Landfill Solid Waste Disposal Contract to be Re-bid

A landfill facilities agreement was tabled Monday night by Sedalia City Council. An agreement by the Council at an earlier meeting was vetoed by new Mayor Traves Williams.

The council voted Monday night to remove the agenda item concerning bids from GFL Environmental Landfill and Republic Services’ Show-Me Landfill located outside Warrensburg.

GFL’s Ben Seiferman addressed the Council and handed out informational packets to each Council member.

The City will start over and accept new bids for solid waste disposal service.

Also, the Council learned that the City of Sedalia is currently $17,000 over budget, according to Finance Director Jessica Pyle.

Even though sales tax (based on March sales) show that net sales and use tax are higher than last year, about $108,000, or 3.6 percent. “We had budgeted for a 3 percent increase, so we are over budget year-to-date at this point of about $17,000,” Pyle said during her presentation to City Council Monday night.

The marijuana tax is up by about $40,000 over last year at the same time, she noted.

The franchise tax is higher than last year, due to the cost of electricity, as well as the transportation tax, which is higher primarily due to gasoline tax (13.6%).

Vehicle sales are lower as compared to last year by 6.3%.

Property tax collection is up by around 1614, but the bulk of that will arrive in December and January when residents make their tax payments to Pettis County.

Pyle also recognized Elisa Menning, who has worked a cashier (utility support specialist) in the Finance Department for the past five years.

“She specializes in helping residents turn on, turn off and transfer water sewer and trash services. She also works with customers to help them stay current in paying their bill, and connecting them with resources when they face a hardship. Elisa has customers who miss her when she’s out. Having a constant and consistent base is what Elisa brings to our department, building report and confidence with the community. Elisa is known for her caring and giving heart for her co-workers, and for making visitors to our office feel noticed and welcomed. Elisa’s contributions to the City of Sedalia are beyond valuable,” Pyle said of Menning.

Public Works Operations Manager Justin Bray then recognized David Purl, WPC Collections Utility Operator, for his five years of service to the City of Sedalia.

“His dedication and commitment has been strong,” Bray noted.

Sedalia Mayor Traves Williams received his retirement certificate from City Administrator Matt Wirt. Before becoming mayor, Williams worked for the City of Sedalia for 20 years and seven months as an Equipment Operator II in the Mowing Department.

Sedalia Police Chief David Woolery presented Senior Building Service Worker Gary Reynolds with his retirement certificate Monday night. Reynolds served the City of Sedalia for 31 years and seven months.  He has retired from full time work, and will be working three days a week now.

“I’m grateful to him to keep us running, and I want to acknowledge his tireless service for almost 32 years for our department and our community,” Chief Woolery said.

Woolery then recognized Loretta Nye for her 29 years, five-and-a-half months of service to the City of Sedalia. Nye was a records technician for the SPD. She retired April 30 to take care of her aging mother. She did not attend Monday night’s meeting.

She was hired Nov. 12, 1996.

“Loretta always had a smile and a sympathetic heart,” Woolery recalled, “Especially in the wort of times. Loretta understood the special relationship we have at the police department, and personifies what that means. She always supported her brothers and sisters in blue, and would do anything she could to help.”

He added that Loretta loved serving at SPD special events with a big smile. “She has a servant’s heart and she dedicated her career to our citizens and our officers,” Chief Woolery said.

Council approved the placement of an item on the Aug. 4 ballot that will reduce the license tax on gross receipts from the sale of electricity and power within the City.

If passed, the electric utility rate would be lowered from 5 % to 4.75% and would apply uniformly to all electric customers with the City Limits.

“You’ll get a break,” promised Mayor Pro Tem Tina Boggess. “It’s more of a benefit for our folks here in town.”

The vote on the matter was a unanimous yes.

Sedalia Regional Airport Director Mitchell Mullen gave the Council an update on the needs of the airport, which will require a budget increase.

The airport sold a hangar back to Pro Energy in April. It is now looking at building a new one at a cost of $800,000. Ninety percent of the cost would be paid for with federal grant money, with the City paying around $63,225. The hangar would be 85-by-85 feet in size.

Rehab of the old airport terminal building is badly needed and  was referred to as an FBO (Fixed-Base Operator).

The old building needs new furniture, updates to the bathroom and utility closet, as well as bringing it into ADA compliance, Mullen told the Council.

The recent sale of the hangar will help with several capital improvements and operational needs in the City, Mullen noted.

The proposed amendment would allocate roughly $1.9 million to the Capital Improvements Fund for road resurfacing and roadway rehab projects.

Roughly one million would be allocated for rehabbing the old terminal building.

Mullen also mentioned that some of the proceeds would go to the City’s Transportation Fund and Sanitation Fund to make market-based adjustments for operations and sanitation employees.

Under Public Safety, Council approved the purchase of a 2026 Ford F-250 from Gregg Smith Ford for use by the Sedalia Animal Shelter at cost of $47,895. Gregg Smith Ford was the only dealership that submitted a bid, it was noted. The new truck will be an addition to what the Animal Shelter currently has in their fleet.

Council then approved the SPD to apply for a State Cyber Crimes Grant to purchase a Gray Key program.

Gray Key is a tool used by law enforcement to legally access and extract digital information from locked or encrypted digital devices.

The total cost of Gray Key is $28,310. No local match is required.

Under Community Development, Program Specialist Sara Spencer gave a presentation to Council.

She detailed the annual report from the Central Business and Cultural District, which included the proposed use of the revenues from the CBCD Tax for Fiscal Year 2027.

Anticipated revenue for FY 27 is $42,929.16.

The current fund balance for the CBCD is $205,652.68. Therefore, the total projected revenue for FY 27 is $248,591.84.

Spencer said the board recommended maintaining the current rate of .8258 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin addressed the Council at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Tina Boggess. His presentation was similar to the one he gave at a recent Public Safety Committee meeting.

Irwin noted that the SPD is down by four personnel, or about 10 percent of the departments fire suppression staff.

In June, the department will lose one more due to a promotion, and one more in July due to another firefighter moving to New York.

The SFD has been averaging $16,000 in overtime per month for the past five months due to the staff shortage.

Promotions are under way, but there is typically a six-month training period before those firefighters can fully assume their new positions, the chief noted.

“It is my recommendation that we stay the course and extend the funds on overtime to maintain the staffing deployment of the fire apparatuses we currently have,” Chief Irwin told the Council.

“Reducing staff or reducing the number of trucks responding only hurts the citizens. As fire chief, it is my number one responsibility to protect the citizens and members of this fire department. Closing a truck to reduce minimum staffing jeopardizes both,” he said.

The fire chief went on to note that since Jan. 1, the department has responded to 1250 calls for service. 273 of them were overlapping calls, meaning one truck was out on a call, when another call was received, requiring another truck to respond.
“At one point this year, we’ve already had all five apparatus responding to different calls all over the City,” Irwin noted., adding that reserve trucks are placed into service on those rare occasions as a stop gap measure.

In addition, Chief Irwin said he has a middle management issue.

“I have firefighters and drivers who won’t step up in rank to captains and lieutenants … they’re comfortable in their jobs and they’re very good at it,” he said, adding that the extra pay they would receive for taking on more responsibility and stress just isn’t worth it.

Council also heard from Local 103 Rep Bradley Burton.

He noted that call volumes for the SFD have increased 36 percent since 2020. “Reducing front line emergency resources will have a direct impact on public and firefighter safety.” Burton told the Council, referring to one idea to take one truck out of service to alleviate staffing shortages.

“Each apparatus within the department serves a specific and important function,” Burton said, detailing the intended purpose of each apparatus.

Burton added that he appreciates members of the Public Safety Committee and City Council members who listened to his concerns about staffing.

The mayor accepted the resignation of Dr. Kathryn Staley-Dietzman from the Sedalia Public Library Board, effective immediately.

Council then approved three new liquor licenses for Paige Shearer dba The Local Tap, for upcoming events at Pro-Velo Bike Shop and Yeager’s Bike Night.

A renewal for Shearer was approved for the Local Tap, 700 South Ohio, for Sunday Sales, $300.

Under Good & Welfare, which was moved up in the agenda and took place right after special awards, Harry Hoffert was the first speaker who signed up.

Hoffert praised Williams for vetoing the Council’s decision concerning the solid waste trash contract. “I agree. Veto that. Great job,” he said, telling the Council they need to work together.

“This is a big thing. And it’s your first major thing that the new Council members have backed and put into play. And there’s going to be a lot more tough road to hoe,” Hoffert said. “Let’s move on to the next problem.”

Gary Lobaugh said he would have attended the Public Works meeting had he known about it.

“The mayor’s argument was very convincing,” Lobaugh said of Williams’ veto. He then requested to see the minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting. “If there was minutes of this meeting, I would like to see it. I would like to see what your thought process was” in placing the solid waste proposal item back on the agenda.

“If the contract was so bad (with the original hauler), that’s poor negotiating on your account. You negotiate these contracts … get ‘em right. If they’re doing something wrong, take ‘em to court. That’s your job,” Lobaugh concluded, followed by light applause from the gallery.

Ben Sierferman from GFL then followed Lobaugh, handing out packets to the Council with rates. He pointed out that there was a five percent cap on rates per year. The maximum cap was only used one year, he stated.

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Sandy Jeffers, 816 W. 3rd, was the final Good & Welfare speaker, even though she didn’t sign the official sheet located just inside the Council Chambers.

Jeffers complained about the lack of mowing on certain city-owned lots around her house, as well as one at  Grand and Wilkerson.

“It’s been the same way for three years,” she said.
And she also complained about a “great big hole” 3rd and Harrison just across the sidewalk in the city’s right-of-way. She was referring to the lack of a steel cover used by the water department. “It’s less than a block rom Sacred Heart. A kid could step in it any minute. There’s got to be something done about the way the City is upkept,” she told Council.

A loud buzzer then sounded, indicating the end of her three-minute time period was up.

Council then adjourned to closed-door session.