Mayor Williams Honors Sedalia Firefighters

A group of Sedalia firefighters who responded to a house fire in late August, were commended by Mayor Williams Tuesday night at City Council’s regular meeting.

Mayor Williams responded to the scene at 1500 South Madison as well on Aug. 11 and watched the Sedalia firefighters in action.

Williams said he was amazed how quickly they worked to out the fire out that night, and make sure everyone was safely out of the residence.

“I seen something I’ve never seen before,” Mayor Williams said. “Each and every one of you reached in your pockets and raised as much money as you could for that family.  And I seen it. To give them a start after losing everything. It was very special, because I’ve not seen that before.”

Battalion Chief Barry White provided additional details concerning the fire scene on Madison. Hew noted that the structure was fully engulfed upon arrival and the garage doors “were burned to a crisp” with fire coming through the roof.

He also noted there was a report of a baby still inside the residence, although that later provide to be untrue.

“I’ve been here 25 years, and no matter how long you work here, that still gets your heart pumping pretty fast,” White said. “They got there as fast as they could from East Station” he said, noting that there were neighbors and kids everywhere running up & down the street.

White was named Firefighter of the Year in April of 2025.

In addition to firefighter recognition Tuesday night, Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple recognized Maintenance Tech II employee Charles Amos, Jr., for his 30 years of service upon his impending retirement.

Sedalia Police Chief David Woolery then recognized Cpl. Andrew Silvey (son of the late Arlene Silvey, former City Clerk) for 20 years of service.

After the Council officially censured Mayor Traves Williams under Finance and Administration, it was time for Public Works.

Council approved a budget amendment for a roof replacement for the City’s Cemetery Office, 701 North Engineer, after a storm severely damaged the roof overnight on Aug. 18-19. The winds removed shingles and allowed for rainwater to enter the facility, affecting the storage area, the furnace and IT connection area. Water entered through a light fixture and caused a stain on the ceiling.

Building maintenance temporarily pated the roof, but staff determined that the entire roof needed to be replaced.

Out of three roofing companies, Blue Ox Roofing submitted the lowest bid of $7,045.01.

The expense will be paid directly by the City, due to the fact that the property insurance deductible is higher than the cost of the roof replacement.

Council then approved a supplemental agreement with Wilson and Company for engineering work as part of the Katy Depot-Liberty Park Connect project after coal chutes and voids beneath 300 and 301 South Ohio were discovered.

An on-site engineering investigation is needed before sidewalk construction can begin.  The cost of that is $14,507.31, which brings the total engineering agreement cost to $226,155.91.

That cost does not include construction, it was noted.

Council then passed a bill authorizing “fixed-base operator facility renovations” at Sedalia Regional Airport, 1900 East Boonville. $60,700 will pay for services provided by Collins Webb Architecture, LLC. The money was made available through the previous sale of an airport hangar.

Collins Webb’s proposed services include documenting the existing building, developing the interior layout and design, preparing civil, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans, and assisting with bidding and construction administration.

The planned improvements include updated restrooms, a coffee and break area, pilot and visitor lounge space, office and storage improvements, new windows and lighting, HVAC upgrades, exterior accessibility improvements, and an outdoor patio.

The agreement is for the professional design work necessary to establish a complete and well-defined renovation project. The design process will allow the City to evaluate the proposed improvements, confirm the project scope, and obtain construction pricing before proceeding with renovation.

Under Community Development, roof repair for Lincoln-Hubbard, 711 North Osage, was approved.

MACO management Com Inc., and Sedalia Housing Associates, LP, will be responsible for completing the improvements for $65,000.

The vote was five yes, one no (Redford) and one abstain (Boggess).

Council approved the purchaser of a City-owned vacant lot at 1215 South Ohio for $4,000 to construct a single-family residence. The property was sold “as-is” through a quit claim deed.

Also during the two-hour, 36-minute meeting, Council heard a presentation from Embassy Executive Director Jason McClain.

McClain noted that The Embassy was established in 2010 and is funded by opioid settlement money. He said The Embassy is not a detox center nor a homeless shelter.

The Embassy currently has two facilities in Sedalia (602 Moniteau and 322 W. 7th) and was seeking a third location in the 900 block of West 7th. However, the organization has since withdrawn that request.

Council also heard from several department heads concerning utility rates as well as sewer and water rates.

Utilities Director William Bracken noted that the wastewater industry has seen twice the increase from inflation since 2020.

“Our most recent rate study was completed in 2022, using date from 2018 -2021. It called for a 9 ½ % increase in 2024 and 7 ½% increase for the next three years,” Bracken said.

“We don’t believe this is currently sufficient to maintain the funds due to the inflation in the industry,” he noted, “as well as the upcoming regulatory requirements.”

Last year, Council approved a 7 ½% increase in sewer rates and 5% on water.

“And we explained at the time we would have to do the same thing for several years to right the ship, so to speak,” Bracken reminded Council members.

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“Our current rates aren’t sufficient to fund the projects that we have,” Bracken said, adding that the failed North Wastewater Treatment will eventually go offline when it is consolidated into the Central Plant.

DNR is requiring that the North Plant be shut down by January of 2029. “So we have a very short window to get this done,” he told Council.

And at the Southeast Treatment Plant, $13 million in repairs are needed, according to the DNR. “That can be done over a period time instead of all at once,” Bracken said.

Water meters in the City were upgraded in 2011-2012, and they have a life span of 20 years. “They are going to fail here in just  a few years, so we’re wanting to start working towards replacing all of them slowly, instead of borrowing money to do a big project to replace everything at once,” he noted.

Water consumption in Sedalia has increased 40% in the last six years. So Bracken requested drilling two new wells “very soon.”

Starting in 2029, the City will have to start making payments on the wastewater improvements, amounting to $2.8 million per year, which is currently about 37% of the City’s wastewater budget. “We can’t make that with what we currently bring in,” Bracken stated.

Most of the speakers during the Good & Welfare portion of the meting spoke a third Embassy location, especially in a historic district.

One new liquor license was granted to Gabby White dba Sedalia Area Chamber of Commerce for a picnic license for a Picadilly event at The Foundry, 324 W. 2nd.   The event will take place Sept. 24.

Council then held a closed-door meeting. They meet again Sept. 21.