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous structure located at 201 Washington. Codes Manager Brent Crays said the property has several codes violations and recommended no more than 30 days for the structure to be brought up to code before it goes out to bid for demolition.

* Approved the high bid of $12,856 from Joe Wimmer, of Fort Scott, for the leasing of about 85 acres of land near the Wastewater Treatment Plant for farming purposes.

* Approved a bid of $3,085 from Randy Vilela Demolition of Pittsburg for the demolition of a structure and accessory structure located at 1003 Osbun. Crays said Vilela is also in the process of demolition of another local property at 114 N. Judson and "makes all the necessary preparations to keep it safe."

* Approved a new membership and tournament fee revision schedule for Woodland Hills Golf Course after a unanimous recommendation from the Golf Course Advisory Board.