New Mayor Williams Sworn into Office

Monday night’s City Council meeting saw a transition of power and responsibility with a new mayor and two new Council members.

Monday night’s 64-minute meeting marked the last official council session for former Mayor Andrew Dawson and the first for incoming Mayor Traves Williams, who was sworn in at 7:09 p.m., to become Sedalia’s first Black Mayor.

Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller (who was absent) was replaced with David Covington, while Third Ward Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Rhiannon Foster was replaced with Spencer Redford.

First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson, Second Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Ames and Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess retained their seats in the April 7 election.

Three resignations were accepted by outgoing Mayor Dawson, including Adam Porter on the Park Board, Cassie Brown on the Hospital Board (BRHC) and Tolbert Rowe on Planning and Zoning Commission.

The outgoing Council members and mayor received plaques in commemoration of their service. Then the newly-elected officials were sworn in by City Clerk Jason Myers.

Outgoing name placards were replaced with the names of the new members.

Tina Boggess was then named Mayor Pro Tem by Mayor Williams and confirmed by the rest of the new Council. Boggess has previously served as mayor pro tempore in the Dawson administration.

A Mayor Pro Tempore is a city council member elected by their peers to act as mayor when the mayor is absent, disabled, or if the office is vacant. Derived from Latin for "for the time being," this role acts as a temporary replacement to ensure council meetings proceed and executive duties are covered.

All current Council members were required to sign a “Council Code of Conduct” sheet distributed by City Clerk Jason Myers.

Jack Robinson was named to serve on the Planning & Zoning Commission. That happened only after Second Ward Councilman Lee Scribner was nominated by First Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Ames and Mayor Williams.

However, Scribner responded with “Can I say I don’t want that position?”

Committee assignments were then distributed.

A reception in the lobby for the new members followed the meeting, attended by numerous family members and City staff and department heads.

Regular business during Monday night’s meeting on 4/20 included a resolution naming the Sedalia Public Library as a local historic landmark.

A public hearing led off Monday night’s meeting to hear input about placing the Carnegie Library, built in 1901, on a list of historic places in Sedalia. The move was recommended by both the Sedalia Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission, according to John Simmons.

It should be noted that the library has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980.

The resolution later passed easily with no discussion.

The hearing was a brief one, however, as there were no public comments offered on that topic Monday night.

Under Finance and Administration, Council heard from Jessica Pyle reference “revenue collection trends.”

Although no slide was visible for the public to view, Pyle noted that sales tax was down by $60,000 in February, the most recent month figures are available. However, that loss could be made up in the next month, she added.

Use tax was down over $100,000, Pyke said, adding that the City could potentially make up around $20,000 of that with stores that haven’t reported their figures yet. But unfortunately, it looks like there’s quite a big chunk that may not be made up in future months.

Marijuana tax was a little over $20,000 higher in this last reporting period.

Overall, net income from taxes was down $151,000 over last year. “And we had budgeted an increase of three percent,” Pyle said.

Under Public Works, Council approved a lease agreement with Les Thierfelder for hay production at Crown Hill Cemetery for $884.50.

It was noted that Thierfelder has a proven track record of timely hay removal, property care and good coordination with cemetery staff to avoid any conflicts with operations and services.

Show-Me Landfill was the winner of a bid to provide solid waste disposal for the City’s sanitation operations. Although Show-Me did not submit the lowest bid, it was considered the best due to better operational efficiency, landfill conditions, fuel costs and hauling distance.

A one-week testing period confirmed that Show-Me was the best bidder at $33 per ton, as opposed to GFL Environmental at $31 per ton.

Problems encountered with GFL included rough haul roads, inefficient turnaround times, and poor dumping conditions.

Council then approved a submission of an application for a federal funding grant to improve Winchester from Broadway to 10th Street. The area was identified as a priority, and the Safe Streets For All grant will hopefully address safety issues in the high-traffic area.

Change Order 5 and 6 were approved by Council for the Washington Avenue Bridge repair project that is being worked on by Double Arch Construction, LLC, based out of the Florence area.

The project completion date has been extended to June 27 due to permitting, weather, availability of materials and field conditions (Change Order 5)

Change Order 6 relates to the column replacements at the site and will cost an additional $26,3999.40.

Councilwoman Boggess inquired as to when the bridge would be open. City Administrator Matt Wirtz indicated that the contractor is trying to get the sandblaster here ahead of schedule. “Because we don’t want to open it, then turn around and find more corrosion that has to be repaired and then close (the bridge again)” Wirt told Boggess.

“Once we know that it is safe, (following the sandblasting) we will get it open,” Wirt said, adding that the bridge could be painted after it opens for traffic.

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Under Community Development, Council approved three applications for a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant.

The grant requires a private match from the property owner, and use City staff time for program administration, it was noted.

The three properties in question are located at:

*219 South Ohio for roof repair and replacement. Total project cost is $74,900. The property owner is expected to pay $17,227 of that.

*308 West Main for roof replacement, second floor window replacement, storefront improvements, and masonry tuckpointing. Total project cost is $83,9545. The property owner is expected to pay $16,587 of that.

*322 South Ohio (Trust Building) for roof repair. Total cost of the project is $96,000. The property owner is expected to pay $22,080.

All three projects will have to be approved by the National Park Service before the projects can proceed.

Council approved a liquor license renewal for Cathy Geotz dba Break Time #3083, 808 East Broadway, for packaged liquor, $150.