SFD Adds Four New Members

One of the highlights of the Feb. 2 City Council meeting was a Sedalia Firefighter badge pining ceremony.

SPD Fire Chief Irwin noted that all four went through months-long Fire I and Fire II programs to become the newest members of the Sedalia Fire Department, as well as an EMT program.

“We do it all in about 12 to 16 weeks, so these gentlemen have a lot of information put in front of them. They have exceled in every aspect of that job, and I could not be more proud of them,” Chief Irwin stated.

The fire chief also noted that the fire service is a family, referencing the large number of off-duty firefighters and loved ones attending the 43-minute ceremony to help celebrate their new firefighting careers with the City of Sedalia.

Andrew Piliero, Jonzel Washington, Logan Warren and Kelan Ernst all received their official helmet badges from Chief Irwin, and each was pinned with a metal badge by their significant other. Andrew brought his wife Samantha, Jonzel brought his wife Katelyn, Logan bought his father Kyle, and Kelan brought his grandfather Roger.

Prior to the badge ceremony, Parks & Rec Director Amy Epple honored Project Manager Matthew Harris with a 15-year service certificate, and City Administrator Matt Wirt honored Building Maintenance Supervisor Travis Roberts with his 10-year service certificate.

Under Finance and Administration, Council heard a presentation and request for funds from John Simmons, board president for the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Music Festival Foundation Board, which is comprised of 17 members.

Simmons was giving the presentation in lieu of Festival Director Shelly Rounds, who was stuck on the tarmac at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport awaiting her flight home.

Simmons, after giving his presentation, requested $12,000 from the City for the 2026 festival. The funding is the same as last year’s request. Before that, the City contributed $10,000 in 2023 and 2024.

The business community is contributing over $12,400 in products, services and sponsorships.

The Missouri Arts Council (MAC) is contributing $22,532, and increase of $7,119 from 2024.

The Foundation also received a Tourism Marketing Grant of over $43,000 for marketing to bring overnight visitors to Sedalia for the festival, scheduled for May 27-30 this year.

The Sedalia Rotary Club and other local organizations also contribute to the financial well-being of the music festival, bring the over total amount given to the Foundation to around $90,000, based on the figures provided by Simmons Monday night.

A total of 38 performers are expected to be at the 2026 music festival.

Trolley tours led by board member Dr. Becky Imhauser have been expanded this year, due to their popularity.

Jeanette Watts is expected to return this year to teach vintage dance moves to the public.

A vintage parade featuring performers, board members and fans will take place on that Saturday morning in downtown Sedalia.

And one more thing – Xylophones! (plural) at the 2026 music festival.

Simmons stated that the economic impact of the Scott Joplin Festival on Sedalia in 2025 was estimated at $434,812. A total of 1401 concert tickets were sold last year.

Under Public Works, Council fixed a clerical error in Ordinance 12120 that was passed Aug. 19.

The language incorrectly referenced a sanitary sewer extension, instead of a water main extension pertaining to the Peterbilt facility along Highway 65 and Route HH.

Professional engineering services are being provided by Broadfoot Engineering, LLC, it was noted.

Baykal Properties, LLC, requested connection to City water services to develop property located at 27685 Route U. Once the property becomes contiguous to Sedalia city limits, the city has a right to petition for annexation at that time.

The same applies to 440 Covered Bridge Road.

During Miscellaneous, Mayor Pro Tem Rhiannon Foster requested that the date of the next Council meeting be pushed back from Feb. 16 (President’s Day) to Feb. 23 and combine it with another scheduled meeting that night.

Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller thanked Public Works for keeping the streets cleared during the recent snow storm.

Under Good & Welfare, Renee Vance, representing the Sedalia Senior Center, noted that Gov. Mike Kehoe’s proposed budget for 2027 includes a 20 percent cut in funding for senior services’ growth and development program in Missouri.

The cut is opposed by the Missouri Aging Association, because it violates the explicit statutory commitment. “It fails to adhere to the legislative intent and harms our growing senior population when the demand is definitely rising,” Vance told the Council.

“The taxes do not come from personal income or the general revenue,” she noted, “but from a tax collected from the insurance policy premium that are sold and paid to the treasurer of the state of Missouri.”

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Three liquor licenses were renewed at the meeting:

*Gloria Ayala, dba El Espolon, 2400 South Limit, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

*Gloria Ayala, dba Don Jose, 111 South Grand, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

*Gloria Ayala, dba Tacos Degollado, 2400 South Limit, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750

Council meets again Feb. 23. The public is invited to attend.