Sedalia Council Approves Sewer Extension for Nucor Steel

After handing out a couple of service awards and witnessing a police sergeant pinning, the Sedalia City Council got down to business Monday night and approved a few bids and agreements.

Since the current K-9 trainer retired recently, the Public Safety Committee has located a trainer out of Boone County to provide that service to the Sedalia Police Department for its two K-9 units. The Council approved an agreement with the Boone County Sheriff's Office, the cost for which will be covered through drug seizure funds. The cost is $1,000 per unit (one dog, one officer) per year. The rate was calculated at around $50 per training session.

The SPD is also in need of two patrol car cameras (dash cams). The plan is to replace two per year to keep them up to date, but enough for funds for only one camera was in the budget for capital replacement. But fortunately for the City, a JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) was applied for and approved to cover the cost of the second one. The cost of one camera system is $5,998. Council approved the purchase.

Staff has been working with the Local Area Government Employee Retirement System (LAGERS) to determine the feasibility of of transferring management of a frozen pension plan for the Police Pension. This is in accordance with state legislation passed a couple of years ago. The report is being made public for 45 days prior to approval from Council.

Council also approved a contract with Site Rite Construction Co., in the amount of $105,720 to extend a sanitary sewer line to the Nucor Steel Sedalia site north of town. City Administrator Kelvin Shaw noted that out of a total of 13 bids received, Site Rite's was less than half the amount that was originally budgeted for the project.

Council also approved the lease-purchase of three new automated trucks for the Sanitation Department. The agreement is through Wells Fargo Bank National Association.

The next regular Council meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19.