Rate Increases for City Services Main Topic at Sedalia Council Meeting

Rate increases for City services were the main topic of discussion at Monday night’s City Council meeting, which lasted 111 minutes.

The meeting which was guided by Mayor Pro Tem Rhiannon Foster in Mayor Dawson’s absence, featured three public hearings and three presentations.

22 minutes into the meeting, while Second Ward Councilwoman Tona Boggess was speaking, the power went out for a few seconds, leaving everyone in the dark. The power then came back on and Council took a recess to allow the computers to power up, and the meeting was back on track by 6:58 p.m.

In the third public hearing, the only comment received was from Gary Lobaugh, who complained about Jennie Jaynes Stadium being designated as a historic landmark.

He suggested a photo of the structure be blown up and attached to the wall much like the other artwork displayed in the Council Chambers, which illustrate historic views of early Sedalia.

A representative from IMA Corp (Kyle Ziegler) then spoke to Council about improving the City’s property and casualty insurance program by moving from Cincinnati Insurance, MO Perm and MEM to Travelers Insurance.

The move is expected to save the City $192,000 annually in insurance premiums.

Cemetery Director Roger Waters addressed the Council about necessary rate increases for services provided at Crown Hill Cemetery. The last increase in rates occurred in 2017, and before that, 2012.

Most of the adjustments involved a 25 percent increase for the most part. Waters suggested reviewing rates more frequently to avoid a sudden jump in prices, which is the case this year. “We need to look at this more often,” he told Council.

He also noted that grave lot sales spiked after the last Council meeting, in which new rates were discussed.

“At this time, we are servicing and maintaining 35,194 graves in our cemeteries,” Waters told the Council, adding that the first burials at Crown Hill took place in 1866.

“We’ve got over 25,000 feet of road,” he said, which translates to a little over 4 ¾ miles of road  at Crown Hill. A crew mows 66 acres every week

In her presentation to Council, Finance Director Jessica Pyle noted that net sales and use tax are down through the end of June compared to last year to the tune of about $140,000, or 1.7 percent. “We had budgeted an increase of four percent, so this is a budget variance ... so we’re off budget slightly.”

Marijuana tax is up $11,17 over last year’s figure.

Franchise and cigarette tax is down $273,950 over last year.

Transportation tax is up 9.9% over last year, due to an increase in gasoline tax, and an increase in vehicle sales of 9.3 percent, and increase in vehicle fees of 4.5 percent, she said.

Council voted to move the meeting that was scheduled for Sept. 15 to the 22nd  to allow Council members to attend the MML Conference in St. Charles.

A project designed to replace eight network switches in the Municipal Building has  been expanded to include the SPD as well, for a total number of 21 network devices. The new project cost if $27,694.44.  A budget amendment was approved by Council.

The City has entered into a Voluntary Abatement Order On Consent with the Missouri DNR, to correct deficiencies at the Southeast Wastewater Treatment facility, which is now 40 years old with much of its infrastructure at or beyond its useful life.

Staff has negotiated a new five-year lease with Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC (AT&T) for placement of an antenna and its associated ground space at 214 East Main. The old lease expires Dec. 31, 2027. The new lease will take effect Jan. 1, 2028. Rent will be $3,923.66 per month.

Council then voted to update the City’s fee schedule for wastewater service. The increase is necessary to finance mandated improvements to the system, make infrastructure improvements and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.

Council then approved a five percent increase in monthly water service rates for customers. The increase is necessary to keep up with the higher costs of repairs, replacements, freight, utilities and labor, it was noted.

Council also heard from Animal Services Director Randi Battson, who also justified raising rates at the Sedalia Animal Shelter.

Council then authorized the staff to apply for a $15,000 TRIM Grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation. The money will be used to remove ash trees that are infested with the Emerald Ash Borer, as well as provide public educational materials and grow the City’s tree population.

City Clerk Jason Myers also addressed the Council about the need to raise the price of records requests.

A marker to commemorate the old historic Jennie Jaynes Stadium, once located where the Heckart Community Center is now, was approved by Council, as suggested by the Sedalia Historic Preservation Commission.

Jennie Jaynes Stadium was dedicated in 1953 and could hold 3,000 fans in the stands. It was demolished in 2015 to make way for the Heckart Community Center.

Five liquor licenses were renewed Monday night, including:

*Daniela Silva dba Morelos Taquerias Bakery and Grocery, 125 E, 16th, for packaged liquor and Sunday sales, $450

*Cathy Geotz, dba Break Time #3084, 318 West Broadway,  for packaged liquor, $150

*Kay Jones dba Primetime #3 LLC, 1320 South Limit, for packaged liquor and Sunday sales, $450

*Kay Jones dba Prime Time Fav Trip, 216 West Broadway, for packaged liquor and Sunday sales, $450

*Luis Pereiri dba Taqueria El Costeno LLC, 504 W. 16th, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

Under Miscellaneous, Mayor Pro Tam Foster said she was  pleased to see the ditch that runs from El Espolon to El Tapatio on South Limit cleaned out while she was gone on vacation.

“I think that looks fantastic” she said.

First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson noted that the City received a compliment from the EPA refence the ongoing work for the new bowling center and fire station on East Broadway.

“I’m sure several people in the audience called in and said ‘hey they’re not doing right on that property. So they (DNR) wrote us an email.

“It’s clear to us that a significant amount of due diligence work has been done to address the environmental conditions on the property in question,” Robinson quoted from the email.

Robinson went on to complain about one woman in the audience who was texting during the Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.  “Why was that?” he asked the woman.

Mayor Pro Tem Foster cut him off, saying “we’re not going to have a discussion between you and her.”

Third Ward Councilman Bob Cross noted that “no one likes an increase, unless it’s on their paycheck. I know there’s a lot of people who seem to think that the City makes a big profit off sewer, water and trash (fees). But I can assure you, that is not true,” he said. “I just want to make that clear.”

Get our free mobile app

Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller noted that a lot of seniors in Pettis County failed to take advantage of the property tax freeze that was being offered, due to missing the deadline.

“Next year, there are going to be a lot of seniors that are going to sign up for that tax freeze that they didn’t get to this year, because I didn’t find out about the deadline until the day after,” Hiller noted. “So anyway, we’ll be on top of all that.”

Hiller went on to note that there are $293,000 still owed in back taxes. “Do you know how many miles of street that would pave?” he asked.

One more thing that Hiller wanted to make clear is that the City has nothing to do with the DARE car and DARE program, as far as funding. “That’s my car that I own, I built with my own money and my sponsors’ money,” he declared. “No part of it is owned by the City of Sedalia.”

Under Good and Welfare, Debbie Covington, 2601 E. 12th, complained about restricting what topics citizens can address during their three minutes in front of Council.

She said the decorum ordinance “shields government from accountability, which our Constitution does not allow.”

“Equally troubling is the requirement that we must sign up in advance, and disclose what we intend to say,” she said.

“How are we supposed to know what questions we have or what concerns we want to raise if details are hidden,” Covington said during her prepared speech. She added that the public hearing on rate hikes Monday night were a “sham.”

“You had the public hearing, then the presentation, then you voted on the ordinance, if that makes any sense,” she told the Council.

Derrick Standley, representing Presidio Environmental, also addressed the Council.

Council then adjourned for closed-door session. Council will meet again Sept. 2. The public is invited to attend.

In the top photo, First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson calls out a woman in the audience for texting on her phone during Monday night's prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Robinson was quickly shut down by Mayor Pro Tem Rhiannon Foster during the Miscellaneous portion of the meeting.