Meritorious Service Award Presented to Sedalia Firefighter Jacob Lamb

Monday night's City Council meeting began with a public hearing for annexation petition from Liahona West, LLC, concerning the property at the west edge of Sedalia along 12th Street.

A public hearing must be held (by state statute) between 14 and 60 days of receiving the petition, it was noted by City Administrator Kelvin Shaw.

No comments were received during the brief hearing, and now the City must wait at least 14 days before considering annexation of the property.

After the hearing, Sedalia Firefighter Jacob Lamb was presented with a meritorious service award plaque by Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin.

“On Wednesday, April 24, firefighter Jacob Lamb, while traveling to Kansas City, witnessed a significant motor vehicle accident. Being a trained and licensed firefighter-EMT, firefighter Lamb stopped to assess the situation and render aid if needed. Firefighter Lamb found a single-vehicle car crash with the vehicle sustaining significant damage to it. One passenger had already exited the vehicle. Firefighter Lamb moved to the driver's position, where he found a young man with significant injuries to his leg, and moderate injuries to his face,” Chief Irwin said.

Firefighter Lamb then learned the driver was only 14 years of age. He remained in the vehicle with the driver until additional help arrived.

While waiting, firefighter Lamb detected smoke in the vehicle. It turned out to be a fire burning under the dash. Members of the Kansas City Fire Department arrived on scene. Together they removed the driver from the vehicle and Lamb remained on scene until he was no longer needed.

“Firefighter Lamb has shown what every member of the Sedalia Fire Department strives to be – a public servant -- no matter the location of the incident. Firefighter Lamb has shown dedication, values and a caring nature that this department strives to be on a daily basis. For his quick actions, and dedication to public safety, for going above and beyond the call of duty and for placing his own health and well being in danger, firefighter Lamb is being awarded this meritorious service award,” Chief Irwin concluded.

Chris Paszkiewicz then gave Council an annual report from the Central Business and Cultural District, including the CBCD's proposed budget for FY 2025.

The $120,880 budget included $50,000 for The Pavilion restrooms, $25,000 for a facade program, $19,900 for special events such as the Furnell Fireworks on Thanksgiving Night, the Scott Joplin Festival, a bicycle criterium, the First Thursday weekly series, a quarterly business mixer and many other events, and $1500 for grounds maintenance.

Council then approved annexation of property owned by E.W. Thompson that is being transferred to PCAD to build another base station for its ambulance service. This followed a public hearing that was held at the previous meeting.

Kelvin Shaw then gave a financial update in the absence of the City's Financial Director Jessica Pyle.

The numbers represent taxes collected in early May that were generated from March sales, Shaw explained.

“Use taxes were down last year for the month of March sales,” Shaw noted, adding that it usually evens out before the end of the year.

“Fiscal year to date, we're up $283,000, or 10.1 percent,” he said. “We budgeted a four percent increase, so we are about $171,000 ahead of budget for combined sales, use, and marijuana tax.”

Marijuana tax started at the cash register in October, Shaw noted.

Transportation and gas tax was up 4.8 percent over the previous year.

Vehicle sales tax was down 22.5 percent, and the vehicle fee tax was down 36.9 percent.

Shaw emphasized that it is still early in the year.

The bulk of property tax payments (92%) typically arrive in December and January, so today's figures aren't much to look at right now, he noted.

Human Resources Manager Shanon Ramey-Trull then presented a paid volunteer time-off policy for the Council to review. Following her presentation, First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham motioned for a draft policy to be presented to Council at a future date.

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Under Public Works, Council approved the purchase of RFID scanners (and software) for the City's trash cans from Rehrig Pacific Company. The cost was $66,600 for the equipment and $22,800 for the software, for a total amount of $89,400.

Council approved moving all SCADA systems to the MicroComm product to manage water and sewer systems. The City recently upgraded to the newest version.

The water tower logo project will now move forward after additional funds from Julie and Russell Childers through their company became available since the last Council meeting. No City money will be used to fund the project, originated by the Sedalia Lions Club last fall. Donations were collected and RAC-JAC will be making up the difference of $16,800 to fully fund the project, which now involves both of the City of Sedalia's water towers.

“Thank you Russell and Julie Childers for helping us over the finish line,” City Administrator Shaw said.

Counil then approved annexation of land owned by Premier Homes, LLC, at 2630 James Lane for water and sewer services.

Counil then passed four ordinances for a storm drainage improvement project. A grant will allow more work to be done this fiscal year, and contracts for four projects were approved in February.

A stop sign requested by First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson will now be placed at 7th and Beacon, after originally being denied by the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission and City staff, due to insufficient criteria numbers. The sign will be placed on 7th Street. Robinson complained that the house on the southwest corner obscures the intersection.

Under Public Safety, Council approved the purchase of a Spartan Metro Star Custom Pumper Apparatus for the Sedalia Fire Department from Feld Equipment Company (Carroll, Iowa) at a cost of $991,205. One million dollars was appropriated for it in the City's budget. The estimated delivery time for the new pumper is at least 800 days, it was noted.

“That's why we're doing it now,” Councilman Robinson said.

Council then approved the purchase of 11 Falcon license plate readers for the Sedalia Police Department at a cost of $73,150 ($6,650 each), and three Condor stationary cameras at a cost of $94,600 ($21,450 each). The purchase will be made through Flock Safety, Atlanta, Ga.

A new liquor license was issued to Halye Newton dba Sedalia Lions Club, PO Box 1085, for a picnic license for a cornhole tournament, planned for June 1 at the Nucor Pavilion on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, $37.50.

Two renewals were issued Monday night, including:

*Henry Hatfield dba E Street Bar, 1201 E. 3rd, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

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

After Good and Welfare and miscellaneous items from the Mayor and Council, the 53-minute public meeting went into closed-door session. Council meets again June 3 at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

In the top photo, Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin presents a meritorious service award to Firefighter Jacob Lamb Monday night.