Battalion Chief Schlesselman Retires After 32 Years, Five Months

Monday night’s Sedalia City Council 43-minute meeting began with the presentation of a service award and one retirement award.

The service award recipient, Jeremy Bradley, Park Supervisor in charge of field maintenance, has been with City of Sedalia for five years.
Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple noted that “if you ever stepped foot on a ball field (here), you can see Jeremy’s pride and passion in action … he works hard to maintain each and every field here in this town, making sure they are game ready for our community.”

Epple also noted that Bradley plays a key role in bringing Light Up Liberty to life every year. She also credited his fresh ideas, friendly attitude and work ethic.

Sedalia Fire Battalion Chief Kenneth “Dozer” Schlesselman was recognized for 32 years and five months of service.

Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin noted that Schlesselman is the first firefighter he has written a retirement speech for, who was hired before he was.

“The fire house will not be the same in his absence,” Irwin said, adding that Schlesselman has also served as an investigator and battalion chief.

“Tonight, we truly lose 32 years of experience, dedication and friendship … we lose more than a battalion chief, we lose part of a legacy that cannot be replaced,” Chief Irwin said.

Schlesselman was then honored with an end of service call provided by Sedalia-Pettis County Joint Communications.

Under Finance and Administration, Council appropriated  $140,000 for EDSPC.

Under Public Works, Council approved the purchase of a replacement of a pump motor for Water Well #18 at a cost of $68.943.

Two bids were received, with Flynn Drilling Co., submitting the low bid.

Council then authorized an agreement for professional services  with CMAR On-Boarding for designing the Central Wastewater Treatment Facility and North Pump Station at a cost of $4,976,560.

This is in response to regulatory requirements established by Missouri DNR. A facility plan and antidegradation report was approved by the DNR in February. That report identified the need for significant system upgrades and long-term solutions.

Council agreed to relocate a school crosswalk (and signs) at Sacred Heart, west to South Vermont.

The change was recommended by the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission and supported by City staff and Sacred Heart School staff. The City’s Street Department will make the changes, which will hopefully be a safer and more effective crossing location.

Council then approved a change order to extend the completion date of an Infrastructure Development Agreement at 521 E. 3rd. There is no change to the scope or cost of the project. The project was originally approved by Council in December with Holland Holding Company, LLC. The change order pushes back the completion date from May 15 to Oct. 1 due to inclement weather.

A one-year contract extension was then approved for Martin Energy Group for on-site generator maintenance, inspection and repair services at a cost of $27,960.

Council then approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer all-wheel-drive utility truck for the Cemetery Department at a cost of $28,000. The truck is being purchased through the MSHP through a cooperative procurement program.

Under Public Safety, Council approved a bid for fire protection services, inspections, testing, maintenance and compliance reporting for various City facilities. Ideal Fire Services was not the lowest bidder in every category, but they provided the lowest overall cost in a majority of services and presented the best value to the City.

Council then approved a bid for a fire alarm replacement for the municipal Building at a cost of $47,522.

The last item for consideration under Public Safety was an agreement with Tyler Cloud for records management for the Sedalia Police Department. There will be a one-time fee of $399,142, followed by an annual recurring fee of $239,892.

Mayoral appointments included:

*Stephanie Taylor, who will replace Blake Fulton, to a four-year term from May 27, 2026 to May 26, 2030, on the Galaxy West Community Improvement District

*Jessica Plyle, who will complete Kelvin Shaw’s term that ends March 21, 2028, on the Galaxy West Community Improvement District

*Matthew Iway will serve on the Galaxy West Community Improvement District from May 27, 2026 to May 26, 2030

Sheryl Giambalvo will serve on the Galaxy West Community Improvement District from May 27, 2026 to May 26, 2030

Council approved a liquor license renewal for Amy VonHolten, dba Adli, 3701 West Broadway, for packaged liquor and Sunday sales, $450.

Under Miscellaneous, Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller, wearing his DARE ball cap, presented checks totally $15,412.54 to SPD Ofc. Bradley Beard and Chief David Woolery. The money represented the proceeds of the Sedalia DARE Car Show, held last Saturday at the Municipal Building. The show drew 95 entries. Hiller said this was his last year as director of the car show after founding it 35 years ago.

“After Saturday’s adventure, my knees are wore out, I’m tired and my hips are hurting … but it was a fun day. The most important thing is, we raised a lot of money for the program that I believe in 100 percent. There’s a lot of naysayers out there right, saying it doesn’t work,” Hiller said.

Some have questioned the effectiveness of the anti-drug program, but that never deterred “Race Car Bob.”

“How worse off would this community be if we didn’t have DARE?” asked Hiller, adding that no city, state or federal funds are used to operate the Sedalia DARE program.

Ofc. Beard asked if anyone knew that Hiller has traveled to Iowa, South Dakota, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee helping their DARE programs.

Coincidentally, Ofc. Beard retires from the SPD in June.

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Under Good & Welfare, Renee Vance, 49813 Tanglenook, spoke about upcoming events benefitting the Sedalia Senior Center.

A rummage sale will be held at First United Methodist Church this weekend, April 10-11, 8-4 Friday and 8 to 12 Saturday.

Bring your donated items to the church on April 9 between 8 and 5. Do NOT bring them to the senior center. The group is only accepting one 30-gallon bag of clothes per donation.

Volunteers are needed for the event. Call Ruth Dale at (660) 281-0938.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit older adults in our community.

On April 16, they will be serving fried chicken. On May 6 there will be a cake walk. And on June 16, the senior Center will hold its annual gala. Doris Thurston will be one of the honorees.

The Sedalia Senior Center is a part of Care Connection for Aging Services. Call (660) 826-0317.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Michelle Franklin was absent from Monday night’s meeting.

In the top photo: Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin and Retired Fire Battalion Chief Kenneth “Dozer” Schlesselman share a hug Monday night during a presentation.