Sedalia Council Approves Numerous Contracts, Swears in Newly-elected Members

Four members of the Sedalia City Council were officially sworn in Monday night by City Clerk Arlene Silvey.

The newly-elected officials included First Ward Councilman Todd Oldham, Second Ward Councilman Andrew Dawson, Third Ward Councilman Bob Cross and Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess.

Monday night was the first meeting of the Council after the April 6 election.
In addition, First Ward Councilman Jeff Leeman was named Mayor Pro Tem to serve in the absence of Mayor John Kehde. Leeman was nominated by First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham.

Under Finance and Administration, there were four items listed:

*City Finance Director Dawn Jennings gave an update to Council concerning tax revenue collections

*An ordinance that extended the sunset provision for the City Hospital Board of Trustees was approved. In November of 2018, Council extended the size of the Board of Trustees for Bothwell Regional Health Center to include the Mayor and Administrator, with a sunset clause of April 30, 2020. But once COVID hit, the sunset was extended in April of 2020 to April 30, 2021. And on June 1, the board was reduced from 11 to seven to make it more efficient. Mayor Kehde and City Administrator Kelvin Shaw recommended the extension of the sunset clause to Council. Council agreed.

*Council agreed to a suspension of the City's open container law for a special event at Lamy's in the 100 block of Pacific on June 11-12. A block party is planned for that weekend, with a street closure and a barricaded area that will include the train depot parking lot. Patrons will be required to wear a wristband and use a special event cup for alcohol purchased at the block party.

*Council approved a public-private partnership between the City of Sedalia and Furnell Companies for construction of a pavilion at 2nd and Ohio for special events. “I'm excited to see what it will become,” commented City Administrator Kelvin Shaw. “We can do more than what either the City of private can do alone.”

Shaw added that it has been a pleasure working with the Furnells.

No timetable or construction costs were provided at the meeting.

Under Public Safety, there was one item listed:

*Council updated the City's fire code pertaining to food truck inspections. Copies of the code will be available at the City Clerk's Office for 90 days to allow vendors to become familiar with the updated version from the 2018 International Fire Code. Comments will be read at a Council meeting in 90 days.

Under Public Works, there were seven items:

*A $1,682 change order with Coreslab and $149,293.14 change order with Paric was approved for the new Heckart Community Center. A kitchen equipment bid was intentionally left out of the original bid specs for the Center. The Coreslab change order is for footing plate repairs, while the Paric change order is for kitchen equipment. The kitchen at the Center will be run by personnel from the Sedalia Senior Center.

*A $30,054.86 contract with Cummins, Inc., was approved for dump truck repair that involves the removal and replacement of a diesel engine.

*Council approved the purchase of a street sweeper pick-up head assembly from Elliot Equipment Company at a cost of $10,723.22. The old one was reportedly damaged when it struck a street curb.

*Council approved the purchase of a mini-excavator at a cost of $50,025 and a track loader at a cost of $60,800 from Foley Equipment Company for the City's Water Division.

*Council approved the cost of water well repair and part replacement services from Flynn Drillling Company at a cost of $30,626.

*Council approved spending $382,659 with Smico Contracting for rehabilitation of the Main Street Lift Station.

*Council okayed an airport lease agreement between the City of Sedalia and Lawrence Henry and David Lindsay. The owners of one of the hangars Sedalia Regional Airport wants to sell it to David Lindsay. The City maintains ownership of the ground and therefore a lease agreement was needed to lease the ground to a third party, it was noted. At the end of the lease term, the property, including the structure, reverts back to the City. Staff recommended a new lease for up to 25 years at $500 annually with a 15 percent escalator clause each five years, plus making improvements.

Christian Dobrowski, 420 South Grand, was named to the Housing Authority Board of Directors, replacing Anna Conroy, whose term ends in June of 2022.

A liquor license renewal was approved for Virgina Kay Jones, dba Prime Time (Fav Trip), 216 West Broadway, for packaged liquor and Sunday Sales, $450.

Council meets again May 3. The public is invited.