After receiving no public comments concerning a proposed budget for the City of Sedalia for fiscal year 2023, City Council adopted the budget for the upcoming year on Monday night.

Following passage of the new budget, Council contracted with EDSPC for services at a cost of $135,000 for the fiscal year that ends March 31, 2023.

Third Ward Councilman Bob Cross questioned the amount that the County of Pettis contributes annually to EDSPC, which is $40,000. “They should pay more,” he said, to which Mayor John Kehde responded, “We will put you in charge of making that happen.”

Council reinstated a financial commitment to the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival through its foundation at a cost of $10,000. An ordinance for a contract that runs through March 31, 2023, was approved by full Council. The 2022 festival is scheduled for June 1-4.

"I look forward to seeing the Scott Joplin Festival use the new pavilion," commented Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess.

Council approved a $41,939.66 purchase for Sophos firewall technology for cyber security from Blue Tree Technology, Riverside, Mo. It was noted that in order to secure the current pricing, the order has to be placed by March 31. However, the product will not be delivered until next fiscal year. It will include a new generation of products that were used in the Heckart Community Center systems. Staff is well-pleased with the new generation, it was noted. The agreement is for three years of licensing and support.

Under Public Works, Council approved the purchase of a sludge pump for the central Wastewater Treatment Plant. The sludge pump is much needed, as one of the pumps has failed and needs to be replaced, and the plant is currently operating with one pump with no back-up if it were to fail.

Three bids were received, ranging from $28,559 to $33,518. Staff recommended the second-lowest bid (from FTC Equipment, LLC) at $28,780, which was $221 higher than the lowest bid, with no exclusions.

Council approved the lowest bid for extending water service to a recently annexed area west of Cambridge Drive and B Highway. Three bids were received, ranging from $22,499.46 to $35,000. B&P Excavating, LLC, was low bidder at $22,499,46.

Land developer Alex Kapitula has requested utility services from the City. Staff negotiated an agreement with Kapitula stipulating that in return for extending utility services, he would grant the City the perpetual right to annex the property if it ever becomes contiguous to city limits. The agreement is consistent with past practices and agreements in other similar situations, and staff recommended approval.

A change order from S&A Equipment & Builders was approved by Council for filling a coal chute located in the alley going to Stone Laser Imaging, and replacement of a sidewalk on Main between Osage and Kentucky. The cost is estimated at $82,278.03. S&A has successfully completed several other projects around town, it was noted.

Staff has worked with homeowners in the area of 7th and Park to gain easements to complete a stormwater management project. Council approved.

Council also approved paying for engineering services to design a right turn lane at Westwood and Broadway due to a new business being constructed there. Wilson and Company, Inc., was chosen to do the engineering work at a cost of $8,000. The plans will need to be approved by MoDOT before moving forward.

Under Community Development, a presentation by Downtown Planner Joleigh Cornine touted a $5,000 grant received recently by the City for a mural to be painted on the south side of a downtown building located on Ohio between 2nd and 3rd (Stone Laser Imaging).

According to Cornine, the City of Sedalia has been awarded a $5,000 Marketing Heritage and Cultural Tourism in Rural Missouri grant from Missouri Humanities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Missouri Main Street Connection is sponsoring this program in partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) into law. The $1.9 trillion package, based on President Biden's American Rescue Plan, is intended to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including the public health and economic impacts.

"The American Rescue Plan is delivering direct relief to the American people, rescuing the American economy, and starting to beat the virus," according to the White House.

The presentation was listed last on the agenda, but was moved up ahead of the standing committee reports to accommodate the participants.

The $5,000 grant was matched by the City of Sedalia to make it $10,000, and on Monday night, Cornine announced that Bob and Barb Hayden contributed another $10,000 to the project to make it $20,000.

Attending Monday night were the artist, Stefanie Aziere-Sattler, and Julie & Harry Hoffert.

Councilman Dawson thanked the Haydens for their generous donation.

Two liquor license renewals were granted Monday night.

*Mandeep Kaur dba Sedalia Cenex 66, 120 E. 16th, for packaged liquor and Sunday sales, $450.

*John Sweringen dba JA Lany Manufacturing Co., 108 W. Pacific, for liquor by the drink, $450.

Under Miscellaneous Items, Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster noted that Sedalia Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple said more than 3,000 people visited the Heckart Community Center on grand opening day Friday.

Community Development Director John Simmons gave the Council an update on the current West 50 and Midtown TIF situation.

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