Sedalia Adds New Firefighter to SFD Ranks

Tuesday night’s City Council meeting led off with a badge pinning for Sedalia’s newest firefighter, Antonio Erwin.

“He has met all the requirements in the City of Sedalia to wear the badge,” commented Chief Matt Irwin, adding that Erwin is a Smith-Cotton High School graduate.

“His smile is infectious. But it pales in comparison to his drive and determination in not only becoming a firefighter, but to excel and become the best version of a firefighter he can be. I am truly proud of every member of this department, and firefighter Erwin is no exception.”

Antonio was pinned by his girlfriend Destiny.

That was followed by a proposed amendment to the 353 Midtown Residential Area Development Plan under “Unfinished Business.”

The amendment passed unanimously by Council, but not before being questioned by Sedalia citizen Gary Lobaugh.

Lobaugh objected to Council members Foster and Marshall also serving on the 353 board of directors and voting on the proposal.

“It’s ethically wrong,” Lobaugh stated.

Sedalia citizen Harry Hoefert suggested that Foster and Marshall abstain from the vote.

A role call vote was then taken by City Clerk Jason Myers and all responded yes.

FYI: the other 353 board members are Mayor Andrew Dawson, former City Council member Lucas Richardson and Sedalia 200 Superintendent Dr. Todd Fraley. Curiously, the City’s website shows that all but the mayor’s term has already expired.

Under Finance and Administration, Finance Director Jessica Pyle gave an update to Council.

Net sales from November show an increase of $825,000, or about 5.4 percent over the previous year.

“We are over budget by about $210,000,” Pyle told the Council.

Economic Development Sedalia-Pettis County Executive Director Jessica Craig then gave Council an annual report. The presentation was postponed from the Jan. 6 meeting due to poor sound from a remote location.

Craig touted the success seen in 2024, such as the $45 million Prysmian expansion, City Electric Supply’s new regional facility, Impact Sign’s $10 expansion in the Thompson Meadows Industrial Park, completion of the $18 million Simcote plant near Nucor Steel, and relocation of the EDSPC offices to the Lamy’s Building in downtown Sedalia.

Council then approved the addition of a one-eighth sales tax to the April 8 ballot, a move introduced by Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess at the previous meeting. The increased revenue produced by the tax will replace what was lost when Pettis County refused to forward about $370,400 to the City of Sedalia from the Road & Bridge Tax, a tax which was authorized by voters in 2000. Bloess said the tax would sunset in five years, and will be dedicated to maintain roads, bridges, sidewalks, and other infrastructure inside the City limits of Sedalia. First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham immediately opposed the idea.

The tax increase proposal has a deadline of Tuesday, Jan. 28 to get it on the April ballot.

However, after voting 5-3 to approve placing it on the ballot, with Council members Tom Oldham, Chris Marshall and Tina Boggess voting no, Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson vetoed the ordinance.

The veto triggers a special session in which the Council will determine whether to override Mayor Dawson’s veto. The meeting is scheduled for Monday at noon. The public is invited to attend.

Council then voted to approved an agreement with IMA Financial Group, Inc., for brokerage services for worker’s comp, property and liability insurance, and other related programs. The agreement uses a fee-based structure instead of a commission-based one.

Under Public Works, Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple then gave her strategic planning presentation to Council for FY 2026.

A list of 24 accomplishments in 2024 was highlighted by Epple:

Looking back on 2024, we’re proud to share some of our amazing accomplishments:

1. Expansion of Light Up Liberty added 25 stunning new light displays including a mega tree

2. Liberty Stadium – Major improvements underway

3. Bat Houses Installed across the parks

4. More than trees planted, including 50 trees at Katy Park for its 50th Anniversary

5. 151 Lifeguards were certified. ensuring safety for all.

6. New Flower Beds at Clover Dell

7. 1,093 Baseball/Softball games played

8. 398 Swim Lesson Participants

9. 33,389 Drop-Ins at the Heckart – Thank you for being part of the community

10. Added “Barrel of Monkeys” to Liberty Park's Art in the Park 11. 23,179 Walkers at the Heckart

12. 5,076 Fitness Classes Offered, keeping you strong and active

13. Groundbreaking at Katy Park with a new playground coming soon

14. Disc Golf Improvements with an enhanced 18-hole course at Clover Dell.

15. Polar Express – It was the first year, and it was a huge hit with a 10-minute sellout

16. Centennial Park bridges were repaired

17. Esports with 625 participants in gaming events and practices

18. Heckart Community Center was open 5,174 hours

19. Santa & Mrs. Claus – Made eight special appearances

20. Rapidly growing Parks Department with an increase in security cameras

21. 120+ Flower Beds added/improved Citywide

22. LED Light Phase 2 Completed

23. Clover Dell Lake Improvements

24. 71 participants reached new goals with our Couch to 5K

Council then approved a matching grant for the Sedalia Convention and Convention Bureau in the amount of $30,000 for signage to help visitors find their way to local historic sites, retail stores, fine dining options and entertainment venues, after Kyle Herrick gave a presentation to Council with a slide show to highlight the importance of “wayfinding signage.”

Herrick noted that Carolyn Crooker, CVB executive director, received a call from the Missouri Division of Tourism Dec. 13 concerning the matching grant offer.

Bids will be sought from local vendors to produce the signage, Herrick said.

Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess asked Herrick of there will be a committee assigned to oversee the process, to which Herrick replied, “a small one.”

Herrick noted that the exact number of signs, placement of the signs, artwork, and which tourist destinations will be featured, are yet to be determined.

Council approved after passing one resolution and two ordinances.

Public Works encountered “substantial and unplanned repair costs” this past fiscal year, in the amount of $65,977.99. Major repairs included work on the heavily used asphalt paver, replacement of a drop axle assembly on a quad-axle dump truck, and several repairs to dump trucks that are used for various operations within the Public Works Department. This does not take into account repairs needed on snow plow trucks and salt spreaders, it was noted.

Staff is requesting a budget amendment of an additional $90,000 as a result.

Due to the new State Fair Arena being built at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, a sewer main had to be extended from the property owner at 2540 Southwest Blvd. Matz properties Partnership provided the necessary easement documents, and the City of Sedalia staff recommended that Council approve it and record it with Pettis County Recorder of Deeds. Copies will eventually be provided to Matz Properties, the Mo State Fairgrounds and project engineer ES&S, Inc.

A delay in a storm drainage project at 13th and Beacon has resulted in a change order from S&A Equipment and Builders, LLC, which is funded by the ARPA grant. The project was initially expected to be completed by Sept. 7. The cause of the delay was due to private utility companies taking much longer than anticipated to move their infrastructure so that the contractor could do their job. The new completion date was pushed back to Jan. 6, which has already passed.

TB Dozing and Excavating, LLC, was chosen as the lowest and best bidder to replace a water main on South Grand between 20th and 24th. It is part of the FY2025 infrastructure projects that are planned by the City. Cost is $386,738.

City Engineer Chris Davies has been updating agreements with cell service providers for water tower usage as various agreements begin to expire.

One of the lease agreements is with Sprint Spectrum LLC, reference equipment placed on the City’s west water tower at 1401-A Water Tower Road. It was noted that Sprint has been renting the space since 1999, with the current agreement expiring March 1. A new lease was drafted with the help of the City Attorney’s Office (unknown cost), which will begin March 1, with the option of four five-year extensions, with a potential expiration date of March 1, 2050.

Monthly rent will be $1,767.28, with a 3% annual increase, it was stated.

Sprint has reviewed and agreed with the new terms, and staff recommended approval.

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Delays have also been reported with the Sedalia Central Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration Improvement Project. A completion date of Dec. 9 with Burns & McDonnell was not met. A prior change order pushing back the completion date to Jan. 20 was not met, either. The project is waiting on delivery of a switchboard. The new target date for completion is now Feb. 28, which adds 39 days without additional costs.

Under Public Safety, it was noted that Joint Communications ended their fiscal year with a “funding shortfall.”

In 2024, Pettis County and PCAD agreed to contribute an additional $16,000 if Joint Communications’ operating costs exceeded contractual billing amounts. Both entities have already fulfilled their agreement, and Council approved a $16,000 budget amendment to keep this vital service going.

The Sedalia Police Department has experienced “significant vehicle repair costs stemming from accidents and mechanical failures” in fiscal year 2025.

Although insurance partially reimbursed some repair bills, there was a shortfall there as well. The total cost of repairs was $27,876.64, and insurance only covered $21,893.39 of that.

The SPD’s vehicle maintenance budget is nearly depleted, it was noted, and a budget amendment to make up the difference was recommended.

Under Community Development, the City received a request to vacate the alley located east of property at 501-503 South Engineer. The vacation will make way for renovation of the property into multi-family housing and to provide off-street parking for 16 vehicles.

The property is zoned C-1. Investments are expected to exceed $100,000.

It was noted that the alley is not currently used for trash pickup by the City and no underground utilities are present.

Staff recommended approval of the request by ICSTARS, LLC.

EDSPC approached staff about vacating a drainage easement in the Thompson Meadows Industrial Park to help develop two parcels of land.

This will allow for proper drainage, yet allow for changes to the easement for development, it was noted.

A total of 10 liquor license renewals were approved by Council, including:

*Karrie Houston dba Dollar General #2379, 619 North Ohio, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Karrie Houston dba Dollar General #1316, 2500 West Broadway, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Karrie Houston dba Dollar General #2787, 2003 South Limit, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Karrie Houston dba Dollar General #19535, 4215 East Broadway, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Karrie Houston dba Dollar General #3494, 713 East Broadway, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Lovell Curry dba The Den, 115 West Main, Liquor by the Drink & Sunday Sales - $750.00 *Erica Eisenmenger dba Ivory Grille LLC, 317 South Ohio, Sidewalk Liquor & Sunday Sales - $350.00 *Cathy Geotz dba Break Time #3079, 2801 West Broadway, Packaged Liquor - $150.00 *Mandeep Kaur dba Sedalia 66, 120 East 16th, Packaged Liquor & Sunday Sales - $450.00 *John Swearingen dba JA Lamy Manufacturing Co, 108 West Pacific, Liquor by the Drink - $450.00

After Miscellaneous from Council members and Good and Welfare from the Public, Council adjourned to closed-door session.