Edwards Honored for Six Years of Service as Sedalia Administrator

The Sedalia City Council said farewell to City Administrator Gary Edwards Monday night with a plaque presentation and reception.

Edwards served as administrator for over six years. He announced his resignation Aug. 15 to be effective Sept. 22. Edwards accepted the City Management position in Aransas Pass, Texas.

“It's a been a very productive, and, I think a good six years, and I have to thank for that the Mayor and Council, staff and citizens,” Edwards said prior to his last regular Sedalia City Council meeting.

“The staff is one of the best in the state of Missouri, in my opinion. Very smart, very on top of all the issues that staff has to deal with, and working with a Council that understands those issues, has been very good for the citizens of Sedalia. And I appreciate that,” Edwards stated.

“I’m leaving Sedalia knowing that there is a great Community, Mayor and Council and City Staff here. Much has been accomplished in the past six years, but only because everyone worked together,” Edwards said in August.

Edwards said he is looking forward to the challenges of working for city that is currently working in recovery mode after Hurricane Harvey adversely affected the area.

“I hate to see him go,” said Mayor Stephen J. Galliher during a reception held in Edwards' honor following Monday night's meeting. “He's been really good for the City, and got thing's going in the right direction. He's set the bar real high, so now we've started the process of filling the position.”

So far, the City has received 48 applications and eight of the them have all the qualifications needed, the Mayor said. “We'll see how that goes … I (and the search committee) don't want to hurry anything. We'll do it right the first time."

In his public comments, Councilman Bob Cross said it was “an honor and privilege” to work with Edwards. “And your first job at Aransas Pass will be to plant new palm trees. Mr Edwards, God bless you,” Cross concluded.

Finance Director Kelvin Shaw is currently serving as Interim City Administrator until a permanent replacement is found. “He's a good man for the job, and that's great, because that let's us slow down and take our time about getting it done,” Mayor Galliher said of Shaw.

In regular business, the Council:

*Approved an agreement with Fort Bend Services, Inc,. for liquid polymer to be utilized at the City's three wastewater treatment plants.

*Reviewed an ordinance for an agreement with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., for employee paid immunization.

*Reviewed a resolution authorizing the Sedalia Police Department to act as an agent for the City of Sedalia in the application process for the Missouri Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) regarding property form the Department of Defense to be used by law enforcement for counter-drug and counter-terrorism, as well as border security activities.

Three new liquor licenses were approved for the upcoming Downtown Wine Stroll, including Seven Springs Winery (Linn Creek), Montserrat Vineyards (Knob Noster), and Arcadian Moon (Higginsville). Each license was $15.

Three renewals were approved as well, including a temporary license for the "Tough Mudder" event for the Sedalia Lions Club ($15), Packaged Liquor and Sunday Sales at Quick Stop ($450), and Liquor by the Drink and Sunday Sales at Coach's Sports Bar ($750).

Prior to the regular meeting, Council heard a financial update from Shaw, who said that the City is running pretty well, currently with 42 percent expenditures. He also noted that the deal with the Series 2017B Certificates of Participation authorized at the previous meeting closed last Thursday.