Fort Scott commission approves venue leases, safety resolutions and several purchases; multiple unsafe-structure cases move forward

The Fort Scott City Commission on March 18 approved a series of formal actions including a lease and monetary partnership with a new Mid‑America Baseball League franchise, purchase of a sewer easement machine, ground‑lease and equipment purchases, and multiple resolutions directing repair or removal of alleged unsafe structures.

Why it matters: The package of approvals affects city facilities, public events and near‑term spending decisions that will shape this summer’s tourism calendar, sewer operations and neighborhood property remediation.

Major outcomes - La Roche Baseball Complex lease and monetary partnership: The commission approved a five‑year, rent‑free lease with the Mid‑America Baseball League and a $50,000 monetary partnership for the team’s first season (see related article). The funding was allocated as $30,000 from economic development funds and $20,000 from tourism funds. - Easement machine purchase: The commission authorized purchase of an easement / pipe‑cleaning machine from Key Equipment for $71,100 to support sanitary sewer flushing in areas inaccessible to the city’s Vactor truck. City staff said the item was budgeted at $100,000 for 2025. - Greens mower purchase (Greensmoor): After discussion about competing used mower bids, the commission approved purchase of an Eclipse greens mower contingent on pricing clarification of an alternative John Deere unit; commissioners specified the Eclipse unless the John Deere could be confirmed at $21,000. - Ground lease (Field A): The commission accepted the higher of two bids and approved a ground lease for 85 acres at $14,250 per year. - Prom temporary street closure: The commission approved a street closure for prom activities on April 5, 2025, for Judson and Oak streets as in prior years.

Unsafe and dangerous structures - 501 South Osmond (Resolution 7‑2025): The commission moved forward with the resolution directing repair or removal of the alleged unsafe structure; the motion passed (one commissioner recorded as voting no). - 314 South Scott (Resolution 8‑2025): The commission approved the resolution directing repair or removal; staff reported prior enforcement attempts and safety concerns including trespass and fires at the property. - 301 North Jefferson (Resolution 6‑2025): The commission initially tabled consideration to allow city codes staff to pursue property‑transfer options with the owner. Later in the meeting the commission reopened the item and voted to direct removal of the alleged unsafe structure. - 323 West Wall / donation status: Commissioners were briefed that the homeowner is willing to donate the property to the land bank; the commission directed staff to solicit demolition bids while leaving an opportunity for a sale or donation to proceed if an interested party completes a purchase. - 121 South Margrave (Resolution 9‑2025): The commission tabled the item to the second meeting in April to allow the contractor and owner more coordination after the contractor reported newly transferred title and a proposed rehabilitation plan.

Other formal actions and procedural items - Appointment: Danny Brown was appointed to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy. - Addendum: The commission approved Addendum No. 4 to the wastewater evaluation and design contract for the Davis Lift Station project to add geotechnical borings and revised design work. - Schneider/Snyder Electric contract: After discussion about the annual service agreement that controls building thermostats, the commission voted to discontinue the Snyder Electric annual service renewal and directed staff to pursue alternatives.

Votes at a glance: For auditability, each formal motion recorded during the meeting was taken on the record and included roll‑call votes in the transcript. Where a named commissioner’s vote was recorded, it is reflected above; several actions passed unanimously or by majority as noted in the meeting transcript.

What’s next: Staff were directed to proceed with procurement and follow‑up tasks (bids for demolition where applicable, equipment procurement, and administration of the stadium lease). Several unresolved items were explicitly tabled for the April meeting to allow staff and interested parties to provide additional documentation.