Seven CMAR Proposals Narrowed Down to Four For Wastewater Treatment Plant

The Aug. 3 Sedalia City Council meeting opened with two presentations – one concerning an electric tax reduction proposal on the Aug. 4 ballot, and the other concerning the upgrading of a sewer plant.

City Administrator Matt Wirt explained that a yes vote would lower the city’s electric tax for users from 5% to 4.75%. It would also remove the $15,000 cap for large scale (industrial) users.

Prop A passed by 69.86% on Aug. 4.

Patrick Young with HDR, an engineering firm hired by Sedalia and based out of Kansas City, then gave his presentation to Council. Plans call for pumping flows from NW plant to the Central plant and expand the Central plant to be able to accommodate the increased flows.

A list of seven CMAR (Construction Manager At Risk) proposals were received, which was then narrowed down to four. Council received those proposals on Aug. 5 and HDR will return on Aug. 17 to make a final selection.

“This really keeps you on schedule to have all these improvements done by January of 2029,” Young said.

A third presentation was given much later in the meeting by CBO Dimitrious Maduros, and focused on building permits, construction activity and ongoing development of residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Two service awards – one for Det. Travis St. Cyr for 20 years of service to the SPD and one for Assistant Director of Parks John Simmons, also for 20 years of service to the City, were presented.

Chief David Woolery said Det. St, Cyr began working for the department July 9, 2006. He worked patrol for over three years, then transferred to investigations for 18 months. He returned to patrol for another two years, before becoming a full time detective in 2013.

Simmons worked for 18 years as Community Development Director, according to Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple.

“He is always ready to lend a hand to coworkers and embodies a true passion for the City’s history and its future,” Epple said. “John goes above and beyond his roles, showcasing his incredible talent for grant writing, which has brought millions of dollars to our community. He is never afraid to roll up his sleeves, whether it’s grabbing a paint brush after hours, or just recently jumping into the lagoon to save a goose.”

She went on to say that Simmons’ actions often go unnoticed.

“He consistently prioritizes the needs of others over seeking recognition,” Epple noted, adding that he has played a pivotal role in Memory Lanes, the renovation of Liberty Park Stadium and will also play a big role in the revitalization of Centennial Pool and a new playground at Liberty Park.

“His vision and leadership have truly transformed our community, and it’s been an honor to be able to work with him,” Epple stated. “We are immensely grateful for John’s knowledge, teamwork and passion. Sedalia is a better place because of all you’ve done, John. Thank you for your remarkable service.”

“Thank you all for letting me serve you,” Simmons commented.

Under Unfinished Business, Mayor Williams submitted a letter to the Council stating his opinion on adding and removing agenda items.

Ordinance 12469 was in question regarding who has the authority to add or remove items from the Council agenda.

"Items man be placed on the agenda by  the Mayor, City Administrator, the City Council, or a Council department committee.  Items that have been placed  on the agenda shall not be removed unless the City Council approves of the removal."

"Council may place items on the agenda through the Mayor or City Administrator or may move for approval of the Council to place the items on the agenda."

The ordinance ultimately passed unanimously.

Under Finance and Administration, Council approved the waiver of an open container ordinance for a special event.

The Downtown Sedalia Criterium will be held Saturday, Aug. 22 from 3 to 9 p.m. The waiver applies to the hours of 2 to 10 p.m.

The vote was 7 yes and one abstained (Franklin).

Under Public Works, the City of Sedalia was awarded a TRIM grant in the amount of $20,000 through the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The funds will be used to assist in the removal of public ash trees that were identified as dead, diseased, or dying during an inventory conducted by a team of certified arborists.

Council approved a budget amendment for that grant unanimously.

Council also unanimously approved the installation of a main water control valve to be used whenever Municipal water service is shut off to allow for plumbing repairs or maintenance.

Council unanimously approved a budget amendment for a West Central Missouri Solid Waste Management Region District F grant for a glass pulverizer. The most recent grant will pay for electrical service to power the pulverizer. Additional grants will be needed to complete the project, it was noted.

Council unanimously approved a $10,000 trust that was established for the perpetual care and maintenance of a mausoleum to be located at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Council unanimously approved agreements with JCI Industries, LLC, and FTC Equipment, LLC, to provide on-call pump maintenance and repair services for the City’s Utilities Division.

Council unanimously approved a change order in the amount of $19,137.18 for the 2021-181F Storm Drainage Improvements Project, Area 30. No budget amendment was required.

Under Public Safety, Council unanimously approved the purchase of a stainless-steel animal box for the Sedalia Animal Shelter in the amount of $48,185, to be purchased from Jackson Creek Manufacturing, Inc.

The box will be mounted on a Ford F-250 that was previously ordered for the animal shelter.

Under Good & Welfare, Rene Vance, representing the Sedalia Senior Center, reminded Council members of a tenderloin dinner fund-raiser. She also noted that the Center needs more volunteer drivers, especially on Wednesday and Friday.

Sandy Jeffers, 818 W. 3rd, spoke against giving money from the 353 Redevelopment Corp., for the purpose of replacing a roof on Lincoln-Hubbard Apartments, adding that “we don’t own Lincoln-Hubbard.”

In his allotted three minutes, Harry Hoffert, 1408 S. Barrett, talked about freedom of speech. “You all got trash taken care of. Let’s get freedom of speech taken care of,” he said.

Debbie Covington, 2601 East 12th, talked about how transparency, accountability and open government should be the standard. She complained about Council having a closed-door session, noting that she attended a meeting of the Pettis County Commission the previous week and they did not go into closed door session.

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Under mayoral appointments, City Clerk Jason Myers read through the list, which included Carla Young for BRHC Board of Trustees, completing Cassie Brown's term expiring in June 2029; Kim Boggs for Sedalia Main Streets Board of Directors, replacing Gary Holstein, expiring January 2027; and Matt Mergen for Sedalia Main Streets Board of Directors, replacing Bryan Jenkins, expiring January 2029.

Reappointments include Ebby Norman and Sonny Broyles for Sedalia Main Streets, both for a three-year term expiring January, 2029.

Council ultimately rejected Young’s appointment to the hospital board.

The vote was three yes (Cross, Boggess and Ames) four no (Franklin, Redford, Covington and Scribner) and one abstained (Robinson). The vote was not a majority, so Young was not appointed.

The Sedalia Redevelopment Corporation on July 27 recommended authorizing up to $65,000 for a new roof on the Lincoln-Hubbard Apartment Building.

The vote was five yes, (Cross, Franklin, Robinson, Ames and Scribner), two no (Redford and Covington) and one abstained (Boggess), which was a majority so the resolution passed.

It was noted that any unused funds after the project is completed would be reimbursed to the SRC.

Wirt, under Miscellaneous, noted that the Washington Avenue Bridge would reopen on Tuesday morning, Aug. 4.

Council then adjourned after meeting for 80 minutes to closed door session.