Members of SPD, SFD Honored for Service

Monday night's Sedalia City Council meeting led off with two annexations, a public comment period and five service awards.

Service awards went to Det. Jill Green-Reed, 25 years with the SPD, Driver-Engineer Bradley Burton, five years with the SFD, Equipment Operator Frelen Hughes with the Sedalia Water Department with five years of service, Officer John Hammond, with five years of service with the SPD, and Plant Operator Lawrence Carter, five years of service with Water Pollution Control.

The service award segment of the meeting was moved up ahead of the hearings at the suggestion of Second Ward Councilwoman Tina Boggess.

A public hearing for an annexation petition from Vyacheslav Kolesnik concerning Lot 32 of Gables Phase 2, and for Eugene Limanskiy concerning Lot 33 of Gables Phase 2 was held. Absolutely no comments were made during those two hearings.

Following that was a public meeting to allow for comments on the future use of Spring Fork Lake, a 125-acre lake located on 450 acres, 12 miles south of Sedalia currently used as a recreational area. Some Council members want to sell it, citing the cost to maintain the property is not justified, while others want to keep it and improve it.

A total of 13 area residents spoke to Council, with one allowed three minutes of time to give their thoughts. All were in favor of keeping the lake.

Under Finance and Administration, there was discussion concerning the 457 Plan to allow in-service distribution at age 59.

A budget amendment to grant Bothwell Regional Health Center $37,500 for opioid diversion prevention was okayed by Council.

Under Public Works, Council approved a contract extension with Hansen's Tree Service for yard waste grinding at a cost of $46,775. The extension required a resolution and two ordinances to allow for a budget amendment, as only $45,000 was budgeted.

Council then ratified approval of a community revitalization grant from MoDED in the amount of $767,760 for sidewalk replacement in the north-central part of the City, involving about 50 blocks.

Another grant, also from MoDED, was for tourism asset development in the amount of $1,286,985 with a matching obligation. The ARPA Tourism Grant will be used for significant upgrades to historic Liberty Stadium. The grant was announced April 14.

Yet another grant, this time from MoDOT, is for an engineering report designed to improve traffic safety (Safe Streets for All).

A resolution and two ordinances were passed to allow for the purchase of a Vac Truck at a cost of $650,000. The truck will be shared between the City's Water and Sewer Departments.

Chris Davies was introduced to Council as the new Public Works director, taking over for Brenda Ardrey, who recently resigned.

And finally under Public Works, Council approved the purchase of a Lowboy Trailer for $71,392 and an End-Dump Trailer at a cost of $58,900 from Monday Trailer Company. City Administrator Kelvin Shaw noted that this was a variance to normal policy.

Under Community Development, Council approved annexation of property owned by E.W. Thompson into the City. The property is located west of Colton's Steak House.

An ordinance requiring food and beverage vendors to be in good standing with the Pettis County Health Center was passed by Council.

A trademark sublicense agreement between the City and National Main Street Center, Inc., was approved by Council, to incorporate the Main Street America program in Sedalia.

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The last item under Community Development involved approving an amendment to the Historical Preservation Grant and Financial Assistance Agreement with the Missouri DNR for the West Central Sedalia Historic District Reconnaissance Survey.

The grant agreement previously approved by Council was for $100,000 with a 50 percent match requirement. The bid ultimately accepted was substantially less, while also including a longer time for completion.

The grant was subsequently reduced and the corresponding match requirement. The deadline was also extended.

Under Public Safety, Council passed a resolution and approved two ordinances for the purchase of a Tru-Narc Analyzer at a cost of $29,751.86, utilizing an Opiod Settlement Fund.

An estimated cost was used for budgeting purposes and so the actual quote ended up $4,132.22 higher than the original estimate of $29,751.86, it was noted.

Connie McLaughlin was appointed by the Mayor to fill the unexpired term of Cam Jennings on the Bothwell Regional Health Center Board of Trustees.

Two liquor license renewals were approved by Council:

*Lancy Ulrich dba Hampton Inn Sedalia, LLC, 3909 W. 9th, liquor by the drink, $450

*Larcial Limas dba State Fair Floral, 520 South Ohio, liquor by the drink and sidewalk liquor, $500

Council then adjourned for a closed-door meeting for the purpose of legal advice, Real Estate and negotiated contracts.

-- In the top photo, Det. Jill Green-Reed receives a certificate from SPD Chief Matt Wirt for 25 years of service with the SPD Monday night.