Sedalia Council Approves One-year GFL Contract

The Sedalia City Council unanimously approved a one-year contract with GFL Environmental Inc., for solid waste landfill disposal at a cost of $31 per ton on Monday night.

It was noted that the City received two bids and GFL was the only bidder that submitted a proposal that met the requirements for a one-year contract.

City Administrator Matt Wirt provided Council with a financial update during the 41-minute meeting in the absence of Financial Director Jessica Pyle.

“Net sales in May (year to date) were higher by about 383,000, which is about 6.1 percent which gives us a budget variance in the positive of $193,000. Marijuana tax year over year comparison is higher, about $20,000. Franchise tax is higher fiscal year to date due to the electric tax … Transportation tax is higher due to gasoline tax, it’s up about 9.3 percent with vehicle sales and vehicle fees flat. And of course property tax, about 92 percent of that, comes in December and January,” Wirt said.

He added that the positive news is “our taxes are trending above budget and up from last year,” Wirt told the Council.

Under Public Works, Council then approved annexation of about three acres of land located at the end of Westwood Avenue and owned by EW Thompson, Inc. It was noted that no written objections were submitted following a public meeting held July 6. The area will be zoned C-3 for general business.

Council then approved a ground lease agreement between the city of Sedalia and CSC Aviation, LLC., to build a hangar at the Sedalia Regional Airport on leased property.

The purchase of a Trojan UV disinfection system for the Central and Southeast Water Treatment Plants was approved  by Council at a cost of $96,878.68.

Council then approved a change order for Prairie Hollow Water & Sewer Main Extension project that will add $25,552.40 to the bill. It was noted that the total project cost of $1,905,000 is well below the budgeted amount of $1,510,470.

Council then approved a change order for the Liberty Park Boulevard Stormwater Project, in the amount of $44,070.87. The project is still under budget, it was noted.

Under Public Safety, Council approved two grant application requests from the Sedalia Police Department for:

·       A GreyKey digital forensic system that will allow police to unlock and acquire info that can used in an investigation. Chief David Woolery explained that currently, all electronic devices have to be driven by an officer to Kansas City and turned over to Secret Service. And it takes time to get anything back to due to the backlog from other agencies. The GreyKey system will speed up the process substantially. The cost is $26,310 and was included in the FY27 budget.

·       A State Homeland Security Program Regionalization Grant for the purchase of four i-Pro mobile video systems for the department’s patrol cars at a cost of $34,052. If approved the grant will fully fund the purchase, resulting in no cost to the City.

Council approved seven liquor license renewals Monday night:

*Cathy Geotz dba Break Time #3084, 318 West Broadway, Packaged Liquor – $150.00

*Erica Eisenmenger dba Ivory Grille LLC, 317 South Ohio, Liquor by the Drink – $450.00

*Steven Swafford dba Grellner Sales & Service, 1510 West Henry, Wholesale Liquor & Wholesale Beer - $350.00

*Douglas Benitz dba Liberty Center Association for the Arts, 111 West 5th, Liquor by the Drink – $450.00

*Daniela Silva dba Morelos Taquery Bakery & Grocery LLC, 125 East 16th, Packaged Liquor & Sunday Sales – $450.00

*Donald Woods dba Woods Supermarket, 701 East Broadway, Packaged Liquor & Sunday Sales – $450.00

*Donald Woods dba Woods Supermarket, 1400 South Limit, Taste Testing, Packaged Liquor & Sunday Sales – $450.00

Under Miscellaneous, Third Ward Councilman David Covington suggested having a dialogue concerning free speech at a future Council meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Tina Boggess wanted to make sure everyone knew the Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 locomotive steam engine train was coming through Sedalia on Tuesday.

Under Good & Welfare, there were five speakers.

“Hollywood” Bob Ramey complained about the lack of business hours at the Materials Management site, located at 27882 Route U site on Sundays. He suggested extending Saturday’s hours from 7 to 12 to 7 to 5 and closing one day during the week.

Janet Mizanskey came to the Council meeting prepared to speak against FLOCK cameras, but had a change of heart right before the meeting started.

Flock cameras (developed by Flock Safety) are AI-powered traffic and security cameras designed to capture vehicle details like license plates, make, model, color, and unique vehicle attributes (e.g., bumper stickers and dents). They operate by creating a searchable database used by law enforcement, businesses, and HOAs to help solve crimes.

“Some people see it as mass surveillance, an invasion of privacy, the whole nine yards. But there’s a lot that goes on in this town ... and I’m not stupid,” she said. “I see the good in it, and I see a lot of good things happening here. I see the City workers here are so busy. I mean, every day, I called the mayor on something, (and) it’s fixed. So I hope going forward, that everyone, and including myself, is not doubting the City, because I know there were times in the past where things made me mad, and I didn’t think about it before I talked, or said something,” Mizanskey noted, adding that her husband suggested she not automatically  react, but rather think about it first before commenting.

She went on to say that Flock cameras are a good thing (for missing children and women who are abducted, etc.). “I’m not going to rant and rave about the Flock cameras. That’s all I got to say.”

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Three speakers complained about people lighting up fireworks within the city limits.

Dennis Young, 79, said illegal fireworks are “getting worse and worse in my neighborhood.” He noted that the sheriff informed Young’s new neighbors about the ordinance against shooting off fireworks in the city limits. “And these aren’t firecrackers. These were what I would call huge cannon shells.”

“Before the sheriff got around the corner after he left, they were shooting fireworks again,” Young recalled, adding that it’s getting worse every year, and he’s lived in Sedalia since 1973.

Young noted that there is a $400 fine for shooting off fireworks in the city limits without permission.

Another neighbor called Sedalia Police on the fireworks offenders, “and nothing was done,” he said.

“So in my opinion, you need to change the law and say everybody can shoot fireworks, and we can all shoot our fireworks at each other. Or else, you gotta enforce the law.”

Linda Young and Ann Lamb also complained about illegal fireworks in Sedalia. Both live in the 1600 block of South Beacon.

Council later adjourned to closed door session. They meet again Aug. 3.