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City leaders discuss potential mill levy legislation
The Fort Scott City Commission has learned of possible state legislation that could have an impact on Fort Scott Community College and local taxpayers.
During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners and other city officials discussed possible legislation that could be introduced that would involve the state funding the mill levy for the five smallest community colleges in Kansas, based on assessed valuation - FSCC being one of those - over a three-year period.
They discussed topics such as how the bill could benefit local taxpayers and the city's involvement in reviewing and promoting the proposed legislation.
City Manager Dave Martin said city officials learned of the proposed bill during Southeast Kansas Day on the Hill Jan. 28 in Topeka, in which legislators asked local officials about representation from Bourbon County and their interest in looking at such a bill. Since then, local city and education officials have had meetings in Topeka and Fort Scott regarding the proposed bill, which was introduced by Kansas Sens. Jacob LaTurner, a District 13 Republican, and Sen. Ty Masterson, a District 16 Republican.
Martin told the commission he wished to be transparent and "keep the commission in the loop" by letting them know the bill was being discussed. Also on the table is whether the city should offer help concerning the legislation to the FSCC Board of Trustees.
"As a city, I'm not asking us to take a stance," he said. "The city can't take the lead on this right now ... it's something for tax relief to look at and evaluate."
Martin said he, Director of Economic Development Heather Griffith, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison and Director of Finance Jon Garrison attended the SEK Day on the Hill event and talked with legislators.
"Senator Masterson is proposing a bill to go to the floor," Martin said. "They wanted to know if the city would be interested in getting a group of local citizens, a cross-section of citizens, together to come to Topeka to hear their thoughts."
Martin said that group, which included local education officials and city commissioners, was formed and made the trip. Mark McCoy, a member of the FSCC Board of Trustees, was part of that group.
"They (legislators) asked us to go back to the community and work on forming a plan to work with us to get a bill on the floor," Martin said.
Discussion by commissioners led toward FSCC officials taking the lead concerning the legislation. Martin said the city cannot take the responsibility "with everything else going on in the city."
"It takes FSCC leadership and the city would provide feedback and support, but cannot lead," he said.
"I think as a public entity, they (FSCC) should lead this," Commissioner Lucas Cosens said.
Commissioners and Martin agreed the legislation could be beneficial in providing local tax relief.
"At the end of three years, I understand it would be proposed to local communities to vote if we should keep it or go back the old way," Martin said. "We were pulled in by legislators wanting help. I felt like it was important for commissioners to know. We can offer assistance to FSCC to look at this." Martin added he is "not sure of the political ramifications" of the proposed bill.
On Tuesday, the commission approved allowing Martin to approach the FSCC board "to take this on and evaluate it," Martin said. One of the notions behind the proposed legislation is that funding for community colleges will be very different in several years.
"Community college funding over the years will continue to struggle," Martin said. "If we can get it under the state where the funding remains intact, and we can still continue to support the community college here and make it work for everybody and the state, plus give us tax relief, it's a huge win."
Phone messages left for Sen. LaTurner were not returned as of press time.
City commission work session
Prior to Tuesday's meeting, city commissioners, other city officials and staff took part in a commission work session in the City Commission room led by Fort Scott Police Department Sgt. Mike Trim, the primary firearms instructor for the FSPD.
The training focused on teaching city commissioners and staff about awareness and identifying potential threats and violence in the workplace. Trim demonstrated mock scenarios and various signals that could be used in a potential emergency situation such as an active shooter on the premises at City Hall.
Attendees watched a 7-minute video on a real-life school board shooting that took place in Georgia and used it as a case study for the discussion.
Trim said he teaches similar classes around the local community and the state.
Discussion Tuesday revolved around critical thinking and preparation for a possible emergency event. Trim outlined the three phases of an emergency situation; preparation, problem and aftermath. He talked about staying calm and not panicking during a crisis, critical and creative thinking, access points in the building, how to exit the building should the need arise, and the response plan for city staff as well as police.
"Have a plan," Trim said. "Handle the situation in a cool, calm way. Think about it; it could save your life."
The key phrase that Trim said he wanted attendees to take from the meeting is "Chance favors a prepared mind." He said this phrase also applies to everyday matters such as driving and home security. Also important, Trim said, is to "weigh the costs" during a crisis situation.
Other topics discussed included survival mindset, knowledge of environment, prevention measures, controlling access, police presence at public meetings, consequences that result from actions, types and scales of violence, de-escalation techniques, and solutions to problems. Emphasis was placed on exiting the building during a crisis if the option is available while a threat is still imminent.
"That's one less person in danger for police to worry about," Trim said.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners:
* Approved the consent agenda, which included appropriation ordinances totaling $566,024; a request from the Bourbon County Economic Development Council (BEDCO) for funding in the amount of $33,750 for 2012; a notice of hearing with reference to an alleged dangerous and unsafe structure located at 710 E. First St., and a notice of hearing with reference to alleged unsafe and dangerous accessory structure located at 1233 E. Oak St., and set public hearing dates of 6:15 p.m. April 15 for both properties.
* Following a public hearing, approved resolutions allowing 45 days for structures and accessory structures located at 1109 S. Margrave St., 113 Steen St., 1708 E. Wall St., and 1405 S. Margrave St., to be brought up to code before starting the process for demolition. All of the properties have structural issues and concerns and are in dilapidated condition, Codes Manager Brent Crays said.
* Approved a request from Christa Horn, program director for Bourbon County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for a contribution of $1,500 from the city to CASA, a local program that advocates for children in juvenile court proceedings as a result of abuse, neglect or divorce. The local chapter was formed in 1990 by then-Judge and current commissioner Sam Mason.
* Approved changing the date of the annual fireworks display sponsored by the Elks Lodge No. 579 from July 4 to July 3 this year. Due to safety concerns surrounding people shooting off fireworks around parked cars during the annual display at Fort Scott Community College, Fort Scott Police Chief Travis Shelton and Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou asked the commission about changing the date. Ballou and Shelton said their goal is to educate the public about the change in date prior to the event.
* Heard an update from Director of Economic Development Heather Griffith, who encouraged commissioners and those with an interest in "visioning in Fort Scott and the community" to attend a community visioning update meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 31 at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene, 1728 Horton St. Griffith said the results of a community visioning survey will be revealed at the meeting.
* Approved closing of Gunn Park on April 18 for a Fort Scott Glow Run 5K sponsored by the Fort Scott Kids Wrestling Club.
* Tabled consideration of bids for construction work at the Empress Event Center at 7 N. Main St., and consideration of a petition from the Bourbon County Fair Association and Community Christian Church to vacate 21st Street between Horton Street and Huntington Blvd.