Fort Scott commission approves alley vacation, reappoints zoning members and directs staff on grants and card fees

FORT SCOTT, Kan. — The Fort Scott City Commission on March 4 approved a set of routine and programmatic measures and gave staff direction on several capital and administrative matters, including grant applications, utility payment processing fees and appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The commission voted 4-1 to vacate the alley between 1418 and 1416 Wall, after city staff told commissioners public works can access water lines and other infrastructure from easements behind the properties. Commissioner Matthew Wells voted no, saying he had a “long standing issue with giving away city properties.” The commission reappointed Robert Nelson and Brian Rhodes to the Board of Zoning Appeals and filled three other vacancies by appointing Denise Doherty (planning commission-eligible seat), Josh Jones (county representative) and a remaining seat filled by Michael Witt (last name reported as “Witt” in the meeting). Commissioners also agreed to re-advertise one remaining vacancy and consider additional applicants at the March 18 meeting.

Why it matters: The Memorial Hall building and several street projects discussed at the meeting involve grant funding that could require substantial local matches. Grant choices and street project priorities will shape capital spending and maintenance plans in Fort Scott over coming years.

Commission direction on grants and street projects

Mary Wyatt, presenting options for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) cost-share projects, recommended continuing to pursue a CDBG for Memorial Hall. Commissioners agreed that Memorial Hall should be the priority CDBG application rather than pursuing a bond at this time. Wyatt said the new CDBG rules allow rolling monthly cycles and multiple project sizes; she explained smaller projects may require a 10% local…