Sedalia Council Observes Ramey Retirement

Monday night's three-hour City Council meeting began with a retirement award for Donald Ramey, who served 40 years and two months as a service technician with the Sedalia Water Department.

Ramey received a large tool chest from the City, kind words from Supervisor David Murray and congratulatory handshakes from Mayor Dawson, City Administrator Kelvin Shaw and all Council members.

That was followed by a DARE car show check presentation from Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller. The event was held April 6.

Sedalia Police Chief David Woolery presided over a promotional badge pinning for Officer Tyalr. Tylar's son Jacob pinned a new badge on his father's uniform.

Council then heard a Boys & Girls Club presentation from new CEO Brooke Wilkens from Kansas City, and RJ Lindstrom about their ongoing $10 million capital campaign project for a construction project on East Third Street, across from the Katy Depot.

Nearly half of the money has been raised for the 30,000-square foot facility. The one-year-old campaign went public in February, Lindstrom noted.

Wilkens briefly introduced herself and said she is excited to be in Sedalia and take on the CEO position.

"I have felt very welcomed, not only by the (BGC) staff and the board, but by the community," Wilkens remarked. "I continue to be amazed by the generosity that I have found in the community and I'm very excited to be here."

Finance Director Jessica Pyle then gave Council an update concerning incoming tax revenue.

March sales and use tax came in at just under $200,000, she said. Year-to-date figures, when combined with marijuana sales, show a 3.8% growth over last year, or $682,182. A 4% increase was expected in sales tax, "so we're short just $34,000 in the budget for sales tax," Pyle told Council.

Transportation taxes are up over last year due to the gasoline tax, which is up 8.7%. Vehicle sales for March were flat, she said.

Property tax was up almost $100,000 over last year

Council then accepted a deed for the transfer of property from Josefina D. Moore and Michael T. Moore to the City for a Sedalia Lions Club Mini Park at 1920 South Missouri. This is the second such project for the club.

Under Public Works, Progress on the “Safe Streets 4 All” grant was noted by Michael Kramer, project manager for Wilson and Company.

Kramer displayed a map showing where fatality accidents have occurred in Sedalia over a five-year period. He urged drivers to "Buckle up, phone down, slow down and arrive safely."

Nationally, there were about 41,000 fatal car crashes in the US last year. In 2013, there were about 32,000. In 2019, that figure rose to 36,000. In 2021, that figure rose even more to 43,000 fatal crashes.

In Missouri in 2022, there were over 1,000 fatal car crashes reported. There were 9,000 reported over a 10-year period.

In Sedalia, Kramer noted that over the past five years, there were 20 serious injury crashes and two fatalities. Over the past decade, there have been 10 fatal crashes in Sedalia.

Discussion concerning the closed Washington Street Bridge included possibly shoring it up and only allowing only one lane of northbound traffic to use it.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over five years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds.

The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy and the DOT's goal of zero roadway deaths using a “Safe System” approach.

Council then approved the spending of $92,650 for a skid steer, and $53,050 for attachments (a rotary brush cutter and forestry mulcher) from Foley Equipment.

A local dealer is being used to purchase the equipment through a governmental purchasing agreement, it was noted.

The Water Pollution Control Department will now have a “new” vehicle, a heavy-duty pickup, that will be purchased from the Missouri State Highway Patrol at a cost of $25,000. The vehicle will replace a van and a small truck that have been used to check plants and collect samples.

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The cost to repair the old vehicles would exceed their value, it was explained. A total of $30,000 was originally budgeted for the vehicle purchase.

Under Public Safety, Chief Irwin once again updated Council about potential locations for a new fire station and the status of the closed Washington Street Bridge.

He said he has looked into installing cameras along the railway corridor in Sedalia. Completion of that project could take anywhere from six weeks to six months, and cost anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000.

The SPD will acquire two new Dodge Durangos from W-K Chevrolet Dodge Jeep Ram of Sedalia, 2901 South Limit, at a cost of $86,154. W-K was the only dealer that submitted a bid for the Durangos. They are specifically designed for patrol vehicles, it was noted. Councilman Robinson noted that the bid came in under budget.

A grant will offset some of the cost of new ballistic vests and helmets for firefighters and EMTs responding to active shooter situations. Chief Irwin applied for and was approved on April 10 for a $7,867 grant through Hero Fund USA. No budget amendments will be needed, it was noted.

Four liquor licenses were renewed Monday night, including:

*Scott Hewett dba Colton's Steak House and Grill, 4101 W. Broadway for liquor by the drink and Sunday Sales, $750

*Cathey Geotz dba Break Time #3084, 318 W. Broadway, for Sunday Sales, $300

*Cathey Geotz dba Break Time #3083, 808 E. Broadway, for Sunday Sales, $300

*Cathey Geotz dba Break Time #3079, 2801 W. Broadway, for Sunday Sales, $300

Council adjourned Sine Die and City Clerk Jason Myers then swore in Council members who won their election on April 2.

Second Ward Councilwoman was once again elected Mayor Pro Tem by a vote of 6-2. The no votes were cast by First Ward Council members Jack Robinson and Tom Oldham. Bogess and Oldham were the two who were nominated for the position.

Council then adjourned to closed-door session.

Council meets again May 6. The public is invited.

In the top photo, Donald Ramey shakes hands with Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess after being recognized for over 40 years of service to the City of Sedalia Monday night.