Sedalia Council Hears Four Presentations

Monday night’s 68-minute City Council meeting contained four presentations, focusing on finance, pavement operations, affordable housing and The Embassy.

The first presentation was from Jason McClain, executive director of The Embassy, a non-profit, faith-based residential recovery program, which offers opportunities for men getting out of jail, those with substance abuse issues (addiction) and those who are homeless.

McClain gave Council an update on the Embassy’s properties, located at 322 West 7th and 602 South Moniteau.

At 322, renovations include a new entrance on the northwest corner, removal of a rotting roof, and 602 has a new roof, gutters and facia, new electrical service, new plumbing, new flooring, drywall, wiring and framing.

An open house was held Saturday, but tours of the facility are still available by contacting McClain at (660) 851-0112.

Facility improvements were funded through opioid settlement allocations previously approved by the City Council. The Embassy originally requested $150,000 in funding.

Council also heard a presentation from Alek Vance with Vance Brothers (KC) who promoted his company’s services as a pavement preservation contractor to Sedalia to augment what Street and Alley already do for our City streets.

Project Manager Vance brought a slide show with him to illustrate the services his company offers.

One offer was to pave one block within Sedalia and let City officials evaluate it.

“Combining your resources with specialized contracting will increase your capacity a lot,” Vance said. “This product is based on performance, appearance and public feedback.” He added that his service is not intended to replace the City’s current road services. “I want to win your trust, and I want you to consider me a resource for your roads.”

In his presentation, Chief Building Official Dimitrius Maduros approached the Council with a proposal to reduce permit fees by 50 percent for qualified residential construction projects in Sedalia, to create much-needed affordable housing.

The home be located within the 353 Redevelopment Corporation area. The total construction value of the home cannot exceed $175,000. The home must be intended for affordable housing purposes, including lease to own or affordable rental programs designed to transition occupants for eventual home ownership, Maduros indicated.

An ordinance will be drafted and brought to Council at the next meeting for their consideration.

In her presentation, Pyle noted that the City has received around $5 million Fiscal Year to Date through sales tax, use tax and marijuana sales, which is about a three percent increase, or an additional $147,000, over last year.

The Franchise tax has generated close to $350,000 year to date, about $75,000 over last year to date.

The Transportation tax has generated $217,000 year to date for Fiscal Year 27, which is about $20,000 more than last year.

Property tax collected so far is around $88,000 year to date. Most of that will arrive in December and January, Pyle explained.

Council approved a change order for the South Grand Water Main Replacement project, which added $11,775.05 to the overall cost. The contractor was Earthworks and Excavation & Associates, LLC.

This brings the total amount of the project to $937,652.39 and extends the completion date from April 1 to May 11, 2026.

Change Order #3 for the Washington Avenue Bridge Rehab project was approved by Council. The no-cost change order from HDR Engineering extends the contract completion date to Sept. 30.

This will allow for ultrasonic testing of all 28 truss pins in the bridge, which have not been inspected since 1988.

It was noted that the truss pins need to be evaluated before reopening the bridge to traffic once again.

The final plat foe the proposed Eagle View Ridge development was approved by Council. The property will continue to be zoned M-2 (heavy industrial) and is consistent with surrounding properties in the area.

Planning & Zoning Commission already approved the final plat on June 3.

Council approved a contract with Epic Concrete Construction, Inc., for $614,738, for the CDBG sidewalk improvement project.

Council also approved the application of a TRIM grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation “to continue to grow the City’s urban forest.”

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Under Good & Welfare, Debbie Covington complained that she needs four minutes instead of three to express her concerns. Covington got the game show buzzer when her three minutes were up.

Lisa Flores, 1221 W. 3rd, complained about not having a sidewalk between Sneed and Park, as well as deep ruts. The project “certainly needs to be finished” she said, adding that “once you start something, you finish it before moving on.”

However, going east on 3rd Street, “they are moving right along.”

“I am unhappy with the work that’s been left behind. I have contacted both of my Council people, Jack Robinson and Cheryl Ames, and who by the way, Cheryl is my next door neighbor. Neither one of you have been any help with my concerns. However, Mr. Robinson did call me just recently to say he was sorry, it isn’t the state doing the job, it’s the City.”

Flores noted that Rhad A. Baker LLC is the contractor on the project.

“My city block across from the historic Liberty Park will not be having curbing. Why?” she asked.

Flores also got the game show buzzer after that comment when her three minutes were up.

One liquor license was renewed by Council:

*Li Peng Chen dba Joy Hibachi, Inc., 1975 West Broadway for liquor by the drink and Sunday Sales, $750

Under Miscellaneous, Mayor Pro Tem demanded to know exactly when the Washington Avenue Bridge will open up.

“This bridge should have already been done, or if not, tore down and rebuilt in the same spot … I was there a year ago, and were still having problems, still having a conversation about the bridge. And we shouldn’t, it should already be done,” commented Councilman David Covington.

Councilwoman Ames stated that “we were fighting MoDOT and the railroad.”

Covington responded “I’m aware of all that … so somebody’s not communicating right, or something, because we shouldn’t still be talking about the bridge. People are tired about us talking about the bridge.”

City Administrator Matt Wirt confirmed that the driving portion and structural portion of the bridge is complete. “We need to look at the walkway.”

Ames asked Covington, “I don’t know if you’ve ever dealt with MoDOT?” to which Covington replied, “Ma’am, I’ve dealt with MoDOT, I‘ve dealt with IDOT.”

The second reading of Bill # 2026-73 then happened, for final passage, with all Council members voting yes.

Council then adjourned to closed session. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be July 6.

In the top photo: Alek Vance, project manager for Vance Brothers, promoted his Kansas City business to Sedalia City Council Monday night, which specializes in pavement preservation.